Although paddling out on the water in your kayak gives you a sensation of freedom, actually getting it there in the first place can be a major stressful undertaking. Unless you have white water or a serene lake at the bottom of your drive, you will need to transport your kayak on top of your car.
There are a daunting range of roof racks to carry your kayak, canoe, surfboard or stand up paddleboard on. They need to be able to keep your precious craft safe and secure and protect it and your car from damage. The most popular type, the J-Style rack, allows you to load your kayak from the side. Some designs use saddles that attach to crossbars and hold your kayak from below. Crossbars are vital in that they allow you to attach your rack to your vehicle. Here are the roof racks for kayaks we recommend:
Leader Accessories Folding Kayak Rack
Secure, safe and well-padded
This J bar car roof rack will take canoes, kayaks, surfboards and SUPs all secured with four included straps. Constructed from heavy-duty powder-coated steel tube it can take 100lbs and has a folding design that is easy to raise and lower. Foam padding and rubber pedal reduce the chances of scratches and it’s compatible with most crossbars except the round bar.
TMS J-Bar Rack HD Kayak Carrier
Easy installation and loading
This wide mouth J bar is easy to load and unload and has adjustable padding to protect your craft. It can take kayaks up to 36” wide and 75lbs in weight, A quick on/off design makes it easy to install and remove. Made from steel it’s durable, strong and optimally sized to leave roof space.
CargoLoc 2-Piece 52" Aluminum Roof Top Cross Bar Set
Strong but light
Fitting most vehicles with raised side rails with a gap, this set has a rigid aluminum body to reduce weight without losing strength. It has a 150lb load capacity so will take a kayak, mountain bike or skis. A heavy-duty clamping mechanism ensures the crossbars remain safe and secure with a key locking mechanism.
IKURAM Kayak/Surf/Ski Roof Carrier Rack
Max protection for multiple kayaks
This J-style rack is not just able to take four kayaks but it offers maximum protection too with thick, all-weather saddles and padded upright to stop scratching and rubbing marking your craft. Made from an adonized aviation-grade aluminum alloy it will remain corrosion-free and waterproof for years. The J bars can be adjusted for different shapes of kayak.
Bottom line
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Getting your kayak safely to the water is an unavoidable part of the sport. The best roof racks will make the transition as smooth and easy as possible and keep your kayak and car undamaged every time. The kayak roof rack we recommend is the Leader Accessories Folding Kayak Rack. It’s well-designed, easy to fit and feels durable enough to last years.
If you want to carry multiple kayaks or equipment with lots of protection, the IKURAM Kayak/Surf/Ski Roof Carrier Rack is hard to beat. It can take kayaks of any shape and size and keep them safe and free from damage until you reach the water.
