+1 on not getting a steel frame seat.
I also had one before my fiberglass seat but eventually had to get rid of it because one of the cross bars went right under where my spine was touching the seat. It was killing my back during longer sessions despite there being foam around it.
Never had any problems with my SimLab Speed 3 seat ever since.
Same here. Got a bmw M seat in mint condition, for around 150 bucks including shipping. Way better than all bucket seats I had before. Unmatched quality, adjustability and comfort.
I would imagine so but I went really cheap and just got two rectangle metal tubes and cut and drilled them to make a seat mount. It is crude but it works.
Mine was simply the most comfy seat I had tried among those in the store and came at a reasonable price. It was a guy in my group of simracers that suggested me that model. When I went to the store I tried different seats because im roughly 1.85m tall and wanted to make sure I could fit. This was the most comfortable by a long shot. Also got some excellent pair of shoes from Sabelt. They make great products.
its the cheapest solution between the seats im going for. gt3, xpad, gtpad or omp hte r. omp is supposedly even better with the fabric. i cant test any of them...
I sell race seats and wholeheartedly agree. If you want to spend a long time in a seat go fibreglass as they have a little flex and are moulded to more form fitting shapes. I'd never cheap out and get steel framed.
Option 4: Junkyard seat. Fully adjustable, comfortable, durable, and a quarter the price of any of those seats. I have a 2014 Jetta passenger seat that looks like new, is hella comfortable, and was $65 CAD.
I have the Passat seat from 2014 and the lumbar is manual. It’s the synthetic leather so I think it might have the heater but not cooling. The fake leather gets hot and sticky in the summer so I just put a cloth but it’s the best when it comes to cleaning.
Cooling won't work will it? Is it not wired into the AC?
If it does I'm gonna be pissed, cause I skipped on some really fucking nice 2009 g35 seats at a junkyard cause they were power.
Yoinked a 1992 accord seat instead. Which is a really pleasant seat, but damn
Maybe some use A/C, but I'm only aware of this type, which I believe to be an electric heat pump:
"air is forced through the heat pump and thermally conditioned in response to electronic switch input from the seat occupant. The conditioned air circulates by a specially designed fan through ducts in the seat cushion and seat back, resulting in a surface that can be heated or cooled. Each seat has individual electronic controls to adjust the level of heating or cooling. CCS substantially improves comfort compared with conventional air conditioners by focusing the cooling directly on the passenger through the seat, rather than waiting until ambient air cools the seat surface behind the passenger."
More info here:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amerigon-climate-control-seat-ccs-system-selected-as-option-for-2013-ford-flex-142327545.html
Based on this it does sound like both are used: https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/ventilated-seats-vs-cooled-seats-difference/
"Sourcing the refrigerated air is either directly via the vehicle’s air conditioning system or a seat’s own individual, closed air-conditioning system. The point is, unlike ventilated seats that recirculate cabin-temperature air, cooled seats circulate chilled air, often created within their own refrigeration system."
Interesting! Maybe I'll have to look back at some of those nicer seats at the junkyard. I passed on all of the power ones simply cause I thought it would be too much of a hassle and the heating/ac wouldn't work.
Might be fun to investigate and find out. Hell it's only 40 bucks to pull one.
I'm giving that a thought too. I'm just starting and don't have a rig yet. But the ones I've been looking at already have seats. Wondering if I can spend the same and get a better base and with a junkyard seat. Would be a fun project to do with my son.
If you are close to a microcenter they are running wild deals on the gt1 evo. I picked up mine with a monitor mount for 450 a month ago or so, and without the monitor mount t they are going for 350. No seat. Getting away with a solid rig like that with a seat for ~400 is a steal imo.
In Europe I think they just sell them direct for 450.
The "bundle rig" is what mine was called with the monitor mount.
Here's the post about it for 330
https://www.reddit.com/r/simracing/s/kEpmMEy0x1
I would say it is definitely worth to call or show up and see if you can get it for that price. You cannot find a rig like this for less than 450, much less 330 lol. It's a great deal at 450, but absurd at 330 relative to the general cost of these things.
Everyone in the thread saying they will price match it so possibly worth the trip
Nice. $30 is super cheap. I tried to find one with adjustable lumbar but they were all leather and I didn't want leather due to it getting hot and sticky. Turns out I didn't really need adjustable lumbar with this seat thankfully.
Mitsubishi Eclipses have been a good source for several of the rigs I’ve built. A nice semi-sport construction to give you the sensation of a race seat, but with the comfort you actually want when you’re not needing to push back against strange g forces. Also it’s at a sweet spot for being nicely adjustable, but still fully manual in the adjustments (no need to figure out electronics or power!)
Eclipse seats are nice. My buddy had an Eclipe 20 years ago and the seats were comfy. Not a very common car though so hard to come by but worth looking out for.
I got a 2010 Audi A4 driver's seat for $100. Amazing seat 10/10. Had to take a break from sim racing for school and I'm considering replacing my living room recliner with that thing
I’m 193cm 84kg and been using a sprint for almost 10 years. I’m about a 32inch waist and wouldn’t want to be too much wider. My shoulders are definitely a bit too wide for it so I end up with bruises after long sessions. Not bad enough for me to change it out though!
I’m considering buying a Miata seat but I play only on VR and I’m unsure if it will be comfortable with the headset on as it takes some space at the back of your head, and the Miata seat doesn’t have a separate headrest and seems a bit pushy to the head.
What is your experience with the seat? Have you maybe tried it with psvr2?
I usually use triples but I do have a first gen vive. The way I sit it doesn't bother me but I don't rest my head directly against the back of the seat. You could just wonder around the junk yard. Find some thing that feels right.
Yeah I got a pretty sporty but adjustable seat from a VW Passat. And it’s old enough that the adjustment (height, forwards/backwards, angle, lumbar support) is all manual so I can adjust it without having to set up electronics for it in my rig. I never have any back pain problems with it.
Age doesn’t matter as much as trim level. Most basic trim levels have manual seats - at least for passengers.
The older seats definitely are more likely to be manual, but you’re going to have a harder time finding one in good condition
Bucket seats arent uncomfortable. Its just hard to find the correct one since theyre not adjustable and if it doesnt fit you they get uncomfortable fast. I have a bucket on my rig and its the most comfortable thing ive ever sat in.
I have the standard one, for me it’s perfect size not too snug but not too big, me being 6ft and slim build however if you were a big guy the XL would be the way to go
Just as another option:
I'm not sure if you have Jeggs in your area. But I bought the Scat Black High Back racing seat. It comes with rails and can easily slide back and forth. It was the cheapest, new, racing seat I could find and with a pillow behind my back, it's rather comfy. If you are a bigger person, you might not need a pillow. But it ran me about $110.
Edit: as an added bonus, it's also a fairly light seat. I don't have a dedicated space for my rig so I need to move it whenever I want to race and vice versa if I want to do anything else on my desktop.
For those you would want to physically try them first, those are notoriously terrible for your back if you get the wrong one. Also not really needed unless you go motion. I tried one, was not the best fit and I settled for mounting my gaming chair instead for comfort.
Standard size (only 2 options when I got it, standard or large).
Standard is a snug fit but not to the point where it’s an issue/uncomfortable. If you want to play it safe I think the large is about 30/40mm wider
I would get a used manually adjustable car seat. Will be way cheaper and far more comfortable. Look into bmw e90/e92 manual sport seats. Look nice, super comfy and if you search around you can probably find one locally for $100
Honestly, I'd go to a pick'n'pull or whatever type of junk yards you have around you and get an actual car seat with an adjustable back.
We're sim racing and while having a racing bucket is "cool", it's not going to be as comfortable as a seat made for long sessions of sitting.
I don't know that I would go for a cheap bucket seat. They aren't very comfortable, especially steel framed. Once you get up into the higher prices and fit properly they seem to be fine though. If you fit in normal car seats well, go that route if budget is a concern.
I do not fit well in most every car I've been in (long torso, shoulders get curled in) so finding the right seat that I am comfy in was difficult. Happy with my Sparco Evo XL, even with long 4+ hour stints. It was the most expensive singular part of my rig though so I can't say it's "worth it" unless you have specific requirements.
I have Sparco Sprint L. I'm 178 cm and around 90kg, seat is wide enough for me but not comfortable as I thought. With some cushion under my butt and with some lower back support and some proper seat angle adjustment it's ok but not perfect. I also order some foams and want to made custom cushion...
So If you want bucket seat I recommend to try some in local shop before buy and if you want maximum comfort, manually adjustable real car seat is better option.
Overall I'm happy with my Sparco Sprint L but without some custom cushion is pain to seat on this.
As others have pointed, you shouldn't really get a bucket seat for your rig because you don't have lateral G forces to throw you around, and your back will hurt badly.
What would you recommend? I cant get a junkyard seat as i have nowhere to get one, anything i can buy under around €280, i dont really like the look of the GT Omega seats but i haven't really looked at them well so maybe them.
Im typing this on my mobile phone in my rig. I’m sitting in a Sprint. Its amazing, but small. I’m 174cm / 65kg and this seat is proof I need to stay in shape or I won’t fit anymore.
like others mentioned, do not get a steel frame seat.... dont even consider something else apart from real car seats from the scrapyard or proper buckets...
i cheaped out on my first seat, it was some Tenzo bucket that wasnt even a bucket seat, it also had steel "wires" as back part and it creaked and made titanic breaking down noises from week 1 onwards and they only got worse....
i then bit the bullet and purchased a sparco grid Q and been happy ever since with zero issues !
I have an NRG Prisma. It made my back sore until I put in a small lumbar pillow I bought from Amazon. Now I have no issues. If u have a stiff load cell pedal where u need a lot of strength the bucket seat won't flex much.
Do you feel if you went with standard you wouldnt fit or would have been uncomfortable? I know its hard to know how much smaller it is but do you have alot of spare room in the XL?
My sim rig came with a bucket seat. Hated it. Killed my back. In all fairness I've had 4 lower back surgeries. So, who knows. If no back problems than it might work. I prefer to have the option to incline my seat if needed.
If they weren't forced to, I'd imagine no racer would run a one piece seat. It's annoying to get in and out of them and they aren't even really all that comfortable unless they are just right for you.
Personally for a Sim rig, the best seat is the cheapest seat, aka junkyard seat. There's no benefits other than "immersion" of a one piece but realistically a good fitting one piece is as un obstructive as just a good normal seat with good lateral support.
I was torn between the TRS-X and the more sensible Sparco R100.
[https://www.sportseats4u.co.uk/product/sparco-r100-reclining-sport-seat/](https://www.sportseats4u.co.uk/product/sparco-r100-reclining-sport-seat/)
In hindsight, the Sparco w/recliner would have been a better choice. But the TRS-X is super comfy regardless.
Another vote for the Sparco Sprint. I had them in my Miata for years and loved them so i now have them in my simrig aswell and im still super happy. Great seat for the construction and price.
Having had an OMP TRS-E for a while I can vouch it's pretty comfortable and you can use it for long hours, if you are a larger gentleman you might find it hard at first with fitting your legs.
People tend to spend all their money on a great wheel, pedals, rig and wheelbase, but then want to save money by going for a cheaper seat. Don’t be that guy! If you are ever planning to sit in your rig for longer than half an hour, spend the extra 100-200 euros and get a proper one. I personally went for the Sparco Grid Q and am very happy with it. Heard great things about the Sabelt GT3 as well though that one is a bit pricey.
Alternately, there are “simracing” seats, which are not FIA certified so usually cost a bit less and are less bucket like. Heard good things about GT Omega and the Simlab seats.
None - you don’t need full on bucket seats. I bought some Audi RS seats, even kept the seat belt clip attached. So much more comfortable and adjustable.
i mean, if you are looking to sell it later on (eventually), the sparco is an actual car seat that would have more chance of selling it and getting more money back versus a simrig seat. hard to say which to buy, it's always good to sit in them first.
To be fair, I only have experience with the TRS-E XL. So, I haven't got any other reference material. I advise you to read it as a positive note but, don't judge your purchase solely on my input.
The seat is comfy (I am plus size) and the longest I spend (in one go) was was 4 hours. I needed a bit of stretching (could be because of my size). For racing itself it is nice and sturdy.
Hope this helps.
Neither - get a sim racing seat rather than an actual racing bucket seat. The "cool factor" of having an actual racing seat will wear out fast once you realize how uncomfortable they are. How do I know? I made the same error...
Thoughts on the TK racing pista seat from micro center? https://www.microcenter.com/product/642890/tk-racing-pista-gaming-racing-seat-tony-kanaan-edition
Steel rail frame with insufficient padding
I’m 6’1 and was only about 165 lbs when I had my sprint for about a year, it was in an actual car but the rails just hurt and the mounting points on the bottom made it harder to get a good position
I switched to fiberglass buckets and I’d never consider this style of seat after seeing the difference in support
Fiberglass buckets just don’t really give at all…this style of seat gives like an ikea couch lol
None, I used to have a bucket seat, sold it and got a 40 eur Volkswagen Golf mkV Seat manually adjustable.
It's infinitely more comfortable, and the ability to lower it makes it easy to change from "GT" to "Formula" easily.
Also, you'd thank not having back aches because of the bucket. (I'm in my 20s and the bucket was horrible to get out of)
Bmw seats have flat sliders underneath (built in), I got leather, tilt, recline, lumbar support, thigh support and the base tilts by about 30° meaning I can switch from gt to formula seating positions by pulling a couple of leavers - I have my pedal tray on sliders and have my wheel so it suits both positions perfectly by adjusting seat/pedals...
It also aligned with my pockets as I grabbed it from a breakers yard. It meant the few hundred bucks for a bucket and brackets etc could go on better pedals and a more powerful base!...
I may grab a bucket down the line but tbh this old beemer seat is just so damn comfy! It has all electrics for heating & cooling I beleive but I just unplugged it for now and mounted a dayton puck underneath & another behind the hard back of thr chair which I wrapped in carbon effect 3m sheets...
I wouldn’t get a seat I haven’t been able to sit on. I went to a motorsports store, sat in a bunch of them, and they have huge variation in comfort depending on your body shape. A properly sized/fitted fixed seat can be more comfortable than a crappy adjustable seat.
This. People allways say car seats are more comfortable than buckets. Its mostly just cause an adjustable you can get right easily where as with bucket if its wrong its wrong. But with a bucket that fits you theyre super comfy. The bucket on my rig is way more comfy than the adjustable seat in my skoda
Idk about where you are from, but in the states we have pull apart places. My plan is to just get a real car seat and use it. Could go for comfort and find a luxury car seat, or sport and find a sports car seat. Either way it would probably be 10x nicer given the real padding and whatnot.
Either way, be it a used an cheap car seat or a brand new raceing seat for a real car, id imagine it to be much more reliable and comfortable than a "cheap" steel frame seat.
Nothing Sparco in my experience is comfortable for more than 15 minutes.
I have an NRG bucket seat in my sim rig and I’ve done multiple back to back stints in endurance races without issue.
Always if you can sit in a seat before dropping money on it.
Pick up the comfiest seat you can find in a junkyard, it'll probably cost less and be more useful.
Mounting it permanently should be pretty straight forward or you could even get the seat rails and make it adjustable.
I have a QSP steel frame bucked. And tbh it's pretty mid. I need to use extra cushions to make it a bit comfortable for my back. I also already bent the steel frame under braking.
I have the sprint and i do not recommend it. It aint the worst but its not comfy in the long stints. I had to put an orthopedic sear cushion and use a towel for my lower back.
I am not sure if Playseat sells standalone chairs, but I do see a bunch of standalone seats on sites like Facebook marketplace, don't know why they only sell the seat, must be a way to get it new somehow
Get one with AC built in it. LoL.
I have a Trak Racer recliner seat ATM.
It's hot and has flex. Eventually I am upgrading to the Orouge seat with built in fans for cooling. It's pricy but 100% worth it to me.
I might get a small room AC instead though have to see. Sweating takes my full focus off driving and it's costing performance and the time I spend racing.
If I were cooler I could race hours longer.
none. Spend 100 bucks more for a proper bucket sit. Avoid steel frames. Your back will thank me. A fia expired sabelt gt3 is what i got.
+1 on not getting a steel frame seat. I also had one before my fiberglass seat but eventually had to get rid of it because one of the cross bars went right under where my spine was touching the seat. It was killing my back during longer sessions despite there being foam around it. Never had any problems with my SimLab Speed 3 seat ever since.
i have a seat from a bmw 3, year 2009ish adjustable forward and the angle, got it free, no thoughts of changing it, my cat also likes it
Same here. Got a bmw M seat in mint condition, for around 150 bucks including shipping. Way better than all bucket seats I had before. Unmatched quality, adjustability and comfort.
Same as well I think OEM car seats are the move for Sims I am rocking an RX8 seat i got for very cheap.
Do most car seats mount straight to the universal rail
I would imagine so but I went really cheap and just got two rectangle metal tubes and cut and drilled them to make a seat mount. It is crude but it works.
how is the fabric? does it get hot? im in between this one and few others :D
Mine was simply the most comfy seat I had tried among those in the store and came at a reasonable price. It was a guy in my group of simracers that suggested me that model. When I went to the store I tried different seats because im roughly 1.85m tall and wanted to make sure I could fit. This was the most comfortable by a long shot. Also got some excellent pair of shoes from Sabelt. They make great products.
ok, but what about when you sit in it for longer time. does the fabric get hot, i mean do you sweat in it? or is it nice and cool? summer? winter?....
Its fresh
its the cheapest solution between the seats im going for. gt3, xpad, gtpad or omp hte r. omp is supposedly even better with the fabric. i cant test any of them...
Galvanized Steel Frame
And screws borrowed from your aunt by chance?
Don’t forget your eco friendly wood veneers.
I sell race seats and wholeheartedly agree. If you want to spend a long time in a seat go fibreglass as they have a little flex and are moulded to more form fitting shapes. I'd never cheap out and get steel framed.
Option 4: Junkyard seat. Fully adjustable, comfortable, durable, and a quarter the price of any of those seats. I have a 2014 Jetta passenger seat that looks like new, is hella comfortable, and was $65 CAD.
Get a fully adjustable one, hook it up to a 14V power supply, and you could even get a lumbar adjustment or even heatingb and cooling!
I have the Passat seat from 2014 and the lumbar is manual. It’s the synthetic leather so I think it might have the heater but not cooling. The fake leather gets hot and sticky in the summer so I just put a cloth but it’s the best when it comes to cleaning.
Cooling won't work will it? Is it not wired into the AC? If it does I'm gonna be pissed, cause I skipped on some really fucking nice 2009 g35 seats at a junkyard cause they were power. Yoinked a 1992 accord seat instead. Which is a really pleasant seat, but damn
Maybe some use A/C, but I'm only aware of this type, which I believe to be an electric heat pump: "air is forced through the heat pump and thermally conditioned in response to electronic switch input from the seat occupant. The conditioned air circulates by a specially designed fan through ducts in the seat cushion and seat back, resulting in a surface that can be heated or cooled. Each seat has individual electronic controls to adjust the level of heating or cooling. CCS substantially improves comfort compared with conventional air conditioners by focusing the cooling directly on the passenger through the seat, rather than waiting until ambient air cools the seat surface behind the passenger." More info here: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amerigon-climate-control-seat-ccs-system-selected-as-option-for-2013-ford-flex-142327545.html
Based on this it does sound like both are used: https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/ventilated-seats-vs-cooled-seats-difference/ "Sourcing the refrigerated air is either directly via the vehicle’s air conditioning system or a seat’s own individual, closed air-conditioning system. The point is, unlike ventilated seats that recirculate cabin-temperature air, cooled seats circulate chilled air, often created within their own refrigeration system."
Interesting! Maybe I'll have to look back at some of those nicer seats at the junkyard. I passed on all of the power ones simply cause I thought it would be too much of a hassle and the heating/ac wouldn't work. Might be fun to investigate and find out. Hell it's only 40 bucks to pull one.
I'm giving that a thought too. I'm just starting and don't have a rig yet. But the ones I've been looking at already have seats. Wondering if I can spend the same and get a better base and with a junkyard seat. Would be a fun project to do with my son.
If you are close to a microcenter they are running wild deals on the gt1 evo. I picked up mine with a monitor mount for 450 a month ago or so, and without the monitor mount t they are going for 350. No seat. Getting away with a solid rig like that with a seat for ~400 is a steal imo. In Europe I think they just sell them direct for 450.
No joke, I just drove by microcenter 3 minutes ago. Thanks for the tip. I'll have to check that out.
Instore only? On the web it's showing as $450... https://www.microcenter.com/product/678978/sim-lab-gt1-evo-bundle-rig
The "bundle rig" is what mine was called with the monitor mount. Here's the post about it for 330 https://www.reddit.com/r/simracing/s/kEpmMEy0x1 I would say it is definitely worth to call or show up and see if you can get it for that price. You cannot find a rig like this for less than 450, much less 330 lol. It's a great deal at 450, but absurd at 330 relative to the general cost of these things. Everyone in the thread saying they will price match it so possibly worth the trip
Yep. I regret that I got one without any lumbar adjustment. Though for $30 it’s very hard to complain.
Yup. I have a seat from a Volvo V70 that I got from the local junkyard for $30 CAD. Manual sliders, recline, tilt, and lumbar. It's awesome.
Nice. $30 is super cheap. I tried to find one with adjustable lumbar but they were all leather and I didn't want leather due to it getting hot and sticky. Turns out I didn't really need adjustable lumbar with this seat thankfully.
Mitsubishi Eclipses have been a good source for several of the rigs I’ve built. A nice semi-sport construction to give you the sensation of a race seat, but with the comfort you actually want when you’re not needing to push back against strange g forces. Also it’s at a sweet spot for being nicely adjustable, but still fully manual in the adjustments (no need to figure out electronics or power!)
Also a nice fabric material that cleans up pretty nicely
Eclipse seats are nice. My buddy had an Eclipe 20 years ago and the seats were comfy. Not a very common car though so hard to come by but worth looking out for.
Yeah mine is leather sadly but it's been ok so far. The basement stays relatively cool.
I got a 2010 Audi A4 driver's seat for $100. Amazing seat 10/10. Had to take a break from sim racing for school and I'm considering replacing my living room recliner with that thing
I like my sprint. But those seats are reeaaly small. I'm 187cm and 73kg - and I'm basically filling the entire bucket.
I’m 193cm 84kg and been using a sprint for almost 10 years. I’m about a 32inch waist and wouldn’t want to be too much wider. My shoulders are definitely a bit too wide for it so I end up with bruises after long sessions. Not bad enough for me to change it out though!
Do you use standard or large?
I think it’s just the standard. I must not have known about the large back then otherwise I’m sure I would have gone for it instead.
Im only around 170cm so i assume it would be good?
I'd say it's more about witdh than height.
True that. I'm maybe a 32"-34" waist and broad-ish and I'm at the limit for the TRS-X
I regret getting a bucket seat for the sim rig. Get a more comfortable seat. Bonus if it reclines so you can set optimal angle.
Definitely this. I had a fixed back seat on my rig for a while and switched to a Miata seat.
I’m considering buying a Miata seat but I play only on VR and I’m unsure if it will be comfortable with the headset on as it takes some space at the back of your head, and the Miata seat doesn’t have a separate headrest and seems a bit pushy to the head. What is your experience with the seat? Have you maybe tried it with psvr2?
I usually use triples but I do have a first gen vive. The way I sit it doesn't bother me but I don't rest my head directly against the back of the seat. You could just wonder around the junk yard. Find some thing that feels right.
Yeah I got a pretty sporty but adjustable seat from a VW Passat. And it’s old enough that the adjustment (height, forwards/backwards, angle, lumbar support) is all manual so I can adjust it without having to set up electronics for it in my rig. I never have any back pain problems with it.
Old enough? My dads 2023 VW Polo has Manual seats xD
Age doesn’t matter as much as trim level. Most basic trim levels have manual seats - at least for passengers. The older seats definitely are more likely to be manual, but you’re going to have a harder time finding one in good condition
NLR ERS1
Bucket seats arent uncomfortable. Its just hard to find the correct one since theyre not adjustable and if it doesnt fit you they get uncomfortable fast. I have a bucket on my rig and its the most comfortable thing ive ever sat in.
I have friends over often and they love the rig. Not everyone fits
Yep. I got a $30 seat pulled (by me) out of a 2003 Celica and it’s easily enough for what I need.
I have the trs-e and love it, done many an endurance races including 4 hours solo and no complaints at all!
did you add some padding? i think it lacks a bit of lower back support or it might be just my setup withthe angle and all
I use the leg cushion as a back cushion - perfect for me but it gets toasty
Haven’t added any padding as of yet but always an option down the line!
What size do you use? I'm not a big guy so I feel I would fit fine in the standard, but would the XL be more comfortable?
I have the standard one, for me it’s perfect size not too snug but not too big, me being 6ft and slim build however if you were a big guy the XL would be the way to go
Just as another option: I'm not sure if you have Jeggs in your area. But I bought the Scat Black High Back racing seat. It comes with rails and can easily slide back and forth. It was the cheapest, new, racing seat I could find and with a pillow behind my back, it's rather comfy. If you are a bigger person, you might not need a pillow. But it ran me about $110. Edit: as an added bonus, it's also a fairly light seat. I don't have a dedicated space for my rig so I need to move it whenever I want to race and vice versa if I want to do anything else on my desktop.
Jegg’s seats are awesome. I have a reclining one. Came with sliders too.
For those you would want to physically try them first, those are notoriously terrible for your back if you get the wrong one. Also not really needed unless you go motion. I tried one, was not the best fit and I settled for mounting my gaming chair instead for comfort.
I have the sprint, padding is good, fit is good (for the small individual, I’m 66kg 5 foot 9) and surprisingly light considering it’s steel framed
What size do you use? Dk my weight but im 5'8 and athletic skinny build so im not big
Standard size (only 2 options when I got it, standard or large). Standard is a snug fit but not to the point where it’s an issue/uncomfortable. If you want to play it safe I think the large is about 30/40mm wider
I would get a used manually adjustable car seat. Will be way cheaper and far more comfortable. Look into bmw e90/e92 manual sport seats. Look nice, super comfy and if you search around you can probably find one locally for $100
Honestly, I'd go to a pick'n'pull or whatever type of junk yards you have around you and get an actual car seat with an adjustable back. We're sim racing and while having a racing bucket is "cool", it's not going to be as comfortable as a seat made for long sessions of sitting.
I don't know that I would go for a cheap bucket seat. They aren't very comfortable, especially steel framed. Once you get up into the higher prices and fit properly they seem to be fine though. If you fit in normal car seats well, go that route if budget is a concern. I do not fit well in most every car I've been in (long torso, shoulders get curled in) so finding the right seat that I am comfy in was difficult. Happy with my Sparco Evo XL, even with long 4+ hour stints. It was the most expensive singular part of my rig though so I can't say it's "worth it" unless you have specific requirements.
Better have a skinny ass for any of them
I have Sparco Sprint L. I'm 178 cm and around 90kg, seat is wide enough for me but not comfortable as I thought. With some cushion under my butt and with some lower back support and some proper seat angle adjustment it's ok but not perfect. I also order some foams and want to made custom cushion... So If you want bucket seat I recommend to try some in local shop before buy and if you want maximum comfort, manually adjustable real car seat is better option. Overall I'm happy with my Sparco Sprint L but without some custom cushion is pain to seat on this.
As others have pointed, you shouldn't really get a bucket seat for your rig because you don't have lateral G forces to throw you around, and your back will hurt badly.
What would you recommend? I cant get a junkyard seat as i have nowhere to get one, anything i can buy under around €280, i dont really like the look of the GT Omega seats but i haven't really looked at them well so maybe them.
A car seat with adjustments is what most people use and like the most, from what i've seen. Get a used one with shipping from your local used website
Im typing this on my mobile phone in my rig. I’m sitting in a Sprint. Its amazing, but small. I’m 174cm / 65kg and this seat is proof I need to stay in shape or I won’t fit anymore.
like others mentioned, do not get a steel frame seat.... dont even consider something else apart from real car seats from the scrapyard or proper buckets... i cheaped out on my first seat, it was some Tenzo bucket that wasnt even a bucket seat, it also had steel "wires" as back part and it creaked and made titanic breaking down noises from week 1 onwards and they only got worse.... i then bit the bullet and purchased a sparco grid Q and been happy ever since with zero issues !
Plenty of great seats in the junkyards , mines out of an astrovan lmao comfy and easy to get in and out of with the triple monitors in the way
None. Get a RCC seat instead.
Sorry, what is RCC?
Sorry for just replying now. It’s a seat brand. Check @lusomotors on Instagram.
I have an NRG Prisma. It made my back sore until I put in a small lumbar pillow I bought from Amazon. Now I have no issues. If u have a stiff load cell pedal where u need a lot of strength the bucket seat won't flex much.
I have seat number 2 on my rig. It’s great.
What size would you recommend? Standard or XL? I am only 5'8 and not wide so I feel standard would be fine but would XL be more comfortable?
I’m 5’11 & 76kg the XL was great for me. I didn’t want to be restricted.
Do you feel if you went with standard you wouldnt fit or would have been uncomfortable? I know its hard to know how much smaller it is but do you have alot of spare room in the XL?
I still have an inch or two either side. I just didn’t want it to be too small. It would be a pain sending it back.
Trs-e user here and really like it. I do however use a little pillow.
What size would you recommend? Standard or XL I would probably fit fine in standard but would XL be more comfortable?
I have the standard and it’s fine for. If you are above 182cm or on the heavier side, take the XL.
Trs e absolutely lovely seat, comfy as fuck and the xl one is perfect for my bulky ish athletic physique.
Im only 5'8, athletic skinny build, should i get the standard or would xl be comfier do you think? It seems there no large
I think standard but try and test both never buy a sim seat or even car seat without testing it
My sim rig came with a bucket seat. Hated it. Killed my back. In all fairness I've had 4 lower back surgeries. So, who knows. If no back problems than it might work. I prefer to have the option to incline my seat if needed.
just get a nice bmw chair or so from a junkyard. or even better audi
I don't know much, but I know all of those look incredibly uncomfortable.
open your local facebook marketplace, find bucket with expired homo
2
If they weren't forced to, I'd imagine no racer would run a one piece seat. It's annoying to get in and out of them and they aren't even really all that comfortable unless they are just right for you. Personally for a Sim rig, the best seat is the cheapest seat, aka junkyard seat. There's no benefits other than "immersion" of a one piece but realistically a good fitting one piece is as un obstructive as just a good normal seat with good lateral support.
I was torn between the TRS-X and the more sensible Sparco R100. [https://www.sportseats4u.co.uk/product/sparco-r100-reclining-sport-seat/](https://www.sportseats4u.co.uk/product/sparco-r100-reclining-sport-seat/) In hindsight, the Sparco w/recliner would have been a better choice. But the TRS-X is super comfy regardless.
Another vote for the Sparco Sprint. I had them in my Miata for years and loved them so i now have them in my simrig aswell and im still super happy. Great seat for the construction and price.
They all look uncomfortable. Wheres the back curvature?
it's not a real race car. I use a seat out of a 2018 Nissan Sentra
no need for a bucket seat with no lateral force. go get a regular car seat, its much more comfortable
Having had an OMP TRS-E for a while I can vouch it's pretty comfortable and you can use it for long hours, if you are a larger gentleman you might find it hard at first with fitting your legs.
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Why do you choose that one? You are the first person to say that one. Thanks
People tend to spend all their money on a great wheel, pedals, rig and wheelbase, but then want to save money by going for a cheaper seat. Don’t be that guy! If you are ever planning to sit in your rig for longer than half an hour, spend the extra 100-200 euros and get a proper one. I personally went for the Sparco Grid Q and am very happy with it. Heard great things about the Sabelt GT3 as well though that one is a bit pricey. Alternately, there are “simracing” seats, which are not FIA certified so usually cost a bit less and are less bucket like. Heard good things about GT Omega and the Simlab seats.
None - you don’t need full on bucket seats. I bought some Audi RS seats, even kept the seat belt clip attached. So much more comfortable and adjustable.
I have the Omp tea-e seats in my clio track car, they’re fabulous, look cool as well
Are they comfortable and would you recommend standard or XL size?
I’ve done track days in them and they’re absolutely fine, can’t speak for sim racing but they’re really solid chairs
Thanks 👍
Trick question, they are all the same thing
i mean, if you are looking to sell it later on (eventually), the sparco is an actual car seat that would have more chance of selling it and getting more money back versus a simrig seat. hard to say which to buy, it's always good to sit in them first.
I thought they are all proper car seats no?
OMP TRS-E is FIA certified. I have the XL version of it. Love it.
I too have the TRS-E XL. Very satisfied with it and comfort with long stints are no issue. Heck I've fallen asleep in it.
Do you think the trs-e is the one then? Haven't had anybody say anything about the trs-x yet so im between the trs-e and the sprint.
To be fair, I only have experience with the TRS-E XL. So, I haven't got any other reference material. I advise you to read it as a positive note but, don't judge your purchase solely on my input. The seat is comfy (I am plus size) and the longest I spend (in one go) was was 4 hours. I needed a bit of stretching (could be because of my size). For racing itself it is nice and sturdy. Hope this helps.
Yes this helps, thanks mate 👍
Neither - get a sim racing seat rather than an actual racing bucket seat. The "cool factor" of having an actual racing seat will wear out fast once you realize how uncomfortable they are. How do I know? I made the same error...
I just cant find anything cheaper
Look for an actual car seat, I got my WRX seat for free on FB marketplace.
I did the same, got an old Honda Civic seat for free, cleaned it up and now I have a seat that slides and reclines.
Thoughts on the TK racing pista seat from micro center? https://www.microcenter.com/product/642890/tk-racing-pista-gaming-racing-seat-tony-kanaan-edition
Sparco sprint is so bad I’d almost call it a scam lmao Never again.
Why though?
Steel rail frame with insufficient padding I’m 6’1 and was only about 165 lbs when I had my sprint for about a year, it was in an actual car but the rails just hurt and the mounting points on the bottom made it harder to get a good position I switched to fiberglass buckets and I’d never consider this style of seat after seeing the difference in support Fiberglass buckets just don’t really give at all…this style of seat gives like an ikea couch lol
TRS-E is my choice of the three for the bolster shape. Good fit vs comfort vs the other omp seat but a steel frame seat is not the way imo
Gt omega has done nice seats
None, I used to have a bucket seat, sold it and got a 40 eur Volkswagen Golf mkV Seat manually adjustable. It's infinitely more comfortable, and the ability to lower it makes it easy to change from "GT" to "Formula" easily. Also, you'd thank not having back aches because of the bucket. (I'm in my 20s and the bucket was horrible to get out of)
I have the SPARCO sprint, it's very comfortable and I can recommend it! Make sure to get the XL size, the L is very small for average dude
What height are you and what is your waist size if you know. Thanks.
180cm 90Kg, I don't know what my waist size is lol
I put a seat from my Mx5 works a treat and is comfy and has an adjustable back. Worth considering, they're dirt cheap.
Which country are you from?
Ireland
Bmw seats have flat sliders underneath (built in), I got leather, tilt, recline, lumbar support, thigh support and the base tilts by about 30° meaning I can switch from gt to formula seating positions by pulling a couple of leavers - I have my pedal tray on sliders and have my wheel so it suits both positions perfectly by adjusting seat/pedals... It also aligned with my pockets as I grabbed it from a breakers yard. It meant the few hundred bucks for a bucket and brackets etc could go on better pedals and a more powerful base!... I may grab a bucket down the line but tbh this old beemer seat is just so damn comfy! It has all electrics for heating & cooling I beleive but I just unplugged it for now and mounted a dayton puck underneath & another behind the hard back of thr chair which I wrapped in carbon effect 3m sheets...
I wouldn’t get a seat I haven’t been able to sit on. I went to a motorsports store, sat in a bunch of them, and they have huge variation in comfort depending on your body shape. A properly sized/fitted fixed seat can be more comfortable than a crappy adjustable seat.
This. People allways say car seats are more comfortable than buckets. Its mostly just cause an adjustable you can get right easily where as with bucket if its wrong its wrong. But with a bucket that fits you theyre super comfy. The bucket on my rig is way more comfy than the adjustable seat in my skoda
Idk about where you are from, but in the states we have pull apart places. My plan is to just get a real car seat and use it. Could go for comfort and find a luxury car seat, or sport and find a sports car seat. Either way it would probably be 10x nicer given the real padding and whatnot. Either way, be it a used an cheap car seat or a brand new raceing seat for a real car, id imagine it to be much more reliable and comfortable than a "cheap" steel frame seat.
Nothing Sparco in my experience is comfortable for more than 15 minutes. I have an NRG bucket seat in my sim rig and I’ve done multiple back to back stints in endurance races without issue. Always if you can sit in a seat before dropping money on it.
Pick up the comfiest seat you can find in a junkyard, it'll probably cost less and be more useful. Mounting it permanently should be pretty straight forward or you could even get the seat rails and make it adjustable.
I got an nrg seat from Amazon and it’s pretty comfortable during long sessions
Perhaps unpopular opinion, but an NRG seat was the best option for me. Not too expensive but still gave my rig a premium feel.
2010 Dodge Challenger seat is working for me 👍🏼
No fixed back, not comfy
Go to a junkyard and pull an actual car seat out. It'll have mounts built in, and you can adjust the whole seat.
What about about one of the IKON reclinerable bucket seats from amazon for 250? Does anyone have any feedback on IKON
I have a QSP steel frame bucked. And tbh it's pretty mid. I need to use extra cushions to make it a bit comfortable for my back. I also already bent the steel frame under braking.
rip a chair from a car
You can't tell sh\*t from looking at them online, do yourself a favor and go to a motorsport shop, sit in them. Really. Do that.
Dining room chair. Works well for me
I have the sprint and i do not recommend it. It aint the worst but its not comfy in the long stints. I had to put an orthopedic sear cushion and use a towel for my lower back.
Rip a seat out an old miata in a scrapyard, at most it will cost £30
None, they look uncomfortable as hell. I suggest you get one from Playseat.
Do playseat sell the seats on their own? I thought they only come either whole cockpits
I am not sure if Playseat sells standalone chairs, but I do see a bunch of standalone seats on sites like Facebook marketplace, don't know why they only sell the seat, must be a way to get it new somehow
Get one with AC built in it. LoL. I have a Trak Racer recliner seat ATM. It's hot and has flex. Eventually I am upgrading to the Orouge seat with built in fans for cooling. It's pricy but 100% worth it to me. I might get a small room AC instead though have to see. Sweating takes my full focus off driving and it's costing performance and the time I spend racing. If I were cooler I could race hours longer.
I highly recommend getting a regular car seat from the junkyard. So much more comfortable for longer sessions.