SIMGASM Core seats are the entry point to the SIMGASM seat range. In 2026 their biggest pros are an easy fit on every SIMGASM cockpit, a clear choice between a fixed bucket and a smooth recline, and a second life as an office chair. The main cons are that the Core Bucket does not recline, the Core Recline is heavier, and racers who want a dedicated GT or formula shell get more from an Atlas seat.
The Core range has three products: the Core Bucket Racing Seat, the Core Recline Seat and the Core Recline Office Chair. Below we go through every pro and con in detail.
What is the SIMGASM Core seat range?
A quick look at each model makes the pros and cons easier to follow.
The Core Bucket Racing Seat has a steel frame, a microfiber cover, pronounced side bolsters and a fixed driving angle. It weighs 5.2 kg and bottom mounts through a 360 x 385 mm pattern. The Core Recline Seat has a leather and suede finish and a recline mechanism that adjusts continuously from near vertical to fully relaxed, plus a 193 x 193 mm pattern underneath. The Core Recline Office Chair combines that seat with an office kit, so it arrives ready for your desk.
What are the pros of the Core seats?
These are the strong points that owners and our own team notice most.
Plug and play on every SIMGASM cockpit
Both seats fit the Hobby, Club, Sport and Pro cockpits without extra brackets. That makes them an easy match for the Hobby Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit, the best selling SIMGASM rig.
A clear choice between fixed and recline
You pick the feel you want. The bucket holds you in place for sharp, focused driving, while the recline lets you switch between an upright race position and a relaxed angle.
SIMGASM | Core Bucket Racing Seat - Black
Comfort for long sessions
The leather and suede of the Core Recline feel soft and stay comfortable during long races. The Core Recline Seat holds a 4.8 star rating from 12 reviews, and owners mention the suede and the quality of the fabric again and again.
In this short reel you see a SIMGASM sim racing seat up close.
One seat, two lives
The Core Recline keeps its value when you upgrade. Its 193 x 193 mm pattern fits most office chair mechanisms, and with the SIMGASM Office Chair Base it moves to your desk. Our article on whether a sim racing seat doubles as an office chair goes deeper into that idea.
SIMGASM | Core Recline Office Chair - Black
What are the cons of the Core seats?
No seat is perfect, so here are the trade offs to know before you buy.
The Core Bucket does not recline
Its backrest folds for storage only. If you want to change the angle between races, choose the Core Recline instead.
The Core Recline is heavier
The recline hardware adds weight. The seat is listed at 16 kg, against 5.2 kg for the bucket. On a motion platform, or in a small room that you rearrange often, the bucket is easier to live with.
Not a dedicated GT or formula shell
Core seats suit a classic upright or slightly reclined position. For a true formula position, or a seat with patented ergonomic design, look at the Atlas range. Our Atlas seat pros and cons cover that side of the lineup.
Assembly takes some care
The recline seat ships as a base and a backrest. One owner noted that it was a little difficult to assemble, so take your time and start every bolt by hand.
SIMGASM | Core Recline Seat - Black
Which Core seat should you choose in 2026?
Your driving style and your room decide it more than anything else.
Choose the Core Bucket for a fixed, focused position, for motion or tactile setups and for easy storage. Choose the Core Recline for long sessions, shared rigs and a seat that later moves to your desk. Choose the Core Recline Office Chair if the desk is the main use from day one.
Plan to run the seat on another brand of rig? Check our guide on whether a Core seat fits other rigs. For VR or reclined racing, read whether a sim racing seat needs a headrest. All models sit together on the Core seats page.
Johan Akkerman, founder and CEO of SIMGASM, is a former esports world champion: he won the 2019 Project CARS 2 world team championship with VP Gaming. He believes every racer deserves professional level equipment without a professional level budget. SIMGASM keeps its overhead low with direct distribution from Wijk bij Duurstede in the Netherlands, so more of the budget goes into materials and finishing.
Questions about SIMGASM Core seats
Here are short answers to the questions we hear most about the Core range.
Are Core seats good for beginners?
Yes. They fit every SIMGASM cockpit straight away, and the bucket and the recline cover the two most common driving styles.
What happens to a Core seat when you upgrade?
The Core Recline moves to your desk with the Office Chair Base, so it keeps its value after an upgrade to an Atlas seat.
Which Core seat is the lightest?
The Core Bucket Racing Seat, at 5.2 kg.
Does a Core seat come with a cockpit?
No. SIMGASM sells seats and cockpits separately, so you combine exactly what you need.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
