When I first fitted the Oxford Cool Seat, I thought: “What is this actually going to do?”
It’s a seat cover designed to let air flow between the seat and the rider, improving comfort in high temperatures, but I was dubious about how effective it could be.
The mesh looked and felt like very firm netting. When I pressed it with my fingers, it compressed, and I imagined it would simply squash flat under my bum when I sat on it.
I was wrong. The breeze under my bum was very noticeable as soon as I got moving.
Because my body weight is spread across the surface of the cover, some areas are compressed more than others. Air can continue to flow through the less-compressed sections.
My first ride with the Cool Seat fitted reminded me of the first time I experienced a heated seat in a car. My friend turned it on without telling me, and I thought I’d wet myself.
Feeling the airflow under my bum briefly took me back to that moment — until I realised it was simply air passing beneath me.
The cooling effect was reduced in the very hot temperatures we experienced in June 2026, which frequently exceeded 32°C. When the air itself is hot, the cooling effect of the airflow is naturally less noticeable. However, I still felt that it reduced the amount of moisture trapped between me and the bike seat, making things feel less sticky.
I gave the seat cover a thorough test by taking it on an 1800-mile trip to Switzerland during a Europe-wide heatwave. Some of the temperatures shown on my bike’s gauge were above 40°C.
In those conditions, the most noticeable benefit came after I had stopped for a while and started sweating. Once I set off again, I could clearly feel the cooling effect.
I think this cover is great for warm days. On slightly chillier days, however, I found it cold enough to make me feel as though I needed an extra layer on my lower body.
The Cool Seat is straightforward to fit and remove, although doing either means taking the bike seat off. On my Honda CB750 Hornet, I need to undo two Allen screws, so I wouldn’t want to keep removing and refitting it throughout the day. Deciding whether to use it at the start of the day, though, would not involve too much drama.
The Cool Seat is secured by four elasticated straps, which are joined beneath the seat using hook-and-loop fastenings. It was simple to install, and I had it fitted in a matter of minutes.
I have actually been testing the Adventure/Touring version, which fits well on my Honda CB750 Hornet’s seat. Oxford also produces a version specifically for street and sports bikes, but that model was not available at the time of testing. There's also a dedicated model for enduro bikes and pillion seats.
The cover does not slide around thanks to its non-slip rubber backing, and it has remained securely in place throughout the time I have used it.
There is some minor pilling on the seat area of the Knox Shield Jogging Bottoms I wore during my trip, which I believe was caused by the grippy texture of the cover. I think this is likely to be less of an issue with materials such as nylon or denim, but it is worth bearing in mind if your riding trousers are made from a softer fabric.
I would not rely on this cover to provide additional cushioning, as I do not think it adds much comfort in that respect. On one day of my trip, I spent 400 miles in the saddle and my bum still went numb, even when taking fairly frequent breaks from riding.
If you are looking for extra ventilation on hotter days, I am confident the Oxford Cool Seat will do the job. With a list price of £30 at the time of review, it does so without breaking the bank. I consider it a worthwhile addition to my bike’s equipment.
