Comments on: Beaded Seat Covers Are Cheap, Keep You Cool

By: Juanita Carlson

Juanita Carlson — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:26:12 +0000

I bought a beaded cushion last winter from a catalgue. I just started using it in our recent heatwave of 97 degrees here in Kansas. It does help and my back muscles feel great!

By: convert a gas car to electric

convert a gas car to electric — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:13:26 +0000

so your girl is happy except her hair tucking with beads. Its a nice idea to use beads anyway. More than that in tropics side this beads helps to prevent hammorides development. These are healthy as one’s back will not be in constant touch with cushion of the seat whcih is not advisable.

By: Stevie

Stevie — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:40:03 +0000

my problem with the beads is I like to drive with no shirt and I’ve got an extremely hairy back so my back hair keeps getting pulled in by the beds..OUCH…my wife says silk is cool?

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:54:18 +0000

I just bought a pair of these for my Civic DX. My car doesn’t have AC either, so I was looking for something to make the drive a little more comfortable. They seem to work very nicely as for the 10 miles I drove with them today. Very nice writeup, and a great recommendation.

By: Tom Burnham

Tom Burnham — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:40:16 +0000

I tried one of these years ago and used it only once. I quickly found that my butt had ZERO traction on the beads and so my driving position suffered on any but the most gentle corner. My verdict is that they are UNSAFE in emergency maneouvers. I would never again touch then with a ten foot pole.

By: Durandal

Durandal — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:41:57 +0000

ZapWorld also has some seat cushions that actually COOL! They’re expensive at $159 each, however… However, having cooling seat cushions would be very… (wait for it.. ) cool.
http://www.zapworld.com/node/902

By: Shane Watson

Shane Watson — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:34:07 +0000

Your information is quite helpful for us in buying cover for our corvette. Thanks for this informative post.

By: David

David — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:57:57 +0000

Well they will tear apart the base material be it leather or cloth, faster than you butt would. Also sweat will still end up on the base material. These are not good if you want to retain the value of your vehicle.

I use sheepskin pelts on the seat bases of my car covering the leather. These are very comfortable all year long and don’t allow sweat to permeate the leather and also slow stretching of the seat leather.

By: GR1F1TH

GR1F1TH — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:51:45 +0000

I hate beads so I looked for an alternative and found this…
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q96BL2
worth a look. have not bought it yet myself.

By: jim

jim — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:50:06 +0000

Was there a next date?

By: whitevette

whitevette — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:35:51 +0000

A thought…would a very porous / thick fabric be a worthwhile investment of time & effort? This would soften the beads and still “breathe”; ie, terrycloth?

By: Tango Charlie

Tango Charlie — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 02:55:28 +0000

$8.99 at my local Auto Zone. “Pilot” brand name. I just picked one up today after reading this article, so I can’t attest to longevity, but I can echo Ben’s findings.

By: Try Me You Will Love Me » Blog Archive » A/C Alternative: Bring Back the Hippie Seat

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:32:39 +0000

[...] between sweaty drives around town I’ve been doing a little research. Here’s what I’ve learned.read more | digg [...]

By: Just a Guy

Just a Guy — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:42:18 +0000

I tried the beads a few years ago at the request of my buddy who is a cabbie. I thought they would be uncomfortable and I would hate them. But you know what? they are not uncomfortable at all. They do keep you cooler and I found that on long drives to the coast on the weekend I don’t have the same problem with my legs falling asleep. It’s crazy but hey I am a believer now. (BTW I drive a convertible with leather, so on nice days I have to drive with the top down, otherwise why have a converitble right? and A/C just doesnt work with the top down lol)

By: TheDon

TheDon — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:09:18 +0000

I am going to have to get myself some of those for the mercedes

By: UnderExposedJD

UnderExposedJD — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:27:08 +0000

Seems to make good sense! Elevate the body from the cloth base and back of the seat, create some pathways for air to flow, and temperature will drop. Regarding the window tint, I used to own a small tint shop during college and if I can lend some quick advice it may help in your quest for the best film to meet your need. Not all films are created equal. Films sold at your local auto parts stores are a sorry excuse for film, and if you want the real-deal film, seek out and shop around your local professional film installers. Their films will be much higher quality ‘metalized’ films, capable of reflecting much higher levels of heat and also more durable against age. They should all be able to share information with you on the heat reflection/absorption of the different shades. Be sure also to check to make sure that the shade of film you choose is legal in the state where the car is registered! HTH, take care and good luck.

By: Sean Harlow

Sean Harlow — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:15:45 +0000

To each their own, but “70F paradise”?

I keep my car’s climate control set somewhere between 60 and 65 F, 70 I may as well open the windows. I’ve always lived in Ohio though, where -20 F happens every winter and 95F is considered a scorching day, so if you’re a West Coaster who’s used to triple digit heat I could see how that might change your perspective.

By: cbede

cbede — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:14:27 +0000

Uhh… where exactly do you put the thermometer for this test?

I’m sure the discomfort caused by all those beads ( and the thermometer) would take your mind off the heat. Good post though!
I’m going for #4.

By: honemastert

honemastert — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:09:35 +0000

Dude, these are like $8 a piece at the local Wally World (Wal-Mart)

I live in Arizona.. and can attest to the fact that they work (somewhat)

Maybe not hippie.. but my car totally looks like an old persons ride (this is where I used to see these the most back home in the midwest)

By: Benjamin Jones

Benjamin Jones — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:59:08 +0000

Brad – It had a leak that could never be found in the system. When I did my engine swap I just left it out so I wouldn’t have to fiddle with it. It’s really not that important to me, and the gas mileage hit was pretty nasty anyway.