Best Cargo Roof Racks: Carry More Cargo Wherever the Road May Take You

Learn all about the best roof-mounted cargo carriers

byJonathon Klein|
Best Cargo Roof Racks: Carry More Cargo Wherever the Road May Take You

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BYJonathon Klein/ LAST UPDATED ON July 24, 2023

Though interior space has become greater and greater as cars become larger and larger, especially with the advent of the electric car, space is always at a premium when it comes to road trips. Everyone just has too much stuff to fit comfortably within the confines of your ride. And that’s why a roof rack to store all your extra cargo can be such a useful tool. 


Designed to move all your cargo above the fray of children fighting, parents exasperated, and pets slobbering, a roof rack is the perfect companion piece to any long-distance road trip. But because it’s such a lovely tool, there are about 10,000 knock-offs of quality systems available. How do you weed through that? Easy, you read the below and follow The Drive’s advice. Let’s get you on the road. 

Best Overall
Thule Canyon XT

Thule Canyon XT

Summary
The Thule Canyon XT comes from the OG in the business. It’s light, strong, expandable, and works exactly as intended.
Pros
  • Name-brand quality
  • Large capacity
  • Expandable for further capacity
Cons
  • Doesn’t come with crossbars
  • Still requires weather-resistant baggage or tarp.
Best Value

Haul-Master Cargo Carrier

Summary
Harbor Freight’s house brand comes in as the perfect option for those on a budget.
Pros
  • Inexpensive
  • Strong
  • Solid warranty for price
Cons
  • Doesn’t come with crossbars
  • Not expandable
  • Still requires weather-resistant baggage or tarp.
Best Premium

Yakima Off-Grid

Summary
Like an SNL Stefon sketch, this rooftop cargo carrier has everything.
Pros
  • Ruggedness
  • Large weight and storage capacity
  • Expandable for further capacity
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Doesn’t come with crossbars
  • Still requires weather-resistant baggage or tarp.
Jonathon Klein

Summary List

Our Methodology

I’ve used a number of different brand-name roof racks in my time crisscrossing the country, as well as those attached to my Can-Am side-by-side. Through the years, I’ve seen good roof racks and bad, bent bars, damaged gear, and more. I’ve also picked a number of traditional roof baskets and boxes. However, I also threw in two pieces of cargo storage that attach to already installed roof racks to give your more options to fit your potential needs. 

Suffice it to say, I used all that experience to pick the best-of-the-best cargo roof racks available right now, that way you don’t have to worry when you set off. So let’s get into my picks and find an open road.

Best Rooftop Cargo Carrier Reviews and Recommendations

The OG, the top dawg, the nameiest of name brands, Thule. The company has been making things to slap onto your roof for ages and is trusted by millions of folks around the world. And trusting everything from cargo to skis to more. Why? Because the products the company produces are that good and why it takes the top spot on this list. The Thule Canyon XT specially took the crown because of its features, including a rugged design, expandable capacity, high weight capacity, and the ability to throw just about anything into the cargo rack’s area. Further, Thule actually has its own test center where it puts its racks through crash tests, wear and tear simulations, and weather exposure to ensure that what you’re paying for is up to the Thule name, and worth the price. Speaking of which, it isn’t as expensive as you’d imagine when you hear the name Thule. At the time of writing, you can pick up a Canyon XT for just $489 on Amazon, which won’t break the bank.

Specs

  • Weight Capacity: 150 pounds
  • Dimensions: L 41 in x W 39 in x H 5 in

Pros

Name-brand quality

Large capacity

Expandable for further capacity

Cons

Doesn’t come with crossbars

Still requires weather-resistant baggage or tarp

But let’s be honest, cash is tight and the world ain’t getting any cheaper. That means a deal or a solidly built, but realistically priced cargo carrier is worth its weight in gold, or eggs, whichever is more expensive right now. And that’s why Harbor Freight has entered the chat with the Haul-Master cargo carrier. This rooftop cargo basket is a screaming deal, coming in at just $100 at the time of writing. But it doesn’t skimp on specs, as the Haul-Master has a 150-pound cargo capacity, just like the Thule, and will fit all types of roof bars. Harbor Freight also designed it to be easily assembled, and comes in three sections so it’s easy to pick up or have shipped to your house. It also gives you an extra 10 square feet of cargo space to haul whatever you need, masterfully. Get it? GET IT?

Specs

  • Weight Capacity: 150 pounds
  • Dimensions: L 46 in x W 36 in x H 4.5 in

Pros

Inexpensive

Strong

Solid warranty for price

Cons

Doesn’t come with crossbars

Not expandable

Still requires weather-resistant baggage or tarp.

If Thule is the most well-known of the roof rack makers, Yakima comes in a VERY close second. The brand’s been making the same sort of racks as Thule for decades, but decidedly up-market as these racks are chockful of features. At least when you’re ready to shell out the cash for them. The Yakima Off-Grid takes this spot as it’s both designed to be a regular cargo carrier, but also one that will work with your off-road machine when you go overlanding. This thing is burly as hell, constructed of a web of steel tubes and plates, the idea of the Off-Grid is to protect your valuables even when the trail disappears. It also features a tool-free construction, so all you’ll need are your hands to put it together, is expandable like the Canyon XT, and features accessory bars for even further customization, such as accessory lights. It isn’t inexpensive, though. At the time of writing, you can pick an Off-Grid for $598 on Amazon for the medium and $700 for the large version. But for the burly carrier you’re getting, and its Lifetime Warranty, it’s a reasonable price for those that demand the best.

Specs

  • Weight Capacity: 150 pounds
  • Dimensions: L 53 in x W 49 in x H 7 in

Pros

Ruggedness

Large weight and storage capacity

Expandable for further capacity

Cons

Expensive

Doesn’t come with crossbars

Still requires weather-resistant baggage or tarp

Thule’s back, baby, but with a brand new bag. Well, rooftop storage bundle that just might make everything all that much easier. What we have here is the traditional elongated rooftop cargo carrier that everyone loves to have on their wagons or for their skis. It’s a perfect thing for those seeking a more aerodynamic system that won’t suck gasoline or electrons out of your range. The storage bundle not only comes with the carrier, but also four bags for the interior space and a pulley system that you attach to the roof of your garage that makes removal and placement easy as pie. All you do is lower or raise the pulley and you’re their without needing an extra person to throw it onto your vehicle’s roof. You do need a taller garage, as normal 8-foot garages might not be tall enough for larger vehicles to enter and exit, however. The Thule system, while versatile and complete, is expensive. At the time of writing, the XL version costs $1,560—an XXL is available for $1,660—which is nothing to shake a stick at. However, you get everything, including the storage box, interior storage, and the pulley system. And it’s rugged, as our Director of Commerce Account Management Corey Foster has put it through absolute hell for the last four years without a single complaint. What more could you want?

Specs

  • Weight Capacity: 165 pounds
  • Dimensions: L 84.5 in x W 36 in x H 17 in

Pros

Complete system

Large storage capacity

Aerodynamic

Cons

Expensive

Large

Requires tall garage or short vehicle

I’ve now had these Front Runner Wolf Pack Pros for about a year and they’re some of the best rooftop cargo carriers you could ask for. These rugged little boxes are designed for all your off-road and overlanding dreams, as they’re waterproof and shock-resistant. And trust me when I say I’ve put them through the wringer, as they’ve been attached to both my Can-Am’s roof rack and the back of the side-by-side through snow, rain, and dirt. Designed to carry whatever you need, the boxes come in a system of four total, though you can get a single box too. Front Runner also made them stackable, so they’re easy to store when not in use or when you’ve unloaded your campsite. Front Runner also sells a host of accessories for the Wolf Pack Pro boxes, including tie-downs and interior foam dividers. But best of all, they’re super affordable as at the time of writing, these boxes cost just $319 for a set of four, or $80 for one.

Specs

  • Weight Capacity: As much as you can carry.
  • Dimensions: L 20.1 in x W 15.7 in x H 9.1 in

Pros

Rugged

Waterproof

Pack of four

Cons

Not super big per box

Securing can sometimes be annoying

While there are a host of tarp-draped soft bags you can get to carry all your cargo on your roof, this Mystery Ranch High Water Duffel is the only one where you don’t have to add an extra layer too as it’s fully waterproof. Designed for the outdoors, including rafting, the Mystery Ranch High Water Duffel is exactly that, a duffel bag. But unlike others, this baby is huge! Coming in two colorways—foliage or forest—the 50-liter duffel has enough space to pack a ton of gear. I’ve personally been testing this specific duffel for the last six months and have stuffed clothes, camping gear, laptops, and more into its confines and still had room for more. And it’s come out of all that testing, including times as a backpack and strapped to my Can-Am’s roof, without issue or damage. It’s a burly thing, something you wouldn’t thing a soft pack could be given most are made of wet cheese. That said, because of the quality of the bag and its capabilities, it is expensive. At the time of writing, it’ll set you back $329. But you’re getting something that will stand the test of time, weather, and abuse.

Specs

  • Weight Capacity: 50-liters
  • Dimensions: L 23.75 in x W 9.75 in x H 14.75 in

Pros

Waterproof

Large capacity

Removable and be used as a backpack

Cons

Expensive

Not hardened

Our Verdict

While there are a ton of copycats around the web, the Thule Canyon XT is the best around. From the name-brand quality to the expandable capacity, it’s a great buy. But if that’s not what you’re looking for, each of the other picks here will get you going and your gear protected. 

Features To Look Out For

Types

There are a couple types of rooftop cargo carriers available to you, including baskets, bags, and enclosed boxes. Each has its own pros and cons, and you’ll decide which works best for your application and setup. 

Most people choose the basket-type cargo carrier, as it’s one of the most versatile options. However, you’ll then need something that’s weather-resistant to throw into it in order to use it properly. So make sure you think about what you’re going to do with your cargo carrier. 

Features

As with everything these days, these rooftop cargo carriers come with their own set of features. Some boxes come with bespoke attachment points, while others have expandable sections like the cargo baskets. Those same cargo baskets also might have the option to install accessory lighting. Check out which works best for you and again, what you want to do with it.

FAQs

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.

Are rooftop cargo carriers waterproof?

Some are. Some, like the baskets, aren’t as they’re more cargo space and you’ll need to add waterproof storage with it.

How fast can you drive with rooftop cargo carriers?

That depends on the manufacturer’s specifications. You’ll need to consult them, but hard boxes like the Thule can reach highway speeds without issue due to its more aerodynamic design.

Can you overload a rooftop cargo carrier?

Yes, you can. Like anything, you can overload the cargo carrier and it could snap its mounting hardware and fall off, resulting in a dangerous situation for those behind you.

Does a cargo carrier work with a sunroof?

So long as you have a roof rack, you can throw a rooftop cargo carrier onto your car. You’ll just lose the ability to stick your head out of the sunroof. 

Why Trust Us

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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