Do Neoprene Seat Covers Make You Sweat?
It seems like a weird question, right?
We’re talking about the same material that wetsuits are made from. And you’re supposed to be in water when wearing a wetsuit, not using it as a seat cover in your car – right?
Well, this isn’t entirely accurate.
Yes, neoprene is the main material used in things like wetsuits that are waterproof, but its uses are far more versatile than this. One of the uses is in seat covers.
What Is Neoprene?
Neoprene (also known as polychloroprene) is a type of rubber that is a fantastic heat insulator and is hydrophobic.
The type of neoprene used to manufacture seat covers is critical in whether it will make you sweat or not.
Broadly speaking, neoprene comes in two forms. Closed-cell and open-cell.
Closed Cell Neoprene
To support this, closed-cell neoprene is completely solid and waterproof. They can be used in industrial use like gaskets and seals. They are also used to insulate parts of electrical circuits.
Open-Cell Neoprene
Open-cell neoprene is manufactured in combination with a type of gas, like nitrogen gas, that creates small air bubbles within its structure.
This makes it more spongy and light and, although still waterproof, they will also be breathable and hence less likely to make you sweat than products made from closed-cell neoprene.
Open-cell neoprene is, therefore, more suitable for seat covers.
Other reasons why neoprene is a favorable material for seat covers include:
- Heat resistant – so will not degrade in very hot times of the year
- Cold-resistant – making it durable when exposed to extremely cold weather
- Inert – making it less likely to react with other substances, such as sweat, over time
- UV resistant – will withstand intense exposure to the sun
Open-cell neoprene is also typically found in:
- Gym equipment like mats, and dumbell lining.
- Medical uses like joint braces and supports
- Wetsuits
- Packaging
So do neoprene seat covers cause sweating? Well, seat covers made from open-cell neoprene are breathable and therefore don’t make you sweat.
Note that neoprene seat covers can get hot if left in the sun, which obviously won’t help your cause if you want to stay fresh and sweat-free.
Alternative Seat Cover Materials That Will Not Make You Sweat
Other seat covers that also prove effective against sweat are recommended here.
However, if you are looking for tips on how to choose the right seat cover for this purpose then consider the following:
Look for seat covers made from natural fabric
Look for seat covers that have shells made from materials like linen, cotton, etc. These materials are proven over centuries to be breathable, naturally cooling, and do not retain odors easily.
Neoprene is great for protecting your seat from sweat
As already explained, neoprene is a material that is adept at demonstrating waterproof properties and therefore will protect your seats effectively.
They are also breathable so that you don’t sweat easily.
The color of the seat cover
Different colors can absorb heat at different rates. If left in the sun, black seat covers will likely get hotter quicker and retain heat for longer than say a white seat cover of the same type.
This does also depends on the material that the seat covers are made from. Some materials can absorb heat more efficiently than others.
Conclusion
So there you have it, seat covers made from neoprene generally do not make you sweat. What is interesting is the reasons that this is the case is perhaps more fascinating than the actual fact itself.
