If you’ve road tripped around the West, chances are you’ve seen the bench seat of an old truck covered with a woven saddle blanket. While they’re made to cushion a horse’s back, it turns out the durability, protection, and ability to absorb sweat also make that design fitting for a truck.
With a little bit of cowboy-boot-and-country-life flair, the Saddle Blanket Seat covers are a modern version of that nostalgic style. And they perform pretty well, too, with modern attributes and materials.
In short: The Saddleman Saddle Blanket Seat Covers ($275) have an Old West style while protecting your car seats from wear and reducing the impact of stains. The top side of these car seat covers is similar to a saddle blanket with a herringbone-esque weave that’s stitched with multiple hues. The result: A cozy, soft hand feel and a country vibe. The material is backed with a light, stretchable synthetic fabric. And rear pockets are stitched into the seatbacks for stowing maps or other small items.
See our complete collection of selected car seat covers in the Best Car Seat Covers buyer’s guide.
- Fit: Custom
- Set: Two full front seat covers
- Material: Undisclosed
- Waterproof: No
Pros
- Soft
- Reduces sun-fade and wear on vehicle seats
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Not dirt- waterproof
- Spot-clean only
Review: Saddleman Saddle Blanket Seat Covers
I tested this seat cover set in my Subaru in fall 2024. As an outdoor enthusiast and dog owner based in Santa Fe, N.M., I’m always looking for a way to extend the life of my car’s interior.
On any given day, I’m hauling stuff for yoga, trail running, alpine, backcountry, and telemark skiing. So, the seats are susceptible to wear and tear.
The available color choices include black, blue, brown, gray, tan, and wine. The covers are also made to order for specific vehicle models. As a bonus, they’re produced in the U.S.A. by a company with a 30-year history. And purchases through the company include a 2-year warranty.
Great Materials
If you were lucky enough to ride in a ranch truck with an old saddle blanket, you know that material could be seriously itchy. Not so with the Saddle Blanket Seat Covers.
They’re made with woven olefin, a synthetic fiber also known as polypropylene. For those looking to do a deep dive on this fabric, it’s made with what was once considered a waste product from oil production. It’s designed to be colorfast and stain-resistant, as well as resistant to flame and microbes.
I didn’t want to take a match or lighter to something as pretty as this. But I appreciated the results, given the fabric’s remarkably soft feel. I also noticed no stains despite weeks of use and wear — including a dog that regularly jumps into the front seat with red or black mud on his paws.
Installation: Front Seat Covers
These covers slip on easily but should be secured with the straps available so they don’t sag over time. You should set aside some time for installation. That way, you can thoroughly clean the seats ahead of time and appropriately secure these covers into place. A snug fit both looks better and reduces the chance of snags and tears.
Keep in mind that only front seat covers are available. So your back seats will be left out of the makeover.
The design is airbag compatible, so in-seat airbags (that are only in newer vehicles) will still deploy. Electric heated seats can also permeate through the cover with minimal interference. And if you’re all in on the country vibe, a console lid cover is available, too.
Critiques
The heavy weave holds up against most abrasives — like dog claws and climbing gear — but Velcro can snag it. The fabric catches pet hair and doesn’t absorb some light moisture, but it’s not fully waterproof.
I noticed that some dirt can drift through to the seat below.
Before diving in, consider your common passengers: If it’s a wet, dirty dog, something more waterproof and dirt-proof might be more utilitarian. Even if it sacrifices the style points.
Conclusion
I loved the New-Old-West feel to these seat covers and the chance to support an American-made product. These covers do a fair job of protecting seats from general wear, some dirt, and a bit of moisture, too. They also seem resistant to pet paws.
If the limitations on fit and the lack of full waterproofing work for you, the Saddleman Saddle Blanket Seat Covers make for a charming and unique choice.
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