---
title: "Why the 2026 Subaru Outback’s Roof Rack Has Three Different Weight Ratings"
date: "2025-11-22"
modified: "2025-11-22"
authors:
  - name: "Andrew P. Collins"
    job_title: "Executive Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/andrew-p-collins"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/why-the-2026-subaru-outbacks-roof-rack-has-three-different-weight-ratings"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Subaru News"
tags:
  - "outback"
  - "Subaru"
  - "suv/crossover"
---

# Why the 2026 Subaru Outback’s Roof Rack Has Three Different Weight Ratings

![Subaru Outback in blue from the back.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/subaru-outback-rack1.jpg>)
*\<em\>Subaru, edited by the author\</em\>*

The [2026 Subaru Outback](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/2026-subaru-outback-first-drive-review-still-the-wagon-you-love-just-better>) just dropped, so you'll probably be seeing the vehicle's proud design at campgrounds pretty soon. Before you buy one and start strapping stuff to its chunky roof rack, here's a quick rundown of what it can carry.

The new Outback has three roof rack weight ratings:

- Static Load: 800 Pounds
- Dynamic Load: 220 Pounds
- Lateral Load: 220 Pounds

That means the rack can hold 800 pounds while the vehicle's parked, 220 pounds while it's in motion, or 220 pounds off the side while parked (like for holding a hammock or a big awning).

![Outback roof rack easter egg.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/subaru-easter1.jpg>)

![Outback easter egg 2.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/subaru-easter2.jpg>)

Every roof rack has separate static and dynamic load ratings, and the static one is always much higher. I'm not sure if I've ever seen an automaker explicitly list a spec for hang-off-the-side weight, but there you go. And it is an important one to note, because if you are planning on stringing up a hammock off the side of your Outback, you probably don't want to put more than one adult human in it!

The static and dynamic load ratings are so different because of physics. If you drive around with 800 pounds over your head, that weight will act like a lever tipping the car to and fro as the car moves (though it'd probably rip the rack off long before rollover risk became a real factor).

Why bother with different specs at all? Well, roof tents and standing platforms are two good examples. If you were to run a crossbar-based platform on the roof, you know two people could stand on it for photography or event-spectating, or whatever, without risking damage.

![Outback driving left to right.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/subaru-outback-2.jpg>)
**Subaru**

Hope this clears up any Outback rack-based confusion and helps prevent someone from overloading their new Subaru.

*Got a tip? Drop us a line at tips@thedrive.com.*

## Author
As Executive Editor, Andrew touches everything on the site from daily news coverage to feature stories, sponsored content, product reviews, road testing vehicles, ecommerce, and more. He's held pretty much every role there is to have at an automotive news site and has been with The Drive's publisher Recurrent since 2020. Andrew's a lifetime gearhead and longtime writer with a particularly strong penchant for road trips, off-road adventures, and archaic vehicles. His passions outside of the automotive world include skiing, obsolete video games, and his dog Bramble who occationally helps review cars.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/andrewatlarge>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetercollins/>)