Alien sunshade worthhh it?

[etoften]

The jeep is my third vehicle. Lives in the garage except when sunny and nice outside. Drive it 95% od the time worth the windows down, doors on, and top laid back. Love the open air feel. However, the sun beating down at midday is tough on my Swedish skin. I don't like the soft top closed. It gets hot under there and doesn't feel any different than driving my truck work the windows down. Considering an alien sun shade. Marketing says it provides shade and still let's the air through. Any one offer some personal experience? Is it worth it or no different than the soft top closed?

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[Sandevino]

I had a set on my Gladiator I paid $50 for and they were good. If you asked me to pay $100 for the same I’d find something else.

 

[The Chubbernaut]

I've had an alien shade on for the past three years and run with the doors and top off for most of the year. I check it periodically for wear or degradation and it's still going strong. In my opinion, it offers good uv protection and shade.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

I’ve had mine on my ‘19 JLUR since the first summer after getting it. It does provide some shade and UV protection and is a quality product, but anything above 85, brutal midday sun, or really humid weather, and you’re gonna want the AC.

I’ve run with the soft top canopy up and doors on and it does get hot. I’ve been looking for half doors or trail doors for those days but I just can’t justify it

 

[au176]

RECOMMENDED.

Your problems sound like mine were. It will let the heat out much better than a solid Bimini top (or running the ST Safari-style), while cutting down on the turbulence AND the sun compared to no top. It really is the way to go. For something that is mesh, it makes a surprising difference with the sun.

I can't speak to other brands, but my Alien is still going strong after 4 years. I can still get to the Freedom panel and ST latches when I need to, even though they are "blocked". Bought mine in 2022, and leave it on year-round, hard top, soft top, no top. I paid $40 for a front-only panel, and would absolutely do it again.

 

[Terrymo]

I’ve had the spiderweb shades for about 3 years. Started with just the front section then added the rear. I think they give just enough shade and airflow while avoiding getting beat on by the sun. I have a hardtop but as @au176 mentioned it takes a bit to learn to use the latches with the sunshade, but not a big deal.

 

[T800]

I had a spiderweb shade on my JK and LJ. Found a Smittybilt shade for another TJ I have for less than $40.

For the most part, all the mesh shades are the same. I'm sure the Alien would be fine, I've seen people with those.

One nice thing about them is you can still put on the soft or hard top on without removing the shade.

 

[jeepingib]

Had issues with the quality of Alien, and Spiderweb shades, saw a vendor called Jtops at a show once that really impressed me. Looks like they are owned by Coverking now. More expensive, but super high quality, and it left no gaps between the bars left to right, and even along the windshield.

 

[Whaler27]

I’ve had one on my 2019 since the summer of 2109. I have a hard top, but the Alien shade stays on all the time, as the hard top is off much of the time. Over the last seven years the top has been off more than on, and it make a huge difference, especially if it’s hot and you’re driving through town with lots of time sitting at stop lights. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one.

 

[tony58]

I’ve had one on my 2019 since the summer of 2109. I have a hard top, but the Alien shade stays on all the time, as the hard top is off much of the time. Over the last seven years the top has been off more than on, and it make a huge difference, especially if it’s hot and you’re driving through town with lots of time sitting at stop lights. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one.

can you see outside from the inside of the jeep, also they don't list a shade for a 2 door rubicon on the alien site

 

[Whaler27]

can you see outside from the inside of the jeep, also they don't list a shade for a 2 door rubicon on the alien site

It’s perforated fabric, so you can see the sky, but it’s not like a skylight. I can’t speak to what they do for 2-doors.

 

[tony58]

It’s perforated fabric, so you can see the sky, but it’s not like a skylight. I can’t speak to what they do for 2-doors.

thank you

 

[Decreasing Dave]

I’ve had the spiderweb shades for about 3 years. Started with just the front section then added the rear. I think they give just enough shade and airflow while avoiding getting beat on by the sun. I have a hardtop but as @au176 mentioned it takes a bit to learn to use the latches with the sunshade, but not a big deal.

I also have the Spiderweb shade and have had it on for just over 3 years. I did it for the same reasons as the OP. I hated having to wear a bucket hat when I drove with the top down/off. The Spiderweb shade eliminates the need for a hat, is cooler in the direct sunlight and stays on all the time, even with the hard top. Yes, the latches on the freedom panels are a bit trickier now but not difficult.

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