Outdoors & Fitness · Head-to-head
Yakima FatCat EVO 6 vs Rhino-Rack Ski and Snowboard Carrier (3 Skis or 2 Snowboards)
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Ski and Snowboard Roof Racks: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The FatCat EVO 6 has the highest stated capacity, integrated locks and tall-binding features. Rhino-Rack's carrier gives up size but keeps locks and wide bar fit at a gentler price tier.
Yakima FatCat EVO 6
Buy itA six-pair roof carrier with a hinge that handles fat skis and tall bindings, integrated locks, and a clamp that fits most crossbar shapes.
- 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.
Rhino-Rack Ski and Snowboard Carrier (3 Skis or 2 Snowboards)
Buy itA compact, lockable three-pair carrier that clamps to a long list of bar types and carries a five-year warranty.
- 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.
Side by side
| Yakima FatCat EVO 6 | Rhino-Rack Ski and Snowboard Carrier (3 Skis or 2 Snowboards) | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| 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. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Yakima FatCat EVO 6 - 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. Choose the Rhino-Rack Ski and Snowboard Carrier (3 Skis or 2 Snowboards) instead if couples or small groups who want a secure, fairly priced carrier and have an existing crossbar setup from almost any brand.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Ski and Snowboard Roof Racks: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).