Off-Road Bucket Seats With Washable Padding: The FIA Options And More
Off-road seat guide
Off-road driving asks more of a seat than a circuit does. Whether it is muddy lanes, rocky trails or a timed event, the seat has to hold you in place over rough ground, stay comfortable over long distances, and put up with water, mud and dust that would ruin a velour trim in a season.
The answer is padding that sheds dirt and can be washed. This guide covers the seats we suggest for off-road use: two built for it, one waterproof FIA seat, and some vinyl-trimmed alternatives. We are clear on which ones are FIA homologated, because for an off-road event that decides what you can use.
- Off-road seats need padding that sheds water and mud and can be washed
- Bimarco Cobra Pro Off-Road: FIA 8855-1999, rubber-based cushions, rinse clean
- Sparco Evo QRT X: FIA 8855-1999 with a waterproof trim, in three widths
- OMP HTE EVO Off-Road: neoprene trim and head support, road and track rated, not FIA
- Vinyl-trimmed FIA buckets are a cheaper, wipe-clean alternative
- If you compete, check your class rules and ask your scrutineer
Why the padding matters off-road
Most bucket seats are trimmed in velour or cloth. On a circuit that is fine. Off-road, fabric soaks up water, holds mud in the weave, and starts to smell, and after a wet season it can be past saving. Seats built for off-road use swap the fabric for materials that do not absorb water, often as separate cushions for the back, base and sides.
- Quick to clean after a muddy day, often with just water
- Resistant to water and dirt, for open or dusty cabins
- Hard wearing, so the cushions hold their shape
- Separate cushions can often be removed or replaced
The rest of the seat matters too. Rough ground throws your head and body about far more than a smooth circuit does, so side support and head support take a lot of work off your neck on a long day.
Bimarco Cobra Pro Off-Road FIA
This is the FIA seat on our list built specifically for off-road use. It is a fibreglass and resin shell made by RTM, homologated to FIA 8855-1999, with head support built into the shell. Instead of conventional upholstery, Bimarco use cushions made of a synthetic rubber (EPDM) that resists dirt and moisture, so the seat can be rinsed down with water.
Bimarco's drawing gives 600mm across the shoulders, 540mm across the base, 393mm inside, 900mm tall, and side mount holes 290mm apart. It is side mounted, takes a 6 point harness, and is listed for all heights. Our Bimarco Cobra Pro Off-Road post has more on it.
Sparco Evo QRT X waterproof
The Evo QRT X is the waterproof version of Sparco’s Evo competition seat. The standard Evo is trimmed in fabric, which holds moisture; the X uses a waterproof vinyl-type trim throughout, so it can be wiped down after a wet stage. It keeps the Evo’s FIA 8855-1999 homologation and HANS compatibility, takes a 6 point harness, and comes in the standard Evo, Evo L and Evo XL widths, so bigger drivers are covered too.
It is side mount only, and needs Sparco’s FIA steel side mounts and a subframe for the vehicle. For rally, off-road or any car where the seat will get wet, it is the one we point people to when they want a Sparco. We go into it further in our Sparco Evo QRT X post.
OMP HTE EVO Off-Road
The HTE EVO Off-Road is OMP's seat for off-road use, part number HA0-0830-A01. It is trimmed in neoprene, which sheds water, does not hold mud the way velour does, and can be hosed down. The wings come round past your ears, which helps a great deal on rough ground where your head is thrown about far more than on a circuit.
It has a fibreglass shell, a fixed back and side mounting, takes a 4 or 6 point harness, and is listed for all heights and a 32 to 36 inch waist. One important point: it is rated for road and track, not FIA homologated. That makes it a strong choice for trail and leisure off-roading, but if your class requires an approved seat, choose one of the two above.
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Other options: vinyl-trimmed buckets
Not everyone needs a seat built only for off-road. Plenty of our customers use their vehicles for a mix of things, and a standard bucket seat in a vinyl trim can work well. Vinyl repels dirt and water, wipes clean, and stands up to the weather better than fabric.
These seats do not have the washable modular cushions of the seats above, but several are FIA 8855-1999 homologated and cost less: the Mirco GT in vinyl, the Corbeau Sprint X System 1 vinyl, the Cobra Monaco Pro vinyl and the Mirco RS2 in black vinyl among them. Our guide to fabric or vinyl bucket seats goes through the trade-offs.
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From £708.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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Making the right choice
Start with how the vehicle is used. If you compete, read your class regulations first and check with the scrutineer if anything is unclear, then pick from the FIA seats. If it is for trails, green lanes or leisure use, the OMP HTE EVO Off-Road and the vinyl buckets open up more choice.
Then think about fitting. All of these are side mount seats sold on their own, and off-road vehicles often need a subframe made for them or a fabricated mounting. Garreth’s advice is to tell us the vehicle and what you do with it before choosing, so we can check the seat width and the mounting together.
Which off-road seats here are FIA approved?
The Bimarco Cobra Pro Off-Road and the Sparco Evo QRT X are FIA 8855-1999; the OMP HTE EVO Off-Road is not.
Can I wash an off-road seat?
The Bimarco’s rubber cushions can be rinsed with water, and the OMP’s neoprene can be hosed down.
Is the OMP HTE EVO Off-Road FIA homologated?
No. It is rated for road and track, so it is not for classes that require an approved seat.
Is vinyl a good choice for off-road?
Yes. It repels dirt and water and wipes clean, though it lacks the removable cushions of dedicated off-road seats.
Do these seats come with mounts?
No. They are side mount seats sold on their own; side mounts and a subframe or fabricated mounting are extra.
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For off-road competitionBimarco Cobra Pro Off-Road
FIA 8855-1999, head support and rubber cushions you can rinse clean.
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