Sit in a seat for two minutes and a soft seat may feel better. Race for two hours with a strong wheelbase and this can change. In sim racing, the most comfortable seat is not always the softest one.
Soft and firm materials both have a purpose. The foam affects your comfort during long sessions. The shell and frame help keep your body stable. The goal is to find the right balance between comfort and support.
What does foam firmness actually do?
Foam spreads your body weight across the seat. Soft foam compresses more and shapes itself around your body. This can feel comfortable at first. However, if the foam is too soft, you may sink deeper into the seat and move around more while braking and steering.
Firm foam compresses less. It helps keep your body in the same position. This can make your seating position feel more stable and direct. However, foam that is too firm can create uncomfortable pressure around your hips and thighs.
Why does memory foam feel different?
Memory foam reacts to heat and pressure. It slowly changes shape around your body. This can give you a softer feeling at first while still offering support underneath. For this reason, memory foam can work well during longer racing sessions.
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SIMGASM | Core Bucket Racing Seat - Black
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The Atlas GT comes with a complete set of washable memory foam cushions. The cushions are shaped to fit the seat. You can remove them for cleaning or replace them with another colour. If you need more lower back support, you can also add the optional lumbar cushion. This gives extra support in one area without changing the rest of the seat.
Soft or firm: what suits your racing?
The best choice depends partly on how you race. During short races with hard braking, a firmer seat can help keep your body in the same position. During long endurance races, extra cushioning can improve comfort. However, the seat should still give enough support around your hips.
Your hardware also matters. A strong direct drive wheelbase can put more force through your arms and upper body. A load cell brake can make you push harder against the seat. With stronger hardware, good support becomes more important. You want a firm base underneath the comfortable top layer.
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SIMGASM | Lumbar Support Cushion for Atlas Sim Racing Seat
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The shell is just as important as the foam
The foam sits on top of the seat shell or frame. A seat such as the Core Bucket Racing Seat uses a steel frame with strong side supports. The frame gives the seat its shape and strength. The padding on top makes the seat more comfortable. We compare different materials in our guide to steel, fibreglass or carbon seat shells.
Good side support is also important. Even with firm foam, the seat may not feel stable if your body can move from side to side. If you notice that you move around while racing, read our guide about why you slide around in your sim racing seat.
How do you test a seat at home?
Do not judge a seat after only a few minutes. Race for one full session and pay attention to how your body feels. After about thirty minutes, check where you feel pressure or discomfort.
Pressure around your hips and outer thighs can mean that the seat is too narrow or too firm. If your lower back becomes tired or uncomfortable, you may need more support. We explain this in more detail in our guide on how to avoid back pain in a sim racing seat.
Change only one thing at a time. You can add a lumbar cushion, adjust the seat angle or change the cushions. Then race again and see how it feels. A good sim racing bucket seat should give you enough options to improve comfort while keeping your body stable.
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SIMGASM | Sim Racing Seat Atlas Gran Turismo - Black
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How does seat fit affect firmness?
Firmness and fit work together. A seat that is too wide can feel less supportive, even if the foam is firm. Your body has more room to move from side to side. A seat that fits well keeps you in place, because the base and side supports work together.
This is why the width around your hips is very important. Measure your hips while sitting down and compare this measurement with the inner width of the seat. The seat should support you without squeezing your body. With the right fit, firmer foam can still feel comfortable during long sessions.
Soft cushion, firm seat and stable rig
Think about the complete setup. The cushions provide comfort, the seat shell provides support and the cockpit provides stability. All three need to work together.
If your cockpit moves or flexes, even a firm seat can feel unstable. Before changing the cushions, check the cockpit frame and all mounting bolts. Make sure the seat is firmly connected to the rig.
Frequently asked questions
We’d like to address a few frequently asked questions:
Is a firmer seat faster?
Not by itself. A firmer seat can help keep your body in a stable position. This may make it easier to repeat the same steering and braking inputs from lap to lap.
Does memory foam get too warm?
Memory foam can hold some heat. A breathable seat cover and regular breaks can help you stay comfortable during long racing sessions.
How do I make a hard seat feel softer?
You can add a thin cushion or extra lumbar support. Avoid adding too much soft padding, because this can make you sink deeper into the seat and reduce support.
Do seat cushions wear out?
Yes. Foam can slowly become softer after a lot of use. Removable cushions are useful because you can replace them without replacing the whole seat.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
