Breathable Car Covers
Why is using a breathable car cover so important? For vehicle covers to function properly and as intended, they must allow water vapor to pass through the cover.
How does water get beneath a cover?
Covers are designed to protect your vehicle from water, humidity, and snow. So, why do you sometimes find water droplets beneath your cover?
Dew
Dew forms when water vapor in the air condenses into liquid form. You’ll typically see dew covering the ground in the mornings. Dew evaporates throughout the day, and is often gone after a couple hours. As the dew evaporates, water vapor escapes into the air. These tiny water droplets can make their way beneath your cover, getting between your car and your cover. Dew also will form on top of your car cover, which can result in it leaking through.
Humidity
Water can also get under your cover due to humidity. This will happen when your vehicle is cooler than the temperature of the air and humidity levels are high. When warm, humid air passes over or through your vehicle cover, moisture is released onto the cold surface of your vehicle.
Seams
Your cover’s seams can also make a difference on how much or little water gets beneath. Single-stitched seams, typically seen on inexpensive covers, are likely to let water in. If your cover is too small and you have to stretch it tightly over your car, you may notice seam degradation. In turn, this leads to more water beneath the cover. To avoid moisture seeping in through the seams, invest in a high-quality cover with double-stitched or reinforced seams and be sure to order the correct size — a little too big is better than too small.
All of our vehicle covers include double-stitched seams to reduce the likelihood of leaking.
Seams
Your cover’s seams can also make a difference on how much or little water gets beneath. Single-stitched seams, typically seen on inexpensive covers, are likely to let water in. If your cover is too small and you have to stretch it tightly over your car, you may notice seam degradation. In turn, this leads to more water beneath the cover. To avoid moisture seeping in through the seams, invest in a high-quality cover with double-stitched or reinforced seams and be sure to order the correct size — a little too big is better than too small.
Microscopic Holes
Nearly all outdoor vehicle covers will include small holes throughout the cover. While this may allow a small amount of moisture to get beneath the cover, it also promotes breathability and air flow.
Risks of Non-Breathable Covers
If you see a cover labeled as “waterproof”, avoid it. These covers are not breathable and can damage your car instead of protecting it.
Rust and Corrosion
If moisture has no way of escaping your cover, rust and corrosion can quickly form in tiny, unnoticeable scratches. If you leave your car covered for long periods of time, it is crucial to invest in a breathable cover. You may not even notice the rust beginning to form until you uncover your car weeks later.
Color Bleeding
Waterproof coatings do more damage than promoting rust and corrosion development. The color of a waterproof color may bleed when wet, damaging your car’s paint.
Window Freezing
Since non-breathable covers do not allow water to escape, a rainstorm followed by freezing weather can be disastrous. If water is not able to immediately evaporate, freezing temperatures can cause your cover to freeze to your vehicle. This makes your car unusable until temperatures rise above freezing and melt the ice.
Benefits of Breathable Car Covers
Breathable car covers allow trapped moisture and condensation to evaporate quickly through the cover, shortening the amount of time your vehicle is wet. This prevents paint damage and rust formation on your vehicle.
The materials “waterproof” covers are made of are typically not breathable. Even if these covers include vents, they will not be as effective as water-resistant, breathable materials. No fabric or special top-coating will completely prevent water from getting through. Even if it does, it opens the door to color bleeding. We recommend choosing a water-repellent vehicle cover that will resist moisture while still allowing breathability.
The materials “waterproof” covers are made of are typically not breathable. Even if these covers include vents, they will not be as effective as water-resistant, breathable materials. No fabric or special top-coating will completely prevent water from getting through. Even if it does, it opens the door to color bleeding. We recommend choosing a water-repellent vehicle cover that will resist moisture while still allowing breathability.
Diagram of our BlockTite Basic material.
Benefits of Breathable Car Covers
Breathable car covers allow trapped moisture and condensation to evaporate quickly through the cover, shortening the amount of time your vehicle is wet. This prevents paint damage and rust formation on your vehicle.
The materials “waterproof” covers are made of are typically not breathable. Even if these covers include vents, they will not be as effective as water-resistant, breathable materials. No fabric or special top-coating will completely prevent water from getting through. Even if it does, it opens the door to color bleeding. We recommend choosing a water-repellent vehicle cover that will resist moisture while still allowing breathability.
The materials “waterproof” covers are made of are typically not breathable. Even if these covers include vents, they will not be as effective as water-resistant, breathable materials. No fabric or special top-coating will completely prevent water from getting through. Even if it does, it opens the door to color bleeding. We recommend choosing a water-repellent vehicle cover that will resist moisture while still allowing breathability.
Coverstore Vehicle Covers
All of our covers are water-resistant and made of breathable materials. To find the vehicle material that is right for you, use our Vehicle Material Comparison Chart to compare our different collections. Below are a couple of our favorites.
BlockTite Collection
Covermates BlockTite vehicle covers are available in three tiers.
BlockTite Basic vehicle covers are constructed of a 3-layer non-woven polyester material. A microporous and breathable barrier film is sandwiched by a soft, thick inner layer and a spunbond outer layer. BlockTite Basic covers are one of our lightest options, with a weight of 85 grams.
BlockTite Prime vehicle covers are also made of a 3-layer non-woven polyester material. A microporous and breathable barrier film is sandwiched by a soft, thick inner layer and a thick spunbond outer layer. BlockTite Prime covers are heavier than BlockTite Basic, with a weight of 125 grams.
BlockTite Max vehicle covers are constructed of a 5-layer non-woven polyester material. The sturdiest of our non-woven covers, BlockTite Max offers the same microporous and breathable barrier film as Prime and Basic, but with two layers on either side of it. The two thick spunbond outer layers provide excellent weather protection, while the soft fleece inner lining protects your car’s paint.
Learn more about our BlockTite collection.
BlockTite Basic vehicle covers are constructed of a 3-layer non-woven polyester material. A microporous and breathable barrier film is sandwiched by a soft, thick inner layer and a spunbond outer layer. BlockTite Basic covers are one of our lightest options, with a weight of 85 grams.
BlockTite Prime vehicle covers are also made of a 3-layer non-woven polyester material. A microporous and breathable barrier film is sandwiched by a soft, thick inner layer and a thick spunbond outer layer. BlockTite Prime covers are heavier than BlockTite Basic, with a weight of 125 grams.
BlockTite Max vehicle covers are constructed of a 5-layer non-woven polyester material. The sturdiest of our non-woven covers, BlockTite Max offers the same microporous and breathable barrier film as Prime and Basic, but with two layers on either side of it. The two thick spunbond outer layers provide excellent weather protection, while the soft fleece inner lining protects your car’s paint.
Learn more about our BlockTite collection.
WeatherTite Collection
Covermates WeatherTite Prime and WeatherTite Max vehicle covers are constructed of a heavy-duty polyester material. WeatherTite Prime features a stock-dyed polyester, while WeatherTite Max provides outstanding fade-resistance with its solution-dyed material. Both Prime and Max have a PU water-resistance coating which aids in both repelling water and promoting breathability.
Learn more about our WeatherTite collection.
Learn more about our WeatherTite collection.
No matter what climate you live in, your vehicle is bound to come in contact with rain, snow, dew, or humidity. Investing in a breathable cover will ensure your vehicle stays protected for years.
Vehicle & Powersports Covers
Vehicle & Powersports Covers
Additional Resources
Explore the articles below to find out more about our covers.
