Bartact Seat Cover Question

[pro-tour69]

Hello Everyone,

I have recently gone done the rabbit hole of trying to decide what to do with my original seat trim covers and have most likely narrowed it down to either a set of Bartact Tactical's or going the Katzkin route. My Jeep has spent most of its life in the California sun with I assume the top down because the original cloth covers and stitching have gotten pretty "crunchy".

I have read all the threads I could find regarding the fit and long term durability of the Bartact covers and while I have never been a fan of seat covers, all the positive reviews have definitely made me rethink things. I am also not a big leather fan but I really like the idea the Katzkin's are actual seat trim covers attached to the foam instead of simple covers with no inside tie downs. In my former life I was an OEM seat engineer and it's hard to look past some of the quality items I have seen in some of the pics but I know it is a Jeep and I do off road it and the Bartacts with the Molle system is super practical for what we do in the wild.

Having said all that, hear are my questions.

Bartact Covers:
- How do they fit around the front and rear seat back latches?
- Do they tuck under like the OEM's or are they just cut-outs so you see the OEM cover underneath?
- For those that have installed seat heaters, did you stick them to the top of the OEM cover or under the OEM cover (like they usually are)?
- Wondering if they are buried two layers deep how much longer it will take to warm your butt
- How well do they repel dust? I saw a previous post by Chris where he got rid of his and went the leather/vinyl route because of the dust collection.
- I have also seen fairly recent posts regarding a potential drop in quality since moving production offshore and wondering if anyone who has purchased a set recently can speak to their latest quality vs. when the covers were made stateside?

Katzkin (or Leather in General) Covers:
- I have never really been a fan of leather seats but see the benefit of cleaning and not collecting dust
- I also haven't seen many pics or people on this forum talking much about leather (which I guess is somewhat a sign)
- For those that do have leather, what are your real world/off road experiences?

And finally, the cost difference is looking to be about $1200 which is A LOT of money and probably should outweigh my OEM mindset when I look at the Bartacts but it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks (LOL!!).

Thank you in advance,

Scott

 

[macleanflood]

My Bartacts fit well, cut around the latches and buckles, repel dust, water and hold up to dogs well...even with the black/red combo I'm using. I bought mine on sale from another reseller. From my reading of others woes ordering from Bartact I would not order from them.

I put my seat heater (Dorman, not Bartact) right on top of the oem seat... there's actually pockets sewn into the Bartacts for the heaters. It's a little toasty. Low is hot, high is perfect when you're wearing insulated coveralls snow wheeling with the top off.

If I had to do it over, given the delays and bullshittery Bartact subjects folks too...and given the availability of new seat foam from Summit...and knowing a few of my springs are broken...I'd just find an upholstery shop to redo my seats.

I will say I love the MOLLE attachments on the seats...mine are covered in quick grab things like cable ties, my Leatherman, air pressure gauge, a lighter, pen, heck I have a solar LED light I cleaned up from an abandoned campsite. And pouches full of little parts like spare u joint caps with needles and an extra u joint, bolts, fuel pump...that MOLLE attachment lets you cover the seats in pouches or just push things into the straps.

I'm a sucker for leather seats...no mater how impractical it might be...

-Mac

 

[DaveC]

No experience with the Katskinz, but boy do I love my Bartacts.

My TJ is a weekend trail rig and hunting rig, and here in AZ the dust is no joke. That said, I've never had issue with it. A little slap here and there (on the seats ) with an open palm typically dispels all the dust and if it's really bad, a wipe down with a damp cloth is all I've ever needed.

Mine are black, I've had them for going on 7 years and they still look new and I'm not easy on them. The fit is also outstanding as Mac pointed out.

If you do lean toward the Bartact, I'd suggest calling some of their resellers to see what their inventory and lead time look like. They may also be running a sale that would apply. This worked out well for me; bought mine from Northridge 4x4, I think they were running 15% off $x that I qualified for and had them in a few days.

 

[mrblaine]

My Bartacts fit well, cut around the latches and buckles, repel dust, water and hold up to dogs well...even with the black/red combo I'm using. I bought mine on sale from another reseller. From my reading of others woes ordering from Bartact I would not order from them.

I put my seat heater right on top of the oem seat... there's actually pockets sewn into the Bartacts for the heaters. It's a little toasty. Low is hot, high is perfect when you're wearing insulated coveralls snow wheeling with the top off.

If I had to do it over, given the delays and bullshittery Bartact subjects folks too...and given the availability of new seat foam from Summit...and knowing a few of my springs are broken...I'd just find an upholstery shop to redo my seats.

I will say I love the MOLLE attachments on the seats...mine are covered in quick grab things like cable ties, my Leatherman, air pressure gauge, a lighter, pen, heck I have a solar LED light I cleaned up from an abandoned campsite. And pouches full of little parts like spare u joint caps with needles and an extra u joint, bolts, fuel pump...that MOLLE attachment lets you cover the seats in pouches or just push things into the straps.

I'm a sucker for leather seats...no mater how impractical it might be...

-Mac

For folks paying attention, we tested the Bartact seat heaters yesterday against a set of Dorman.
At 30 seconds, you can feel the Dorman getting hot. The Bartact are still cool.
At 2 mins. the Dorman were 85, Bartact were 73,
Highest temp was 100ish for Dorman, 85ish for Bartact.

 

[Mhass]

I had them and removed them. I thought the MOLLE system would be awesome and help keep stuff secure. It does, but the trade offs weren't worth it for me. The fit was ok, cutouts at the latches and corners. Attachment points and straps secured the covers well. They were minor pain to install and keep straps nd ties clear of moving parts. Not bad, you just need to be patient and pay attention.
The downside for me was the fabric and seams at the edges. The fabric was slippery and the seams at the edges, especially the corner cutouts caught on my leg hair (i wear shorts almost 100% of the time) and was irritating.
My seats are in really good shape and I wanted to keep them that way while adding the MOLLE attachments. Decided it wasn't worth the trade offs and went back to stock seats. When/if I get them re covered, I'll have the shop put attachments on the back of the seats.
Note, I can't point to any poor manufacturing, crappy assembly, or anything except the subjective irritation of feeling the corner seams, being slippery and getting leg hair ripped out. For reference, I'm 6'2" 230 lbs with 36" inseam. So, it could just be where my legs end up in any car and the fact that I'm a picky bitch when it come to my comfort.
They were a decent product, just not for this picky dude.

 

[macleanflood]

For folks paying attention, we tested the Bartact seat heaters yesterday against a set of Dorman.
At 30 seconds, you can feel the Dorman getting hot. The Bartact are still cool.
At 2 mins. the Dorman were 85, Bartact were 73,
Highest temp was 100ish for Dorman, 85ish for Bartact.

I put the Dormans on mine.

I might order a third set to cook food. =)

-Mac

 

[PurpleTJAZ]

I had Bartact covers on my stock TJ seats for about seven years until I went to my PRP suspension seats. They were hands down the best seat covers I have used, and I have been selling parts and accessories for over 40 years. They fit and look excellent and are extremely durable as well as easy to clean. Sold them to a friend who put them in his wife's TJ so they are still going strong.

I recently put Katzkin's in my Toyota Tundra. They are amazing. Look and feel better than factory leather and they are customizable to your tastes. I don't think I would ever put leather in my TJ, but if I did I would do Katzkin.

 

[AndyG]

Bartact has successfully redefined seat cover fit and quality- only another Jeep owner in the know will know they are covers. Anyone else will think they are the actual seat upholstery.

Cleanability is unmatched, color retention is amazing, and the ability to slide in the vehicle but not be slick is perfect.

The added pockets are very handy since TJs have so little storage.

Durability is exceptional.

They look like what a jeep should come with.

The attachment system and foam compression fit is why they fit so snug.

 

[red02tj]

Love the fit and durability, but after almost 5yrs of top off summers in ATL they are starting to fade. There is no extra UV protection on the Coyote and a few other colors, (as indicated on their website) when I emailed them the pics, they did offer to sell a replacement set at dealer cost.
When they are installed, the fading isn’t as noticeable

 

[John Cooper]

I picked up my Bartacts here in the classifieds. Still only have the driver side installed, hopefully doing the passenger side this weekend.

I love them, glad I got them and would get them again!!

 

[Oberst Oswald]

Bartact has successfully redefined seat cover fit and quality- only another Jeep owner in the know will know they are covers. Anyone else will think they are the actual seat upholstery.

Cleanability is unmatched, color retention is amazing, and the ability to slide in the vehicle but not be slick is perfect.

The added pockets are very handy since TJs have so little storage.

Durability is exceptional.

They look like what a jeep should come with.

The attachment system and foam compression fit is why they fit so snug.

View attachment 587220

I totally agree with AndyG. Only have them for a few months (wrinkles are out now) and could not be more than satisfied. BUT... they were expensive and took 3 1/2 months to get without any feedback from company until delivery. They were in the process of moving when I ordered so that might of been a reason.

 

[MikekiM]

I have the Bartact Tactical covers. If I had the patience to wait I would have special ordered them without the Molle grid. I don't use it other than a flashlight on the side of each seat. I am full time soft top and live in the NE.. pretty much anything that isn't bolted down is vulnerable to being snatched.

I absolutely love the Bartacts. The fit is factory perfect. I have them about three years and have zero complaints.

I would love a set of Corbeau Trail Cats but here too, I prefer to not call attention to the Jeep and try to keep it relatively under the radar.

Another option for an amazing looking seat is to do what @Woodrow did and have them professionally redone. One of the best looking stock seats I have seen...

...only another Jeep owner in the know will know they are covers. Anyone else will think they are the actual seat upholstery.

^^^ Well said..

For folks paying attention, we tested the Bartact seat heaters yesterday against a set of Dorman.
At 30 seconds, you can feel the Dorman getting hot. The Bartact are still cool.
At 2 mins. the Dorman were 85, Bartact were 73,
Highest temp was 100ish for Dorman, 85ish for Bartact.

I haven't recorded the temps of the Bartact seat heaters but I can attest to this... after less than a minute on high they are too hot for me to be comfortable with. I flip them on when I first start rolling and once they warm up, under a minute, I switch them to low. Even on low I end up turning them off in short order.

I had a set of cheap heaters from Amazon that were DOI... dead on install. Should have bought the Bartacts first and saved a headache.

 

[mrblaine]

I haven't recorded the temps of the Bartact seat heaters but I can attest to this... after less than a minute on high they are too hot for me to be comfortable with. I flip them on when I first start rolling and once they warm up, under a minute, I switch them to low. Even on low I end up turning them off in short order.

I had a set of cheap heaters from Amazon that were DOI... dead on install. Should have bought the Bartacts first and saved a headache.

I think you may have reversed my results. Our Bartact supplied heaters suck and will not be used.

 

[AndyG]

I totally agree with AndyG. Only have them for a few months (wrinkles are out now) and could not be more than satisfied. BUT... they were expensive and took 3 1/2 months to get without any feedback from company until delivery. They were in the process of moving when I ordered so that might of been a reason.View attachment 587300View attachment 587301

Every time I have purchased them I had to choke down the price and then I never regretted it later.

I would even look and see if there’s any other option and still go back to them and cry-

But you will only cry one time

 

[psrivats]

I totally agree with AndyG. Only have them for a few months (wrinkles are out now) and could not be more than satisfied. BUT... they were expensive and took 3 1/2 months to get without any feedback from company until delivery. They were in the process of moving when I ordered so that might of been a reason.

Move was not the reason. Mine took 4 months and a complaint. It's just the way they seem to operate now. Product still good, ridiculous lead times and no clear communications.

 

[chili_pepper]

Mine took 4 months and a complaint. It's just the way they seem to operate now. Product still good, ridiculous lead times and no clear communications.

I'd really like to get a set of their high end fronts only, in all black, in order to protect the factory covers (still in great shape), but I've seen a number of posts similar to this around the web. Makes me apprehensive.

 

[Oberst Oswald]

Received a direct message from a member for closeup pictures of the cutouts. To others who may be interested...

 

[DuckNut]

Bartacts front and rear. Yes, they are worth it.

 

[DuckNut]

Received a direct message from a member for closeup pictures of the cutouts. To others who may be interested...View attachment 587454View attachment 587456View attachment 587457

Seat flip lever - Take off the plastic covers, tuck the seat cover in and install the plastic covers over the seat cover.

My back seat has a flap with Velcro to cover the handle.

 

[AndyG]

Received a direct message from a member for closeup pictures of the cutouts. To others who may be interested...View attachment 587454View attachment 587456View attachment 587457

I wondered if anybody’s ever try to capture the new seat cover by removing those and reinstalling them. Answered above.