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The only way to safely transport your kayak is with a roof rack, they stop it bashing against the side of your trailer and damaging or scratching your boat.
Recently, they’ve been getting more popular, as more competition has appeared and prices have gone down.
But how do you choose which one is the best?
Here’s how...
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Why do you need a roof rack?
It’s all well and good owning a kayak, but if you can’t get it to the water then it’s no fun at all.
A roof rack just makes transporting your boat around super easy. You attach the rack to the roof of your car and then whenever you want to go on a trip you just tie your kayak up and get going.
Not only is this the easiest way to transport it, it’s also the safest. If you just have it in the back of a trailer it’s going to get slung about, hitting stuff and scratching or denting your boat or car.
What makes some roof racks better than others?
There’s quite a few differences between different racks, but the main ones to keep your eyes out for are these -
First thing to check out is if you need tools to attach it to your roof and that it’s compatible with your vehicle. Nothing’s worse than buying a rack only to find out that it doesn’t fit your car.
After that, it all depends on the value you put on quality, style, and cost.
How do you choose the right one for you?
This really depends on the kind of kayaking you do and on simple personal preferences.
First things first, are you a solo kayaker or do you like paddling away with a friend?
Decide whether you need one that can hold two boats or if a single holder will do the job for you.
Next, give yourself a budget.
How much do you really want to spend? If you can afford a bit extra you can get extra padding, easier installation and a more solid design.
Finally, make sure you get one with a sturdy design and from a reputable company, and then there’s no reason why it shouldn’t last you forever.
Best Kayak Roof Racks Reviews.
There are lots of kayak roof racks could possibly choose from but we have done an expansive research to reduce the stress of choosing the best one available. We will be mentioning some of them in subsequent paragraphs.
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One of the older models of roof racks, you can tell why this guys so popular. It’s pretty basic, but damn reliable and works well.
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Who’s it for?
If you’re looking for a basic model, that isn’t too fancy and doesn’t cost too much either then this is worth checking out.
It’s nothing fancy, but it’s cheap and works.
Quality | Price | Our rating |
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Bigger than most, and more expensive too, this is a serious bit of kit.
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Who’s it for?
If you have like to kayak in a group, with friends or family, then this is definitely one to consider. Being able to carry two boats rather than one is a complete game changer.
Quality | Price | Our rating |
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While being a pretty standard model, this is a great example of a company getting the balance of quality and price just right.
It’s cheap as chips but still works a charm...
PROS | CONS |
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Who’s it for?
If you want a roof rack but don’t want to shed out a load of money for one, then this is worth looking up.
It’s cheap, durable and looks pretty sleek too.
Quality | Price | Our rating |
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This is just an all-round great quality and well performing kayak holder. It does exactly what you need it to, and doesn’t cost too much either.
PROS | CONS |
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Who’s it for?
If you want a super reliable rack, but don’t want to splash out too much cash either, then you really can’t go wrong with this fella.
Quality | Price | Our rating |
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One of the best out there, this mount isn’t so cheap, but it’s strong, easy to use and oozes style.
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Who’s it for?
If you’re the kind of person that likes getting the best of the best, then this is definitely one to consider.
Conclusion.
After spending hours researching all of these the overall winner is pretty obvious...
It’s got to be the TMS® Roof Top Crossbar.
It’s a sweet looking rack that’s been built to last forever, and it comes with a lifetime warranty too, so even if something does happen, they’ll give you another one for free.
The whole design of it is just fantastic, the way it stores your kayak on the side is just perfect for saving space so that you can fit other stuff up there too.
And to finish it all off, it’s pretty damn cheap too.