For more than a decade, driving a pickup truck meant dealing with a permanent fixture in the back: a heavy fiberglass hardshell topper. For years, that cap served as an indispensable gear shed for outdoor equipment, transforming the truck bed into a tiny cabin for crashing on climbing trips and catching sleep before early morning alpine starts. But because that traditional hard shell weighed well north of 150 pounds, removing it was practically out of the question. It stayed bolted to the truck rails through every season, a permanent structural commitment that prioritized secure gear storage over everyday hauling capacity.
That setup suited the lifestyle of a younger outdoor enthusiast traversing the rugged landscapes of New Mexico and Colorado without a care in the world. Yet time brings changing responsibilities. Fast forward to the current stage of life—juggling the demands of parenting three children, maintaining a house, running a farm, and constantly hauling a rotating inventory of bicycles, strollers, and bulky gear on weekends—and the limitations of a heavy, permanent truck cap become glaringly apparent. The truck needs to function as a versatile workhorse, capable of transitioning from an enclosed gear locker to an open-bed utility vehicle at a moment’s notice.
The search for a functional alternative led to the Flated Cap56, a product designed to disrupt the traditional truck cap market by replacing rigid fiberglass with inflatable drop-stitch technology.
As the name implies, the shell is inflatable, utilizing the same core technology found in high-end stand-up paddleboards. Inflating the cap takes just a few minutes using a standard plug-in electric pump, eliminating the need for hoists, pulley systems, or extra pairs of hands to lift a heavy fiberglass structure on or off the vehicle. Weighing in at under 60 pounds, the entire unit is light enough for a single person to manage comfortably. Installation requires no specialized tools; the user simply inflates the cap, hoists it onto the truck bed rails, and secures it using a series of reliable tie-downs. While the initial installation takes roughly 30 minutes, familiarity with the system promises an even quicker turnaround with repeated use.
Despite its lightweight and collapsible nature, the manufacturer has not compromised on the features expected from a reliable truck topper. The Flated Cap56 is fully waterproof, engineered with a built-in rain skirt designed to keep moisture out of the truck bed during inclement weather. Visibility and ventilation are addressed through a configuration that includes two tinted side windows equipped with integrated mesh screens, along with a rear window. Furthermore, the front panel features a pass-through window that aligns with the cab’s rear window, allowing drivers to easily access items in the truck bed directly from the backseat.
Practicality extends to the interior design as well. Heavy-duty zippers and hook-and-loop fasteners secure the window shades while the vehicle is in motion, ensuring they do not flap or obstruct the driver’s view. Additionally, interior mesh pockets positioned near the cab end provide convenient storage for smaller items, gadgets, and personal essentials. For future camping trips, these pockets offer a dedicated spot to stash phones, headlamps, and other small gear for safekeeping within arm’s reach.
Priced at $1,600, the inflatable cap represents a significant investment, yet it costs several thousand dollars less than comparable traditional fiberglass hardshells on the market. For consumers weighing the high cost of custom-fitted hard caps against their actual frequency of use, the inflatable alternative presents a compelling financial and practical compromise.
Living at high elevation in northern New Mexico exposes vehicles to intense full sun and wide temperature swings, testing the durability of automotive accessories over time. After roughly a month of continuous real-world driving through these elements, the topper has shown no visible signs of wear or degradation.
The true test of the cap’s utility came down to its adaptability during a busy weekend. On one day, the topper remained securely in place to protect sensitive bike gear from unexpected rain showers while traveling. By the very next day, the cap was easily deflated, removed, and stored to clear the truck bed completely, allowing for the transport of new trees home from the local nursery. This seamless transition encapsulates the core appeal of the Flated Cap56: a versatile piece of equipment designed to flow with the unpredictable demands of daily life, no matter how chaotic the schedule may become.
