Cloth vs. Leather

[SCRunner12]

So I saw some people discussing in another thread what is better, cloth or leather. Instead of cluttering up that other guys thread I figured I would just make one, with a poll. :bravo:

I voted for leather for the sole fact I have a kid. I personally prefer cloth over leather because it is more breathable, doesn't crack, is harder to cut or tear and is super hot or cold. Leather is nice for spills, wet clothes and looking nice (when it isn't all cracked).

I wanted cloth in my new 4runner and my girlfriend wanted leather, so I put my foot down and got leather. :whipping2 Plus limiteds only come in leather.

I am impressed with Toyota leather compared to some of the crap leather I saw in Jeep GC's I looked at with my girlfriend years ago.

 

[Hepar]

One of the reasons it took me so long to find my Runner was that I specifically wanted the sport cloth seats. Most 4Runner Sport/Highlanders I found were upgraded to leather. I just like the look, feel and longevity of the cloth.

It doesn't mean I'm anti-leather. If I had an Audi it can only be in leather, but in the Runners, I prefer cloth.

 

[Avarice]

My only problem with leather is that it can be cold in the winter and sweaty in the summer.

On the other hand

- It resists odors better
- Resists burns better if you have a smoker in your car, or smoke yourself
- Looks better
- Way easier and faster to clean + no stains from spills

Yes I know leather can crack, my side bolsters on the drivers side are cracking, but honestly, at the same age, my cloth seats have(in other cars) and would in this truck have split and worn down just as bad, as I've seen in friends cloth 4runners.

Plus my back seats look damn near brand new and the passenger has plenty of life left.

 

[02SE]

I specifically wanted leather in my '97, when I bought it new. Almost 14 years later, it still looks and feels nearly new. I have regularly conditioned it over the years.

The 'Runner only sees occasional use these days. Which consists mostly of winter driving, or a couple times a year fourwheeling. So the relative lack of use over the last 8 years probably has contributed to the great condition of the leather.

 

[awpsome]

as a cloth owner, i personally want the leather..

 

[Satter]

I have leather, but would love cloth. I hate leather in cars. It might look nice, but it's completely impractical. Especially when you live in a city like Houston. And in Houston it's hot and humid in this town almost all year around. So, leather is sticky, and almost burns your skin if left out in the sun all day.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Ive said it before and I'll say it again. Leather is stoopid

leather gets REALLY hot in the summer, and turns into a block of ice in the winter. At least that's how it feels on bare skin.
Hot leather sticks to me and makes my back all sweaty. Leather cracks and fades.

Cloth breathes, and I personally just like the feel of it better.

I agree with Hepar though. Any expensive/luxury car NEEDS to have leather. It's just the way it works.

 

[JohnsD90]

I wanted cloth in my new 4runner and my girlfriend wanted leather, so I put my foot down and got leather.

lawl

Yes I know leather can crack, my side bolsters on the drivers side are cracking, but honestly, at the same age, my cloth seats have(in other cars) and would in this truck have split and worn down just as bad, as I've seen in friends cloth 4runners.

Umm, no Leather breaks and cracks way faster than cloth, my seats look brand new at 173k miles.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Leather all the way. They don't trap smells and resist stains much better.

 

[SoCal]

I wanted to say cloth at first but after reading everyones reasoning I am thinking leather might be the better option.

I do like the breathability of cloth though. And cleaning them is a pain. My water bottle leaked all over the front seat and stained it. I'm guessing it just pulled whatever junk was on there from the PO to the surface and now it looks like a cat died there despite my cleaning efforts.

 

[ndcent]

Neither? I think the perfect material is that neoprene, Wet Okole makes.

I had a pair of those seat covers in my old Tahoe and they were awesome!!

I saw a member had some for sale in the classifieds, would have loved to snag it, alas light wallet is light.

 

[broncosi]

as a cloth owner, i personally want the leather..

I think everyone with leather wants cloth and everyone with cloth wants leather. I personally love leather. So lets all get together and do one giant interior swap and everyone leaves happy!

 

[Singtoe]

+1 for leather.

Leather can be repaired by replacing individual panels that are torn or damaged. Colors can be matched quite well.

Cloth seats when damage is harder to find the matching fabric to repair.

 

[IanB]

I have cloth in the Surf, and don't mind it, but I have heated leather in the other 2 cars and wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[Running4life]

I currently have cloth and had a 1998 with leather. Leather gets my vote but it can be cold and hot as mentioned. Especially in TX. Window tint and a windshield screen help that some in the summer.

 

[xskydivingdudex]

I have the sport cloth seats and love them, they look brand new still even though my 4runner is my DD and is used for trips and all of that kind. I also have a 21 month old and still dont have any problems really... i think leather is ok but alot of family and friends have them and they are jsut too hot to sit on in TX heat even with tint and i dont like the cracking that occurs.

I think the closest thing i would want to leather is that katskin stuff.

 

[MrBobDobalina]

I like the leather in the Limited becuase the seats have more power adjusting options making them way more comfortable then the cloth.

 

[ReconCmdr]

I have 250k on my 1998 limited with the leather seats. They finally gave out on the side a few thousand miles ago. I would never have cloth seats! I live in South East Florida where the weather is hot and humid as balls! I am redoing the front seats with leather using perforated on the contact points with heated and ac added in. I found that having my windows tinted sure made the leather nice and cool in the heat of the summer. Never felt to hot on my legs while wearing shorts. Cloth seats just look like crap after a yr or two and dang do they hold smells.

LOVE the ease and look of leather!

 

[broncosi]

What about that suede stuff like in the Lexus IS series. That stuff is nice. I might take that over leather if I was to ever reupholster

 

[Volley]

I like the ease of leather but can be costly to repair once they wear out.