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When heading off on a trip, it’s important to make sure all of your gear is stored and transported properly and safely. Unless you happen to have a very long car, you’re likely to find yourself strapping your snowboard to the roof of your car.
But this can be a bit of a difficult job. As snowboards are so thin and slimline (as is their whole point), it isn’t easy to keep them in one place.
Tying them down with rope or some kind of straps won’t work properly and you run the risk of them slipping off the roof which will be a nuisance and potentially cause an accident on the road.
If you don’t secure your board properly, you might also end up damaging it and costing yourself a lot of money for no good reason. Cutting corners will cause you more problems in the long run, so the best option is to invest in a roof rack.
There are a lot of different options available and they can vary greatly in price, only suit certain cars, and fit different numbers of boards. So, to help you out, we’ve put together a list of the best available roof racks for snowboards, so you can pack up and hit the slopes in no time.
Top Pick
Heading out soon and don’t have time to browse? No problem, here’s our top pick for the best roof rack for snowboards.
- Affordable
- Multiple capacity sizes available
- Available in two colors
- Affordable
- Fits most vehicles
- Easy to install
- Affordable
- Multiple sizes available
- Rust and corrosion resistant
1. Thule SnowPack Ski/Snowboard Rack
Our top pick for the best roof rack for snowboards is the Thule SnowPack rack. Thule is a well-known and reliable brand so you know that you will be getting a good quality product.
The majority of snowboard roof racks will fit 4 snowboards. But, if you’re just going alone or with another person, you don’t need that much space. This Thule roof rack is available in a medium or large so can fit either 2 or 4 boards.
It is also available in 2 colors, either silver or black, so you can match it to your car (or have it stand out, whichever you prefer). This is not a common feature but is great if you have the roof rack on for a lot of the year, and don’t want to have something ugly and unattractive attached to your vehicle for long periods of time.
A useful feature of this roof rack is the anti-theft system. This system locks the snowboards to the carrier and also locks the carrier to the rack.
This roof rack also has an integrated vertical spring system which reduces the carrier height and means that it can be used for snowboards of varying thicknesses.
- Affordable
- Multiple capacity sizes available
- Available in two colors
- Can be noisy when driving due to wind
- Expensive
2. Car Rack & Carrier Ski Car Rack
This roof rack is the most affordable option on this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s the lowest quality.
One of the best features of this roof rack is just how much it can be used for. This roof rack will fit most cars (always double-check that the rack will actually fit your car!) and can contain 4 snowboards.
This roof rack is made from a strong aluminum that is durable and corrosion-resistant. This means that no matter the weather you find yourself in, you won’t have to worry about your boards getting stuck. This is great not only for longevity, but also because you don’t want to find yourself unable to unpack your snowboards. If you purchase a snowboard roof rack that reacts badly to water and low temperatures (this may sound surprising but it does happen), then you’re going to be pretty stuck.
Despite being made from strong aluminum, you won’t have to worry about the metal scratching or damaging your board. To protect the finish of your snowboard, this roof rack has rubber arms that have a tight enough grip to keep them in place, but not so tight that you will worry about damage.
Able to be opened with just the press of the button, this roof rack is easy to use and won’t involve any unscrewing or unbuckling to take your snowboards out.
Although the key lock adds extra security, it can also be a drawback as you cannot properly shut the rack without locking it. So, make sure you don’t lose the key!
That said, this can also be a good thing if you’re concerned about how secure the roof rack is. If you know that you have locked it, and that it won’t open unless unlocked, you won’t be driving along with the paranoia that it could pop open any second.
- Affordable
- Fits most vehicles
- Easy to install
- Cannot be used without the key
3. Rhino-Rack Ski & Fishing Rod Carrier
Although this roof rack can’t be classified as “cheap”, it is definitely one of the more affordable options on this list. Snowboard roof racks are expensive products so you really need to make sure you’re getting exactly what you need and want when you’re purchasing.
One of the most unique aspects of this roof rack is that it is available in four different lengths. This is really great if you’re taking multiple boards with you as you know they will all fit. It’s also great if you only have one or two boards as you won’t be wasting space or worrying that they will be too loose.
This also means that you don’t have to invest in a roof rack that will take up the whole width of your car roof when you’re only taking two snowboards. So, you will be able to pack much more on top with all of the extra space.
One downside of this great feature is that the price does rise significantly as the rack gets bigger. This is unfortunate but is to be expected.
As is common with many snowboard roof racks, there is a large release button so the rack can be easily opened with gloved hands. But, this is only easy if you have the key. This roof rack has great security features as it is locked with only one key.
- Affordable
- Multiple sizes available
- Rust and corrosion resistant
- Price varies depending on size
4. YAKIMA – PowderHound 6 Ski & Snowboard Mount
With an integrated Same Key System, this is a very secure roof rack. The potential of having your snowboard stolen is unfortunately something that needs to be considered. If your roof rack is too easy to get into or if you haven’t secured your snowboards properly, then they could easily be removed.
With this Same Key System, you can be sure that your snowboards are secure and that you are the only one who will be able to access them.
One thing that is difficult when it comes to roof racks is actually taking whatever you have stored on top of your car down. Even if you have a small car, reaching over and trying to take something heavy and long (such as a snowboard) from the roof can be difficult. Due to the OverHang clamp featured on this roof rack, you can easily reach your snowboards.
This is made even easier with the large release button, so you can remove your snowboards even when you’re wearing gloves or mittens.
- Fits most vehicles
- OverHang clamp makes for easy access
- Easy, tool-free installation
- Can be noisy when driving due to wind
5. AA Products 33” Aluminum Universal Ski Roof Rack
This roof rack is very similar to the Thule SnowPack and, as it is currently the cheaper option, it could almost be described as a dupe. This is great if you want the style of the Thule roof rack without the price, but remember that dupes are not always of the same quality as the original.
This is a pretty standard and reliable roof rack as it can fit up to 4 snowboards. It also has soft rubber arms that will keep your boards in place without scratching. It is made from durable aluminum and is corrosion resistant, so it won’t be prone to rust (which is exactly what you need for snowy weather).
- Fits most cars
- Affordable
- Durable construction
Best Roof Rack for Snowboards – Buyers’ Guide
Size and Capacity
The capacity of roof racks can vary, but most will be able to carry either 2 or 4 snowboards. If you need more space, then there are some available that can be extended to carry more. But, you really shouldn’t buy one in the hopes of fitting in more than suggested.
You can also find snowboard roof racks that come in varying sizes, but these will usually vary greatly in price. In general, if you need more capacity then you should expect to pay for it.
But, this is actually a good thing. It means that you will only be paying for what you need. It can be disappointing when you think that you’ve found a deal and then alter the sizing to find it is much more expensive in the size that you need.
But, if you’re looking for something that only fits a board or two, then you don’t need to spend all that much. Roof racks may often be described as “universal” but that isn’t always the case, so don’t feel like you have to settle.
Finding a snowboard rack that fits both your car and your boards is so important as you don’t want to risk damaging either of those precious and pricey products.
As well as making sure you don’t buy something too big, you should double-check you’re not buying anything too small. No matter how tempting it is, don’t buy a small rack because it is cheaper and think that you will be able to just squeeze more in.
If you try to squeeze more than the suggested number into the roof rack, then you risk breaking the rack and damaging, potentially completely breaking, the boards. You also run the risk of the roof rack not closing properly. If you don’t close the roof rack securely enough, it could pop open while you’re on the road which can be a scary situation.
It might also result in your boards being stolen as a roof rack that isn’t closed properly will be easy to open. If you buy a roof rack that is too small, you might not be able to close it at all. You really don’t want to find yourself packing up the car only to discover that the roof rack won’t close properly. You will have wasted a lot of money (as roof racks are certainly not cheap) and this situation could result in you having to delay setting off, if you manage to set off at all. Don’t ruin your vacation by trying to cut corners or save money by purchasing a roof rack that is too small.
On the Roof vs. In the Car
Strapping anything to the roof of your car can be a bit nerve-racking (pun not intended but it’s there) as they can become damaged and you really need to be able to trust that the roof rack is of good quality.
If the roof rack is of poor quality, then you run the risk of either damaging your snowboards or them falling off. So you really need to make sure that you’re investing in a roof rack that will keep your snowboards safe. Not only from the rack becoming loose but also from scratches and dents.
Good quality roof racks will have rubber coverings on the metal bars so that they won’t scratch or mark the snowboards.
Installation
Installing a snowboard roof rack is pretty simple, but there are a few things you need to know beforehand.
Although many roof racks are described as universal, this is not necessarily true. Although they will fit most, roof racks may not fit every single make and model, so make sure that you double-check sizing before purchasing. Some snowboard roof racks come in multiple sizes, so make sure you buy a rack that fits your roof bars and won’t interfere with your field of vision.
Another thing to consider is what style of roof rack you’re going to buy. Some will come with roof bars included, whereas others will only be the section that fits the snowboards themselves.
If you don’t already have roof bars, you may need to purchase these beforehand. Always check exactly what it is that you are buying. If the price seems surprisingly low, double-check that you’re not looking at covers or pads.
Snowboard roof rack pads look very similar to actual roof racks, so read the description carefully before purchasing.
Roof Rack Pads
Roof rack pads are not needed for snowboard roof racks. Roof rack pads look very similar to snowboard roof racks and are often shown alongside them in adverts and when you search for any kind of roof rack.
But don’t be confused, roof rack pads are used to buffer anything stored on the roof and will get in the way of snowboard roof racks. So don’t think that they will protect your boards at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a roof rack damage my snowboard?
It shouldn’t and, if it does, you need to ask for your money back. Using a roof rack to transport your snowboards isn’t just more practical, it can actually be safer.
Instead of shoving your boards into the car along with all of your other luggage and fellow passengers, you can keep them separate in the rack.
A roof rack will keep your snowboards from the risk of them being scratched, having someone unintentionally place their luggage on top, and from them not fitting properly.
It relieves the potential for you to reach the slopes and open the car to find your snowboards have been scratched, dented, or even cracked and broken.
Can a roof rack damage my car?
Again, it shouldn’t! Roof racks are designed to make travel easier and damaging your car is not a way of doing this.
A roof rack may potentially damage your car if you don’t buy one intended for your make and model. Many roof racks are universal but don’t just take that as a given.
Always double-check measurements and size requirements before purchasing and definitely before trying to fit them to your car.
Is it safe to keep snowboards in a roof rack?
Roof racks are designed to keep your snowboard safe. It will stop it from being shoved into the back of your car where it could potentially be damaged.
It also keeps it safe as many are locked with a single key. This gives a bit of added security as only the person with the key can open it. This also means that you can be sure that your boards are secure as the rack won’t close properly unless you lock it.
So you know that if you have locked it, then you’re good to go.
