What are the Best Land Rover Defender Pop Tops? 

Land Rover Defenders have become popular camping vehicles due to their ability to get anywhere and also pretty much fit anywhere unlike vehicles like large motorhomes and LWB campervans. 

The main issue with Land Rovers being campers is they have a very low roof height in the back. Careful planning needs to be done to enable taller people to be able to sit upright in the back due to the heigh of the wheel arches which pretty much run from front to back (dependant on if you have a station wagon or hard top). 

The easy solution to this is to add a pop top which gives you both standing height and an all important decent sized bed. 

Luckily there are quite a few pop top options for the Land Rover Defender now but which is best? We wanted to give the pros and cons of a few Defender pop tops that we have both used ourselves/seen in person and also mention a few others to consider which we haven't tried yet but think are worthy of a mention. 

Land Rover Defender Pop Top Comparison

Alu Cab Icarus Roof Conversion

The Alu Cab Icarus pop top is what we have installed on our very own Land Rover Defender here. 

We did a huge amount of research prior to choosing the Alu Cabs spending hours on YouTube and trawling online forums and deduced that the Alu Cabs Icarus was the creme de la creme of pop tops if you need something that will enable to you to go on big over-landing expeditions. The 2 big musts for us was the fact you can store a decent size mattress and bedding in the pop top in it's down position (there is no room in a Defender to store bedding when not using!!) and the fact you can utilise the roof for storage. 

Pro's and con's of the Alu Cab's Defender Icarus Pop Top:

Pro's of the Alu Cabs Pop Top

1. Space in the roof for a mattress and bedding

The Alu Cab's has a high profile (which can upset some die hard Land Rover fans!) and I must admit it took a bit of getting used to for me as I love the classic Defender look. However, this is to allow enough room for you to keep a decent sized comfy mattress up there plus your bedding. This is a game changer in a Land Rover camper conversion as it's a small conversion and finding space to store bedding would take up a massive amount of storage. 

2. Roof Storage Capabilities

You can store loads of stuff on the roof which again is crucial with a small camper if you plan to go on long trips. We opted for a front runner slimline roof rack as it had so many bracket and stowing options on it for all our gear including storage crates, maxxtrack mounts, a shovel mount and high lift jack for recovery. You can also buy front runner solar panel mounts which make mounting your solar panel super easy. 

You do have to be careful what you store on the roof however as officially the Alu Cab's roof has a 50kg weight limit. We believe this is because of the tolerance of the specific gas struts it is supplied with. We are over that limit with our rack and gear on so we have installed heavy duty gas struts to help cope with the weight. The roof is very solid and robust and when it's up never feels like it's going anywhere even in strong winds! 

3. Build quality and Robustness 

The designers of the Icarus have done a fantastic job making sure the pop top is highly functional and very well made. It's made from high-strength aluminium which is corrosion resistant and feels incredibly robust. It's a totally different to the fibreglass pop tops you generally see on other smaller campers like transporters and feels like it would tackle any sort of harsh weather (or maybe a zombie apocalypse!) that's thrown at it! 

4. Functionality 

There are a few things we love in the Icarus that you don't seem to find in many other pop tops. We love the fact the 3 windows can all completely unzip leaving open space and views to wherever you are sleeping. When you open those up in the morning you feel like you have the penthouse suite!! 

They have also built 2 reading lights into the roof and there is also a ceiling light and cab light built into the unit. This is very usual in most pop tops.

There is storage above the sun visors in front too which is very useful for storing knick knacks in. 

5. Insulation 

The Icarus pop top has both insulation in the roof. This is pretty essential for overlands as we do tend to like to go to extremes of temperatures with many people touring Morocco and Africa but the other end of the scale - the Arctic. 

6. Shadow Awning 

This awning needs it's own number as it's absolutely awesome! The Alu Cabs shadow awning easily mounts onto the side of the Icarus and is a 270 degree awning. It is so easy to pull out and use and is extremely robust. We have had it out in windy conditions and haven't even need to use the supplied fold away leg it comes with. It knocks socks off campervan wind out awnings in our opinion. 

Cons of the Alu Cab's Pop Top

1. Weight

The weight of this pop top is the biggest negative for us and has several implications: 

• Fitting: It weights 125kg which makes fitting it very tricky unless you have ramps/forklift or some sort of winch system. We just about managed it with 6 of us but we all agreed it was the heaviest thing we had ever lifted and if we are being honest didn't feel very safe. We will be installing lifting equipment to fit the next one we do. 
• Extra weight on the vehicle - This does make the Defender top heavy which has implications of serious off roading. We always have this in the back of our mind when tackling any type of side on inclines. It's not a massive deal for us though as Skafta is more of a touring overlander although we do enjoy getting out onto the easier green lanes for a brew with a view. It will also have an impact on MPG. 
• Heavy to lift up - Although we have fitted heavy duty gas struts I (Laura) can only just lift it up by myself. I'm sure burley men will have no problem and indeed all our chaps in the workshop seem to make it look easy it's something to bear in mind for any of our more slight female customers who are looking for a Defender conversion.

2. High Profile Changes the Look of the Classic Defender 

In order to keep your bedding and mattress in the pop top the Icarus has quite a high profile meaning it looses the look of the classic defender at the top. This might upset any die hard Defender fans who love the original look. Admittedly it took me a while but now we have beefed Skafta up with the roof rack, spot lights, A-bar and winch I love the way she looks! 

3. Price! 

Drivelodge Motorhomes Defender Pop Top

The Drivelodge Land Rover Defender Pop Top will please the classic enthusiasts as it has a much lower profile and you barely know it's there when it's closed. 

The Drivelodge Motorhomes Defender Pop Top is another excellent choice for enhancing your Defender’s sleeping and living space. Drivelodge is renowned for creating quality camper solutions, and their pop top conversion is designed with overlanding enthusiasts in mind. Here’s a closer look:

1. Design and Construction

The Drivelodge Defender pop top features a fiberglass roof with a reinforced structure. The use of fiberglass makes the roof more aerodynamic compared to metal alternatives, which can improve fuel efficiency. The build quality is solid, and it’s designed to withstand off-road conditions while providing superior comfort.

2. Space and Sleeping Arrangements

Like the Alu-Cab Icarus, the Drivelodge pop top provides an elevated sleeping area with plenty of headroom and comfort. The bed is designed for two adults, and the setup is quick and easy to deploy. One of the standout features is its internal access, allowing you to pop the top with minimal effort and get inside quickly without having to go outside.

3. Insulation and Ventilation

Drivelodge offers an insulated roof with their pop top conversion. This insulation helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside the vehicle, while strategically placed ventilation openings allow for airflow, reducing condensation and keeping the interior dry during wet conditions.

4. Quick Setup and Convenience

The manual operation of the Drivelodge pop top is simple, though not as quick as Alu-Cab’s gas-assisted lift system. However, the roof locks securely into place, and the entire setup process is straightforward. For those who prefer simplicity and less mechanized complexity, the Drivelodge option may be a better fit.

5. Aesthetic Appeal

The fiberglass design offers a smooth, sleek aesthetic, adding a modern touch to your Defender. The Drivelodge pop top integrates seamlessly with the vehicle’s original look while enhancing its functionality.

Other Defender Pop Top Alternatives 

Poppin Rovers

We haven't yet seen Poppin Rovers offering but there's a few things to really like about their roof conversion:

1. It uses the original roof
2. It is much lighter than the Alu Cab and so won't add as much road sway
3. It can take a roof rack or bars so you can still use it to store things on
4. You can store your mattress and all bedding in the roof when closed
5. Price - It lies around half way between an alu cabs price and the drivelodge making it pretty affordable considering the functionality.

We can tell you more about this pop top once we have seen it at one of our upcoming shows. 

Alu-Cab vs. Drivelodge: Which is the Best Defender Pop Top for You?

When deciding between the Alu-Cab Icarus Roof Conversion and the Drivelodge Motorhomes Defender Pop Top, several factors should be taken into consideration:

• Durability and Material: If you’re looking for a long-lasting, rugged roof that can handle the harshest conditions, the Alu-Cab Icarus, made of aluminum, may be the better choice. On the other hand, the fiberglass Drivelodge option offers a more aerodynamic design that may be better suited for those prioritizing fuel efficiency.

• Ease of Use: Alu-Cab’s gas-assisted lift mechanism makes deployment easier and faster. If you’re looking for a quick setup, this is a major advantage. Drivelodge’s manual pop top is simpler but may take a bit more effort to set up.

• Insulation and Weather Resistance: Both options offer insulation, but the Alu-Cab Icarus is often preferred for its heavy-duty canvas that stands up well in extreme temperatures. Drivelodge’s fiberglass design offers similar benefits but may not be as robust in very cold conditions.

• Customization: If you value a customizable roof, Alu-Cab offers a greater range of options in terms of colors and window configurations, allowing you to tailor the design to suit your preferences.

• Aesthetics: For those who are looking for a sleek, modern look, the Drivelodge Motorhomes Defender pop top’s fiberglass finish may be more appealing. The Alu-Cab Icarus, with its rugged, functional design, is ideal for those who prioritize utility over form.

Final Thoughts

Both the Alu-Cab Icarus Roof Conversion and the Drivelodge Motorhomes Defender Pop Top are fantastic options for enhancing your Land Rover Defender’s overlanding capabilities. The Alu-Cab roof excels in durability, ease of use, and weather protection, making it ideal for hardcore adventurers. The Drivelodge, on the other hand, offers a sleek design and ease of setup, perfect for those who want a functional yet stylish solution.

Ultimately, your choice will depend on your specific needs—whether that’s a robust and customizable roof with the Alu-Cab Icarus or a more streamlined, efficient setup with the Drivelodge pop top. Whichever you choose, both conversions will significantly enhance your Defender, making your overlanding experience more enjoyable and comfortable.