6 Best Car (Pickup, SUV, Truck) Roof Kayak Carrier Racks Review

Kayaking and canoeing, as well as other types of water sports, has gained vast popularity all over the world. Despite being an immensely fun type of activity, it also requires adherence to certain standards of transportation. We rated below the best car rooftop carrier racks for canoe, kayak or boat. You will find a short list of the essential products for safe carrying of kayaks, canoes, boats which will ensure the safety of your adventure.

TOP Carrier Racks Comparison Table

1. The Best Universal Kayak J Rack for Track (Car, SUV, Minivan)

• Quick on/off hardware ensures fast installation and removal.
• Heavy Duty Steel Framing with adjustable padding.
• All Mounting hardware & fastening straps are included.

2. The Best Adjustable Kayak J Rack (Roof Carrier)

• Suitable for most car rooftops.
• rack’s soft top ensures that the cargo will remain undamaged.
• Easy to inflate.

3. The Best Roof Rack to Transport Paddleboard Canoe or Kayak on a Car

• Solid and stable design.
• installation doesn’t require the use of any tools.
• cradle is suitable for the cargo of various shapes.

4. The Best Kayak Roof J Rack for Car, Track, SUV, Minivan

• More affordable than similar products.
• Can fit large and heavy boats and kayaks.
• Allows for easy loading/unloading.

5. The Best Paddleboard-Kayak Roof Rack for Car, Track, SUV

• 3-year warranty.
• Easy-to-install on all large SUV’s.
• One person will be capable of loading a mid-sized kayak.

6. The Best Universal Paddleboard/Kayak Rack for Track (Car, SUV, Minivan)

• Easily compatible with most rack systems.
• Extra strong nylon straps.
• Adjustable saddle system that allows for transporting kayaks of an unconventional design.

How much do kayak carrier racks cost?

In general, they can range in price from around $50 to $200 or more. Ultimately, the cost of a particular kayak carrier rack will depend on factors such as its features, size, and brand. Some kayak carrier racks are designed for specific types of kayaks, so it's important to choose one that is compatible with your kayak. For example, a sit-on-top kayak will require a different type of carrier than a standard kayak.

Material

Choosing any type of fastening the first thing you should pay attention to is the material a product is made of. It defines such important things as maximum carrying capacity, a way of fastening to the car, durability, weight and quality

Fastening method

All car holders can be divided according to the fixation method. It can be either metal or plastic holder to the car roof rails or tow bar. There are also flexible fastenings on the roof without rails. way of fixation depends on whether a car has some additional equipment namely roof rails or tow bar. Reliability of fixation also depends on fastening method. It is necessary to keep in mind - the more rigid the structure the more reliable fastening is - but the weight of construction will also increase.

Functionality

Kayak car holders can be of various designs providing you reliable fixation of different types of boats. Nevertheless, there are some universal holders that are adjustable to the gradient angle of its retainer. These kinds of holders are suitable for any types of kayaks, canoes and small boats.

Kayak Securing Method

When choosing a car mount for a kayak or canoe, it is important to keep the boat locked. After all, the movement creates a fairly strong air stream that can simply blow the canoe off. kayak may also come off its mount when it decelerates or starts moving. It must therefore be additionally fixed in its fasteners. There are different fixing options:

• latches;
• pins;
• securing with clamping bolts, etc.

All these solutions have advantages and disadvantages, but using slings for securing purposes is a versatile way out. This securing method is the best choice as it combines the advantages of all fixing types. Slings are easy to use, they allow to secure boats of different sizes, they are easy to pull and hold the canoe securely to the landing place. Our kayak mounts are reliable and durable for you, and a set of slings is included for additional canoe fixation. They are made of modern materials which are highly resistant and durable. Take a look at the models proposed and make your choice.

Don’t buy cheap carrier rack

If you buy cheap products, you will end up buying twice. There are some very cheap carrier racks on the market, but these are the ones made from poor quality material and components, and they can break down after a few months. Buy more quality model as it will be worth price that you pay.

FAQ

Let's go over some frequently asked questions about carrier racks.