Beyond Hard and Soft: Choosing Your Polaris Ranger Roof

Nowadays, there are so many levels within and between the “hard” and “soft” ends of the spectrum when it comes to Polaris Ranger roof options. It’s important not to ignore the distinctions between steel, aluminum, polycarbonate, and other points along this diverse range because you might end up with a roof that isn’t right for you. By paying attention to the details and really diving into the specifics of how each type of roof might best speak to your riding experience, you can ensure the best possible purchase. Without further ado, let’s take a look at our favorite offerings in the steel, aluminum, polycarbonate, and even tinted categories.

Steel

Whenever a boomer-aged person is dismayed at the flimsiness of a new product and says “they don’t make ‘em like they used to,” this is what they’re remembering. Rest assured, steel Polaris Ranger roofs may be a little old-school by virtue of the material used, but the design and fitment are very much updated for new-school level convenience. It really is the best of both worlds: unrivaled protection from the elements with plenty of modern adaptations for optimal usability. For example, this Polaris Ranger Crew 900 Steel Roof Top by Armor Tech boasts an all-steel construction as well as a guttered design to keep the water off of you. It may run a bit heavier than its less stout contemporaries, but it’s still easy to install and remove, vortex-coated for even greater longevity, and absolutely unbeaten in overall protection.

Aluminum

If you can’t afford to tack on the extra weight of steel, but you’re still looking for a really strong roof that you don’t have to be gentle with, aluminum just might be your material. A thick, powder-coated Polaris Ranger aluminum roof will be especially helpful in terms of batting away falling debris without showing early signs of wear. This is the “best of both worlds” option; the middle ground between hard(er) roofs and soft roofs. The perfect example of a roof that seals tight and rides light is this Polaris Ranger Aluminum Top by Rival Powersports. 

Polycarbonate

Even more versatile than aluminum in many cases is easily shapable polycarbonate, an incredibly strong and vibration-resistant material that can do great things for your Polaris Ranger when backed by a solid design and mounting setup. Polycarbonate is astoundingly light and tough at the same time, making it the perfect choice for almost anyone who doesn’t demand steel. This Polaris General 1000 Hard Roof by S-Powersports is a great example of a polycarbonate roof that does it right – we’re talking CNC-cut, .187” UHMW, bulb seal – the works. 

Polyester

Finally, we can’t discount the value of a soft roof. Well, we often do “discount the value,” but you know what we mean. If your aim is for convenience and versatility above all else, then polyester is the name that can get you there. It’s not to say you have to sacrifice all durability, either, because options like this marine grade, 11-ounce polyester Polaris Ranger Crew Soft Roof by Over Armour Offroad are here to push the standard for soft roofs to new heights. It’s fully weather-resistant, super easy to install, remove, and store, and puncture/tear-resistant like you wouldn’t believe.

If you take anything out of this humble introduction to the world of Polaris Ranger roofs, we hope it’s that you stop thinking in terms of “hard or soft” and start thinking “aluminum, polycarbonate, steel…” etc. There’s value at every point in the spectrum – you just have to find which point suits you best.