Black Duck 4Elements seat cover review – are they worth the expense?

We’ve tested out a set of Black Duck 4Elements seat covers. Are they up to the job? Are they worth the expense? Find out more here.

As a kid, the ritual most Sunday arvos would be to go out to the front lawn and clean dad’s Pajero, where I’d vacuum the dirt from the floor and remove the Macca’s chips or lolly wrappers from the back seat. Fast-forward 25 years, with the limited time that I seem to have, I’m one of those guys still trying to maintain the appearance of my vehicle.

So why fit seat covers? Torn or damaged seats can drastically reduce the resale of your vehicle. When you stop and think about it, your seats are one item that you are using every single time you drive and are easily susceptible to wear and tear.

I first came across Black Duck’s 4Elements covers while filming an off-road TV series. Three straight weeks of travel with these covers made me realise how useful tough, waterproof covers could be. Not only that, surprisingly, the material was actually comfortable.

Black Duck 4Elements seat covers – so what’s the go?

Black Duck 4Elements seat covers are custom-made to fit the most common 4WD vehicles accurately; in my case, a 2014 Volkswagen Amarok. They’re made in Australia, where the material has transitioned from their flagship canvas models to a cotton twill composite. Basically, this is a weave of two fabrics resulting in a strong material like canvas yet softer to the touch. The covers visually appear to be well-made, with quality stitching and an additional fitted PU inner layer that protects the seat.

In addition, Black Duck 4Elements are airbag compatible, ADR certified, and also retain the factory access points for seat position controls and the under-seat storage compartments.

The Amarok-specific covers that we’ve tested contain three pieces for the front seats; one section for the base, the backrest with a rear pocket and the headrest cover. The rear seat cover allows for the 60/40 fold with two separate pieces for the base, the backrest and the headrests with access points to move the backrest forward.

How did the covers fit?

The Black Duck 4Elements covers are easy to install, referencing a taut fit, and are held in place quickly and easily with Velcro straps underneath the seat. Once fitted, the covers start to mould into the seat shape after only a few hours of use. I haven’t had to re-adjust the straps, as the covers have held their positions. The back pocket is a nice addition that I’ve managed to fill with camping items. It’s nice to know where my torch is all the time, and it’s a safe place to store smaller bits of kit.

Are they comfortable?

I fitted a set of Black Duck 4Elements seat covers just before heading off on a family holiday to explore Tasmania. The soft feel made adjusting to sitting on the new covers quick to get used to, with the material also appearing to breathe quite well.

The covers don’t slip or slide while you’re getting in and out and, testament to the comfort level, you don’t even notice they are there. Driving more than 5000km through varied Tasmanian climates and terrains, the heated seats were the first test gaining a big tick from my wife, as they are still as effective with the covers fitted.

Do they work?

The seat cover has one job.

During three weeks in Tasmania, the Black Duck 4Elements covers copped wet clothes, mud, sand and dirt, not to mention the food and drink spills that the young fella dropped on the back seat. Thanks mate.

I previously used a rubber section under the child’s seat, so the plastic base didn’t damage the factory leather. I ditched this with the installation of the seat covers, and so far, there are no signs of wear from the child seat rubbing or wearing into the cover.

Post trip clean-up is where things would get real, and I’m stoked to say the covers are easy to vacuum away sand and dried up mud. And for the drink stains, a wet cloth rubbed over the area cleaned that up. Removing the driver’s seat cover to inspect the seat, I was pleasantly surprised to find no noticeable stains, sand or wet patches underneath. The system works.

After being so impressed with the quality, I foolishly let the Unsealed4X4 team test out this set of Black Duck 4Elements covers in their own unique way. Check out the video below to see why my Amarok still smells like milk, coffee and BBQ sauce…

So, are the Black Duck 4Elements seat covers worth it?

Keeping in mind that I no longer need to be so pedantic when hopping in and out of my car, I certainly have a greater appreciation for seat covers after fitting these Black Duck 4Elements covers. The 4Elements seat covers do sit on the premium end of the price scale but for this, you get a custom fit, Australian-made quality product. If you think of it as an investment in the protection of your vehicle, it’s easy to see the value in a set of Black Duck 4Elements.

For more information, visit: blackduck.com.au

WORDS & IMAGES BY SHANE STIFFLE

This article contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Read next: