Outdoors & Fitness
The Best Ski and Snowboard Roof Racks: 4 Compared (and One to Skip)
We compared four roof-mounted ski and snowboard carriers on capacity, locking, crossbar fit, loading reach and the load limits each maker states.
The short version
Yakima's FatCat EVO 6 is our top pick: six pairs or four snowboards, integrated locks, and a hinge made for fat skis and tall bindings. Rhino-Rack's 3-pair carrier is the value pick, with built-in key locking, a clamp that fits a long list of bar types, and a 5 year warranty. Thule's SnowPack Extender is the one that depends: its slide-out arms save your shoulders on a tall vehicle, but it is the heaviest and priciest, and the page was unclear on stock. Menabo's Igloo magnetic carrier is the skip: it only grips steel roofs, has no anti-theft on this model, and comes with a stack of speed and time limits. No maker we checked states a roof box or sunroof clearance figure, so measure before you buy. Best for: most skiers with crossbars already on the car.
Our picks at a glance
- Yakima FatCat EVO 6 - Buy. A six-pair roof carrier with a hinge that handles fat skis and tall bindings, integrated locks, and a clamp that fits most crossbar shapes.
- Rhino-Rack Ski and Snowboard Carrier (3 Skis or 2 Snowboards) - Buy. A compact, lockable three-pair carrier that clamps to a long list of bar types and carries a five-year warranty.
- Thule SnowPack Extender - It depends. A six-pair carrier whose arms slide out so you can load without leaning over the roof.
- Menabo Igloo Magnetic Ski Rack - Skip. A two-pair magnetic carrier with no crossbars needed, held on by magnets alone and limited to steel roofs.
The verdict in 30 seconds
What mattered most
- Stated capacity
- Loading style
- Locking
- Mounting
- Crossbar fit stated
- Weight
A ski carrier is a simple box of clamping arms, but the details decide whether you fight it every trip: how many pairs it holds, whether it locks, which crossbars it fits, and whether you can load it without climbing on the car. We looked at current carriers from Yakima, Rhino-Rack, Thule and Menabo, using each maker's own product page. Two earn a buy, one suits a specific buyer, and a budget magnetic carrier is one most people should pass on. If you would rather carry skis out of the weather, see our roof cargo box review, and for the trip itself see our ski bag review.
A six-pair roof carrier with a hinge that handles fat skis and tall bindings, integrated locks, and a clamp that fits most crossbar shapes.
Best for: Families or groups with fat skis, tall bindings and mixed skis and boards who want one big locking carrier on a standard crossbar setup.
- Carries six pairs of skis (up to 136 mm wide at the tip) or four snowboards, the biggest stated capacity of the four.
- Integrated SKS locks come with it, and Yakima lists a large button that is easy to work with gloves on.
- The tool-free clamp fits round, square, factory and most aerodynamic bars, and Yakima's SkiLift and DoubleJoint hinge are aimed at tall bindings and thick skis.
- It is fixed-arm only, so you reach over the roof to load it; the OverHang clamp position moves the mount outward but it is not a drawer.
- At 40.5 inches long and 12.75 lb it takes real roof space, so check it against your bar spread (12 to 36 inches) and any roof box.
- Yakima's page gives no load rating, and some owner reviews call installation harder than advertised and question the plastic clamp ladder.
- T-slot bars need the SmarT-Slot Kit 2, which is sold separately.
A compact, lockable three-pair carrier that clamps to a long list of bar types and carries a five-year warranty.
Best for: Couples or small groups who want a secure, fairly priced carrier and have an existing crossbar setup from almost any brand.
- Rhino-Rack lists a universal clamp for its own bars and for most non-Rhino bars, and the compatibility list names Thule, Yakima round bar and Whispbar.
- Key locking is built in and the lock is MasterKey compatible, with release mechanisms designed for gloved hands.
- The 5 year warranty is clearly stated, and at 4.5 lb it is the lightest of the three roof-bar carriers here.
- Rhino-Rack lists 3 pairs of skis or 2 snowboards in the description, but an FAQ on the same page says it is designed to fit one snowboard, so confirm before buying for boards.
- The page leaves the load rating blank and gives no opening or roof clearance figure.
- Some fits need an extra kit (the Heavy Duty, Prorack Trade and Thule Professional bars need the HD-FK1), and it is fixed-arm with no drawer.
- Dimensions are only partly listed (internal length 12.8 inches, widths missing), so measure your bar spread against the instructions.
A six-pair carrier whose arms slide out so you can load without leaning over the roof.
Best for: Owners of tall vehicles or anyone with a bad shoulder or back who loads skis alone and will use the reach advantage every trip.
- The slide-out design is described as extendable for loading and unloading without stretching over the car roof, which matters on tall SUVs and vans.
- Thule lists up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards, One-Key locks included, and the ability to lock the skis to the rack and the rack to the car.
- It fits Thule rack systems, round bars and most factory racks, with T-Track and Speed-Link options, and the raised design clears tall bindings.
- At 16.5 lb it is the heaviest roof-bar carrier here, and it costs at the top of the group.
- The page shows both in stock and temporarily out of stock messages, so check availability before you plan around it.
- Thule's page gives no load rating and no roof box or sunroof clearance figure.
- The product image shows the carrier closed, so the benefit of the extender is not obvious until you use it.
A two-pair magnetic carrier with no crossbars needed, held on by magnets alone and limited to steel roofs.
Best for: Occasional day-trippers with a flat steel roof, two pairs of skis and no roof bars who accept the roof and speed limits.
- It needs no crossbars or tools, and Menabo lists a quick-release ring for removing it.
- At 2.6 kg it is very light and easy to store compared with any roof-bar carrier.
- Menabo is a real maker with its own product page, spec data and a listed range up to a three-pair model with anti-theft.
- Menabo says the magnets only grip steel, so it will not fit glass or aluminium roofs, and it needs a flat steel area at least 125 cm long.
- The maker's listed limits include 130 km/h for skis, a 36 hour maximum on the roof, a clean and dry roof, and a safety strap hooked inside the door frame, which is a lot of rules for a long drive.
- The Igloo is listed without anti-theft, unlike the Himalaya, Shark and Aconcagua, so skis are not locked to the car.
- Capacity is two pairs and skis only, and the stated 14 kg load figure is smaller than the bar-mounted carriers' capacity.
| Criteria | Yakima FatCat EVO 6 Top pick | Rhino-Rack Ski and Snowboard Carrier (3 Skis or 2 Snowboards) | Thule SnowPack Extender | Menabo Igloo Magnetic Ski Rack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Buy it | Buy it | It depends | Skip it |
| Best for | Families or groups with fat skis, tall bindings and mixed skis and boards who want one big locking carrier on a standard crossbar setup. | Couples or small groups who want a secure, fairly priced carrier and have an existing crossbar setup from almost any brand. | Owners of tall vehicles or anyone with a bad shoulder or back who loads skis alone and will use the reach advantage every trip. | Occasional day-trippers with a flat steel roof, two pairs of skis and no roof bars who accept the roof and speed limits. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range | $$$ · premium | $ · budget |
| Stated capacity | 6 pairs or 4 snowboards | 3 pairs or 2 snowboards (FAQ says one board) | 6 pairs or 4 snowboards | 2 pairs of skis |
| Loading style | Fixed arm, hinged | Fixed arm | Slide-out arms | Lifted on and off by hand |
| Locking | SKS locks included | Key locking, MasterKey compatible | One-Key locks included | No anti-theft on this model |
| Mounting | Tool-free clamp to crossbars | Universal clamp to crossbars | Thule, round or factory bars; T-Track, Speed-Link | Magnets on steel roof |
| Crossbar fit stated | Round, square, factory, most aero | Rhino bars and most others (list on page) | Thule, round, most factory bars | No bars needed |
| Weight | 12.75 lb | 4.5 lb | 16.5 lb | 2.6 kg |
| Maker load rating | Not listed | Not stated | Not stated | 14 kg (skis) |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | 5 years | Linked, term not on page | Guarantee, term not stated |
Which one is right for you?
- Families or groups with fat skis, tall bindings and mixed skis and boards who want one big locking carrier on a standard crossbar setup. Buy it Yakima FatCat EVO 6
- Couples or small groups who want a secure, fairly priced carrier and have an existing crossbar setup from almost any brand. Buy it Rhino-Rack Ski and Snowboard Carrier (3 Skis or 2 Snowboards)
- Owners of tall vehicles or anyone with a bad shoulder or back who loads skis alone and will use the reach advantage every trip. It depends Thule SnowPack Extender
- Occasional day-trippers with a flat steel roof, two pairs of skis and no roof bars who accept the roof and speed limits. Skip it Menabo Igloo Magnetic Ski Rack
How we judged the field
Five things matter most in a roof ski carrier. Capacity comes first, and it has to be read in pairs of skis versus snowboards, since the two limits differ. Locking is second, because skis are the easiest thing on a car to walk off with. Mounting is third: which crossbar shapes it fits, whether it needs a kit, and whether the clamp can be tightened with gloves. Loading reach is fourth, since a fixed arm means leaning over the roof while a slide-out carrier does not. Last is the load rating the maker states, which most of these pages leave blank.
The field splits into big locking carriers that clamp to bars, compact bar carriers, slide-out designs, and the magnetic or suction carriers that skip bars altogether. We chose one from each group where we could verify a maker page: Yakima’s FatCat EVO 6, Rhino-Rack’s 3-pair carrier, Thule’s SnowPack Extender and Menabo’s Igloo. We used manufacturer pages only, and left out any figure a maker did not state.
The FatCat EVO 6 is the carrier to beat for a family. Yakima states capacity of six pairs of skis (up to 136 mm wide at the tip) or four snowboards, with integrated SKS locks and a tool-free clamp for round, square, factory and most aerodynamic bars. The SkiLift and DoubleJoint hinge are there for tall bindings and thick skis, and the OverHang position moves the mount outward so the arm opens a little further from the roof. It is not a drawer, so you still reach over the roof. Size is the catch: 40.5 inches long, 12.75 lb, and a crossbar spread of 12 to 36 inches, so it takes real room and can crowd a roof box. Yakima lists no load rating, and a few owners call installation fussier than advertised. T-slot bars need the SmarT-Slot Kit 2. It suits groups with mixed gear who already have bars.
Rhino-Rack’s three-pair carrier is the sensible mid-range choice. It has built-in key locking that is MasterKey compatible, a universal clamp for Rhino-Rack bars and most others, and a 5 year warranty, all stated on the maker page. The compatibility list is long and names Thule square bar, Thule Aero, Yakima round bar and Whispbar. At 4.5 lb it is the lightest of the three bar-mounted carriers, and release mechanisms are designed for gloved hands. The catches are that the description says 2 snowboards while an FAQ on the same page says it is designed to fit one, the load rating section is empty, and some bar types need an HD-FK1 kit. It is also fixed-arm with no clearance figure for roof boxes. It suits a couple or small group who want a secure carrier that fits what they already own.
The SnowPack Extender solves one problem the others do not: reach. Thule describes the arms as extendable for loading and unloading without stretching over the car roof, which is a real help on an SUV, van or crossover. It carries up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards, includes One-Key locks, and Thule says you can lock the skis to the rack and the rack to the car. It fits Thule rack systems, round bars and most factory racks, with T-Track and Speed-Link options, and a raised design gives clearance for tall bindings. The costs are 16.5 lb of weight and a premium price tier, and Thule’s page gave no load rating and conflicting stock messages, so confirm availability first. Our pick for anyone who loads alone on a tall vehicle or has a shoulder that complains.
Menabo makes a respectable range of magnetic carriers, and the Igloo is the budget entry: two pairs of skis, 2.6 kg, quick-release ring, no crossbars. The appeal is easy to see for a flat steel roof with no bars. The problems are in the maker’s own limits. Menabo says the magnets grip steel only, so glass and aluminium roofs are out, and the flat steel area has to be at least 125 cm long with the two units 70 cm apart. It lists 130 km/h for skis, a maximum of 36 hours on the roof, a clean dry roof, and a safety strap to the door frame. The Igloo is listed without anti-theft, unlike the three larger models, and its 14 kg load figure is for skis only. We would only buy it for short, slow resort trips on a suitable roof. It is for a rare day-tripper, not a regular skier.
Yakima FatCat EVO 6 vs Rhino-Rack Ski and Snowboard Carrier (3 Skis or 2 Snowboards): which should you buy?
The FatCat EVO 6 and the Rhino-Rack carrier both lock, clamp to most bars, and use fixed arms, so the choice comes down to size and what you will carry. Yakima wins on capacity (six pairs or four snowboards versus three pairs or two boards), tall-binding features and a lifetime warranty. Rhino-Rack wins on weight, a gentler price tier and a long compatibility list, and its 5 year warranty is clear. Neither page states a load rating.
Choose the FatCat EVO 6 if you carry four or more people’s gear, have fat skis or tall bindings, or mix skis with boards. Choose the Rhino-Rack if you carry two or three pairs, want less weight on the roof, and already own bars from Thule, Yakima, Whispbar or Rhino-Rack. For roof space shared with a box, compare the lengths first and see our roof cargo box review. If you cannot decide, count how many people actually ski with you in a typical season.
What to look for
- Pairs versus boards: Read capacity as skis and snowboards separately, because a carrier that holds 6 pairs may hold only 4 boards.
- Locks: Look for included locks and whether the same key can match your bars, as with Rhino-Rack’s MasterKey or Yakima’s SKS system.
- Crossbar fit: Check the maker’s list for your bar shape (round, square, aero, T-slot) and note any extra kit needed, like a T-slot adapter or fitting kit.
- Loading reach: A fixed arm means leaning over the roof; a slide-out design like Thule’s extender shifts the work to the side of the car.
- Binding and ski width: Tall bindings and fat skis need lift features or a wider hinge, and Yakima states a 136 mm tip limit on the FatCat EVO 6.
- Stated load rating: Many pages leave it blank, so check your bars’ own load limit and the vehicle roof rating in the owner’s manual.
Our final take
For most skiers who already have crossbars, the Yakima FatCat EVO 6 is the carrier to buy. It holds the most, locks, and was built with fat skis and tall bindings in mind. The Rhino-Rack three-pair carrier is the quieter, lighter value pick, and it is the one to choose if you carry fewer skis. The Thule SnowPack Extender is for tall vehicles and sore shoulders. Pass on a magnetic carrier unless your roof is flat steel, you drive slowly, and you accept the maker’s limits. Whichever you choose, check your bars’ load rating and the clearance with any roof box before the first trip.
Questions, answered
Do I need crossbars for a ski rack?
For the FatCat EVO 6, the Rhino-Rack carrier and the SnowPack Extender, yes: all three mount to crossbars, either factory or aftermarket. The Menabo Igloo is the exception because it attaches with magnets to a steel roof. If your car has no bars, the usual choices are to buy a bar set or to look at carriers that mount directly to the roof, such as magnetic or vacuum-mount designs. Check each maker's fit guide for your vehicle before ordering.
How many pairs of skis should I buy for?
Buy for the most you will carry, then add a margin. Makers state capacity in pairs of skis or a number of snowboards, and the two are not interchangeable: Yakima lists 6 pairs or 4 snowboards for the FatCat EVO 6, Rhino-Rack lists 3 pairs or 2 snowboards in its description, and the Menabo Igloo carries 2 pairs of skis. Wide skis and tall bindings take up more of that room than the number suggests. If you carry mixed skis and boards, look for a carrier that states both.
Are roof ski racks theft-proof?
No lock is theft-proof, but a lock stops an easy grab at a lodge parking lot. The FatCat EVO 6 and the SnowPack Extender include locks, and Rhino-Rack's carrier is key locking and MasterKey compatible. Menabo lists its Igloo without anti-theft, so on that model nothing locks your skis to the car. Treat a lock as a deterrent and not as a guarantee.
Will a ski rack fit with my roof box or sunroof?
Check this yourself, because none of the maker pages we reviewed give a clearance figure for roof boxes or sunroofs. A box and a ski carrier can compete for bar length, and a carrier's length and bar spread decide whether both fit. For the box side, see our roof cargo box review. If you have a panoramic or opening sunroof, measure the open travel against the carrier's height and position before buying.
Do magnetic ski racks work on every car?
No. Menabo states its magnets grip steel only, so they will not hold on glass or aluminium roofs, and the area needs to be flat steel at least 125 cm long with a clean, dry surface. Menabo also lists speed limits (130 km/h for skis), a maximum of 36 hours on the roof, and a safety strap that hooks inside the door frame. If your roof is aluminium, curved or panoramic, a bar-mounted carrier is the safer path.
Deciding between the top two? See our head-to-head: Yakima FatCat EVO 6 vs Rhino-Rack Ski and Snowboard Carrier (3 Skis or 2 Snowboards).
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