The Definitive Guide To Suede Road, Track, And Motorsport Seats
Seat buying guide
Suede is one of the most asked about trims on a sport seat. It grips you better than vinyl or leather, it feels soft against your back or a race suit, and it gives a seat a finish that looks right in a well kept interior.
It is also available across almost every kind of seat we sell, from track day buckets to FIA competition seats, reclining road seats and classic styles. This guide explains what suede on a seat actually is, what it does well and less well, and the seats we would look at in each category.
- Most seat suede is a microfibre, such as Alcantara, Dinamica or ultra suede
- It grips well, so you move about less in a corner
- It is soft to sit on and does not get as hot as vinyl in summer
- It marks more easily than vinyl and wants brushing, not wiping
- Available on track day buckets, FIA seats, recliners and classic seats
- Often mixed with leather or vinyl on the bolsters, which take the wear
What is on this page
What suede on a seat actually is
The suede on a modern sport seat is almost always a microfibre, not animal suede. You will see names such as Alcantara, Dinamica and ultra suede, and on some seats simply faux suede. They share the soft, brushed surface of real suede but are made to cope with daily use and to hold their colour.
Many seats combine suede with another material. A common layout is suede on the centre panels, where you sit and lean, and leather or vinyl on the bolsters, which take the rub every time you get in and out.
Why choose suede
Grip. The brushed surface holds your back and legs far better than smooth vinyl or leather, so you slide about less in a corner. On a fixed back bucket that helps the bolsters do their job.
Comfort. It is soft to the touch, and it does not get as hot as vinyl in summer or as cold in winter.
Look. Suede gives a seat texture and depth, and it works well with contrast or diamond stitching.
The trade off. Suede marks more easily than vinyl and does not like being soaked. It suits a car that lives indoors. For a car that gets wet, muddy or hosed out, vinyl is the practical choice; our guide to fabric and vinyl bucket seats covers that side.
Suede seats by type
Track day bucket seats (not FIA approved). For road cars that see the odd circuit day, a non homologated fibreglass bucket gives most of the hold of a race seat for less money. The Mirco XL Suede Edition is a good example: Mirco’s wide shell in fibreglass and suede, in 32 to 36 or 36 to 40 inch waist sizing, for road, track and sim use.
FIA bucket seats. Where the rules call for a homologated seat, suede is available on FIA shells too. The Mirco GT Suede Diamond Edition is a fibreglass FIA 8855-1999 seat in charcoal ultra suede with diamond stitching, HANS friendly, for a 32 to 36 inch waist. The approval comes from the shell, so the suede changes the feel, not the homologation.
Road approved bucket seats. The Recaro Pole Position ABE in leather and Dinamica suede is one of the most popular seats we sell for fast road cars: a fibreglass Recaro shell with German ABE road approval, suede centres and leather bolsters.
Reclining sport seats. For a daily driver, a recliner with suede inserts adds grip without giving up comfort. The Auto Style Type VGR in vinyl and suede puts suede effect inserts inside vinyl bolsters, and Recaro's Sportster CS is also offered in leather and suede.
Classic bucket seats. The Mirco Classic-S Suede Diamond Stitch Edition is a period styled fibreglass bucket in faux suede and velour, for a sixties or seventies saloon, a historic rally car or a classic Mini.
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From £365.00 Incl. VATPayPal Credit250+ coloursKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £444.00 Incl. VATPayPal Credit250+ coloursKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £365.00 Incl. VATPayPal Credit250+ coloursKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Looking after suede
Brush suede regularly with a soft brush to lift the pile and stop it flattening where you sit. Vacuum out grit, which wears the surface, and deal with marks early using a cleaner made for microfibre, applied sparingly. Avoid soaking it, and let it dry naturally if it does get wet.
Garreth’s advice is to choose suede for the parts of the seat you sit against and a harder wearing material for the bolsters, which is how many of the best seats are already trimmed. If you are unsure which suits your car, send us your height, waist size and how you use the car, and we will suggest a seat and trim together.
Is the suede on sport seats real suede?
Usually not. Most is a microfibre, such as Alcantara, Dinamica or ultra suede, made to cope with daily use.
Does suede make a bucket seat grip better?
Yes. The brushed surface holds you better than smooth vinyl or leather, so you move about less in a corner.
Can I get an FIA approved seat in suede?
Yes. The Mirco GT Suede Diamond Edition, for example, is homologated to FIA 8855-1999.
How do I clean a suede seat?
Brush it regularly, vacuum out grit, and treat marks early with a microfibre cleaner used sparingly.
Is suede a good choice for an off road or wet car?
Not really. Vinyl copes far better with water and mud, and is easier to wipe clean.
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Our viewSuede where you sit
Suede centres for grip and comfort, harder wearing bolsters for the rub.
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