Besttop VS Softopper

A softtop is on my long term wish list. Seems like these two are best in the business.
I'd love to hear some opinions about which is better and why. I'd also love to hear if there other good options.
If this thread exists, please point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

Softtopper >>>>>> bestop.

Fits better. Looks better. Is better.

 

What ^^^^^ he said!

Also there is 137 pages in this thread of both

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lets-see-some-softoppers.277644/

 

Oh I definitely follow that thread. I was just hoping to hear some direct comparisons.

 

Gotcha, I've always lived by you get what you paid for. Most of the time it makes sense.

 

I agree. I'm leaning toward the Softopper, but it's not that much more expensive.

 

I can't comment on Bestop, but I just got a softopper and absolutely love it so far!

 

I really don't like the side windows of a bestop and the fit always looked crappy to me. My soft topper fit perfectly.

 

Besttop has windows that you have to store separately if you take them off, the only thing i like better about the Besttop is the back window has a bigger viewing area and doesn't create as big of a blind spot out of the rearview, either way I love my softtop so easy to store as well, have mine off for a few weeks atm, goes back on next week for camping

 

How tough is the install? Do you feel like you got a good deal?

 

Takes less than an hour. I think the hardest part was assembling it. After that it's super easy.

After th initial install I could completely remove or install mine in less than 10-15 minutes.

 

You could go Can Back if you have money to burn...

 

Best top did not redesign their product to fit the 3rd gen, they only modified the brackets I believe, so the fit isn't exact. The soft topper is the superior product but believe it doesn't have a side window option, but fits perfectly. Just my .02 from what I have read and seen.

 

Softtopper all the way! As @erok81 said, I can get the thing on/off the truck in a few minutes after initial install, or just fold it down and leave it when not in use.

The bestop fit and finish on 3rd gens is clumsy at best, others have had issues with the mount and material quality as well (I think someone's actually failed during heavy winds).

I looked into CanBacks before they started production again (which was only about a year or so ago if I remember right). They've discontinued the load bars and don't fold down. AND they cost $2000. At that price point, there's literally nothing that makes sense about them (unless I'm totally missing something).

OA

 

My Bestop has been nothing but great. But I’m a 2nd gen. And I see that lack of redesign is the biggest beef 3rd gen owners have with the Bestop. If I had a 3rd gen I’d go with a Softopper.

That being said:

I wouldn’t base my decision on one freak accident of a 3rd gen Bestop flying off in mountain wind gusts when the front flap wasn’t secured better than how it came stock. Most Bestop owners lay a piece of flat bar to clamp that window down for a more secure installs. I don’t see how a Softopper would fare any better in those conditions. My understanding is the front flap on both has a different design but there is no real method other than Velcro that affixes it. Hell yeah in right conditions it’s going to blow open and turn the whole thing into a parachute. You need to secure that regardless of which one you get.

I’ve only ever heard of 2 other Bestop flew away stories, and one was due to a suspected poor install after they bought it secondhand, and the other had no backstory.

I’ve been over 90mph+ in a headwind and haven’t had an issue with mine.

If you want something truly secure you need a fiberglass/aluminum top or a tonneau.

But Bestop vs Softopper comes down to one thing. Do you want side windows or no? Cause if you get a Bestop you will have to take them off/put them back on to reassemble. If the answer is no, get a softopper

 

I had used bestop at first, didn't like fit on 3rd gen. Found out softop redesigned for 3rd gen, so I got one new. Love it, glad I didn't stick with bestop. I think it looks way better without side windows. Don't have anything bad to say about bestop, but feel the softop is worth the little extra it costs.

 

Anybody out there recently got a can back top?