Yakima and Thule racks are awesome. They are the gold standard for carrying bikes, skis, kayaks, and basically anything you need for outdoor adventure. And both brands are on sale now!
We’ve used Yakima and Thule extensively. Shoot, one of our editors carried a 180-pound rooftop tent from Colorado to Alaska and back on Yakima core-bars mounted to the top of a Ford Ranger’s camper topper.
And it worked flawlessly, even overloaded with two adult humans and the tent, for a total of over 400 pounds.
Not recommended … but it still worked.
REI A-Sale: Yakima & Thule Roof Racks
Rooftop racks are expensive, but you can get yours at REI for 20 percent off. So if you’re in the market for an entire system or just a box, carrier, or locks, now’s the time to act.
Shop Car Racks on Sale NowBelow are a few of our favorite products. For more choices, browse other selections from Yakima or Thule.
Thule T2 Pro XT 2-Bike Hitch Rack
This is a very solid choice for carrying bikes on a hitch mount. The tough rack hauls two bikes with 20- to 29-inch wheels and up to 5-inch tires (read: fat-bikes) without adapters. A T2 Pro XT 2-Bike Add-On carrier can expand it to hold four bikes. It even folds out of the way to allow access to hatchback vehicles like the Subaru Outback.
Yakima Core Bars
Crossbars aren’t very sexy. But they are a nitty-gritty, critical element of a rooftop rack system. And the Yakima Core Bar is super burly with an aerodynamic shape. This is the bar that carried a heavy Tepui tent to Alaska and back for us. And it’s still going strong.
Don’t forget your towers to attach this to the vehicle. We used Yakima SkyLines and found them excellent. But every vehicle is different, so check with REI to figure out which works best for you car or truck.
Thule Force L Roof Box
Stop holding gear on your lap and sacrificing valuable snack cargo space. Get a roof box. The Thule Force L offers 16 cubic feet of storage space, enough for at least three people’s gear. Pack the Force L with tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, snowboards, and skis. Plus, the box fits on square or round bars, and on most factory roof racks.
Yakima JayHook Kayak Rack
Get to the water easier with Yakima’s side-loading JayHook kayak rack. At under 11 pounds, the JayHook won’t weigh down your vehicle or require tons of muscle to install. And the namesake J-design allows side-loading your kayak easier than traditional racks. The JayHook also comes with tie-downs to secure the craft, universal mounts to fit most roof racks, and padding to protect your kayak.
Looking for more REI gear deals? We did the hard work for you! Check out all of our REI Anniversary Sale gear deals here.
