16 Best Kayak Racks in 2023

The V-saddle rack is not your typical type of tool, but Malone made it stand out from the crowd by incorporating hi-tech elements into its design.

The SeaWing saddle not only saves space, but also provides you with the opportunity to fit two kayaks on the roof instead of one. This comes in handy for families or friends where no one is willing to be left out of the water activity.

The Jawz mounting hardware is compatible with oval, round, and square cross rails. The buckle protectors along with load straps allow you to transport your equipment in a safe and sound manner. To ensure the ultimate security, you can utilize the stern tie-downs and a safety bow.

This kayak rack is able to withstand gear seven times its weight, which is impressive for a tool of these dimensions. It acts as a roof extender for your vehicle that will last you a long time due to the abrasion-resistant Nylon. Attach it to your roof and you will instantly have sufficient space for all your extra baggage.

This lift system by Thule can be of great help to you if you are planning on solo kayaking. The Hullavator might seem pricey at first, but when you evaluate the benefits of having a tool that allows you to load and unload your gear without any assistance, it becomes a worthy investment.

You can secure your kayak to the roof as well as to the side of your vehicle – that’s how versatile this rack is. The gas-assisted struts can hold up to 40 pounds of weight, which helps you to safely lift your kayak and load it onto the car where you can then tightly secure it.

The cradles can expand to up to 36 inches wide in order to fit the wider hulls. They also feature eight padded points of contact that provide your equipment with the required protection.

The hardware is constructed from the double-coal steel and is coated with a corrosion-resistant layer of aluminum that adds up to the longevity of the tool.

Low cost doesn’t always mean low quality – this is what the TMS J-Bar kayak rack was able to prove. Designed to act as a carrier for kayaks, canoes, bikes, and surfboards, it is built to be compatible with almost every type of crossbars.

Its steel construction combined with the adjustable padding allows you to securely mount your gear without putting too much effort into loading and unloading.

Your kayak can be attached to its side, which gives plenty of room for transporting more than just one piece of equipment. Make use of the straps that come with the rack to safely store your gear on the roof. The majority of kayaks will fit onto this rack as it can accommodate equipment up to 36-inches wide and 75-pounds heavy.

The manufacturer made sure to include 2 sets of racks for your disposal and granted a lifetime warranty that makes the deal as appealing as it can be.

This lift system by Thule can be of great help to you if you are planning on solo kayaking. The Hullavator might seem pricey at first, but when you evaluate the benefits of having a tool that allows you to load and unload your gear without any assistance, it becomes a worthy investment.

The rugged steel construction of the rack is equipped with the adjustable padding that helps you place the gear in your preferred position.

You don’t need a specific brand of crossbars in order to fit this rack on them. Most flat, oval, square, and round crossbars will work. The mounting hardware along with the straps is included, so there is no need to purchase anything separately.

Feel free to load your rack with equipment weighing up to 165 pounds (!) and embark on your kayaking adventure with the peace of mind that nothing will fall off the rack along the way.

Perhaps the award of the most low-maintenance kayak rack goes to the one released by YAKIMA. It allows you to transport your gear on its side, which frees up room for another kayak (amounting to 110 pounds weight capacity for both). Or, if you prefer transporting your equipment in the J-cradle position, one kayak. of up to 80 pounds can easily be stacked onto the rack.

The padded contact points provide you with the much-needed grip and security required for backcountry roads that tend to be bumpy. All the necessary hardware including the straps is there, which eliminates the need for additional purchases.

It won’t take you more than 10 minutes to install the roof rack either – the assembling is as easy as ABC.

When you are not using your kayak rack, you can fold the cradles flat and leave them on the roof. This saves your time on removing the rack from the vehicle every time it’s not being used and storing it in the garage.​

There isn’t anything else on the market that is this low-maintenance – the HandiRack inflatable kayak rack is the clear winner in the category. It is compatible with all types of vehicles ranging from sedans and crossovers to SUVs and 5-door vehicles.

The inflatable mechanism behind the tool means that, when not required, , you can deflate it and pack it in a small bag. The cam buckles integrated into the rack are super strong – the risk of losing the attached equipment is extremely low. The D-Rings further ensure the secure attachment with the straps that come with the rack.

You don’t need any external tools to install the rack – the User Manual included in the packaging is easy to comprehend. No side rails or gutters are required for the roof bars, which eliminates the extra costs involved in transporting your water equipment.

Whether it be canoes, winter sports gear, or furniture, you can wholeheartedly rely on this rack to do the job of safely transporting it.

With aluminum construction and universal mounting hardware, Malone Downloader J-style kayak rack presents the hi-tech tool you didn’t know you needed.

The space-saving rack is just as efficient as other cradle-type racks if not more – the fold-down mechanism used for preserving the quality of the toll is in place.

You can easily carry a load weighing up to 75 pounds and not worry about it slipping off the roof or damaging the vehicle. The ‘loading ramp’ integrated into the rack’s construction helps to push the heavy craft, which is handy for when there is no assistance available.

The rack comes with 2 sets of hex bolts that can accommodate crossbars of all kinds. Regardless of the shape of your crossbars, you will be able to securely transport your stuff without risking to damage it.

If you are a water sports enthusiast who tends to carry different pieces of equipment every day, the Thule Dockglide kayak saddle rack is your solution.

This system features pivoting saddles that are independent of each other and can be leveraged to the desired angle. It allows you to adjust them in accordance with the gear’s size and shape without having to compromise safety.

Additionally, the large and flexible cushioned pads help in preserving the integrity of the gear and of the vehicle. To carry your gear that is 36 inches wide and 85 pounds heavy, place it in the horizontal position and you are good to go.

The center load straps are equipped with rubber buckle straps that tightly secure your craft. There will be no damage done to the paintwork of the water gear, which is usually the first to show signs of wear and tear.

Auto Body Now (ABN) released a water gear tool that allows you to carry your craft from A to B at an attractive price. This competitive advantage makes it a stand-out participant in the market of water tools.

Built from the qualitative steel coated with a rust-resistant layer, helps to prevent scratches and potential damages to your vehicle. The wide frame mouth has padding to ensure easy loading and unloading, while also protecting your craft from potential dents.

You can transport your water gear on its side, which frees up the room for up to 4 racks stacked on the roof of your car. The round bars and cargo rails work perfectly well with this rack.

The process of mounting the rack to the crossbars will require a bit of work from your side (you’ll need a wrench to tighten the screws), but not too much of your time. Even those with zero experience operating with tools will be able to securely attach the rack.

Rhino Nautic 570 is the typical saddle type rack that comprises four rubber cradles equipped with three grip-infused joints for watercraft securing. The system is reminiscent of the 2 claws holding from under the gear.

You can load your kayak from the side – the pads have the power to swivel 180-degrees, thus enabling you to pull one claw towards the side of the vehicle, load your gear onto it, and then roll the kayak back into the transporting position. With this mechanism in use, you don’t need a ladder or an extra set of hands, you can load your equipment onto the vehicle’s roof all by yourself.

The pads located on the cradles can accommodate almost any hull shape, although it will take some time to find the best mounting position for your boat to stay secure throughout the entire trip.

With 5 years of warranty in place, there is just no way you won’t reap all the benefits of owning a versatile saddle rack like this

Rack up your water adventures’ is the motto the manufacturer of the RaxGo adopted in order to draw the attention of outdoor enthusiasts. And it worked! The Premium-quality folding kayak has now become the ‘go-to’ of many kayakers and surfers who need to transport their gear weighing up to 165 pounds on a continuous basis.

The racks (the set contains 2 of them) are made from the rugged steel that prevents rust from developing and prolong the life of the racks. They work with T-slider bars as well as with the crossbars – almost any type of the vehicle’s roof arrangement can be accommodated.

You don’t need to have any prior experience to install the racks as all the necessary prerequisites in the form of the diagrams included in the instructions come in the set. The straps don’t need to be purchased separately – the 4-point security design takes care of it all. Your only job is to attach the rack or two to your car’s roof and be ready for the water-instilled adventure that awaits you.

Built from the epoxy powder-coated steel, AA-Racks J-Bar kayak roof rack can become your best buddy for long travels.

You can stack it on your vehicle’s roof in a matter of minutes and stuff your water gear for trouble-free transportation. Even if your equipment weighs over 100 pounds, you can still load it onto the roof, and rest assured it will stay put throughout the entire drive.

The rubberized base along with the foam cushion ensures no dents result from the long drive, while the reinforced cargo strap patches guarantee the secure state of your load. Simply attach the carrier to the roof rack rails, strap your equipment down, and you are ready to conquer the ocean, lake, or any other water of your choice.

Once you are back from your trip, fold your rack down and store your car in the garage without having to remove it. It’s that easy

If you are looking for a roof rack that can transport one kayak at a time, the Rola J-Style rack is the one. Crafted from the powder-coated steel that is abrasion- and rust-resistant, this tool won’t get damaged as a result of the wet gear attached to it.

The integrated straps secures the kayak in place and won’t allow it to slip off in the middle of the drive. The loading process is straightforward – you don’t need outside assistance to stack your water equipment onto the rack.

Your job entails lifting the kayak, securing it into the rack’s hooks, and fasten it with straps. The foam pads along with the high-quality stern tie-downs ensure your craft is protected no matter what course the weather takes on the day you decide to go kayaking.

Surely, you will pay a little more for the brand’s reputation and the quality of the tool, but it is an investment that will pay off sooner than later.

You have probably noticed the frequency of J-Cradle style roof racks appearing in this guide – and rightfully so.

They are proving to be reliable, versatile, and, most importantly, suits every budget.. Vault Cargo’s kayak roof rack is exactly that – it has all the essential and non-essential features you would expect from a high-quality tool.

It is made from the heavy-duty aluminum that is further equipped with soft, foam-lined bars for additional protection. The risk of corrosion is minimized thanks to the manufacturer’s decision to coat it with a first-rate material.

The racks can be folded down when not in use, which means you can keep them on your vehicle’s roof all year long. The two adjustable lashing straps are included in the packaging, thus eliminating the need for you to make separate purchases.

Pro tip: In case your car doesn’t have crossbars, check out Vault Cargo’s Universal Roof Rack crossbars model – you can save 10% on the combo.

Beefy’ is the perfect adjective to use in relation to this Hull-A-Port rooftop rack designed by Thule. You wouldn’t know whether it’s a kayak transporting accessory, or a gym machine – that’s how hefty it looks. Not surprisingly, this tough exterior reflects the quality of the rack.

Its steel construction has adjustable padding that provides the carrying strength and protection about which not many other roof racks can boast. This model features a tool-free installation: the two cradles can be rapidly mounted via a set of bolts and knobs on basically every roof rack and round crossbars.

The two straps that come with the rack can be used to secure the ends of the kayak to the roof rack and further fastened with hooks and ratcheting attachments. You have pockets for stuffing with loose straps ends and a PFD (pull, fold, down) lever for quick folding.

Although there’s no locking system in place, you can purchase one from Thule Cargo or wrap a wire around the equipment. Once you are all set, you can head out for your cross-country kayaking trip.

Not everyone needs a full-on gym-resembling device to transport their water gear – sometimes a smaller roof rack like the Sea-Wing one by Great Lakes is more than enough.

For those who are planning on carrying their sea kayaks that are less than 30 inches in width, this model of a roof rack is perfect.

The best part is that you don’t even need any tools for installing the rack – every accessory is already included. This means that you can set up the entire thing in a matter of minutes, thus not wasting a lot of time on the assembly and saving it for the actual kayaking.

The rack is designed to prevent any potential scratches and dents that are often occurring with roof racks. This type of roof rack is best suited for watercraft that has a defined keel or has a V-shape hull.

Regardless of what crossbars your vehicle has, chances are this Wing-Sea kayak rack will be compatible with it.