MAX COMFORT - Cloth vs Leather captains???

[Tony S]

I am set to order a 2001 F250 V10 SC 4x4 Lariat. I am wondering which seats you find more comfortable for long trips, the cloth or leather captains? Thanks!

[F-250 Hoss]

Howdy Tony! Let me be the first to welcome you to the site. I think you'll find a lot of great information here.

I've got the leather captains in my truck and I love them! I had cloth seats in my last truck (which was a Chevy S-10 . . . but cloth is cloth no matter what truck it's in). I liked them too. This is my first vehicle with leather seats and interior but I've really enjoyed it so far.

By the way, if Smokey or Jason don't come along and move this to the General forum, you might think about posting it again there. You'll probably get a better response. This this is a diesel site and you're in a gas engine forum, so you'd be better off posting over there so more people can read it.

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2000 Lariat F-250 4x4, SD, SC, SWB, V-10, 3.73LS, Auto

[exoval]

I have both in different vehicles, the cloth is more comfortable to me. Warmer in winter, cooler in summer and does not show the wear that leather does. Leather will have cracks and wear marks at 10k miles and cloth will look new at 50K miles. They don't make cows like they used to.

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Y2K excursion XLT 2wd, ordered july '99, built august '99, delivered september 9 '99, 4R100 fried & replaced at 900 miles

[outpost22]

I've had cloth and leather and like both. The criteria I used in having leather in this new truck is:
1. No pets in the cab (except the wife).
2. I don't do contracting anymore, so less dirt on the jeans(and the seats)
3. I think leather is more comfortable for long trips.
4. Cloth can get threadbare with high abraision.
If I was using the truck as a utility rig I'd go cloth... and shampoo as needed. All personal likes and dislikes. You can't make a bad choice here.

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Y2k F350,V10,4x4,Lariat,SC,Auto,Tow pkg, Rancho 9000, Air Ride,Long bed,Lance Camper

[Tony S]

Thanks for the advice both of you. I guess leather is not the way to go. Those heated seats would sure be nice here in MN though. We haven't been above 20 degrees for almost a month.

[kenc]

My $0.02 on leather for long trips... It's cooler since you don't sink into them when you sweat. Leather doesn't retain body odor (everybody farts on long trips) and cleans up easier. I also find that leather seats hold their shape better. With the heated seat option, you reduce the driver/passenger battle for the thermostat. And for long trips, you can slide around on leather and fidget much easier than on cloth. Worse comes to worse, you can get the leather and put on some cloth seat covers. If it's a true work truck, then I might agree fabric will wear better, largely because it hides all the stains and rips, but otherwise I prefer leather, pleather, or whatever cows or pows they are using these days.

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2001 F250 Lariat CC SWB V10 Auto 4x4 4.3LS, Shift on fly, Block heater, TT mirrors, Off-road, Reverse sensor, Hitch, Heated seats, 5.5 Fabtech, 37 BFG, 8x17 Boyd, Rancho Dual 9000, Line-x, Waag w2w bars, B&B exhaust, K&N intake, Escort SR1, Compustar Alarm, Pics.


[This message has been edited by kenc (edited 01-02-2001).]

[Tony S]

The truck will be used for towing my Mustang drag race car across the country and also as a daily driver to work. No wife/kids/dogs will be climbing on these seats! After driving for 10+ hours, I want to be comfortable and without an aching back. The heated seats really would be nice in this freezing ass cold here. Now I am swaying towards the leather again. Thanks for all of your opinions, I really appreciate it. I will carefully choose whichever I go with.

[SDV10]

The leather they used on my 99 Super Duty, is already starting to show wear and I only have 7k on it, I keep it very clean, and Lexol the seats bout once a month depending on how much use they see. As far as the quality of the leather I think it is of poor quality, my 78 Lincoln, 89 Cadillac leather is holding up better by far than the truck. My 2 cents worth.

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1999 F250 4x4 Supercab, V10, Lariat, 4.30ls 6" National Spring Lift, Dual Shocks, 16.5 x 9.75 Weld Typhoons, 36x14.50 TSL Radials, K&N Gen. II, Magnaflow Dual Exhaust, Billet Grill, Line-X

[UTAH]

Yeah - leather is O.K. and can even add to resale value.

However, I've had leather and would not go back. Nothing like sitting on leather when it's 0 degrees F (those seat heaters aren't instantaneous) or getting in with shorts on when the sun has been hitting the seats.

I had to look hard to find an Excursion without leather - that's why I went with the XLT rather than the Limited X.

In the end, it all comes down to personal preference - doesn't it?

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2000 PSD Excursion 4x4 XLT
AT Tires, 3.73 LS, TC Skid Plate, HTD TT Mirrors, Alum Wheels, 6 Disk CD, Comfort/Conv. Group, Pwr Vent Windows, Mudflaps