In all of our buying guides, we stress the importance of sorting out your boat storage and transport options before you buy. After all, there’s no point buying your dream vessel if you can’t get it to the water or store it properly!
For this quick buying guide, we wanted to introduce you to a few of our favorite roof rack options. These are the sturdiest, most user-friendly models we’ve found to date. Check them out!
Malone Downloader
Malone’s Downloader is a universal J-style roof rack for kayaks. It’s the cheapest option we currently recommend.
While Yakima’s are often available for only slightly more, the Malone’s are by far the cheapest reputable option when you look at list price. The only options you’ll find for less are generic/knock-off models from brands you’ve never heard of. We strongly recommend spending at least as much as the Malone’s to get something that has a proven track record. It’s not worth saving $20 only to have your rack deconstruct on the highway!
This is a great roof rack, too. It doesn’t have as many options or adjustments as more expensive models, but it covers all the basics handily. You can mount the Downloader to nearly any kind of cross rails, whether yours are round, ovular, or square. It comes with both 60mm and 70mm mounting bolts in the box, too. It’s padded, folds down conveniently, and has a basic “ramp” feature to help you load and unload.
What we like most is that Malone’s racks are all cross-compatible. You can start out using the Downloader by itself, and eventually add on a lift-assist feature if you find you want one. No need to by a whole other system!
Yakima JayLow
Yakima’s JayLow is another universal kayak rack, much in the same style as the Malone Downloader. It’s slightly pricier than the Malone, though the Yakima is often discounted. It’s the best J-style option we’ve found!
Everything’s slightly nicer than the Malone or comparable Thule racks, in a way that’s difficult to measure objectively. The JayLow fits snugly, and has very tight tolerances in the moving components. That’s what you want, after all!
It’s also very versatile. You’d need two separate Downloader’s to carry a pair of kayaks. The Yakima allows you to have either one boat in the standard J position, or two boats in the vertical/stacked arrangement. Yakima’s JayLow also has a slightly higher weight capacity than the Malone Downloader. It’s good for single boats up to 80 pounds, or a pair weighing up to 110 pounds combined. You’ll need more tie-downs to use it with two boats, though.
It’s fully padded, comes with lots of tie-downs, and has a proven track record. The only reason to spend more is if you want something with load-assist features
Thule Hullavator Pro
Our ultimate recommendation is mighty pricey, but frequent solo kayakers will find it worth the price and then some! Thule’s Hullavator Pro is not only a sturdy, rugged rack, but it makes your life significantly easier to boot. This setup is suitable for the biggest, heaviest kayaks. It also helps you with the loading and unloading process!
Using gas struts, the rack will take 40 pounds of your boat’s weight off your hands. It helps out while you’re loading and when you’re unloading, by extending over the side of your car and bringing the boat to a more manageable height. So, you can not only have some help with the weight, but you can load at a safer waist height!
It’s compatible with any vessel up to 75 pounds, and up to 36”across. It’s padded, lockable, and everything you could want in a roof rack for your kayak. It works with both Thule systems and most square/round bar types. The only downside is that you’ll only be able to get one boat on this. That’s not surprising given the mechanics, but you might be hesitant to pay this much to port only one boat. This one only makes sense for someone who kayaks primarily alone, who can make full use of the assist feature.
Some things to remember
Only buy universal
This isn’t something you have to worry about with our picks, since all our recommendations are universal. If you decide to go a different way, though, be sure to avoid roof racks that limit you to certain boat dimensions or roof rail types. That way, you don’t even need to consider having to get a new roof rack when you switch cars or boats!
You’ll need cross rails
If you’ve never used a kayak roof rack before, you should know that they don’t mount on the rails that run lengthwise along your vehicle’s roof. They attach to what are called cross rails or cross bars, which run across your roof and mount to those lengthwise rails. So, if you don’t already have some for a ski rack or bike rack, be sure to grab some. All the brands that make the racks we’ve recommended above also make cross rails.You’ll also find them available from your car maker.
We don’t recommend any specific models, because any setup from a reputable company is going to be pretty much the same thing. Each manufacturer flaunts their latest aerodynamic features, but the truth is no roof rack is going to be particularly quiet or smooth. That’s especially true when you’ve got a massive boat on it!
So, don’t worry too much about which set of cross rails you use. Just buy from a good company, probably either the car maker or the manufacturer you go with for your rack itself. Don’t be tempted by any of the cheaper, generic models you’ll see offered online. You don’t want to take any chances with roof rack equipment.
What’s next
Feeling like you’ve got your transportation system sorted out? Great! Now you’re ready to choose a kayak! Head over to our home page to see all the different vessels we currently recommend.