Hard vs. Soft Tonneau Covers

The differences between a hard and soft tonneau cover are clear, yet the decision is not always the easiest to make.  There are dozens of tonneau covers on the market, so deciding between a soft and hard tonneau cover is a decision you’ll have to make if you’re in the market.  Don’t worry – we’ll break it down for you.

BAK Tonneau Covers

About Hard Tonneau Covers

When you think of a hard tonneau cover, you are probably thinking of the type that act as a bed lid and are hinged at the bulkhead.  These are heavy-duty tonneau covers that act as a sort of vault and are difficult to access with a locking mechanism.  These tonneau covers are more suited to those looking for a show-room quality look (they are typically painted to match your truck) or customers that don’t haul a lot of cargo.

But did you know that there are hard tonneau covers that also fold?  These tonneau covers are made of 3-5 folding hard plastic panels so that you can access parts of your cargo as needed.  Best of all, these hard folding tonneau covers are typically cheaper than the full tonneau lid.  Take a look at some of the BAK options which feature a hard-folding tonneau cover.

About Soft Tonneau Covers

Soft tonneau covers are certainly the more popular and economical choice.  Typically made of aluminum framing with a vinyl top, soft tonneau covers are usually lighter and easier to regularly remove & install if needed.

The vinyl top usually gives a slick, smooth appearance almost as if it’s a hard tonneau, due to it being custom fit to your specific truck and bed size.  We have a variety of soft tonneau covers, including our economical and highly-rated option, the ProEFX Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover.

Which Is Best for You?

Since the hard hinged-lid tonneau covers are generally more expensive and offer less flexibility, we only recommend this to customers who are looking for a show-room quality truck.

If you’re looking for functionality, we have a wide range of soft tonneau covers and hard-folding covers available for nearly every truck on the market.  Click here to browse our selection.

If you have any questions regarding which is best for you, please do not hesitate to contact us.