The most versatile bed cover option.
- Why buy a truck soft topper?
- Soft toppers are versatile and wallet-friendly
- Easy installation
- What to look for in a truck soft topper
- Materials and construction
“Just throw it in the truck” is probably a phrase you say with a little pride when toting oversized gear. And while we all love the options that our beloved truck beds provide, sometimes you feel like your stuff could use a little protection from the weather, debris or even the wondering eye of a thief (out of sight, out of mind — right?). That’s where a truck soft topper comes in.
- Best Overall Softopper Truck Bed Cap $829 AT SOFTOPPER.COM Read More $829 AT SOFTOPPER.COM
- Best Upgrade Fas-Top Traveler Topper & Tonneau $1,199 AT FAS-TOP.COM Read More $1,199 AT FAS-TOP.COM
- Most Versatile Air-Topper $1,849 AT FLATED Read More $1,849 AT FLATED
- Bestop Supertop Truck 2 Bed Tops $11 AT 4 WHEEL PARTS Read More $11 AT 4 WHEEL PARTS
Why buy a truck soft topper?
Soft toppers are versatile and wallet-friendly
There are plenty of options to keep your bed cover, but the soft topper will be the most versatile. While the sleek tonneau covers are convenient, your bed becomes a glorified trunk because of the sacrificed height. Then there are the hard top camper shells, which are great when you think about permanency as they will provide the best security and durability but become a hassle if you want to remove and store the top frequently. That is not even to mention the dent it will leave in your wallet.
A definitive feature of these soft top bed caps is that you can easily remove them on the go to utilize your open-air bed fully. It will keep your gear out of the elements while not having the commitment or investment of a hard top. This feature allows you to keep your camping gear under some cover and then fold it down when you are on a Home Depot run that requires some taller storage. Or, maybe you want your work truck to look more professional with all your tools and equipment at the job site. If nothing else, a well-ventilated soft topper can be a safe place for your pup to ride along with plenty of room.
Easy installation
Due to some impressive engineering, no drilling is required for any of these tops. They use rails, clamps or straps to keep things tight and secure. While it will take an hour or two to mount, that is the most time you will invest during your ownership.
What to look for in a truck soft topper
Materials and construction
While these options are all weather-resistant and have UV protection, some may not have quite as good of a seal from the elements. This could cause some minor leaking around the corners of your bed, but your stuff won’t be getting soaked by any means. There are also seem sealers available that you can use during your installation process on the sewn edges as just another layer of protection to ensure longevity.
Modularity
With versatility being at the forefront of the soft topper industry, how you plan to customize your setup might impact the brand you choose and the accessories they produce to go along with it. If this is the first step in building out your truck, you will want to keep your options open for possible roof racks, camping accessories and alternative windows.
Best Overall Softopper Truck Bed Cap
They have the name, the performance, and the look. A brand born in motocross, the founders built a product allowing them to haul their bikes to the track and then store their gear safely while racing. The Softopper has an unmatched number of fitment options, so you can be sure they have a product available for your truck’s trim.
They go lean on the hardware, allowing the initial installation process to take under an hour, but after that, you can fold down the top in a matter of minutes. The canopy is held in place by a series of heavy-duty snap buttons, velcro and a couple of safety straps that keep the material nice and taut at freeway speeds.
Because of Softopper’s specialty in the category, they produce several add-ons and accessories to modify your setup further. If you are interested in camping right in the bed of your truck, they offer a tent extension so you can maximize your covered space with the tailgate down. They also offer a compatible bed rack which is an excellent option if you want to install a rooftop tent or haul a kayak.
Weight: 14-30 lbs (depending on model)
Canopy Material: Waterproof, all-season 3-ply PVC laminated sailcloth
Frame Construction: Rust-free anodized aluminum with zinc-coated steel fasteners
Window Material: Replaceable acrylic
Best Upgrade Fas-Top Traveler Topper & Tonneau
- Only option with dual coverage
- Velcro can be replaced if it wears out
- Gap behind truck window could be a bit funny looking
- Snow and ice could build between the truck window and soft topper
The Fas-Top Traveler is the dynamic duo of bed covers. If you are still torn between getting a more low-profile tonneau cover and a soft top, this will give you the best of both worlds. The tonneau cover and topper can be mounted simultaneously and can be switched very quickly. Rolling it up and popping up the topper takes just a few minutes. And down the road, if you want more ventilation or privacy when your topper is up, they offer a few window alternates that can be replaced easily.
Fas-Top manufactures and tests their products in North Dakota, so you know wind and snow will be no match for this one.
Weight: 70 lbs
Tonneau Material: UV-protected embossed commercial grade fabric
Frame construction: Black anodized aircraft aluminum
Window Material: Vinyl
Most Versatile Air-Topper
- One person installation
- Easy to transport
- Pricey
- Not a sleek look
An inflatable top for your bed is easily the most innovative design on the list. You simply blow it up with the included pump and strap it to your truck.
While this design will not be as tight in the corners as the other bow-framed options, it is highly versatile from truck to truck as there are just two size options (short bed and long bed), and then you cinch it down to fit correctly. It only weighs 35 lbs, and when deflated, it fits into a bag similar to what you may see an inflatable kayak or stand-up paddle board stored in. This makes it extremely easy to stow away, whether you want to throw it in the cab to use later or tuck it in the coat closet.
I know the thoughts, Will it deflate in the cold? Is the sun going to beat it up? What about the debris that gets kicked up on the road? Well, with its PVC coating, polyester stitching and reinforced sidewalls, you most likely won’t have anything to worry about. Worst case scenario, you get to use the patch kit that comes with it.
Weight: 35 lbs
Canopy Material: PVC coated drop-stitch
Frame construction: Well…air
Window Material: Vinyl
Bestop Supertop Truck 2 Bed Tops
- Tailgate bar seal
- Includes an optional brake light for DOT compliance
- More hardware and moving parts for fold-down process
Known for pioneering Jeep soft tops, Bestop has been a big name in the industry for a while. The Supertop Truck 2 is the second and much-improved iteration of their soft tops. The installation process may take a bit longer than other options on the market, but you will get a couple of extra notable features. The topper has a unique tailgate bar system that allows for the easiest access to the stuff in your truck while keeping a tight seal from the elements. It is important to note that once installed, the fold-down process is a much faster one-person job. When folding down, the side windows roll up, but the back window must be removed. Once taken down, it has a great storage system that allows you to keep all the pieces conveniently tucked behind the truck window when not in use.
Weight: Between 50-70 lbs (depending on model)Canopy Material: Laminated PVC coated sailclothFrame construction: Not listedWindow Material: Vinyl
Overland Vehicle Systems Nomadic 3 Review: A Great, Affordable Rooftop Tent
I can’t exactly say camping in this tent counts as “roughing it.”
Keyword: The Best Truck Soft Toppers You Can Buy