If you want maximum impact protection and a built-in lock, a hard-shell spare tire cover is the stronger choice. If you want custom designs, easy installation, backup camera compatibility, and a much lower price, a soft vinyl cover wins, and that is the option most Jeep and Bronco owners actually end up choosing. Hard covers are molded from rigid materials like ABS plastic or fiberglass and can cost several times more than a printed soft cover, while high quality soft covers start around $69.99 and let you put nearly any design, photo, or message on your tailgate. This guide breaks down both types so you can pick the right one for your rig, your budget, and your camera setup.
In this article
- What is the difference between hard and soft spare tire covers?
- Hard shell vs soft tire covers: quick comparison
- What are the pros and cons of hard shell tire covers?
- What are the pros and cons of soft vinyl tire covers?
- Which type works with a backup camera?
- Which spare tire cover should you choose?
- FAQ
What is the difference between hard and soft spare tire covers?
A hard shell cover is a rigid disc, usually molded from ABS plastic, hard polymer, or fiberglass, that clamps or bolts over the face of your spare. Some, like the well-known Boomerang rigid covers, pair a hard plastic face with an elasticized band and add a keyed lock and stainless steel trim ring. They are built first and foremost for physical protection and security.
A soft cover is a fitted fabric sleeve, most often marine-grade vinyl, that stretches over the tire and grips it with an elastic or drawstring back. It shields the rubber from UV rays, rain, road grime, and cracking, and because the face is printed fabric rather than molded plastic, it can carry any design you want: your dog, your favorite flag, a topographic map, or a message that makes the truck behind you laugh.
Both do the core job of protecting the spare from sun damage. They differ in weight, price, security, camera compatibility, and how much personality they let you show. For a deeper look at soft cover fabrics specifically, see our guide to polyester, nylon, vinyl, and canvas tire covers.
Hard shell vs soft tire covers: quick comparison
| Factor | Hard shell cover | Soft vinyl cover |
|---|---|---|
| Material | ABS plastic, hard polymer, or fiberglass | Marine-grade printed vinyl with elastic back |
| Price | Premium; lockable models cost several times more | From $69.99 at Jeep Decal Store |
| Design options | Limited; mostly solid colors and logos | Hundreds of printed designs, plus full custom uploads |
| Backup camera | Varies by model; many block the camera | Camera hole option available on most designs |
| Security | Best; keyed lock models deter theft | Deters casual tampering only |
| Installation | Clamps, bolts, or lock hardware | Slips on by hand in about a minute |
| Weight on tailgate | Adds noticeable weight | Nearly none |
| Sizing | Model specific; less forgiving of tire upgrades | Sized by tire diameter, 27 to 37 inches |
What are the pros and cons of hard shell tire covers?
Hard covers are the armored option. Retailers like Quadratec note that hard shell covers made from ABS plastic or other rigid materials offer superior protection against physical damage and theft, and many feature lockable designs for added security. If someone backs into your spare in a parking lot, a rigid face takes the hit better than fabric. If you park in an area where wheel and tire theft is a real concern, a keyed lock is a genuine deterrent.
The trade-offs are real, though. Hard covers carry what reviewers politely call high-end pricing; they add weight to a tailgate hinge that is already carrying a heavy spare, and they usually come in solid colors or a single molded logo, so personalization is minimal. Fitment is model-specific, which means the cover you buy for a stock 32-inch tire may not transfer when you upgrade to 35s. On Wranglers and Broncos with a spare-mounted camera, many rigid covers block the lens unless the manufacturer offers a specific cutout version.
Best for: owners who prioritize security and impact protection over style, and who plan to keep the same tire size for years.
What are the pros and cons of soft vinyl tire covers?
Soft covers are the style option and the practical one for most daily-driven rigs. A quality vinyl cover blocks the UV exposure that dries out and cracks sidewalls, keeps rain and grime off the spare, wipes clean with a damp cloth, and installs by hand in about a minute. No tools, no hardware, no extra weight.
The bigger draw is the printed face. A soft cover is essentially a 30-inch canvas on the back of your vehicle, which is why the funniest and most personal tire covers you see on the trail are almost always fabric. You can match your Jeep's color, rep your favorite flag, or run a design nobody else has.
Upload any photo, logo, or design. Sized 27 to 37 inches, with a backup camera option for Wranglers and Broncos.
The honest cons: a soft cover will not stop a determined thief, and a bargain bin cover in thin material can fade or flap at highway speed. That second problem is a quality issue, not a category issue. A properly sized cover in heavyweight printed vinyl with a snug elastic back stays put and keeps its color. Getting the size right matters more than anything, so measure your tire's diameter before ordering and check our guide to the 4 most common tire cover size mistakes if you are unsure.
Best for: anyone who wants UV and weather protection plus a look that is actually theirs, at roughly half the cost or less of a hard cover.
Contour lines and a compass rose on a dark background. A clean, trail-ready look that works on any color rig.
Which type works with a backup camera?
This question decides it for a lot of JL Wrangler and Bronco owners. Since 2018, most Wranglers have the rear camera mounted in the center of the spare tire, and many Bronco trims do the same. A cover that blocks the lens is a cover you will take off within a week.
With hard covers, camera compatibility depends entirely on the specific model, and many rigid faces cover the lens completely. With soft covers, the fix is simple: order the camera hole option. Jeep Decal Store covers come in every size from 27 to 37 inches with a choice of no hole, a standard camera opening, or an elastic ringed hole that hugs the camera housing. Not sure whether your rig even has a spare mounted camera? Our backup camera guide for Wranglers and Broncos shows you exactly how to tell.
The Duck Duck Jeep tradition, printed 30 inches tall. Available with a camera hole in every size.
Which spare tire cover should you choose?
Choose a hard shell cover if theft protection is your top priority, you park somewhere risky, and you are willing to pay a premium and give up personalization for a keyed lock and a rigid face.
Choose a soft vinyl cover if you want real UV and weather protection, guaranteed backup camera compatibility, one-minute installation, and a design that says something about you, for a fraction of the price. If you change tire sizes later, replacing a $69.99 cover stings a lot less than replacing a premium hard shell.
For most Jeep and Bronco owners, the soft cover is the practical winner. It does the protective job that matters most- the sun- and turns your spare into the most personal square footage on your vehicle. If you are still weighing whether you need a cover at all, our spare tire cover pros and cons guide covers the basics.
Frequently asked questions
Are hard spare tire covers worth it?
Hard covers are worth it if security is your main concern, since lockable rigid covers strongly deter theft. For pure weather and UV protection, a quality soft vinyl cover does the same protective job at a much lower price and with far more design options.
Do soft tire covers protect as well as hard covers?
Against the biggest threat to a spare tire, UV damage and weather, yes. A fitted vinyl cover blocks sunlight, rain, and road grime just like a hard shell does. Hard covers only pull ahead on impact protection and theft resistance.
Will a hard tire cover work with my backup camera?
It depends on the specific model, and many rigid covers block a spare-mounted camera entirely. Soft covers solve this with a camera hole option. You can order every Jeep Decal Store cover from 27 to 37 inches with a standard or elastic camera opening.
How do I know what size tire cover to buy?
Check the sidewall of your spare for the tire size code and match it to the cover maker's size chart, or measure the tire's overall diameter in inches. Jeep Decal Store covers run from 27 to 37 inches, so most Wrangler, Bronco, RV, and trailer spares are covered.
Do soft tire covers fly off on the highway?
A correctly sized cover with a snug elastic back stays put at highway speed. Covers come loose when they are oversized for the tire, so measure before you order rather than guessing.
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Hundreds of printed designs plus full custom uploads, sized 27 to 37 inches with backup camera options.
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