Leather seats look great and feel amazing. But let’s face it, they can also make you sweat a lot – even on not-so-hot days.
Leather is luxurious but it isn’t as breathable as fabric seats.
But don’t worry, we’ve all been there. And I’m here to help!
In this post, I’ll show you 8 easy ways to stop sweating on leather car seats, so you can enjoy your ride without feeling stuck to your seat.
#1 Seat Covers Or Cushions
One of the simplest solutions to stop sweating on leather car seats is to add a seat cover.
It will create a barrier between you and the leather.
Beaded seat covers are a good option. They’re made of small wooden or plastic beads that let air flow through and help absorb moisture from your body.
Also Read: Best Solutions for Driving with Sweaty Hands
Plus, they give you a nice massage-like feeling as the beads move around.
Wool or sheepskin covers work great too.
These are made of natural fibers that breathe well, so they soak up sweat instead of letting it sit on the surface.
Top tip: If you decide to get a seat cover, make sure it won’t interfere with any seat heaters or ventilation your car might have. You’ll want one that fits well and doesn’t block these features.
#2 Use A Cushion
Your next option is to use a cushion.
Adding a cushion will create a gap between your back and the seatback, which lets air circulate better. And the extra space will stop your back from pressing against the leather too much.
This will reduce the contact area which means less sweating.
If you can get something like a small lumbar support cushion, it can be useful too if your car seat doesn’t give you much support in the lower back area.
Get a cushion made of breathable materials like mesh or perforated foam. These keep air flowing instead of trapping heat and moisture.
Some even have cutouts or channels to encourage more cooling airflow.
They’re usually small and easy to adjust, so you can find the right spot to support your back while still staying cool.
#3 Wear A Sweat-Absorbing Undershirt
Wearing a thin, breathable undershirt can also stop you from sweating.
Try to find undershirts made from materials like polyester or nylon that pull sweat away from your skin. These fabrics are designed to keep you feeling cool and dry.
Avoid cotton undershirts – they’ll absorb and trap moisture.
Also Read: How Can I Stop Itching When Sweating
#4 Powders Or Creams
Put on some antiperspirant or talcum powder on your back before hitting the road.
The powder absorbs moisture and helps keep you dry and stop sweating on leather car seats. You can also try using creams made for athletes that are designed to wick away sweat.
That said, just make sure you don’t get any powder or lotion on the leather.
It can potentially discolor or damage the material over time.
Use these products sparingly and concentrate on areas where you tend to sweat the most, like your lower and middle back.
#5 Adjust Your Driving Position
The way you sit in the car can make a big difference in how much you sweat.
Sitting up straight lets air flow behind your back, but if you lean forward a bit, it creates a space between you and the seat that helps air circulate.
This space stops your back from getting all sweaty.
So try adjusting your seat, steering wheel, and backrest and see if that helps.
#6 Pre-Cool The Car With Remote Start
If your car has remote start, make the most of it.
Start the engine and air conditioning a few minutes before you plan to hop in, so the cabin gets nice and cool before you get there.
This will give a refreshing blast of cold air to counter any heat or humidity that’s built up while the car’s been parked.
This works even better if you can park your car in the shade or a garage.
That way, the A/C isn’t battling direct sunlight, so it can cool the interior more efficiently.
When you slide into the driver’s seat, you’ll be greeted by a delightfully chilled environment instead of a stuffy oven.
#7 Tint Your Windows
Blocking the sun’s radiant heat can also help keep your car’s interior cooler.
One way to do this is by adding window tint. Tinting can block up to 99% of UV rays and significantly reduce the amount of heat that builds up inside your car.
If there isn’t much heat, you won’t sweat as much on the leather seat.
Even a 20-30% tint will lower the cabin temperature without affecting your visibility too much.
That said, make sure to follow your local window tint laws. In some places, you might have to go with a lighter tint to stay legal.
Also Read: Does Rubbing Alcohol Stop Sweating?
#8 Seat Ventilation
If your car didn’t come with ventilated seats, you can still get them after buying the car.
There are aftermarket options available to add cooling airflow.
Some of these systems use small fans to blow cool air through tiny holes in the leather, while others connect to your car’s air conditioning system.
They pull air from inside the car and circulate it through the seat, giving you a nice cool feeling on your back.
These upgrades can be expensive, costing anywhere from a couple of hundred to a few thousand dollars when installed.
But the comfort they bring on hot days is definitely worth it.