Beaded Seat Covers Are Cheap, Keep You Cool

[SVOboy]

http://www.ecomodder.com/blog/2008/0...keep-you-cool/

A few months ago in a post about A/C alternatives I promised you I’d try some of the gadgets and get back to you. Well, summer has finally hit and in between sweaty drives around town I’ve been doing a little research. Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. the A/C shirts, according to some cycling reviews I’ve read, are kind of uncomfortable and don’t last very long. Coupled with the high price, I let this one pass;
2. this was the cheapest option, and therefore first on my list, stay tuned for more info;
3. seems like it would work better than #1, but again, cost is a factor. I might give this a try later;
4. definitely still on the to do list, expect an update on this before I shell out for #3;
5. this is definitely next up with the beaded seats already taken of, when I return from HybridFest this is my next mod.

Before thinking about these tricks for alternative A/C, I’d always thought those beaded seat covers were for weirdos. Luckily, the other founder of EcoModder told me that they did a great job of keeping you cool in the summer. I was a little skeptical, but when he showed me his beaded covers and I realized I could get a pair for just $26 dollars (shipping included), I figured it was worth a try.

The Komfort Beads showed up on my doorstep the day after I ordered them, and I went right ahead and through them on both my passenger and driver’s seats. It wasn’t very hot outside, so I couldn’t tell how they worked during short trips around town, but today they got their first real trial.
The Date

When I removed my A/C (most of you will think I’m a fool, but it never worked anyway), I decided that the ultimate replacement would be found when I could go to a date and take a date in my car without showing up a puddle of sweat or reducing her to one. Today I got to put this to the test, as it was extremely sunny and blisteringly hot on the way to an engagement with a lady caller.

I won’t get into the date, but the beads were a success. When I showed up I was a little toasty, but my back felt much nicer than usual and wasn’t a pool of sweat. The seat was still slightly uncomfortable, but it was definitely refreshing to have my back feeling good. When she got into the car, she agreed. I’m sure she’s used to A/C, but I didn’t hear any complaints about the heat. The only negative seemed to be that the beads could tug at longer hair.
Success!

Yep, I’m going to call it a success. The beads don’t put you in a 70F paradise, but they greatly improve summer driving and reduce sweat. Especially for just $26 for a pair, this was a great deal. Does anyone have any other beaded seat cover brands they can recommend?

If you liked this post, sign up for out RSS Feed for automatic updates.[/IMG]

[MazdaMatt]

Is there something less brutally ugly? I still have some sense of self-respect... Maybe some carbon-grey beads?

[socalsuperhero]

Nice! I may have to look into some of those for my hf when i make runs accross the California and Nevada deserts

[tasdrouille]

I have a used beaded seat cover in my TDI I got for 4 bucks. My wife had to use my car the other day and found it to be very comfortable on top of helping keeping you cool. I would just love to be able to find black or grey ones to put in the elantra.

[SVOboy]

See, I don't think they're ugly...?

[MazdaMatt]

I didn't know blind people could get a driver's licence

[MetroMPG]

You could always paint them! Come on - are we not ecomodders??

I swear by these things. I've never had a car with AC (granted, I could probably count the number of weeks where they're actually needed on both hands).

[dcb]

I was using a cut up wicker lawnchair, but that amazon deal was too good to turn down

[Daox]

I've been thinking about this too. I too would like grey/black beads though. Thanks for the review Ben.

[socalsuperhero]

google ftw...

[steensn]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

See, I don't think they're ugly...?

I dont either. I mean really... does anyone really have a nice looking car here where it matters? My muffler just fell off, beads aren' a big deal...

[cfg83]

MazdaMatt -

Originally Posted by MazdaMatt

Is there something less brutally ugly? I still have some sense of self-respect... Maybe some carbon-grey beads?

I saw them in that color in LA's Chinatown last Sunday, and you saw socalsuperhero's post.

I have one set for the driver's side. The lighter color is fine with me and also absorbs less solar radiation (lighter colors always = good thing when it comes to sunlight).

CarloSW2

[MazdaMatt]

The dark ones would be "not bad", as long as they fit tightly and don't squirm around and fold and whatnot. I don't drive a beater, i drive a 2k2 protege5 that still looks good and runs well despite a few hundred km's of race-track driving and a couple dozen autox events. If I see one at a store for cheap, I think i'd buy it.

[Red]

$20 bucks for a velour black ones

American Auto Beaded Seat Cushions

[azraelswrd]

Good to hear these things work. I have no shame so uglier the better, plus coming to work without a soaking wet shirt would be a good thing.

[dcb]

Originally Posted by MazdaMatt

Is there something less brutally ugly? I still have some sense of self-respect.

So you are saying your self respect is based on appearences?

[atomicradish]

I have this same problem with my car. Worst part of it is where my shirts get all wrinkled on the back.

I wonder if wearing an undershirt would help keep the sweat from wrinkling up your outermost shirt?

[Blue07CivicEX]

Somebody should start a new thread about "dressing for hypermiling, what to wear when the AC and heater fan kill your mpg"

[dcb]

It is conceivable to don your shorts and t-shirt (and flip-flops) and put your work clothes on a hangar I suppose, just duck in the ground floor washroom and change when you get there and right before you leave.

[brucey]

My friend got identical ones at wal-mart for 10$.

They worked surprisingly well in both his S10 (no air) and his sentra (Air.... but its broke)

I tried them out in my subaru and they didnt work out well. Sure, they dont let your back sweat, and are surprisingly comfortable, but my seats have too much side bolstering and the beads just want to push and on long journeys you can just kiss your lower back support goodbye.

In short: Not recommended with seats with hard bolstering.