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XT Staff
/ Oct 10 2024
Your Jeep or Bronco makes a statement when it's wearing the soft top. These tops are the embodiment of off-road ruggedness, which is what you want when you’re hitting the trails, beach, or any other off-roading adventure.
While soft tops are a great choice for your vehicle, replacing an OEM option or choosing a new top is challenging if you don't understand the difference between cloth and vinyl soft top materials. We take you through the key differences between vinyl and cloth soft tops.
When you're shopping for a soft top you want it to look good, and that might mean different things for different people. Cloth tops give more of a classic or vintage look, whereas vinyl tops are more sleek and shiny. Ultimately, cloth and vinyl soft tops look similar aside from a few differences and it comes down to preference and what you value out of a soft top.
When it comes to colors, however, cloth tops tend to come in more basic color configurations, so expect a lot of black, tan, and white soft top options for your Jeep and Bronco.
On the other hand, vinyl tops tend to come in many colors including blue, red, green, and other fun colors to help you make your Jeep or Bronco stand out.
We know that being comfortable on your next off-road adventure likely isn't the priority, especially if you like to take the top off, but what about the drive home? Or perhaps you have to commute to work during the week? In any case, knowing which soft top material offers the most comfort is important when you’re choosing between vinyl and cloth soft tops.
While both tops can be comfortable, you'll find that cloth soft tops are better for insulation and road noise reduction. The material is less likely to flap around in the wind and rain, snow, or other types of weather won't make as much noise when they bounce off the top. We’re not saying it'll hold up as well as a hard top, but you'll notice much less noise and the air conditioning and heat shouldn't have to work as hard.
These differences are minimal, but it's worth noting that you'll feel more comfortable during daily drives with a cloth soft top.
Maintenance is a big factor to consider when you’re looking for a soft top replacement for your Jeep or Ford Bronco, especially if you plan on leaving your vehicle outdoors. You'll find vinyl soft tops are easier to maintain than canvas tops because you can use most of your regular car-cleaning products on them. Plus, adding protectant to the vinyl material will help it last longer, which you can find in the Bestop Soft Top Cleaner and Protectant Package.
On the other hand, canvas tops are harder to maintain. You'll need a special soft top cleaner for canvas materials and you'll have to spend a lot more time cleaning it with brushes that are made for cloth tops to avoid micro-tears to the material. Plus, things like tree sap or bird poop will stick to the cloth material more than vinyl.
Overall, if maintenance is the deciding factor, we have to give this one to vinyl soft tops.
Vinyl and cloth soft tops are close in regards to durability. While there may be subtle differences, you'll find that both tops tend to last for around five to ten years. We will say that cloth soft tops have an edge here, but only if you maintain the top properly.
Failing to remove sap and other types of debris from the surface of the top will result in damage to the material over time, which will make it less durable. Because vinyl tops are a little easier to maintain, durability shouldn't be too much of a factor when choosing a soft top for your Jeep.
The cost of a canvas soft top and a vinyl soft top is one of the most important factors to consider because it might decide what material is within reach for your budget. Typically, cloth soft tops cost more than vinyl tops due to the material being more costly to produce. For example, a cloth top like the Bestop Supertop NX Soft Top is a great choice for your Jeep but it will cost you over $1,300.
On the other hand, a vinyl soft top like the Steinjager Replacement Soft Top with Tinted Glass is only a few hundred dollars. Both soft tops are suitable for your vehicle, but you will pay more for the style, quality, and durability of cloth tops.
Cloth tops will end up costing you more in maintenance in the long run if they get damaged as well. Expect to pay a few hundred dollars more for a canvas soft top compared to a vinyl soft top for your Jeep or Bronco.
At the end of the day, vinyl and cloth soft tops are both viable options, and it comes down to personal preference. While cloth tops are more expensive and a little more durable from the start if you don't properly maintain them or have the time to, you’re better off with a vinyl top anyway.
For these reasons, we recommend going based on your preferences for style, color, and budget when choosing between vinyl and cloth soft tops for your vehicle.
When you need a new soft top for your off-road vehicle, choose ExtremeTerrain. Our sales techs will help you find the specific soft top you need. Order online today for fast delivery straight to your door.