The Best Kayak Roof Rack for Easy Transportation
Not everyone is lucky enough to have beachfront properties and enjoy unlimited hours of kayaking. If you are an urban dweller and a kayaker, you know the challenges of transporting the kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards to a nearby water body. The hassle of loading and unloading the kayak is nothing compared to the damage that might happen to your car. Hauling the kayaks on the car roof may result in chipping paint, dent, and scratches to your ride and the watercraft. It’s possible to avoid the damage and headache of transporting your watercraft with the premier kayak roof racks of 2024.
That means you don’t have to leave your fancy kayaks rusting in the garage, nor would the transportation ruin your car roof. All that’s left is finding the perfect roof rack to unleash your terror on the waves.
Our Top Picks
What Are the Great Kayak Roof Racks in 2024?
Best Overall
Take your kayak wherever you want with the foldable J-bar roof rack from DRSports. This user-friendly roof rack comes in J-bar, saddle, and big-foot style — so you can pick the one customized to your needs. The mechanism locks the kayak in its clutches without increasing the car’s height. So you can easily drive around the city and parking complexes with a kayak installed on the roof. Moreover, this roof mount folds compact, and the gaskets ensure minimal vibration or noise when not in use.
No matter how fast you drive, 180-degree foldability, lashing straps, and hooks keep the kayak from flying off. The foom grips also minimize the risk of scratches and damage to your roof and the kayak itself.
Pros
- Sturdy yet lightweight steel construction
- Suitable with all kinds of crossbars
- Thick padding to resist kayak damage
- Hassle-free installation
Cons
- The rear straps aren’t long enough
Sturdy J-Cradle Rack
Suitable for all kinds of cars and trucks, the Ikuram R kayak roof rack is a premium choice to transport your surfing gear safely. The anodized aluminum alloy construction ensures durability without putting brute force on your roof because it’s lightweight. Moreover, this rack system easily installs over oval and square cross rails.
The sturdy J-bar can carry up to two kayaks at once. Plus, the multiple locking angles are great for handling all kinds of surfing gear, paddleboards, and kayaks. The kayak roof rack comes with the necessary hardware, but that’s not all! The kayak roof mount also includes a paddle holder to ensure you never leave your accessories behind.
Pros
- Rust-resistant material
- Easy to fold down
- Holds kayak vertically
- Easy to install and detach
Cons
- The straps are flimsy
Scratch-Resistant Material
If you are always worried about roof rack installation damaging your car or chipped-off paint, then the HandiRack inflatable system is perfect. This soft, universal rack works with every car, big or small, and with or without cross rails on the roof. The inflatable roof rack with five D-rings creates a strong and stable anchor to haul your surfing gear. This inflatable roof rack is as sturdy as a metal rack system, with a load capacity of 175 pounds.
The all-inclusive rack system includes every accessory and hardware you need to install on the roof. With this rack, you can transport your kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards to the desired water source. Moreover, this portable roof rack does not take up extra storage space, and the ergonomic design does not mess with the car’s aesthetics.
Pros
- A soft cushion keeps gear safe
- Quick and secure installation
- Non-abrasive, heavy-duty material
- Wide fitting, water-poof strap
Cons
- Requires periodic inflation
Rust-Resistant Rack
The J-bar 4-piece roof rack from Leader Accessories will transport your kayaks and canoes without causing any damage. The sturdy system tackles the bumps and speed breakers on the roads like a pro while balancing your gear. This high-quality roof rack is constructed with heavy-duty steel for durable usage and to prevent possible rusting.
The tie-down straps included with the product ensure the gear stays stable throughout the journey. Moreover, the EVA foam padding keeps the kayak surface safe from paint chipping and scratches.
Pros
- Perfect for long-haul trips
- Exceptional load-bearing capacity
- Sturdy straps and ties
- Superior quality for an affordable price
Cons
- Not compatible with round cross bars
Space-Saving Roof Rack
With its vertical mounting mechanism, the TMS kayak rack ensures damage-free transportation for your surfing and camping gear. Suitable for lightweight kayaks and paddle boards, this kayak mount has a wide mouth that makes loading and unloading easy.
This sturdy J-cradle style roof rack occupies minimal space, allowing you to load other equipment as well. It’s a durable steel construction that doesn’t bend or flex under pressure. Thanks to the adjustable padding, this roof rack keeps your kayak and car scratchless.
Pros
- Suitable for mounting on crossbars
- Hassle-free gear loading and unloading
- Easy to install, quick to remove
Cons
- Lesser loading capacity
Buyer’s Guide: Finding Your Top Kayak Roof Rack
Transporting a kayak to a water source is tricky, and the roof rack is a perfect solution. However, finding the right roof rack compatible with your car isn’t easy. This buying guide will help you find superior kayak roof racks for adventure trips.
Types of Kayak Roof Rack
Before you pick the best brand or the most premium kayak roof rack, you must understand many of its types and then pick the one right for you.
Inflatable roof rack
This roof rack is an excellent alternative if your vehicle doesn’t feature a pre-existing crossbar or rail system. The inflatable pads utilize a vehicle’s window or attach the inflatable rack to the side. The inflatable roof rack provides the cushion and padding your kayaks need without causing any possible damage to your surfing equipment.
J-bar cradle rack
The most common type of roof rack has to be a J-bar system. This kind of roof rack requires a crossbar system to install the rack. Most people opt for this kayak roof rack for its stability and durability. These roof racks are also foldable and can carry two kayaks at a time. Moreover, J-bar racks are particularly suitable for multipurpose usage, so you can also load other heavier items on the car roof.
Saddle roof rack
Saddle roof racks are a temporary kayak carrier that also requires a crossbar for installation. It’s a lightweight variant that offers easy transportation for kayaks and paddle boards. Plus, it’s mostly suitable for smaller vehicles.
Essential Considerations for Kayak Roof Rack
Compatibility with car/vehicle
Before finalizing a kayak roof rack, it’s essential to check if it’s compatible with the vehicle. The attachments on the roof, or the lack thereof, will determine the kind of roof rack you should install. Moreover, double-check whether your chosen kayak roof rack is a universal design or is only compatible with a specific car or vehicle model.
Ease of installation
Kayak roof rack installation includes multiple components and hardware. The lack of proper instructions, guides, and tutorials can make the installation process more difficult. So, opt for a roof mount that won’t take hours to set up and take apart.
Load capacity
Strength and durability aside, an essential factor for selecting roof racks is the load capacity they can bear. Load capacity depends on the type and construction of the roof rack. Moreover, exceeding the load capacity can damage the car’s exterior and impact the transportation stability of the gear and equipment.
Roof rack material
Transporting watercraft to and fro requires proper care and high-quality construction. And that’s why it’s crucial to select roof racks made with heavy-duty steel and aluminum to ensure strong anchorage and balance. But high-quality material also prevents the racks from rusting and corrosion because, no matter how much you try, the kayak may bring some moisture during loading and unloading.
Essential hardware & equipment
Roof racks are a complete system that requires additional hardware, ties, and straps to hold the watercraft in place during long hauls. Most roof racks require crossbars for a successful installation, so ensure your vehicle has the required features.
People Also Asked
Why is padding essential for roof racks?
The whole idea of installing a roof rack is to prevent any possible car or watercraft damage. Therefore, the heavy-duty metal components reinforced with rubber padding ensure that surfing equipment doesn’t develop scratches or lose paint due to contact with hard edges during transportation.
How to load a kayak onto a roof rack?
Loading a kayak on the roof rack requires some serious labor. The easiest way is to mount the kayak or other surfing gear up from the side and secure the package with the additional straps. For more secure transportation, also utilize the tie-downs on the front and back to keep the equipment properly balanced.
Should I use the kayak roof racks for watercraft only?
Roof racks have versatile applications, so don’t limit them to only transporting your kayaks and paddle boards. You can hook your camping gear, foldable chairs, and large snowboards onto the racks for easy transportation.