The 5 Best Kayak Roof Racks of 2022
It’s summer and that means we are in the peak of stream season.
Whether you stalk the creeks and rivers of the southeast and midwest, or the estuaries and mountain lakes of the northeast and northwest, setting sail in a kayak always makes for a great time!
No matter if you drive a car, truck or SUV, hauling your kayak and all your equipment can present some challenges without the proper hauling gear.
Luckily, we have that proper gear so that everyone who wants to enjoy the water from the seat of a ‘yak can do so.
Of course, as with anything it’s not as simple as just purchasing a basic kayak roof rack and slapping on top of your car or across the bed or your truck.
There are some things you must consider before investing in the proper kayak roof rack.
How Do I Choose a Kayak Roof Rack?
Knowing what your vehicle is equipped for is the key. Having a proper grasp of your roof size will help you determine just how many kayaks your vehicle can transport.
Smaller cars and SUVs are typically limited to two, whereas larger cars and trucks can haul as many as 4 or 6.
Also, not all vehicles come from the factory with cross bars, and cross bars are a must for using a reliable kayak roof rack.
What is the Easiest Kayak Roof Rack to Install?
Luckily, most of the top brands in the kayak roof rack industry have begun designing roof racks that are incredibly easy to assemble. So long as you’re willing to pay standard market value for a quality roof rack, you will not have a headache installing it.
Your main focus will be on obtaining and installing the proper cross bars. Most vehicles require the purchase and assembly of aftermarket cross bars.
Cross bars are a great idea, not only for kayaking, but for general transport and haul capability as well.
Any purchase of a good kayak roof rack should be well researched to ensure compatibility with your cross bars. Once your cross bars are on you’re ready to purchase your roof rack and attach it to your whip.
How Far Apart Should Roof Racks Be for Kayaks?
Now that you’ve gotten the cross bars on and the roof measured, you may be wondering how many kayaks you can fit into the space. Kayaks often vary in size so it can be confusing, especially if you’re packing a smaller ‘yak along for a little one.
Most kayak roof racks require a minimum of 24” spread for an individual kayak. Many people feel closer to thirty inches is ideal, but the limits of the equipment itself will require at least 24” per kayak.
So, the number of kayaks you can haul is entirely dependent on the dimensions of your vehicle and size of your kayaks.
What is the Best Kayak Roof Rack System?
Based on your individual wants/needs and what type of vehicle you have, you can start to narrow down your choices when it comes to selecting the Best Kayak Roof Rack.
All of the kayak roof rack systems on our list today have been selected because they are the best in their categories.
So, now that we have covered some basic questions and considerations, let’s take a look at The Top 5 Kayak Roof Racks of 2022!
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The 5 Best Kayak Roof Racks of 2022: Buyer’s Guide & Reviews
Thule Hullaport Pro
Thule has been around since the 1940s and has a brand whose reputation quickly spread out of scandinavia. Since the 1960s their major focus has been automotive accessories and it shows in the results of their products.
To give you an idea of just how excellent a product Thule makes, this model was first introduced in 2002 and nearly two decades later it is a top 100 seller on amazon. The widemouth J profile makes set up and usage a breeze, and the pads are designed for all weather conditions.
Each roof rack comes with all necessary load straps, including front and rear bumper straps, and they are compatible with all Thule rack systems and most factory rack systems.
One of my favorite perks of the THULE HULLAPORT PRO is that it folds down when not in use via the PFD lever.
If you are in the peak of season, it’s a hassle to have to keep attaching and removing your roof rack, with the HULLAPORT PRO, you can Pull, Fold, and Done (PFD) for more secure driving, increased clearance, and better gas mileage.
Each set is equipped for a kayak capacity of 34” wide and 75lbs. Thule offers a limited lifetime warranty for as long as the purchaser owns the product.
This vertically oriented rack system is best suited for cars and SUVs. If it isn’t the best on this list, it certainly gets the award for most reliable.
FEATURES & SPECS:
J-Style carrier with Pull, Fold, Done locking fold away mechanism for easy travel without disassembling
Kayak Capacity: 34” in width X 75lbs in weight
Quick on and off hardware for easy assembly and removal
Straps included: x2 bow and stern straps and x2 buckle protectors
Compatible with all Thule racks and most factory rack systems
Rack weight: 12.6lbs
Rack Dimensions: 20”L x 10.5”W x 5.5”H
Rhino racks live up to their name. For nearly 30 years Rhino has been developing a well deserved reputation for tough and durable racks.
Borrowing from the same functional design as our first rack, the RHINO RACK J-STYLE is perhaps the most rugged and road trip ready out of any kayak roof rack on this list.
The universal mounting bracket makes it one of the most compatible racks on the market, fitting most all brands of cross bars.
My favorite feature of this kayak rack is Rhino’s commitment to durability and sustainability. There is no better way to reduce waste than to build a tool that can withstand usage and time.
The RHINO RACK J-STYLE is constructed with stainless steel hardware and steel tubing, which ensures this will be the rack for your ‘yak for years to come.
Perhaps an equally cool feature of this great roof rack is the option to purchase an extension piece to accommodate a second vessel on the other side with the Rhino Rack Kayak & Canoe Carrier, Folding J-Style Extension with Universal Mounting Bracket.
This feature allows you to bring a family member or friend along to share the good times!
Of course, as with our first J-style entry, the RHINO RACK J-STYLE folds down for easier clearance and gas mileage while you’re not transporting the kayak or canoe.
However, this roof rack is slightly heartier in size than the Thule, which for me isn’t a bad thing, because the extra weight added has a negligible effect on your vehicle but a very positive effect on the security of your vessel.
This may be the best rack on the list for road-tripping duos.
FEATURES & SPECS:
Material: Aluminium, Stainless Steel, Rubber Padding
Dimensions: 22”L x 11”W x 7”H
Foldable frame for easy driving without a vessel
Fully assembled and ready for install
Universal bracket allowing the rack to fit almost all cross bars
Easy side loading with paddle cradle
S512X extension piece sold separately for transporting a second vessel
Bow and Stern straps included
If you own a truck and have a passion for kayaking, there is really no better option for you than the THULE XSPORTER PRO TRUCK MULTI-HEIGHT.
This rack is simple, it’s conveniently versatile, and it’s both lightweight and durable. Even though this roof rack is a bit pricey, it is worth it once you see what the THULE XSPORTER is capable of.
The aluminium construction is reinforced and aerodynamic allowing for immense durability while preserving gas mileage.
The rack itself weighs just 65lbs and has a functional load weight of 450lbs and a total weight capacity of 600lbs! This makes the rack capable of hauling more than just kayaks and canoes, and Thule certainly encourages you to do so.
Tents, basket racks, and whatever equipment you like up to 600lbs, Thule even includes tool-free load stops to make hauling equipment easier. This makes the THULE XSPORTER the most versatile on the list.
You can do so much with this rack, and add to that the fact that it is fully adjustable! At 29” in height, you can adjust all four corners to accommodate virtually any height range from 29” down to 1”.
I also like the aesthetics of the rack, as the black coating is subtle and more agreeable with various truck styles and colors.
As I said at the beginning of this segment, the THULE XSPORTER is the only choice if you’re transporting kayaks in a truck.
FEATURES & SPECS:
Custom bar height adjustment allows for range of 1” to 29”
Integrated AirTrip bar mitigates airflow allowing for better aerodynamics
WindDiffuser Tech helps keep noise down and increases gas mileage
Tool-free load stops
Installation requires no vehicle modification
The rack fastens to the truck via SecureLock locks and includes (4) One-Key lock cylinders
450lb function load capacity - 600lb maximum load capacity
Aluminium construction
Dimensions: 71”L x 16”W x 29”H
Bow and Stern straps included
Rhino Rack once again makes an appearance on our list. The RHINO RACK NAUTIC 581 is a style of kayak roof rack that is really growing on me.
If you’ve been in the kayaking game for a while you may, like myself, be partial to the classic J-style.
I am not putting you on when I say, give the RHINO RACK NAUTIC 581 a shot if you are looking for less maintenance. It’s not that folding J-styles down and back up is a major hassle, but why do it if there is a method out there that allows you to eliminate the process.
This is the future of rooftop vessel transportation in my opinion and Rhino rack shares it, boasting that they have tapped engineers who are themselves kayakers, to achieve the best roof rack possible.
The two front pads are santoprene rubber for providing a soft cushion for your kayak, while the rear spring-loaded pads are felt covered for easy and secure rear loading.
Rhino Rack offers a hidden, secure-core lockable cover plate, which significantly decreases the risk of theft.
The RHINO RACK NAUTIC 581 is compatible with all roof rack systems that feature a bar channel, and boast corrosion, water, and mold resistance!
My favorite feature of this roof rack is it’s non-invasive presence. This rack is equipped to handle a full-sized kayak, yet when there is nothing on it, it’s as if the rack isn’t even on your vehicle.
This is far and away the most sleek and lightest rack on this list.
FEATURES & SPECS:
C-Channel fitment, fits most popular brands of cross bar
Spring-loaded, felt covered rear cradles
Front rubber pads fit a variety of hull shapes
Secure core locking system to prevent theft
Water, mould, corrosion and UV resistant
10”L x 7”W x 6”H
Yakima breaks into the list here at number 5. Like our previous Rhino Rack entry, this design consists of the four point-of-contact, low profile pads and relies heavily on tie-down straps for support.
Loading and unloading quite a bit easier with the YAKIMA HAND ROLL ROOFTOP MOUNTED KAYAK RACK system.
The pivoting rollers are rubber and adjust to provide a secure fit for a variety of hull shapes. The brackets are universal and fit most all brands of cross bars, though the rack does require a minimum cross bar spread of 24”.
Yakima boasts the HAND ROLL ROOFTOP MOUNTED KAYAK RACK is quite easy to install, tool free of course, in keeping with the market trend.
The rack is compatible with the SKS(same key system) but requires the separate purchase of the SKS Lock Cores.
All straps and hardware are included upon purchase, including heavy duty tie-down straps and bow and stern anchoring straps for secure transport.
The one drawback to this rack, and the reason it got the 5th and final spot, is that you either have to purchase two, or purchase a Yakima Deckhand Roof Mounted Boat Rack for Vehicles, in order to actually function properly and safely transport your vessel.
It’s worth the extra click into your shopping cart though, this system, as I said before, is the future of rooftop kayak and canoe transportation.
Yakima has proved they are worthy of this spot just on the sheer popularity of this rack among their many types of outdoor sport roof racks.
FEATURES & SPECS:
10”L x 10”W x 10”H
(2)Hand Roll Mounts = 6lbs
Fits most cross bars with universal mounting hardware (min. Cross bar spread of 24”)
Rubber rollers offer a built in load assist
All straps included
Tool-free installation
Compatible with SKS (Same key system) (lock cores listed above)
Deck Hand is 13.5”L x 7.5”W x 6.5”H
Deck Hand offers same compatibilities in mounting and security as the Hand roller mounts
Deck Hand pads are covered in felt for extra no-slip security
“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.”
– Lao Tzu
As a carpenter and an outdoorsman, I have seen folks skip a step or two and end up putting a piece of lumber or the tip of a kayak through someone’s windshield.
Stop-motion force can do some tricky things, so do the responsible thing and get yourself a quality kayak roof rack if you’re planning on hitting the lakes and streams this summer.
If you happen to be in the market for a vessel, drop by and check out THE 5 BEST FISHING KAYAKS IN 2021.
And, for the serious ‘yak angler, check out the TOP 5 FISH FINDERS FOR KAYAKS IN 2021.
Be safe out there, always wear your life preserver, and happy paddling my friends!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryan Smith is an avid angler and outdoorsman based in central Kentucky.
Ryan spends between 60 and 110 days fishing each year.
He is a carpenter by trade.
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