Choosing fender flares for a Next Gen Ford Ranger isn’t as simple as picking the most expensive or the cheapest option.

Owners are often weighing up long-term durability, ease of installation, paint finish, and total cost, especially once installation is factored in. Some flares prioritise OEM-style mounting and factory fitment, while others focus on DIY friendliness and lower upfront cost.

The result is a crowded market where it’s easy to overspend or, just as often, regret a cheaper option later.

This guide breaks down the most common fender flare options available for the Next-Gen Ranger in 2026, comparing mounting methods, materials, paint finishes, installation effort, and overall value, so you can choose the option that actually suits how you use your Next-Gen Ranger.

1. Sizing – Most Important

When choosing fender flares for your Next-Gen Ford Ranger, the first thing to decide is what size flare best suits your wheel setup.

How far do your wheels poke?
Do you want them slightly aggressive, or fully covered and compliant?

Most flares on the current market are designed around 9-inch wide wheels, with common tyre sizes like 275 and 285, and offsets up to around +10.

When choosing wheels, always check what offsets the wheel you like is actually offered in, as different manufacturers provide different offset options.

As a general guide:

• +30 / +25 offset - best suited to a 25mm flare

• +20 to +15 offset - typically flush with a 35mm flare

• Lower offsets than this - will require a larger flare, or you’ll need to accept some wheel poke

If you’re running 0 offset wheels on a Next-Gen Ranger, you’ll generally need around 45–50mm of flare coverage to fully cover the tyre.

Pictured: 9-inch wide wheel with +20 offset and 285 tyre, paired with a Utemart P25 25mm flare.

2. Material

The second most important factor when choosing flares is the material they’re made from.

Fortunately, most reputable options on the market use ABS plastic, which is flexible, impact-resistant, and well-suited to automotive use. Some cheaper alternatives are made from fibreglass or FRP — these should generally be avoided.

Fibreglass flares are brittle, prone to cracking, and don’t handle vibration or minor impacts well. Even if they look fine initially, they rarely hold up long-term daily-driven or off-roading.

While most ABS flares look similar on paper, not all ABS is the same. Thickness and quality vary between brands. Lower-cost flares often use thinner plastic to hit a price point, which can lead to excessive flex, poor fitment, and premature wear over time.

The end result is usually a product that looks acceptable for a few months, but doesn’t last.

As the saying goes, "the poor man pays twice."

3. Fixing / Installation

The way fender flares are mounted to the vehicle is just as important as their size or material.

Different brands use different fixing methods, and each has its own pros and cons depending on how the vehicle is used and whether you plan to install them yourself.

Hardware (OEM-Style)

Some flares, such as premium OEM-style options, use hardware and factory mounting points. These systems prioritise long-term security, shape retention, and durability — especially for vehicles that see regular off-road use or long-term ownership.

The trade-off is that installation can take a little longer and may involve more steps, which is why some owners choose professional installation. The only exception to this would be the Utemart P25 and TUS flares, They are the easiest to fit pressure fit flare by far as they don't require removal of factory trims. 

Flares without tape are often known as a pressure fit flare as they don't rely on tape to hold them in place. 

3M Tape

cheap Tape-assisted flares are typically the quickest and cheapest options to install. When installed correctly on clean surfaces and used within their intended purpose, they can be suitable for light use, street-driven vehicles, or cosmetic upgrades.

However, for heavier off-road use, or long-term ownership, most owners prefer flares that incorporate mechanical or clip / hardware support (such as Utemart S35) rather than relying solely on adhesive.

When choosing a flare with 3M tape, ensure you're using a high-quality and proven brand. There is also a lot of difference in the quality of plastic molding between brands, which greatly impacts the effectiveness of the tape. Even the strongest tape can not fix a bad mold. This is where the cheaper / thinner options give 3M a tape a bad wrap.
Don't be turned off by 3M tape, just ensure you're not going with the cheapest option.

The key takeaway

There’s no single “best” fixing method.  it comes down to how you use your Next Gen Ranger, how confident you are in installing parts yourself. 

6. Long-Term Value vs Upfront Cost (Why Many Owners Still Spend More)

By now, it should be clear there’s no shortage of fender flare options for the Next-Gen Ranger. You can spend less, install quicker, and still achieve a wider stance.

Where the decision really changes is when long-term ownership is factored in.

One of the most common hesitations we see from Ranger owners is cost, especially once installation is added.

“I don’t want to spend over a thousand dollars on flares, but I also don’t want to end up regretting it later.”

That concern is completely valid, and it’s why so many owners spend weeks comparing options before committing.

In real-world use, we’ve also seen what can happen when the cheapest option is chosen purely to save money upfront. In one case we dealt with directly, a customer opted for the cheapest option elsewhere and began experiencing paint-related issues within a relatively short period of time. While not every lower-cost flare will have problems, it highlights a common risk with budget options. 
Again: "poor man pays twice"

This is where EGR (dealer option flares) continue to justify their price.

EGR flares are designed as a true fit-and-forget solution. Their OEM existing point hardware mounting, thicker ABS construction, and paint are intended to hold their shape, finish, and fit over the life of the vehicle, not just the first year.

Yes, the upfront cost is higher.
But once paint matching, installation, durability, and the likelihood of replacement are considered, many owners find the real cost difference narrows over time.

More importantly, EGR flares remove the doubts that often come with cheaper alternatives:

• Will they stay secure long-term?

• Will the paint hold up?

• Will I end up replacing them later?

The bottom line

If your goal is the lowest upfront cost, there are plenty of options that will get the job done.
If your goal is long-term confidence, OEM fitment, and avoiding regret, spending more once often makes more sense.

That’s why, despite the price difference, so many Ranger owners still choose proven brands like EGR.
not because it’s the cheapest option, but because it’s the one they’re least likely to second-guess. 

Disclaimer

Information in this article is based on manufacturer descriptions, industry standards, and real-world observations. Specifications, finishes, and installation methods may vary by model and over time. Individual results may vary depending on vehicle use and installation.