Softex vs cloth

Just a little observation but after trading my base OR for an ORP I am
thoroughly impressed by the softex. Very surprised by this as I thought I liked cloth more but after experiencing both I wouldn’t ever want to go back. I might hate it the next humid 90 degree day but so far it’s so much better than I expected. Moonroof open and ac off on an 80 degree day and no swamp ass

 

Just wait until it starts looking for dusty.

 

I’ve been looking everywhere for dusty.

 

Definitely. The softex is great. Way better than leather too.

 

In not a fan of the Softex, and I wish it came in a light color on the ORP. If I ever sell my 4Runner, the black interior will be the reason.

 

I would prefer a lighter color too, but still liking it more than I thought I would.

 

I love the Softex in my 21 ORP. Much better then the cloth seats that I had in 2019 OR or my Limited's leather. BTW - Toyota offers a Sand Beige Softex in the SR5 Premium trim level.

 

Softex doesn’t breathe like leather so things get pretty warm.

cleaning the seats isn’t a bad deal. definitely easier to clean than the cloth seats when dealing with dusty conditions.

 

That’s the benefit of Softex. Blow or vacuum out the crevices and wipe down with 409. So easy.

 

Plus dog hair.

 

Softex. Less fart absorption.

 

They’re meant to be appreciated, not absorbed and forgotten.

 

Softex is comfortable, durable, and easy to keep looking nice. I just wish it wasn't so dang hot in summer. Would be nice if they were ventilated for those of us down south.

 

This is one of the reasons I prefer cloth. The only down side with cloth is the risk of permanent stains.

 

Dog hair is a big one for me. Our Rhodesian Ridgeback has short hair but they cling to fabric seats and are stubborn to remove.

 

Softex is just vinyl seats I am old enough to remember that vinyl seats were the cheap option and you would pay to have cloth seat covers in your pickup to make it more comfortable. I am also old enough to remember when plush cloth seats cost more than leather in a Cadillac.

It’s amazing that marketing has convinced people that it’s considered an upgrade now.

 

Our 14-1/2yr old Ridgeback/Red Bone Coon Hound mix….Dusty….fantastic creature.

 

Pretty sure Softex and vinyl seats shouldn’t be lumped together. There’s simply no way at the vinyls seats in the ‘77 Chevy pickup I drove are anywhere near the feel of Softex.

 

Technically maybe, but they're a lot nicer feeling than any vinyl seats I ever sat on in the old days, and to me anyway they are much more comfortable than the base cloth 4runner seats. Not as good as the velour in my old Delta 88 though!

 

Handsome pup. Thanks for sharing.

 

I have to assume anyone that compares Softex to the old vinyl seats hasn’t even tried Softex.

 

yes the feel is much better but they are still hot and sticky in the summer and a ball freezer in the winter.

 

You should not assume. I have. . It’s just nicer vinyl

 

Agreed. I was a bit like that too until I actually tried them.

 

The garbage cloth that comes in cars now is not the plush stuff of yesteryear. I'd love to have the sort of cushy and soft cloth seats we had in the 80's.

 

Yep those velour pillow top seats in Lincoln’s and Cadillacs were very nice. It was like sitting in a lazy boy while driving down the highway.

 

The cloth seats in my el cheapo 2006 Corolla CE are so good, people don't know what they are missing unless they grew up with it.

 

It is very nice vinyl.

I have Vinyl in a 2022 vehicle from another manufacturer and the difference between that and softex is noticeable, each is good in its own way, but the softex does simulate leather a lot more convincingly.

 

I agree, marketing people today could sell a big pile of $hit to the public and convince them that it’s finger licking good. I’m not implying that softtex is not good, from many posts, it sounds like it wears good and is much easier to keep clean compared to fabric.

 

+1

Back in 'the day' you'd find any way possible to upgrade to cloth seats versus vinyl but that's because we didn't call it Softex. My Softex is easy to clean and durable and not the same as 70s/80s vinyl but treating it as an equivalent to leather isn't really a fair comparison. If I'm choosing between Softex and leather I'd take leather - basically a tie for durability and wear and a bonus for all the other scenarios.