Soft topper or hard shell??

So I'm debating on wether I should go with the soft topper or a hard camper shell? Just wanting some opinions and maybe some pros and cons?

 

Soft top. I bought a bestop like 2 years ago. Great purchase. Takes me under 5 minutes to put it up or take it down. Saved me $$ too.

 

How do you intend to use it? Both have pros and cons.

 

Depends on your usage. I've had both and each had pros and cons. I ultimately kept the hard shell because it offered better security since I travel a lot. The softopper looked awesome and the ease of install made it nice but I really never took it off so it didn't really matter. After not using it for a year I finally got rid of it.

If I didnt need the security I would have kept it

 

Convenience, versatility and cost go to the Softopper. Security, security, security and looks(debatable) go to hard top. I've found that I like to sleep a lot, and while a Softopper would be just fine for that, I'd feel much better sleeping under a camper shell at a rest stop.

 

Well it's primarily gonna be used camping. I have a kayak that I'll be hauling around occasionally and then of course trips to lowes and the regular day to day stuff. From what I've seen on the internets the soft topper is the more affordable option.

 

I'm never going back to a hard bed cap. I love my soft topper. I have a small trailer to haul the kayaks and long shit.

 

I thought about soft topper for a few minutes until my girl told me about how many times she had seen dudes jeeps get cut open for whatever was inside. I do plan on getting hard top and bed divider so my pups can ride in the back on long road trips

 

I have a Leer shell that came on the truck, along with a carpet kit in the bed. I added a rack and run a 3rd crossbar over the cab as needed for carrying lumber or oversized items that don't fit in the bed. The shell is more secure than a soft top but I can break into mine in seconds with a coat hanger.

 

Hard top, put it on never had a need to take it off. Been doing it that way for 40 years. Cheaper in the long run too. Putting either one off and on repeatedly is what wears them out. I've owned several Jeeps, never seen one over 5 years old that wasn't in need of a new top soon. I've run hard shell caps for 20 years that were still in good shape.

I know it is just as easy to break out the glass on a hard top Jeep or hard shell. But for some reason people are much more likely to take a knife and cut the soft top to get inside. I've had that happen to 2 Wranglers. Never had anyone do that to a hard sided vehicle.

 

I've had my ST for a few months now.

Pros: versatility, lightweight, price
Con: security

Also, the ST looks bad ass with the sides rolled up. My co-workers call my truck the Dinosaur chaser because they think it looks like a safari vehicle out of Jurassic Park I guess lol

 

So my next question is how well does the soft top keep out rain? I'm really not overly concerned about security since 95% of the time I won't have anything in it. Also, when out on the trails will it hold up to branches scraping over the top? I don't go anywhere too crazy but there are some old logging roads in Arkansas where I go camping that can get pretty tight.

 

I've had a Bestop for 6 years. I treat it 2x a year with convertible top cleaner/conditioner. It doesn't look particularly worn. I considered getting a hard topper for additional perceived security, but then I walked by this. I have a swing out that I lock to the bumper so no one can lower the tailgate and if I have a bike or something else in the bed I lock it to the truck. It's enough security to walk into store, have lunch..., but like the sign says, "Beware don't leave valuables in your car."

 

with a little foam and very little effort, you can make it water tight.

 

Looking at the damage on that truck and it appearing as if both windows are missing I'm wondering if that's actually a theft or an accident.

As everyone else has pointed out, it depends on what you primarily plan to do with it. Mine's been on since 2006; I really need to pull it and clean everything and replace the seals- although it still isn't leaking. I camp out of it a lot and carry boats and bikes on top; carrying longer boats such as a 17' sea kayak is much easier that way. I have a utility trailer if I need to transport a refrigerator or other oversized item such as when I had motorcycles; the DRZ would sometimes ride on the hitch carrier.


ETA. Security is kind of an illusion with them. Given how many shells have plastic hardware for the locking mechanisms, you could probably snatch most of the them open easier and quieter than breaking a window.

 

I think the easier question is:

Do you prefer to eat Soft Shell Tacos or Hard Shell Tacos?

 

Hard shell!

 

Ahhhhhh.. i like the look of the hard shell over the soft but for practicality I feel like the soft shell would be the more cost effective option. I guess pricing will probably be the deciding factor on this one!

 

@Chase8059 i gotta say, I do really like the idea of being able to roll up the sides!

 

It's nice for reaching items near the back of the bed. The equivalent on a hard shell would be windoors but they are an add on option.