The Smarter Truck Topper for Guys with Commitment Issues

Jimmy has been running Flated Air-Toppers on his Rivian R1T for over two years, and the MID-LONG T24 MR60 is the best version yet, with a purpose-built fit, cleaner body lines, and zero road noise above 80 mph. At $1,799, it is a genuinely compelling alternative to the cost and permanence of a traditional hard shell topper, fitting not just the Rivian but also mid-size trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, Chevrolet Colorado, Nissan Frontier, and more. The one real trade-off for R1T owners is that the improved fit covers the Rivian's bedside buttons, meaning tailgate and gear tunnel access moves to app or center screen management. If you need flexible, commitment-free covered storage without turning your garage into a fiberglass graveyard, this is the product that finally delivers it.

Video Review

Written Review

Traditional truck toppers come with three problems that nobody talks about enough: they are expensive, functionally permanent, and not easy to store unless you have a fair amount of extra space. Jimmy lived with all three of those frustrations until Flated Air-Toppers changed the math. After two-plus years of using this brand of toppers across various scenarios, and now several months with the MID-LONG T24 MR60 on his Rivian R1T, the case for the inflatable approach has only gotten stronger. However, there is one real compromise for Rivian drivers worth knowing before buying, and it will matter to some.

• Current price of the Flated MID-LONG T24 MR60: https://flated.com/products/mid-long-mr60

What Makes the Inflatable Approach Different

The core pitch is simple: all the functional benefits of a truck topper, none of the commitment. Run an open bed when you need one, throw the topper on when you need covered storage, and store the whole thing rolled up in its included backpack when you are done. No fiberglass shell consuming garage space, no seasonal headache. It ships directly to your door, which is already more than most traditional toppers can claim.

The MID-LONG T24 MR60 is built around a 6-foot mid-long bed and is engineered to match the bed and cab lines of 2024 and newer Toyota Tacomas, though the drop stitch construction allows for roughly ±2 inches of variance, meaning it also fits a range of other mid-size trucks including the Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, Chevrolet Colorado, Nissan Frontier, and more. Jimmy tested this unit on his Rivian R1T, and several observations below are specific to that platform. If you are on a different truck, the core product experience carries over, but the Rivian-specific details will not apply directly.

The Fit: What Changed From the Previous Version

If you watched the previous Freshly Charged review of the COMPACT-MAVERICK MR46, you already know that unit was adapted from another truck platform rather than purpose-built for any specific vehicle. The MID-LONG T24 MR60 is a different story, with a front section that is curved to follow the Rivian's spoiler profile, closing the gap that existed on the previous version significantly. Body lines match, seals are tighter, and the overall look is notably cleaner. At highway speeds above 80 mph, there is no additional road noise, and the four-strap mounting system holds the topper as securely as a traditional hard shell in real-world conditions, which sounds like an optimistic claim until you have driven it through rain and snow and found it to be accurate.

Setup and the Rivian Compressor Advantage

For Rivian R1T owners, the truck's built-in air compressor makes setup particularly clean without needing a pump or extension cords. Connect the valve, use the compressor, and the topper inflates without any additional equipment. A hose valve adaptor, which Flated sells separately, was used during Jimmy's setup and might be worth adding onto your purchase. For owners of other compatible trucks, a standard external compressor handles the job just as well. Installation is low-effort regardless of platform, and removal is equally quick when you want your bed back.

Cab Height vs. Mid-Rise: Which One to Choose

The MID-LONG T24 MR60 is a cab height topper, sitting flush with the roofline for a clean profile. Flated also makes a mid-rise version, and the choice comes down entirely to personal use case. At 5'10", Jimmy can sit up comfortably inside the mid-rise with headroom to spare, making it the clear pick for anyone who plans to camp or sleep in the truck bed. The cab height version is the better choice for keeping gear, pets, and luggage dry with a tidier aesthetic. Jimmy also speculated an improvement in range on his R1T with the cab height topper fitted, which may be subjective, but it is consistent with the cleaner aerodynamic profile.

The One Compromise Rivian Owners Need to Know

Here is the trade-off mentioned earlier, and it is a direct result of the improved fit on the R1T. The MID-LONG T24 MR60 sits precisely where Rivian positioned its bedside buttons for the tailgate and gear tunnel. With the previous COMPACT-MAVERICK MR46, those buttons were still reachable through the looser fit, but they are covered with this one. Accessing the tailgate or gear tunnel now requires the Rivian app or the center screen rather than a direct button press, which is a small but notable workaround. After extended use, the topper has expanded slightly and the tailgate button can technically be reached from inside the bed, but it is not convenient, and gloves or larger hands make it still inaccessible. Jimmy's verdict: an annoying friction point, not a deal-breaker, but he would rather have the better fit and just reach for his phone than go back to the older design. That said, owners of listed compatible trucks will not encounter this issue.

Hardware and Interior Details

The interior is more thoughtful than the inflatable premise might suggest. Rear window panels use tinted plastic inserts that can be removed while mesh screens remain to keep bugs out. D-rings and handles are integrated into the roof surface, and interior pockets add usable storage. The system secures with Velcro and heavy-duty zippers, meaning bed access requires a few steps: undoing the Velcro edges, unzipping, rolling up the rear panel, and securing it with the built-in straps. Manageable, but not as instant as a hard shell latch. One minor ergonomic note: a Velcro attachment point for the inflation valve hose when not in use would make setup tidier.

Durability: The Inflatable Skepticism Question

Drop stitch construction, the same technology behind inflatable paddle boards, has proven itself over the past decade. Jimmy has stood on this topper, jumped up and down, loaded gear against it, and driven it through rain and snow. Throughout it all, the topper has held up better than most people would expect. That said, if the use case involves leaving high-value tools in the bed overnight, a hard shell with a lock might be the better choice, as the Flated is more of a weather and convenience product rather than a security one.

Availability and Pricing

The MID-LONG T24 MR60 is currently available for preorder at $1,799, with shipping expected around July 31, 2026.

The Freshly Charged Verdict

The target audience for this product will be mid-size truck owners on compatible platforms who need covered storage some of the time, but still want to utilize an open bed without a fuss. In addition, people who camp, road trip, ski, mountain bike, or travel with gear and want flexible protection without a permanent commitment will love this product. As advertised, Flated solves the most common objections that keep truck owners from ever pulling the trigger on a topper in the first place. Despite all of the unique benefits of this product, the group of people who should definitely skip it are those who require high-security overnight storage, as well as Rivian R1T owners whose workflow depends on frequent, direct access to the bedside buttons.

After two years of Flated ownership across two units, Jimmy's conclusion is straightforward: the MID-LONG T24 MR60 is what the inflatable topper concept always should have been: a purpose-built product that fits the truck it sits on, stores in a backpack, and does not ask you to choose between flexibility and function.

• Current price of the Flated MID-LONG T24 MR60: https://flated.com/products/mid-long-mr60