If you are into surfing and other sports activity and have a water body like a beach near your house, then you are lucky. A nearby water body saves you from covering long distances with the paddleboard, surfboard, canoe, etc. Many of the people who don’t have a water body nearby have to travel a long way with their accessories. But if you are an adventure lover, the distance factor should not hold you back from having fun.
Your Board can easily be carried around on the go if your car has a roof rack of the right size. This would also leave behind space in the car for you and your family to fit in. To ensure your family will enjoy your paddleboard to the fullest, we have compared a vast range of roof racks and have put together this review of best roof racks we could find for your car.
The following list covers both types of SUP roof racks, roof racks that work with vehicles that have roof rails and ones that do not.
Our Top Rated SUP Roof Racks 2020
This review will walk you through some of the best roof racks. It will help you make a decision and pick the best suited product. We have also included a buying guide, at the end, to help you look at the factors that go into buying a good a good product.
IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
(paid link) | Yakima SUPDawg Carrier OUR #1 CHOICE | (paid link) | |
(paid link) | Thule SUP Taxi Carrier TOP-RATED | (paid link) | |
(paid link) | Malone Auto Racks Maui-2 GREAT VALUE | (paid link) | |
(paid link) | Yakima SUPPUP | (paid link) | |
(paid link) | INNO SUP Locking Carrier | (paid link) | |
(paid link) | Vault Cargo Universal Carrier Roof Rack | (paid link) | |
(paid link) | SeaSucker SUP Board Rack | (paid link) | |
(paid link) | Curve Soft Rack Lockdown | (paid link) | |
(paid link) | SportRack Adjustable Kayak and SUP Carrier | (paid link) |
PRODUCT |
|---|
#1
Yakima SUPDawg Carrier
(paid link)
(paid link)
Main features:
Type: Can be attached with round, oval or square-shaped crossbars
Capacity of the board: One to two surf or SUP boards
Use: Surfboards or Paddleboards
Additional features: Rollers for ease in loading, requires no tools
Overall score: 4.4 out of 5.0
The SUPDawg board carrier by Yakima has been made to create ease in the process of loading and unloading of one to two boards. It can also easily hold up oversized boards. The installation with the bar adaptors can be done without any tools and can adjust around already present aero, round or square crossbars. The SupDawg carrier’s board cradle is well cushioned with a flat base, which is well suited for narrow surfboards and wide boards that are of 36 inches.
You don’t have to worry about the boards and racks falling off as the SKS locks keep both the racks and boards secure. While loading the boards, you are assisted by the rollers, a helpful extra feature which is present at the bar’s ends. The excess straps are stored in an integrated strap management system while you travel.
It is a high-performance board carrier that can take up as much as two boards using an easily installable locking mechanism. The carrier also features two anchor cords and a tie-downs with it. Overall, the Yakima SUPDawg Carrier is the best board roof rack carrier on the list.
#2
Thule SUP Taxi Carrier
(paid link)
(paid link)
Main features:
Type: Crossbar mount adaptable with most factory racks, rounded crossbars, and racks by Thule
Capacity of the board: One to two surf or SUP boards
Use: Surfboards and paddleboards having a size of 34 inches
Additional features: Doesn’t require tools, speedy installation, a locking mechanism
Overall score: 4.3 out of 5.0
This one includes an easily installable and usable lockdown. It has a condensed design that can support boards with a size of 34 inches.
Locking cylinders hold the carrier down, and the boards are kept safe by the single key locks and steel reinforced straps. It is intended to be used with most vehicles racks crossbars but is well suited for round crossbars.
This carrier can keep a maximum of two boards in place. The extra length of the strap can be packed up with ease. It also has a salt and water resistant rubber coating that protects your paddle boards or surfboards.
The only drawback of this roof rack carrier is that for the second board, spacing and padding material is not a part of the set.
#3
Malone Auto Racks Maui-2
(paid link)
(paid link)
Main features:
Type: Adaptable with rails having round, oval or square-shaped load bars
Capacity of the board: One to Surfing or SUP boards
Use: Surfing or paddleboards
Additional features: Requires no tools, high grip self-adjustable saddles
Overall score: 4.4 out of 5.0
You can use this carrier with oval, square, or round rails. It is manufactured by Malone and does not need any crossbars already mounted on the roof of the vehicle but will work fine with oval, square, and round crossbars. The four saddles of the Maui-2 are low profile that adjusts themselves on the boards to keep them safely in place.
The rack can conveniently be removed when you are traveling without any boards, and does not require any tools for installation. When it comes to stacking up to two boards, it includes spacer pads measuring 22 inches and are made out of foam. All the components of the rack are durable and corrosion-resistant. The buckle straps on the carrier are resistant to UV light, which is an added plus. These are two important factors when in a salty climate.
It has been rated among the top SUP roof racks and can be used with a wide range of rails present on the vehicle’s roof. If you are looking for a good solution for transporting one to two boards safely, then the Malone Maui-2 is the answer.
#4
Yakima SUPPUP
(paid link)
(paid link)
Main features:
Type: Crossbar mount adaptable with factory, aerodynamic, round and square bars
Capacity : One to two surfing or SUP boards
Use: 34 inches paddle boards and surfboards
Additional features: Doesn’t require tools, fast installation, Straps are easier to manage as they come pre-strapped.
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5.0
This one includes all the basics you would require to take 2 surfboards or paddleboards to the beach. It needs a square, aerodynamic, or round crossbar rack on the roof of the vehicle. There are bars added for support that have a slider that can adjust the boards for as much as 34 inches. For boards with greater size, you can opt for the Yakima SUPDawg. The roof rack can be set up and mounted right of the box as it is already assembled.
The loose ends of the straps can be packed away with the help of the strap management system. Your boards are well protected by the soft padding that covers the edges of the rack. Only issue we found is for the second board, there are no extra padding or spacing material included. A tail tie-down is in the kit for boards that are greater in length.
#5
INNO SUP Locking Carrier
(paid link)
(paid link)
Main Features:
Type: Crossbar mount adaptable with factory, aerodynamic, round and square bars
Capacity: Longboards, one to two SUP boards, one small canoe or three small boards
Use: Canoe, kayak, windsurf surfboard, surfboards, paddleboards
Additional features: Excellent mounting system, safety ratchet,locking mechanism
Overall score: 3.6 out of 5.0
This carrier can easily hold three small boards, canoe, kayak, or two surfing or SUP boards. Built with versatility, they can be put together with majority factory, round and square crossbars. The boards are tightened securely for safety by the ratcheting mechanism. Moreover, the stainless rubber-coated steel strap holds the boards well in place. A good additional feature is the crane shaped contraption that creates ease in loading by holding up the straps on the boards.
Padding in the racks ensures that your boards are well protected during the process of loading and taking it to the beach. Any tampering of the loaded gear is prevented, thanks to the locking system. This locking carrier will be the best car rack choice for you if SUP is not your thing, but you are into other water board sports like canoeing, kayaking, or windsurfing.
#6
Vault Cargo Universal SUP Carrier Roof Rack
(paid link)
(paid link)
Main Features:
Type: Crossbar mount, can be used with a lot of roof racks
Capacity: One canoe or kayak, one to two surfing or SUP boards
Use: Canoe, kayaks, surfboards, paddleboards, wind surfboards
Additional features: Foldable, lightweight, made of aluminum, easy to set up
Overall score: 4.3/5
This Roof Rack made by Vault is a good solution to carry surfboards, paddleboards, canoe, and kayaks with easy installation.
You can push the rails down to flatten it to minimize the effects of wind when not in use. This allows you to get your car parked easily in a low clearance area or ride all year round. The Vault Cargo Universal SUP can be set up on the crossbar of your already present rack and includes two J-shaped foldable bars.
The kit doesn’t include ratcheting straps. The lashing straps included hold down the gear, and the soft cushions protect your watercraft or boards. The J-bar can be folded and helps you choose the best contact spot on the SUP boards, making it a good solution. But with boards that have a greater width, the J-bars underperform.
The Cargo Universal SUP Carrier Roof Rack is an affordable option that can be entrusted with your paddleboards, surfboards, etc but if it was us we would go with another extra tie-down to protect the gear you love.
SUP Racks suited for Vehicles without rails:
#7
SeaSucker SUP Board Rack
(paid link)
(paid link)
Main features:
Type: Vacuum cups can be installed on bare roofs
Capacity: One to two boards
Use: Surfing and paddleboards
Additional features: Can be removed when not needed, no bars or clips
Overall score: 4.4 out of 5.0
For cars without any rail or pre-installed roof racks, this board roof rack is an excellent choice. The installation can be done quickly without any bars or clips. With this SUP roof rack, you can transport up to two paddles or surfboards. The vacuum cups are strong enough since they have a 6” diameter. It holds the rack on the roof, and there are a total of six cups. The pull strength of each cup is 210 lbs so the strength of the cups is more than adequate.
The cups lie on the two 31 inches Starboard bars where two cups keep down the rear bar, and the other 4 cups keep the front bar locked down. The board rack has 10-inch cam buckle straps (made of nylon) for the safety of the board and pads.
This board rack makes pulling your boards around a breeze. You can also save on gas by removing the racks when not in use. The SeaSucker SUP board rack is a great board for the money.
#8
Curve Soft Rack Lockdown
(paid link)
(paid link)
Main Features:
Type: Foam blocks having cocoon straps no rack needed
Capacity: One to three longboards, one to two SUP boards, one to four short surfboards
Use: Surfing and paddleboards
Additional features: Can be put on roof rails and naked roofs without crossbars
Overall score: 3.8 out of 5.0
This roof rack is compatible with many roof configurations this includes many of the most popular roofs of vehicles.
The rack has been specially designed for the transportation of boards and is capable of holding 4 short, 3 long, and one to two stand up paddleboards. The Curve Paddle Board rack has a patented and distinct system called a cocoon: a loop wraps singularly over the boards then attaches securely to the roof. It can be used with both vehicles having rails, bare roofs, and the ones not having a crossbar.
The padding protects the boards that have a cushion, and the foam of padding also protects the board’s finish.
Tension is provided sufficiently by the 600D polycanvas straps that are fastened safely with a strong cam buckle. This eliminates problems with the boards sliding, flutter, board lift, and when there is a strong wind blowing outside. Having only one load point for each rack tightening, it provides access to the board quite easily. The rack can be installed when needed and can be kept in the compact carry bag when you are not using it.
The only drawback is that the mounting takes some time to understand but it is a good choice if you want to take along more than one paddle board.
#9
SportRack Adjustable Kayak and SUP Carrier
(paid link)
(paid link)
Main Features:
Type: Foam blocks having straps no rack needed.
Capacity: One kayak, one to two boards
Use: Kayak, surfboards, paddleboards
Additional features: Stern and bow tie-down included, adjustable
Overall score: 3.4/5
The SportsRack Adjustable Kayak and SUP carrier can be used for transporting up to two boards or one kayak with varying widths. The additional spacers or straps are not included for the second board. The carrier can be used on existing racks and naked roofs. It performs its task by supporting your board with four six-inch durable foam blocks.
Stability is added to the carrier by the oval-shaped aluminum bars running through the cutouts. The foam blocks can withstand a lot of weight, and thanks to the underside that stops skidding, the finish of your vehicle is not damaged. The blocks can be spaced with a distance of 16 to 24 inches with this model for accommodating variable kayak hulls. This also helps in finding the best point of interaction for the paddleboard.
Additional straps keep the equipment safely attached. The stern and bow associated with the watercraft have it’s tie-downs included with the rack. The chromate buckles attached to the polypropylene straps then run through the top of the door openings’ so that the rack is kept in place.
Compatibility is a huge benefit with this rack due to the fact it can be used with just about any type of roof. There are descriptive instructions on the manual to guide you through the mounting and dismounting of the roof rack carrier. One low point of this carrier is that it requires mounting from scratch each time you want to carry your gear.
Buying Guide:
Choosing the best roof rack for you?
From the products we have mentioned, you can tell that with the right roof rack, transporting paddle boards is not a hectic task.
If you are well aware of what you are looking for in the paddleboard rack, then choosing the best model is easy and straightforward. The following buying guide covers the key factors that will help you in choosing the best roof rack.
The best model for you?
Safety needs to be put in strong consideration when it comes to transporting boards. Since it is a piece of huge equipment, safety should be kept in mind when the paddleboard is being transported on your vehicle’s roof.
For choosing the best model, look for whether your car already has a rack system permanently mounted on the car or whether you would require a completely removable roof rack.
You should also ask yourself some questions like whether you will be transporting one or two boards? Do you only surf, or do you also need to transport other equipment like a kayak?
The Right Mounting System
A paddleboard roof rack can be mounted with two systems: one that uses an already present rack of the car roof and the other that works with bare roofs(the ones without any racks).
It can further be branched out into ones that use two rails running in parallel and others that are dependent on crossbars for loading. If your car’s roof already has a loading rack, then the best choice would be to get a SUP board rack that will fit your vehicle’s current rack.
The Curve Surfboard Rack is distinct in the manner that it works without or with loading rails on the vehicle’s roof. The SportRack Adjustable Kayak Carrier needs to be remounted every time. The SeaSucker SUP board rack can be put on the roof with vacuum cups so it can be left on the roof.
Versatility
If you frequently change between the types of boards, then consider the Thule, Curve systems, or Yakima. If Stand Up padding does not appeal, but you are into kayaking, canoeing, or any other type of surfing, then going for a versatile model will be a good decision.
How many boards do you have to transport?
All the roof rack models mentioned above can hold up to two or three SUP boards. Don’t overload the roof rack beyond its capacity.
For transporting more than 4 paddle boards, you would require a trailer to be attached to the back of the car you have.
For an individual board, the Vault Cargo would be more than enough, but it all depends on the roof of your vehicle. For added safety, the instructions and manual of the manufacturer should be strictly followed.
For oversized boards, the Yakima SUPDawg will cater well to your needs. Depending on the size and type of board, the Curve Surfboard, INNO SUP Locking Carrier, and Yakima Paddle Board Carrier can take up three or four everyday surfboards.
Mechanism of Locking
The roof rack carrier takes care of your gear by keeping all your boards in position. Most rail-mounted systems come with a locking mechanism that involves a key provided and a lock. This will keep your boards safe while you are not around the vehicle.
Some cheaper roof racks do not have a lock so this is something to be aware of. Of course, anyone having a bolt cutter can take your gear away by cutting through the load straps.
Conclusion
Taking your surfboard or paddle board to your favorite piece of water is not an issue if you have a good roof rack.
Just remember the best option is to get one that works with your current roof rack on your vehicle. The next step is to get one to work with your current amount of boards, kayaks, canoes, etc. Remember your boards are worth a lot of money and this roof rack is going to hold them all so make sure you get a good one.
Hopefully, our above review and buying guide will help you in selecting the best roof rack that will make the transporting process hassle-free, and you can have fun while you are out in the water.
