The Best Ski and Snowboard Racks of 2026

Read Review: Powerful Grip, Slide-Out Tray: Küat Grip 6 Ski and Snowboard Rack Review

Bottom Line: The Küat Grip 4 pairs head-turning looks with genuinely smart design, from grippy, ski-friendly padding to a slide-out tray that keeps you from leaning against a dirty car. It’s pricey, but this is a premium rack you’ll happily leave on your roof winter after winter.

Elevating roof racks to the next level, the Küat Grip 4 ($429) deserves stadium applause. It looks fantastic with its glossy metallic powder coat, and it has the function to back it up. Two features set it apart from the pack: Küat’s GripLock rubber padding and a slide-out design that makes loading and unloading a breeze.

The Tech: At its core, a ski rack has one job: holding your skis or snowboards safely on your vehicle. Küat’s GripLock rubber lines the inside of the base and swinging arm, using a pattern of interlocking rubber “teeth” to pad and grip your bases and topsheets without damaging them, while still fitting skis and boards of different lengths, widths, and shapes. Once you unlock the rack and swing the arm open, a release tab lets the bottom tray slide out about two feet, so the rack extends away from the roof. An oversized handle (rather than a button) opens the rack, and a horizontal slider with clear pictorials confirms whether it’s locked. The Flip Mount system at the base includes a crossbar lock to secure the rack to your vehicle and a ski lock to secure your gear. The Grip 4 comes in three color combos: black metallic with gray anodize, gray metallic with orange anodize, and pearl with silver anodize.

What We Like: The GripLock teeth, which remind us of cartoonish gap-toothed grins, held our gear more securely than racks with a single long strip of rubber, and they look cool, too. The slide-out tray solves one of the most annoying parts of using a roof rack: leaning against a wet, grimy car to reach your skis. With the Grip, your gear comes to you, and your outfit stays clean. The Flip Mount was easy to install and use, and the keys are our favorite of any rack we’ve tested. They come on a key ring (unlike every other rack we tried) and have plastic-coated heads that are easier to grab and more comfortable in cold weather or with gloves on. Combined with the oversized handle and easy-to-read lock, this rack is simple to use even with mittens on. It’s the simple things.

What We Don’t: The only real downside is the price. At $429, the Grip 4 sits at the premium end of the ski rack market, and stepping up to the six-pair Grip 6 pushes the cost to $498.

Should You Buy? If you want a ski rack that’s as easy to use as it is good-looking, the Grip 4 is worth the investment. Need more room? Upgrade to first-class legroom with the Küat Grip 6. Either way, you’re getting a top-shelf rack you’ll want to leave on your car all winter long. And next winter. And the winter after that.

Bottom Line: The Malone Liftline Compact Ski Carrier is the cheapest and lightest ski rack we’ve tested, and it does the basic job of keeping your skis or boards secure at highway speeds. Just know that the low price comes with cheap-feeling materials, limited capacity, and no crossbar lock.

If you’re looking to get your skis on your roof without draining your bank account, the Malone Liftline Compact Ski Carrier ($150) packs a punch for your pocketbook. It’s small, and it’s not built from the most premium materials, but it’s still a great option for skiers who want a low-cost rack that gets the job done.

The Tech: The Liftline comes fully assembled out of the box and weighs just under 5 pounds. You can mount it two ways: with a universal adapter that attaches to your crossbars using hand screws, or directly to a compatible T-channel crossbar like the Thule AeroBlade. A large push button opens the rack, which holds itself open at 35 degrees and can extend past 90 degrees. Two clicks close it, and a lock keeps your gear secured. The rack is rated for three pairs of skis or two snowboards stacked.

What We Like: For the price, this rack does exactly what it needs to. It held our skis and boards securely at highway speeds, and the wide-opening arm makes loading and unloading easy. The install was simple for veteran ski rack tester Eric Phillips, and at under 5 pounds, it’s the lightest rack we’ve tested. Most importantly, it’s one of the most affordable racks on the market.

What We Don’t: The low price shows. There’s no crossbar lock, so someone could easily remove the rack from your car, even if it’s closed and locked. Tight clearance around the mounting knobs makes it hard to tighten them fully, and the rack has sharp plastic edges (we learned that the hard way with a paper-cut-style pinch). Capacity is tighter than advertised, too: we couldn’t fit three pairs of powder skis side by side without them rubbing, so plan on two powder skis and one narrower pair. The single, non-expanding hinge makes it tough to fit and close the rack over stacked snowboards, and the stiff rubber padding let our skis slide side to side even when locked down, which could lead to rubbing.

Should You Buy? If you want the lightest, cheapest rack on the market and can live without a crossbar lock or premium materials, the Liftline is a solid pick, and your bank statement won’t be disappointed. If you’re hauling multiple pairs of fat skis or want more security and refinement, it’s worth spending more.

Bottom Line: The Küat Switch 6 is a thoughtfully designed, bombproof ski rack that installs in minutes, locks down your gear and the rack itself, and flips flat against your roof when you’re not hauling skis. It doesn’t have the Grip’s slide-out convenience, but at $298, it’s the best combination of design and value we’ve found.

Every piece of Küat gear we’ve tested sparks the same reaction: “Wow, they really thought this through.” It’s clear the brand’s gear is designed by people who actually use it, from the clean aesthetic to the small details that make everyday use easier. The Küat Switch 6 ($298) is no exception, pairing a sleek design and easy installation with a price that’s tough to beat.

The Tech: The Switch’s standout feature is its folding design. The rack pivots 90 degrees, so it can stand upright to carry gear or fold down flush against your roof for a low-profile, aerodynamic ride when it’s empty. It arrives fully assembled, includes the tools you need to install it, and uses universal mounts compatible with round, square, and aero crossbars. The Switch 6 holds six pairs of skis or four snowboards, and an integrated ski lock and crossbar lock secure both your gear and the rack itself. If you need less space, the Küat Switch 4 ($219) carries four pairs of skis or two snowboards.

What We Like: Most of us leave our racks on all winter, but we spend far more time driving around town than heading to the hill. Folding the Switch flat makes those everyday drives quieter and more aerodynamic, which can help save on fuel while keeping road grime off your skis. Installation was quick and painless, and we found the capacity accurate, even with wider skis and snowboards. The keys and tools are best-in-class, with sturdy construction, plastic grip covers, and key rings that make them easy to use every day. And with both ski and crossbar locks, you can park anywhere without worrying about your gear.

What We Don’t: One of our testers had an issue with the rack not locking into its upright position when empty, though it didn’t affect how well it held gear. The Switch also lacks the slide-out tray of the Küat Grip 4, so you’ll need to reach over your roof to load and unload.

Should You Buy? If you want a secure, well-built rack that’s easy to install and stays out of the way when you’re not skiing, the Switch 6 is a fantastic value. If you’re willing to spend more for easier loading, the Küat Grip 4 is worth a look, but for most skiers, the Switch delivers everything you need at a much friendlier price.

Bottom Line: Built for skiers and riders whose gear keeps getting wider, the Yakima FatCat EVO 6 swallows up to six pairs of powder skis or four wide snowboards, thanks to an expandable hinge that makes room for big loads. It can be a wrestling match to close when it’s full, and the keys feel flimsy, but for powder hounds hauling fat planks, it’s one of the best racks around.

Do you love powder, and does the waist width of your skis grow each season? The Yakima FatCat EVO 6 ($399) stands out for its ability to carry fat skis and wide boards, and it’s proven itself to be one of our favorite racks out there. Yakima claims the FatCat has the widest range on the market, and in our testing, it backed that claim up.

The Tech: The FatCat holds up to six pairs of powder skis with tips as wide as 136 mm, or four snowboards. The key to that capacity is Yakima’s DoubleJoint hinge. Where a typical clamshell rack bends at a single hinge, like an elbow, the FatCat’s interior hinge bends and then pops up like an accordion, extending to make room for thick or stacked skis and boards. The rack’s sleek, low-profile shape is designed to be quieter and more aerodynamic, and it’s compatible with Yakima’s Same Key System (SKS), which lets you use one set of keys across all your Yakima products. It includes both ski locks and crossbar locks to deter theft.

What We Like: Capacity is the headline. Tester Eric Phillips, a snowboarder with big feet who rides wide boards, fit four powder boards with no problem. The DoubleJoint hinge lets you nestle gear close to the inner hinge and make the most of every inch. The aerodynamic design means you can leave the rack on unloaded without worrying about extra wind noise or drag, and its sleek black finish looks good on a wide range of vehicles.

What We Don’t: The expandable hinge relies on heavy springs, which made the rack tough to close and lock when it was fully loaded. The keys also don’t come on a key ring and feel flimsy compared to Küat’s sturdier keys with rigid heads.

Should You Buy? If you’re going wide underfoot, the FatCat EVO 6 is an easy pick. It maximizes space the way wide planks maximize float on a powder day. If you mostly ski narrower skis and want an easier-closing rack, there are simpler options, but for powder hounds with a growing collection of fat skis, this rack is hard to beat.

Bottom Line: The Yakima EXO SnowBank system is the most robust and versatile hitch setup we tested, swinging a full 180 degrees out of the way for unrestricted trunk access while hauling skis, boards, and a lockable 180-liter cargo box. It’s heavy, expensive, and comes with a pocketful of keys, but for families and full crews, it’s built to last a decade or more and works year-round.

Looking for a hitch ski rack that still gives you full access to your trunk? The best hitch racks tilt or swing away to let you reach the hatch, but many only open a narrow window, just enough to grab a few things. The Yakima EXO SnowBank ExoSystem Snow Mount ($2,206) is the only setup we’ve found that swings a full 180 degrees, giving you completely unrestricted access to the back of your vehicle.

The Tech: The EXO System is modular, and this setup stacks four separate pieces. The EXO SwingBase ($699) attaches to your hitch, and the EXO TopShelf ($479) adds an elevated second level. The EXO SnowBank ($379) ski and snowboard mount sits up top, while the EXO GearLocker ($649) cargo box rides below, adding 180 liters of enclosed storage. Like Lego bricks, the pieces clip together in whatever configuration you need. If you just want to get skis to the hill, the SwingBase and SnowBank alone will do the job. And with attachments like the EXO DoubleUp bike carrier and BackDeck, the system works year-round.

What We Like: Moving gear outside the vehicle frees up room for kids and passengers, which makes packing for a ski day far less of a puzzle. You can load skis and snowboards without lifting them over your head, and the GearLocker keeps helmets, boots, backpacks, and shells protected from the elements while staying within easy reach when the rack is swung open. As we’d expect from Yakima, every piece feels high quality, and this was the most robust construction of any rack we tested. We’re confident it could handle a decade or more of heavy use. We also prefer the elevated position the TopShelf provides, which keeps skis farther from road grime and flying debris than mounting the SnowBank directly on the SwingBase.

What We Don’t: Securing the full system takes a lot of keys, seven locks in all across the SwingBase and TopShelf arms, the ski mount, and the GearLocker lid. We’d recommend adding Yakima’s Same Key System (SKS) so one key fits everything; an eight-pack of lock cores runs just over $100. This was also the heaviest rack we tested and took two people to mount. With the TopShelf installed above it, the GearLocker’s lid couldn’t open all the way, though there was enough space to get inside, and the box lifts off easily if you need full access. Finally, we’d like to see a beefier hitch lock to keep the whole rack from being stolen off the vehicle.

Should You Buy? If you’re a family or a five-person crew looking to move gear out of the cabin, and you can swallow the price, this setup won’t disappoint. Its bombproof build, versatility, and year-round usefulness go a long way toward justifying the cost. If you just need to haul a few pairs of skis, a roof rack or a simpler hitch setup will save you serious money.

Bottom Line: Pairing the Thule Tram ski carrier with the Apex XT Swing bike rack gives you a hitch setup that hauls skis and snowboards all winter, then converts to carry four bikes once the snow melts. Setup is a bit of a puzzle and vertical loading takes some getting used to, but at roughly half the price of Yakima’s EXO system, it’s a smart, year-round investment for skiers who also ride.

If you’re a mountain biker who skis, this hitch combo is built for you. Together, the Thule Tram ($450) and Thule Apex XT Swing ($700) make a great hitch-mounted ski and snowboard rack with all the features you need, including a smooth swing-away arm for easy access to your hatch. And when spring arrives, you can convert it back to a bike rack and keep using it all summer.

The Tech: This two-piece system starts with Thule’s Apex XT Swing, a swing-away hitch bike rack. Add the Tram, and the bike rack converts to carry winter gear. The Tram uses an uncommon vertical A-frame design: Up top, horizontal arms close like a clamshell around your skis or snowboards, while the lower arms are lined with ultra-soft rubber strips that cradle the tails and use friction to hold everything in place once the top arms are cinched. An ergonomic push button opens and closes the rack, and a dual lock works with a single key that’s compatible with the Thule One-Key System. The setup carries four bikes in summer, or up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards in winter.

What We Like: Versatility is the big win here. One system covers bikes, skis, and snowboards, so you can use it nearly 365 days a year. At about half the price of the Yakima EXO SnowBank setup, it also won’t drain your savings. The push button was easy to operate with gloves on, and we appreciated not having to lift gear overhead like with a roof rack. Even on a Subaru Outback with tight bumper clearance, we could easily swing the arm open and lock it, giving us full access to the back of the car.

What We Don’t: Assembly was a slog. Thule’s pictograph-only manual took time to decipher, and we needed a T20 hex key and a Phillips-head screwdriver that weren’t included in the box. Loading skis and snowboards vertically also took a few tries to get used to, though we adapted quickly.

Should You Buy? If you bike in summer and ski in winter, the Tram and Apex XT Swing are a solid investment in a rack you’ll use year-round. If you don’t ride bikes, though, you’re paying for features you won’t use, and a dedicated ski rack will likely be a better value.

Bottom Line: The SeaSucker Classic Ski Rack uses powerful vacuum mounts instead of crossbars, so it attaches to almost any smooth vehicle surface in under a minute and comes off in seconds. It lacks a lock and is easy to steal, but if your vehicle doesn’t have crossbars or you only want a rack on ski days, it’s a clever, versatile solution.

Not every vehicle has crossbars, and not every skier wants a rack on their car all winter. The SeaSucker Classic Ski Rack ($425) solves both problems with an all-in-one rack and vacuum mounting system. We were skeptical at first, but these things really stick.

The Tech: Instead of clamping to crossbars, the SeaSucker uses vacuum mounts, each pull-rated for 210 pounds. They attach to any smooth, nonporous surface, including glass and metal, and work on slightly curved surfaces too, so the rack fits most cars, trucks, SUVs, convertibles, sports cars, and even campers or RVs. A simple finger pump on each mount creates the suction, and pull tabs release it instantly.

What We Like: Installation couldn’t be easier. We mounted the rack in under a minute, and removing it took just a second. That makes it perfect for skiers who’d rather not leave a rack on their vehicle all season: Just pop it on when you grab your skis. The mounting options are impressively flexible, too. We tried it on the side of our camper (though the roof worked much better), and its ability to handle slightly curved surfaces makes it a great fit for sports cars. Most of all, we were impressed by just how strong the suction is.

What We Don’t: The rack’s opening angle is a bit narrow, which made it tough to slide skis or snowboards into the back of the rack when it was mounted overhead, like on the roof of a truck or camper. Security is the bigger issue: The rack comes with a hole for a lock but no actual lock, and there’s no way to lock the vacuum cups, so someone could pop off the racks and your gear in seconds. And while it fits most vehicles, it needs a smooth surface; it wouldn’t work on the ribbed roofs of two of our test vehicles.

Should You Buy? If your vehicle doesn’t have crossbars, or you only want a ski rack on the day of your trip, the SeaSucker is a fantastic option. If you need a secure rack you can leave on your car while you’re on the hill, look for one with built-in ski and crossbar locks.

Bottom Line: The Thule Snowpack M isn’t the flashiest rack on the market, but it’s secure, durable, and compatible with a wide range of crossbars, and it simply works. It doesn’t stay fully open on its own and can be tough to reach on taller vehicles, but for skiers who want a dependable rack that will last for years, it’s a smart, well-rounded pick.

Some racks win you over with flashy features. The Thule Snowpack M ($370) wins you over by doing its job, day after day. Crested Butte-based gear tester Eric Phillips paired it with Thule aero crossbars on a Ford hatchback and logged hundreds of miles over a ski season hauling alpine skis, snowboards, and Nordic skis. The result? A polished, well-rounded rack that’s perfect for cars and SUVs, with beefy security and a sleek design.

The Tech: The Snowpack comes in two sizes: the M, which we tested, carries four pairs of skis, while a six-pair version runs $420, so you can match capacity to the number of seats in your vehicle. To mount it, you peel back the bottom layer of rubber to reveal the hardware, then tighten it down with a simple hand screw. On Thule crossbars, the rack mounts directly, and because the hardware is only accessible when the rack is unlocked, the ski lock secures the whole setup. For other crossbars, Thule includes an adjustable strap that grips nearly any bar, tightens with a knob, and locks with a second set of included lock cores. Optional low or high risers lift the rack off the roof for extra clearance, and an expanding hinge lets you double-stack skis or snowboards. The rack closes with three clasp settings for a secure hold.

What We Like: Above all, the Snowpack is dependable and durable. Installation was easy, especially with Thule crossbars, and the rack can be removed in under a minute. It attaches securely to both Thule and non-Thule bars, and the expanding hinge made double-stacking gear a breeze. We always locked it with all three clicks before hitting the highway, and our gear stayed put mile after mile.

What We Don’t: Thule’s instructions are pictures only, with no written captions, which left us scratching our heads at times (a quick YouTube video helps). When the rack was fully loaded, Phillips had to put his full weight into it to get all three clicks. The rack also doesn’t hold itself fully open, making it hard to reach skis or boards closest to the hinge, and on a taller SUV or truck, those can be tough to reach at all. Thule’s Extender version ($150 more) slides outward for better access. Finally, we noticed a slight whistle and a small drop in fuel economy at highway speeds when the rack was loaded.

Should You Buy? If you want a rack that mounts securely to Thule or aftermarket crossbars and will hold up for years, the Snowpack is a great choice. If you drive a tall vehicle or want easier access to every pair of skis, consider stepping up to the Extender version.

Bottom Line: The Rhino-Rack Ski and Snowboard Carrier #576 is an affordable, lightweight rack that installs easily, opens with a glove-friendly button, and holds its claimed six pairs of skis or four snowboards. It feels a bit flimsy and lacks a crossbar lock, but if saving money is your priority, it will reliably get your gear to the mountains.

Looking for a dependable roof rack that won’t break the bank? The Rhino-Rack Ski and Snowboard Carrier #576 ($230) is your right-hand man. It arrives fully assembled, weighs just 8.8 pounds, and packs a handful of thoughtful features into a budget-friendly package.

The Tech: The #576 comes fully assembled with tools included, and its universal mount attaches to most crossbars. A single large button (rather than a lever, like on the Küat Grip 4) and locking mechanism open and close the arm. The rack carries up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards, and its ski lock comes with simple metal keys and a lock core. If you own or plan to buy other Rhino-Rack gear, you can upgrade to Rhino-Rack’s MasterKey system, which lets one key work across all of your Rhino-Rack locks, similar to Yakima’s Same Key System (SKS). The rack is backed by a five-year warranty.

What We Like: Setup was painless. The lightweight design made it easy to lift and mount on our crossbars, and our shoulders thanked us for it. The big button and lock were easy to use with gloves on, which we especially appreciated during snow squalls and frigid temps. The rack lived up to its capacity claims, comfortably fitting six pairs of skis or four snowboards, and the five-year warranty adds peace of mind.

What We Don’t: There’s no crossbar lock, so anyone with the right tool could remove the entire rack from your car, even with your skis locked inside. The materials, including the universal crossbar mount, also feel a bit flimsy, though the rack stayed put and held our gear without issue.

Should You Buy? If you’re on a budget and want a simple, easy-to-use rack that holds plenty of gear, the Rhino-Rack #576 is a solid value. If you often leave your car parked in busy lots, consider stepping up to a rack with a crossbar lock for extra security.

Read Review: Simple, Straightforward, Low to the Ground: Gravirax GR-4 Ski and Snowboard Rack System Review

Bottom Line: The Gravirax GR-4 Adjustable Ski Rack is the easiest hitch rack we tested: Drop your skis into the tubes and go, no locks, latches, or lifting required. It has no integrated locks, carries skis only unless you add accessories, and is best for shorter drives, but for families shuttling skis around ski towns, it’s hard to beat for speed and simplicity.

Simple and straightforward, the Gravirax GR-4 Adjustable Ski Rack ($999) is the easiest hitch rack to use of any we tested. Around ski towns, you’ll spot these racks all over full-size SUVs running shuttles, and it’s easy to see why. Loading is as simple as dropping a pair of skis into a tube. That’s it. Even the kids can help.

The Tech: The GR-4 uses four heavy-duty plastic tubes with open tops, relying on gravity to hold up to four pairs of skis. It arrives ready to mount and attaches to your hitch receiver with a single bolt. Pull a simple pin, and the rack tilts away from your vehicle so you can reach the cargo area. The newly updated version is now adjustable, offering 72 hitch configurations to work around a rear-mounted spare tire or skip the tilt entirely to access your trunk, and it weighs 10 pounds less than the original. Gravirax also offers add-ons, including the Gravi Steel Snowboard Sleeve ($279), which holds one snowboard (up to two per rack), and the Gravirax Waterproof Adjustable Cover ($111), which keeps out road grime and snow and works with a cable lock. Need more capacity? Gravirax also makes six-ski and 10-ski models. Note: We’re currently testing the updated adjustable version and will share more findings soon; the rest of our impressions come from the previous model.

What We Like: Ease of use is unmatched. There’s no fiddling with locks, opening and closing clamps, or hoisting skis onto the roof. Assembly was also the simplest of any rack in our guide, requiring just one bolt. One person can easily tilt the rack down and back up, even when it’s fully loaded. And it’s built like a tank: You could leave this on your car year-round and probably use it as a bumper (but please don’t).

What We Don’t: The GR-4 is highway-safe, but for long drives at highway speeds, we’d trust a clamping hitch rack or roof rack more. There are no integrated locks, so leaving skis unattended at the trailhead or gas station is a gamble, and while the cover works with a cable lock, a fabric cover can still be cut. Without the cover, the open tubes collect road grime and can fill with snow while you’re out skiing. Snowboarders will need to buy the add-on sleeves, since the rack only holds skis on its own. On lower-clearance vehicles, the rack can hit the ground when fully tilted. Finally, the cover only fits the GR-4 (with or without snowboard sleeves) or the GR-6 without sleeves.

Should You Buy? If you’re a family of skiers looking to quickly shuttle alpine or Nordic skis short distances, the GR-4 is a fantastic, low-hassle option. If you regularly drive long highway miles, need built-in security, or ride a snowboard, a more traditional hitch or roof rack may be a better fit.

Bottom Line: The Thule SnowPack Extender slides out from the roof so you can load skis and boards without climbing on your running board or leaning against a dirty car. It’s not as far-reaching as the Küat Grip, the picture-only instructions are frustrating, and the latch feels flimsy when fully loaded, but it’s a secure, well-built rack that makes roof loading far less of a chore.

Also joining the no-sweat-to-load crowd is the Thule SnowPack Extender ($570). Like the Küat Grip, it uses a slide-out design that makes loading and unloading a roof rack far easier than the usual hoo-ha. And as you’d expect from Thule, which has been making roof racks for decades, it’s built with high-quality materials designed to last.

The Tech: The Extender’s headline feature is its slide-out design, which pulls the rack toward you so your gear is within easy reach. It carries up to six pairs of skis and features ultra-soft rubber arms that grip without scratching, oversized push buttons that are easy to use with gloves on, and high roof clearance for bulky bindings. Integrated ski and crossbar locks are compatible with the Thule One-Key System, and the rack fits most factory and aftermarket crossbars. (Quick refresher: Crossbars run side to side across your roof, and they’re what ski racks mount to. Roof rails run front to back, and they’re what the crossbars attach to.) Thule also puts its racks through extreme testing, including simulated wear and tear, crashes, and severe heat and cold.

What We Like: The slide-out makes a real difference. It doesn’t extend as far as the Küat Grip, but it reaches far enough that we didn’t have to lean against the vehicle or climb up its side, and our 5’9″ tester could load gear standing on the ground instead of the running board. The soft rubber arms protected our skis, the big buttons were easy to use with gloves, and the integrated locks gave us peace of mind at the trailhead.

What We Don’t: Installation was the biggest headache. Thule’s instructions use illustrations only, with no text, and we found them hard to follow, turning what should have been an easy install into a drawn-out ordeal. When the rack was fully loaded, the locking mechanism also felt flimsy as we cranked it closed.

Should You Buy? If you want a secure, durable roof rack that makes loading easier, especially on a taller vehicle, the SnowPack Grip is a solid way to get your gear to the groomers. If you want maximum reach, the Küat Grip slides out even farther, and for less money.

Bottom Line: The INNO L INA951 takes a fresh approach to roof racks, with two shorter, adjustable arms that open toward each side of the vehicle so you don’t have to stretch across the roof to load gear. The materials feel cheap and installation can be frustrating, but for occasional skiers in milder climates, it’s an affordable, secure, and easy-to-load option, especially on taller vehicles.

Traditional roof racks use two long clamshell arms that span the roof, which means you often have to stretch to tuck skis or snowboards in near the hinge. The INNO L INA951 ($249) flips that script with an uncommon two-sided design aimed at bigger vehicles and shorter skiers. You’ll load from both sides of the car, but you won’t have to reach nearly as far to do it.

The Tech: Instead of one long rack, the INA951 uses two shorter clamshell arms with their hinges facing each other in the center of the roof, each opening toward the running board on its side of the vehicle. The gap between the arms is adjustable, so you can position each one close to the edge of your roof for easier reach. A universal clamp attaches to most crossbars, tightened with a plastic handle. The rack sits a bit higher than most, leaving plenty of room for tall bindings or double-stacked snowboards, and it includes integrated ski and crossbar locks. INNO also sells spare parts for every piece of the rack directly.

What We Like: The two-sided design really shines on deeper or taller vehicles, like full-size trucks, where you’d otherwise have to climb halfway up the side to load or unload. Instead, just walk around to the other side, or better yet, load your skis while your passengers load theirs. The extra roof clearance is a welcome bonus for bulky bindings and stacked boards, and the integrated ski and crossbar locks provide peace of mind. We also appreciate being able to order replacement parts straight from INNO.

What We Don’t: The materials, including the hardware and rack body, feel low-end. This was the only rack where bolts stripped during assembly, which dinged its install rating. The clamp also didn’t feel as secure as other roof racks, thanks largely to a flimsy plastic handle that bowed under the leverage needed to tighten it down. Nerve-wracking.

Should You Buy? If you’re careful during installation, ski a few times a season, and live somewhere with milder winters, the INA951 is a functional, load-friendly design at a good price, especially for taller vehicles. If you ski often or deal with harsh winter conditions, a more robust rack will be worth the extra money.

Bottom Line: The Yakima FreshTrack 4 is an affordable, lightweight roof rack that installs without tools, fits most crossbars, and includes a clever riser for extra binding clearance. It lacks a crossbar lock, so the whole rack is easy to steal, but for skiers who want a simple, budget-friendly way to get gear to the hill, it’s a solid pick.

Simplicity is the name of the game with the Yakima FreshTrack 4 ($269). This lightweight roof rack offers an affordable way to get four pairs of skis or two snowboards, side by side, to the powder stash, and it’s about as easy to install as roof racks get.

The Tech: The FreshTrack 4 uses a universal, tool-free clamp that works with round, square, factory, and most aero crossbars. Its integrated SkiLift attachment raises one side of the rack a few inches, tilting it into a triangular profile for extra clearance over tall bindings or stacked snowboards. To use it, you’ll need to install a fixed riser, which stays in place rather than folding down on the fly. Integrated ski locks are compatible with Yakima’s Same Key System (SKS), so one key can work across all your Yakima gear, handy if you add a second rack for another vehicle.

What We Like: Installation is a breeze, with no tools required, and the universal mount fits most vehicles. We love the SkiLift, which adds welcome clearance for bulky bindings or snowboards. The rack’s light weight makes it easy to handle, and its price is easy on your savings account.

What We Don’t: While the FreshTrack 4 locks your skis or boards to the rack, it has no crossbar lock, unlike the Yakima FatCat EVO 6. That means anyone with a hex wrench and 10 minutes could make off with the whole setup. The SkiLift also requires a fixed riser, so you can’t raise or lower it on the fly.

Should You Buy? If you want an affordable, easy-to-use rack that fits most vehicles and carries a modest load, the FreshTrack 4 is a great choice. If you often park in busy lots or want to leave gear unattended for long stretches, consider a rack with an integrated crossbar lock.