Softopper Canopy Review

[@philrenault2781]

650-700$ in 2019...made in USA, 900$ in 2023...made in Mexico.

[@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638]

Anyone who does a video with an AR beside him is first class in my eyes! Great review of the Softopper!

[@nbookie]

2yrs later, 50% inflation. 700 is now 1000.

[@Xx233xX]

You look like Ryan Callaghan just need a stache

[@tonywillingham8109]

$650?? I wish. Bidenomics.

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

Yeah inflation has gone crazy

[@WildMountainGarage]

Good review. Thanks! This seems to be the only brand for my 2018 silverado 2500 long bed. It looks pretty quality. Now that it's been another year, still holding up? Any damage to the paint on the bed, such as in front of the bed between the cab and bed? I don't like hard toppers and want something I can easily take on and off.

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

Well last week the temp was 15 degrees F and when rolling up the back window I finally got a small tear in the window at the top of that back panel. I threw some gorilla tape on there and it is back to working like new, but after hunting I am going to buy a new back panel. Other than that, it is still in great shape, and no scratching!

[@gabrielreyes8476]

@@rogueoutdoorshtkstw Please note that the instructions clearly state that the vinyl is brittle in cold temps. Do not roll your flaps in the cold, instead, gently fold and place on top to avoid damage.

[@douglas60040]

Thanks for the honesty in your review...was looking for actual owner’s thoughts on this cover.

[@madcratebuilder]

I have a softtopper on my 6' ZR2 and love it. More space than a tonneau, easy fold down, 15 minute to remove or install. I put a Slumberjack tarp tent over the end of the bed and have a large living area.

[@shaunre8363]

Can the softopper can be closed from inside the bed?

[@nick-sn4ol]

@@shaunre8363 yes

[@theRDVJ1]

That’s a good review man , thanks

[@carpent84]

How does in hold up in wind while camping? Does it have the ruffle of a tent or is it sturdy/noiseless?

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

It is extremely sturdy. I have been in some very high wind storms with it and there is no ruffling.

[@johnhoward5389]

$830 for Silverado fyi 1/'22

[@mterrazas145]

I wish it was still 650, 9/22 950ish

[@justifiedfan98]

Great review on longevity and durability!!

[@Jonathan-hq8od]

You mentioned the back doesn’t lock. So if there is expensive stuff inside. There’s no way to secure the softopper from theft?

[@DaveMedicus]

It’s canvas. A knife can get through any of it. Plus it clips from the side. It’s not meant for a security option.

[@Jonathan-hq8od]

@@DaveMedicus that’s a big downfall then

[@DaveMedicus]

@@Jonathan-hq8od Yeah it can be. You don't buy this one for security though. It more designed for functionality. Someone who wants a cap but still needs a truck or someone who is on a budget and doesn't have $2400 to spend on a hard top. For me a hard top is not an option because of how often I haul long wood. I would most likely break the rear glass leaving it open while I drive. Anything I put in the bed of the truck is a temporary thing. Additionally, I haul a motorcycle quite often and a standard cap would need to be completely removed for me to do so. Even with the high rise caps I would need to put my bike in there backwards and would only have 1/2" to spare. This one would work perfect for me. Better fuel mileage, temporary protection from elements, and still have the use of the bed.

[@Jonathan-hq8od]

@@DaveMedicus I have a cap on my truck now. I have a handyman business. So I’m constantly taking the cap on and off between remodeling jobs and landscaping jobs. I came across The soft topper and thought it would make things much easier. But I would definitely need the security for when all my tools are in my truck. The cap I have locks.

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

Yeah you would have to lock a tool box into the truck. Like a free standing ridged tool box for example

[@eliteoutdoors5913]

Does it hold heat in decently with a little buddy heater in the cold weather?

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

Yes it keeps the heat in pretty good. In fact I use our big buddy heater all the time with it! It heats up super quick.

[@jayarneson5587]

Thanks for the review.. much appreciated.

[@mikehunt5462]

This is exactly what i need, I have a ram with the 5'7 box, a fiberglass canopy is $2400, and takes 6 weeks to get it

[@BRTreedogs]

How's the back window is it a pain when wanting to just toss something in back? Does it have zipper pulls on the inside for closure while sleeping?

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

It’s actually pretty easy when throwing stuff in the back. And all you have to do it fold it up onto the top of the canopy like in the video and it holds its self out of the way. It also has clips so you can roll it up and lock it out of the way too if you want to drive that way or it’s really windy. As for sleeping inside it has pulls on both the inside and outside of the zipper so you can use it any way you want!

[@BRTreedogs]

@@rogueoutdoorshtkstw Awesome thanks for the reply.

[@gobig67]

Hell yea dude! Finally a solid review on this thing in terms of camping in them. My concern is camping in the winter and condensation. I guess the Buddy heater combats that well?

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

I actually just went camping in Leavenworth Washington with my wife and slept in the softopper. I forgot the heater so I got to see what happened for condensation. The temp was 18 that first night we were there. As for condensation, the back window froze, but could still be operated and the metal frame on the I side of the softopper got a little bit of frost on them. But besides that we had nothing dripping on us. The fabric had a small amount of condensation on it, and I would not rub my sleeping bag against the roof, but if you dont do that you will be fine and it dried out with in hours.

[@gobig67]

Nice! thanks a ton for your insight

[@kuyajonny1195]

ROGUE OUTDOORS Leavenworth, so you’re local? If so, any good camping sites for truck tents?

[@spethcial]

Thanks for the review

[@kerem7546]

could you access a sliding back window from the inside of the soft topper? does it seal up to the back of the cab? thanks, great review!

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

The back window can be in hooked with velcro, so you could in do that and get to the main truck. There would be a small .5inch gap from the canopy to the back window though. So if it was raining or snowing you would want to put a tarp or something over the cab and canopy to bridge the gap for extended use this way

[@JBOutdoors]

Great video, thanks for sharing it was really helpful. LIked and subscribed!

[@faceface4171]

Bro, nice review but if you could sell that fancy KUIU jacket and get enough to buy that hard top lol

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

Haha yeah the Kuiu jacket is costly, but the best rain jacket I have ever worn.

[@guadalupecovarrubias3487]

thank you for the info good vid

[@edwinmiranda8174]

Watching ur video it gave me not a judgment rather a better understanding pro and cons about the soft canopy so ur video and comments and ur answer was really helpful. Ur video is the. It is exactly what I was looking for the right info of the soft canopy

[@flaviolago736]

What about the noise and flapping while driving?

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

It is very tight to the frame. There is no noise at all. It will not flap.

[@williamwatson9166]

Thank you, I was looking at them but was undecided about buying one. Thanks again.

[@edwinmiranda8174]

Gracias

[@flushot6513]

Like the kuiu

[@charlieharding6623]

Thanks for the review. I’ve been looking at getting one for my 1500.

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

You won’t regret it. I love not having to take it off to put bikes or quads in the back of the truck!

[@eliteinventor]

I'm thinking about one for my Taco

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

You will love it!

[@kerem7546]

How cold have you been able to camp in your softopper with and without a buddy heater? looking at this as an option for a multi-season camping rig, maybe even taking it up into the mountains. also, do you feel like the tan cover helps reflect some heat? I would imagine the black ones would get a little too toasty in the summer sun.

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

The coldest temp was 28 degrees. However I was in a zero degree bag. Because the softopper is canvas you will get some condensation on the top of the canopy. So to combat that I just keep one towel under the canopy with me so I can wipe off that little bit of condensation in the morning. I have a friend that has one of the black softoppers and I do feel that it attracts more heat to it than the brown one. However it’s a trade off because in the winter the black one will stay a little bit warmer but in the summer is also warmer.

[@kerem7546]

@@rogueoutdoorshtkstw Thanks for sharing your beta! I just purchased the tan one from my Ridgeline. Pretty stoked!

[@kerem7546]

@@rogueoutdoorshtkstw I would be curious to see what your camping setup looks like in a short bed with the softopper. do you plan on having any videos on that?

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

I may do a short video, but to be honest my truck setup is pretty basic. I have a thin air mattress, power station, gun for safety, sleeping bags, pillows and a small heater for in the morning. I keep all my other gear in the back seat of the truck.

[@kerem7546]

@@rogueoutdoorshtkstw no sweat! that's basically what my setup is going to be like as well.

[@dshow87]

Have you had any problems with the plastic windows getting brittle when it gets cold?

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

No, I have had it down to 20F and no issues at all, however the back window is not totally clear anymore. It has lasted for years, but it is getting fuzzy from all the 24/7 use. But they are not expensive to buy just the window part.

[@RM-bx2zt]

With these plastic windows you can give them a good cleaning and get rid of a lot of the scratches with some old chrome polish, or headlight polish or whatever other kind of Polish you have. People do it on Jeep, Miata, and other convertible windows.

[@toddwooten3132]

the reason you are getting condensation is you are using a propane heater. Propane creates a wet heat

[@gavinstrahan1205]

How does it hold up with snowload?

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

Well the most I have ever had on it was about 10” and it had no issue or signs of wear. But I live in western Washington, so we don’t normally get that much snow.

[@sethhendershot134]

I have one on my truck and love it. I will buy from them again when I get my new Tacoma.

[@kevinmartin2096]

When you were running the Mr. buddy heater in there what did you do to open it up for ventilation a little bit

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

Well if it is on high heat yes because it gets so hot in there. But on low i did not find I needed to open it to vest. There is enough air flow with it all closed up

[@brennnobles5438]

Hey I’m just wondering how it deals with wind

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

The canopy handles wind great. I have slept in the back in wind storms and had no issue at all. It blocks everything. Also I have gone 75 mph with it for extended periods of time and it has no issues!

[@atraindeath]

So is it pretty aerodynamic when driving on the highway? Would it hold up to long interstate commutes?

[@kevinmartin2096]

@@atraindeath I live in South Dakota where it is incredibly windy and I go interstate speeds of 80 mph and higher and have never had any issues.

[@Longshot_096]

Can you open the tailgate with the top completely closed?

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

Yes you can.

[@chenmwu]

NIce video.. just want I wanted to see.

[@RM-bx2zt]

Excellent video and really concise. Would love to see your camp set up. What do you think of the top after 4 years?

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

It is still working great. I have no leaks. I did tear the back window, but that was my fault. Nothing some clear gorilla tape did not fix though!

[@RM-bx2zt]

That is great to read. It's videos like this that are convincing me that this is the top I should get. I'm wondering about the side windows and how that is driving and parking. Know that millions of work trucks have solid sides that you can't see out of, and even back windows you can't see out of but how have you found that to be?

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

Well it is definitely something to get used to if you don’t use your mirrors to back up now. I have not found it to be a problem with cars in my blind spot though.

[@RM-bx2zt]

I use them all the time now so that should help. Thanks!

[@ynotbbq]

OK, I see you used the snaps on the bottom for the front window. This is the best option if you need the high clearance for keeping stuff protected AND being able to simply have an open bed for 5th wheel without having to mess with removing a hard shell.

[@josephschmid4156]

Any issues with the back window cracking or breaking when it's icy or cold out?

[@rogueoutdoorshtkstw]

Nope. It has stayed clear and no cracks. I am careful when I wash it though, i use a good car wash brush and soap.

[@gabrielreyes8476]

$899 now. Damn shame that this costs so much now.

[@Jacob-ht3wj]

Shit I think that’s not a bad price

[@gabrielreyes8476]

@@Jacob-ht3wj it's almost $200 more than what it used to cost. Same great quality, but way more expensive

[@Jacob-ht3wj]

@@gabrielreyes8476 wow man that’s kinda sucky. I guess that company takes pride in their work! Or it could be from everything else upping in price so they could be having to do the same for material cost idk. I honestly still think it’s not a horrible price, because every other shell out there is super expensive man

[@gabrielreyes8476]

@@Jacob-ht3wj Agreed, more than likely the latter. I have one on my Taco and I absolutely love it, they're great. Combine that with a Datin Fab cage and you've got a pretty kick ass combo :D

[@Jacob-ht3wj]

@@gabrielreyes8476 dude you just helped me out a lot. That’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. I want a shell for my truck but I am partners with my dads company in painting contracting and sub contracting so I haul around big ladders,, and I was afraid getting the soft topper I wouldn’t be able to load ladders up unless I break it down every time. So I was gonna bite the bullet and get a leer or ARE, damn expensive but I loveee some of their stuff. It looks amazing color matched. My neighbor has kinda the setup I want but I don’t wanna copy hahah. I have a 22 Super white Trd off-road Xp Pred and it’s a beautiful truck stock but I just hit 10k miles and I’ve been saving up a bit. If you have Rigged out your ride I wouldn’t mind you telling me about your setup and what you like/dislike about any aftermarket products you’ve bought, maybe point me in a direction of companies to buy from, I’m somewhat green as to where to shop and not get ripped.I’m thinking about getting a Ss off roads low profile front bumper, still not sure on who I should go through for Sliders, I want everything to be low profile and not all big and blocky, kind of hard to explain. Cheers man sorry for the Book of s reply😂😅