Hard vs. Soft Tonneau Covers: What's the Difference?

Tonneau covers are very useful for protecting your items from outside forces and theft when you store them in your truck bed. However, when you go to purchase a tonneau cover, you’ll need to choose between hard and soft covers. Here we’ll cover the major differences between hard and soft tonneau covers.

Visual Looks

One of the first things you’ll notice when it comes to the difference between these covers is the visual looks of each option. Soft covers are usually polyester or nylon, giving them a shiny, typically black, fabric look. Hard covers are tougher and thicker plastics and metals, giving them a much more rigid shape and appearance.

Ease of Use

While both covers are simple and easy to use, the hard cover has a lot more weight and is sturdier. This means that it can be harder to lift off the cover and access your truck bed. Additionally, the soft fold tonneau covers are easy to roll up and store if needed, making access easy and very convenient.

Weight and Weight Limit

It’s safe to say that most, if not all, soft covers weigh significantly less than hard covers. This is important to note because a heavy hard cover means you can carry less overall. It adds more weight to the vehicle and means you can put less in the truck bed before reaching its max weight limit. This is one of the more significant differences between hard and soft tonneau covers.

Cover Durability

While each cover can protect from the weather and debris, hard covers are a bit stronger when it comes to durability. The heavier materials can handle more of a beating and are better at preventing theft and vandalism. Also, hard covers are a bit better than soft covers when you’re talking about longevity and wear.

These are all the things you should keep in mind when you’re choosing between these two cover styles. Understanding these differences should make picking the right one for your vehicle easy.