As a former Vanagon owner, now Express, I've had the same debate. To me, a poptop is a compromise between a hightop and our current Express Low Top. Being able to stand up would be amazing, and having upper and lower beds is key to sleeping up to 4 people in a van at the same time. My Chevy Express is a larger vehicle than my Vanagon, but because of layout and no-poptop, sometimes it feels smaller.
Overall, we load kayaks, skis, etc onto the roof of our vehicle, so that is an area where a Poptop is vastly superior to a high top, especially if you have a strong motor like the CCV tops. I've seen Sprinter Hightop rigs where the bikes are able to nest under the bed, but I have yet to see an 8 foot creek boat integrated into the internal design of the van. It could be done.....I just haven't seen it (watch, someone will post a link....)
So, overall I'm an advocate for a poptop, especially if you are adding it on to and existing vehicle.
Overall, we load kayaks, skis, etc onto the roof of our vehicle, so that is an area where a Poptop is vastly superior to a high top, especially if you have a strong motor like the CCV tops. I've seen Sprinter Hightop rigs where the bikes are able to nest under the bed, but I have yet to see an 8 foot creek boat integrated into the internal design of the van. It could be done.....I just haven't seen it (watch, someone will post a link....)
So, overall I'm an advocate for a poptop, especially if you are adding it on to and existing vehicle.