Seat Covers

This is my 1st post to this forum. I've been lurking for a couple of months since I purchased my RL.

I can't seem to find time to post in response to all of the GREAT info on this
forum, but this thread really made me want to offer some info in regards to seat covers for the Ridgeline. I recently found a company in Costa Mesa, CA that custom makes seat covers for our favorite topic of choice. If anyone has taken time to do any research, seat covers to satisfy the RL's requirements are next to impossible to find -- just like any other after market item in general. These covers are made using their exclusive nylon laminated neoprene material. They're 100% waterproof (i.e., sweat proof), feel extremely good against bare skin, and come in a fairly large choice of colors and styles. Best of all, they are designed to accomodate the front seat side airbags! They advertise this very clearly that their seat covers are, "Side Impact Air Bag compatible". I have a RTS, with the fabric seats of course, and I wanted to protect them from the get go. I was a little leery about finding seat covers that not only provided for the side air bags, but also looked not only good, but VERY GOOD! I think I made the right choice with this company.

My RL is silver with the gray interior and I wanted gray seat covers to match. After speaking with the sales rep. and airing my concerns, I decided on their charcoal color with matching piping, and front seat rear pockets -- since the original back pockets would be covered up by the seat cover. This company is adamant about the customer getting exactly what they want and be 100% satisfied with their purchase! They'll even send you swatches of the material in your choice of colors so that you can go out to your baby and compare before you decide what color you think will match or work by referencing the charts on their website. Not only will you get the custom made covers for the Ridgeline seats, but also for all five headrests, the center console arm rest, and the back seat drink holder/ armrest. They're pretty simple to install yourself with some time and a little exploring to see how the seats, especially the back seat is designed. I had very little problems. It's pretty straight forward and their instruction guidelines and sheets give some pointers. Of course, if you live near Costa Mesa they'll install them for you. But alas, I'm way on the otherside of the grand ol' US of A in South Carolina. The covers aren't cheap, but to me they really made me forget about the cost after I finally got them, installed 'em, and best of all began using them! As much as I like the stock look of the seats, at least I know they'll always look like they did the day I picked up the truck. If I decide to sell the RL at least the seats will still look great!

Their motto is, "A Wetsuit for your Car's Seats" and since this neoprene is the highest production grade available ( actually used in making wetsuits for scuba diving ) they should hold up for years from UV damage as well the daily wear from using them. They even provide their own cleaners, protectants, and deodorizers to protect and enhance their products.

The name of the company is WET OKOLE HAWAII and the URL is: http://www.wetokole.com

I will be more than happy to either post pictures of my covers to this forum or email them to anyone by request -- or both.

I hope this may help those of you thinking about protecting your valuable investment with a product that I for once can actually feel great about endorsing!

Cheers,
Mal

Thanks, Tex's Ridge -- I was pretty amazed myself how well those pics turned out. I took about 10 min. and snapped 15 pics or so, came back to the pc picked the ones I thought would best represent what I was trying to demonstrate and just uploaded. My old Olympus D-510 still can do the job after 5+ years of use.

To get to your question, the backing of the covers seem to be fairly non-slip and on top of that Wet Okole claims they fit like a "glove" to your seat ( or second skin). From what I can tell, they aren't exaggerating this claim. The front seat lower covers have to be squeezed between the actual seat and the frame the seat sits in (you know, the plastic trim around the bottom the seat is placed in), then there are straps that run front to back, and side to side that fasten under the seat. (BTW, this is the trickiest part of installing all of the covers especially with electric seats -- there isn't a whole lot of room under there plus its dark. The front to back straps connect pretty easily, but the side to side is a little more tricky. You have to make sure to route them so they run above the seat railing.) The covers fit so tight tucked between the seat and seat frame I haven't even bothered to fasten the side to side straps yet! I just made sure they wouldn't interfere with the movement of the driver's electric seat if I decided to readjust it forward or back. As far as the rest, the front seat backs fit snug as a... well you know the rest. Then after you finally get them over, pulled down, and adjusted you have to pull like the dickens to get the velcro strips to meet and then stick. I mean this stuff can stretch, and even if you feel like it will tear, it won't. I did a liitle scuba diving when I was younger and I remember putting a wet suit on a time or to -- believe me, this neoprene material is tough and can really stretch more than you some times feel comfortable with. I thought at first with the amount of tension I placed on the two ends to get them to meet surely the velcro wouldn't hold for long. Well, so far, so good, I've had them for almost 2 months and they haven't popped loose yet. The lower portion of the back seat fit over like the front seat back rest ones do and use velcro to fasten as well. The back rest part of the back seat is form fitting like a fitted bed sheet. Just pull, stretch, and squeeze the covers over the ends of the seat and stuff the edges between the seat material and the plastic frame around the seat. They warn you to use something dull like a butter knife, but my experience dashed that idea fast ( even a butter knife is too sharp and narrow to stuff the edges without fear of sticking a hole in the neoprene. I used a plastic spatula that was rather thick compared to a butter knife, much less hard or sharp. It worked like a charm!

As far as the cost, I paid $614.00 ( this included shipping and their cleaning/preserving kit) for the front and back covers with full piping of the same color and all panels the same color. You can save a $100.00 by going with their standard cover, but the outer edge panels are black. You can only choose the inner panel colors ( the part you sit on).

I didn't like that option and I figured I'm going to have these covers and this truck for a long time so I went with what I wanted and what I thought would look best to me!

Another thing, these are made to order covers ( no of the shelf, one size fits all kinda thing). When I finally got the swatches and made up my mind, I called, placed the order, and was told the covers would be ready in 3 to 4 weeks. I got them in less than 3. I could tell by how they first responded to my request on line, then by phone that they were top notch and very professional. I never did business with them before or heard of them until I did some research. I know I sound like I'm working on commission for them or something, but it's simply I'm that impressed and satisfied with their product!

You might want to call or email them and verify that the covers will get along nicely with leather -- my guess is they will.

Sorry for the novel, but I tend to get carried away when doing this sort of thing. Please excuse me and I hope I didn't confuse you or anyone else with my ramblings.

These look awesome. Thanks for all the info and the pics. I'd like a closer pic with the seatbelt out of the way for a better view of the airbag slit. Do it when you get time.

I'm adding the link that takes you straight to the Ridgeline page:

http://wetokole.net/page/WOH/PROD/HONDA/HONRIDGEF

I've gotten used to the leather seats. They weren't as hot in the summer as I feared they'd be. I'm still feeling a bit reluctant to cover the airbag.

I may contact them to see if they would just sell the center console cover. I'd pick that up in a second!

Does the rear seatcover impede raising the back seats in any way? How about a pic of the underside with the one of seats in back lifted?