How to Choose the Best Soft Tonneau Cover

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Choosing the Best Soft Tonneau Cover Summary

• The best soft tonneau covers feature durable materials and are lightweight, making them easy to install and remove.

• A soft tonneau cover can reduce wind noise, protect the bed from rain, and enhance the look of your truck—all for a relatively low price compared to other types of tonneau covers.

• Soft tonneau covers are typically the least expensive type of tonneau cover, ranging in cost from around $250 to $600 on average.

• After consulting with an industry expert and testing several tonneau covers, we recommend the Gator SFX Tri-Fold and the TruXedo TruXport if you have your eyes on a soft tonneau cover.

Soft Tonneau Covers & Our Testing Process

When evaluating tonneau covers, we assess ease of installation and use, durability, price, and overall functionality, as these are among the essential factors when choosing a tonneau cover. During our tonneau cover reviews, we use these trucks as test vehicles:

• 2013 Toyota Tacoma (Standard Cab) with a 6.0-ft., 2.0-in. bed.
• 2016 Toyota Tundra with a 5.0-ft., 7.0-in. bed.
• 2022 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab with a 5.0-ft. bed.
• 2016 Chevy Colorado with a 5.0-ft. bed.
• 2017 Toyota Tundra with a 5.0-ft., 7.0-in. bed.
• 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss with a 5.0-ft., 8.0-in. bed.
• 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 with a 6.0-ft., 9.0-in. bed.

After installation, we tried each cover’s features and then left it on the test truck to learn how it would hold up over time. Hit the “show more” arrow if you would like to see our full testing methodology, including how we score tonneau covers.

Soft Tonneau Covers: An Expert Opinion

To learn more about soft tonneau covers, we spoke with Chris King, Director of Marketing at RealTruck. When picking the best tonneau cover for your truck, King recommends looking at three factors: cost, security, and use case.

Soft Tonneau Cover Cost

Soft tonneau covers are usually the least expensive type of tonneau cover, typically costing between $250 and $600. There are two common types: folding and soft roll-up covers.

Low Price	$250 to $300
Typical Price	$300 to $400
High Price	$500 to $600

This more pragmatic price range means that soft tonneau covers are ideal for those who still want their truck bed protected but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg.

For example, retractable tonneau covers, although feature-rich, can range between $1,000 and $3,000. Hard folding options, like the popular BAKFlip MX4, usually land in the $1,300 price range. One-piece options, like the UnderCover SE, are also over $1,000.

That said, soft pickup truck bed covers are more budget-friendly than other styles of covers.

Durability & Look (Gloss or Matte)

High-quality soft tonneau covers differentiate themselves via protective coatings and more attractive design features. Most soft tonneau covers feature either canvas or marine-grade vinyl as the primary cover material.

“The foundation of any soft tonneau cover will be a vinyl base for weather protection. Covers like the TruXedo Pro X15 have a unique matte black canvas top layer that provides a premium look and feel. Another benefit to the canvas upper layer is that, since it’s matte, it looks cleaner on a day-to-day basis, as the dust is less apparent than it would be on a glossy, vinyl-topped cover.” ~ RealTruck Director of Marketing Chris King.

According to King, soft tonneau covers made from marine-grade vinyl are more tear-resistant and have excellent water-repelling capabilities. The vinyl is also lightweight and relatively inexpensive, which makes the covers less expensive to purchase.

Some soft tonneau covers may use a canvas fabric instead of or in addition to vinyl. Canvas has a greater resistance to UV light than vinyl but is not as waterproof. Canvas is more prone to molding and is a little more difficult to clean.

Canvas and vinyl each have a different look. As Kind said, vinyl covers are more glossy looking, while covers with a canvas top layer have a more premium look.

Folding Style

There are two common designs for opening a soft tonneau cover: folding and roll-up. 

Soft folding covers operate similarly to hard folding tonneau covers and are easy to open and close. Folding covers have metal parts that can better keep your cover in place.

Roll-up soft tonneau covers are not any more or less difficult to open per se, but they do allow for greater truck bed access once opened.

Soft Tonneau Covers & Security

Unfortunately, a soft tonneau cover does not offer much in the way of security. While it will prevent someone from seeing the contents of your truck bed, it can easily be cut or punctured with a knife. If security is a priority, you’ll want to opt for a hard tonneau cover.

If you like the rolling style of cover, but want the added security, the BAK Revolver X4S is a hard roll-up cover with an aluminum slat construction that is difficult, if not impossible, to puncture with a blade. The Revolver X4S continues to make our list of the best tonneau covers on the market today.

Soft Tonneau Cover Use Cases

Soft tonneau covers are an excellent choice for truck owners who don’t require daily use of a cover. Because soft tonneau covers are simple to install and remove, they are perfect for occasional use.

“Within soft roll and soft fold categories, there are options that can be installed and removed in just minutes, making them great for those who may only want a cover during vacations or other outings.” ~ RealTruck Director of Marketing Chris King.

Soft Tonneau Cover Advantages

The main advantage of a soft tonneau cover compared to other styles is its affordability. In addition to being less expensive, soft covers are lightweight and easy to install.

While they are not as theft-resistant as hard or retractable tonneau covers, soft covers still provide protection for your truck bed against the elements and can last for a long time.

“Some soft tonneau manufacturers have a lifetime warranty. So with proper care, longevity shouldn’t be a concern. That said, applying a protectant for additional protection is never a bad decision and will certainly help ensure your soft tonneau always looks new.” ~ RealTruck Director of Marketing Chris King.

For tips and advice on how to detail and protect your vehicle, including wheels and tires, take a look at our Car Cleaning 101 series with Meguiars.

Soft Tonneau Cover Disadvantages

As discussed, the main drawback of a soft tonneau cover compared to a retractable or hard cover is that it does not offer as good of theft protection.

Another drawback compared to a hard or retractable cover is that softer material covers can stretch over time, which may cause them to sag in the middle. For example, if it regularly snows where you live, allowing snow to accumulate on your soft tonneau over a long enough period could worsen the situation.

Some soft tonneau covers, like the TruXedo TruXport, are designed with support rods that run the length of the truck bed to help prevent or minimize sagging.

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Soft Tonneau Cover Buying Guide

What Is The Best Soft Tonneau Cover?

In the soft tonneau cover category, we recommend two based on our experience and hands-on testing. We also have two covers in mind we haven’t tested yet (we would like to eventually). Despite not having tested them, those covers could still be smart choices based on customer reviews.

After conducting extensive hands-on testing, we can confidently say that the Gator SFX tri-fold and the TruXedo TruXport are among the best soft tonneau covers available today. Additionally, while we haven’t tested them ourselves, we would also consider the Extang Trifecta Signature 2.0 and the TruXedo Lo Pro.

Again, our recommendations for the Trifecta Signature 2.0 and the TruXedo Lo Pro come from customer reviews on the RealTruck website.

Brand/Model	Cost	Material	Cover Type
Gator SFX Tri-Fold	From $280	Vinyl	Folding
TruXedo TruXport	From $350	Vinyl	Roll-Up
Extang Trifecta Signature 2.0	From $570	Canvas	Folding
TruXedo Lo Pro	From $580	Vinyl	Roll-Up

When it comes to tonneau covers, our Automoblog team members comb through DIY mechanic and auto enthusiast forums, manufacturer websites, and PDF instruction manuals from those manufacturers.

We pay attention to reviews and recommendations highlighting the quality of warranties, customer service support, build quality, materials, and overall reliability. We often look at websites like RealTruck and Amazon as a source for real-world customer reviews.

For this guide on how to pick the best soft tonneau cover, we recommend two from our testing: the Gator SFX as the best folding option and the TruXedo TruXport as the best roll-up option.

Best Folding Soft Tonneau Cover: Gator SFX

Gator SFX

• Cost: From $280.
• Style: Tri-Fold.
• Material: Marine-grade vinyl with an aluminum frame.
• Warranty Length: Limited lifetime (structural) and 10 years (vinyl).

The Gator SFX soft tri-fold made our list of the best affordable tonneau covers for its tear-resistant vinyl top, aluminum frame, and foam rubber seals to prevent moisture from getting inside the bed.

Because it comes pre-assembled, it’s easy to install and just as quick to remove (we attached it to our test truck in under 10 minutes). The fast removal makes the Gator SFX a good choice if you only need a tonneau cover for occasional use and want your bed open the rest of the time.

You can see how the Gator SFX performed in each of our testing categories below:

Review Category	Score (Out of 5.0 Stars)
Ease of Installation	5.0
Ease of Use	4.0
Durability	3.5
Overall Rating	4.2

Pros

• Cost
• Easy installation and removal.
• Weather-resistant and tear-resistant.

Cons

• Does not allow full bed access.
• Theft protection is not as strong as a hard or retractable cover.

Our Experience With The Gator SFX

We appreciate that the Gator SFX comes with “Monster Bows,” which is the proprietary name Gator uses for the bows that run underneath the cover. These Monster Bows help reduce or prevent sagging caused by the weight of rainwater or snow.

The only potential drawback of the SFX cover is that it does not provide full access to the bed, as it is a tri-fold design. When opened and secured, you will have access to two-thirds of your truck bed, which may be sufficient depending on your needs.

However, if you prefer having full bed access, consider the TruXedo TruXport below, which is a soft roll-up tonneau cover.

What Customers Are Saying

RealTruck Review Score: 4.7 out of 5.0 (over 16,400 reviews).

Users like this cover because of the quality of construction despite the low cost. Many commented (as we did) that the installation process is easy. At least one person claims to have used this cover during snow and rain without any issues.

Best Roll-Up Soft Tonneau Cover: TruXedo TruXport 

TruXedo TruXport Fast Facts

• Cost: From $350.
• Style: Soft roll-up.
• Material: Marine-grade vinyl with an aluminum frame.
• Warranty Length: Five years with lifetime installation support.

TruXedo offers one of the sleekest-looking tonneau covers on the market with the soft rolling TruXport. Easy to install and adjust, it features a marine-grade vinyl top, an aluminum frame, alloy support rods, and a pre-set tensioner (the support rods and tensioner help prevent sagging).

You can see how the TruXport performed in each of our testing categories below:

Review Category	Score (Out of 5.0 Stars)
Ease of Installation	4.0
Ease of Use	3.0
Durability	3.0
Overall Rating	3.3

Pros

• Easy, tool-free installation.
• Allows for full-bed access.
• Sleek design and smooth appearance.

Cons

• Reduced durability compared to hard tonneau covers.
• More room for user error compared to folding tonneau covers.

Our Experience With TruXedo TruXport 

We encountered no issues while installing the TruXport, primarily due to how well it fit our test truck. The installation process is standard for a soft tonneau cover, and the pre-set tensioner made it easier. In our experience, TruXedo’s spring-loaded tensioning system is better than manual systems, which often require readjustment or tightening as you use the cover.

When rolling and unrolling the TruXport, it is possible to misalign it along the track. There is some play on each side, and if you accidentally unroll it at the wrong angle, the cover will rest unevenly. This does not make the TruXport hard to use, but opening and closing it takes more time and care compared to folding options.

We were impressed by the quality of the vinyl material, which is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and the changing of the seasons.

What Customers Are Saying

RealTruck Review Score: 4.8 out of 5.0 (over 4,900 reviews).

Customer reviews speak to the easy installation and great look of the TruXport, along with the bed protection it offers. Other reviewers mentioned a reduction in wind noise and increased fuel economy.

A few did complain about the TruXport’s ease of use. Namely, it can be difficult to unroll the without the material bunching.

Other Top-Selling Soft Tonneau Covers

While our Automoblog team has tested many tonneau covers, we haven’t yet had the opportunity to try the covers below. We think these may be worth considering based on manufacturer reputation, features, and customer reviews.

Extang Trifecta Signature 2.0

The Extang Trifecta Signature 2.0 stands out for its use of canvas rather than marine-grade vinyl. This material is durable and more weather-resistant than vinyl, though it absorbs more water. Some customer reviews mention water incursion, but most say it’s an effective waterproof cover (the triple-fin perimeter seals also help keep water out of the bed).

The soft folding design features an aluminum frame and support bars, utilizing spring-loaded lock clamps for easy operation. When opened, the cover provides access to 2/3 of the truck bed.

Most reviewers say the Extang Trifecta Signature 2.0 fits well and have commented on its durability. Several others mention owning this cover without a tear or issue for over seven years. A few people also note that the quick-release latch allows for seamless and easy operation.

There are a couple of recurring complaints, including that it can flap loudly at highway speeds and that rainwater can pool on the cover itself.

TruXedo Lo Pro

The TruXedo Lo Pro is similar to the TruXport, but as its name suggests, its low-profile design is what distinguishes it. Once installed, it sits only 3/4 inch above the bed rails. The TruXedo Lo Pro features tracks that mount inside the bed, contributing to its streamlined appearance.

It also has hook-and-loop fasteners at each bed rail and rubber seals at the bulkhead and tailgate to protect the items in your truck bed from the elements. Similar to the TruXedo TruXport, the Lo Pro has a self-tensioning spring adjuster to prevent sagging as the seasons change.

Positive reviews of the TruXedo Lo Pro highlight its perfect fit, easy installation, and overall quality. One reviewer mentioned receiving positive compliments on the cover after purchasing it, with others saying they have owned multiple Truxedo covers without any issues. Another reviewer shared that they bought it as a Christmas gift for a family member, who was very happy to receive it.

Some not-so-positive comments include leaking, improper fitment, and concerns over the stitching.

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Best Soft Tonneau Covers: Bottom Line

A soft tonneau cover can reduce wind noise, protect items in the bed from the elements, and enhance the look of your truck—all for a relatively low price compared to other types of covers. Based on our in-person testing, we recommend the following:

1. Best Folding Soft Tonneau Cover: Gator SFX Tri-Fold.
2. Best Roll-Up Soft Tonneau Cover: TruXedo TruXport.

We also think the following tonneau covers are worth a look based on online reviews, though we have yet to test these covers ourselves:

1. Extang Trifecta Signature 2.0.
2. TruXedo Lo Pro.

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Soft Tonneau Covers FAQ