11 Best Kayak Racks in 2024

The most versatile kayak rack could be the Malone FoldAway 5. It’s a carrier system that caters to different types of watercraft, including canoes, paddle boards and, especially, kayaks.

Easy to install and reasonable to let it stand on the car in between sessions, the FoldAway is both affordable and will survive the worst of weather, for the most part.

There is no lock to keep a kayak from getting nabbed when popping into the store for supplies, however.

Lifting a kayak onto an SUV isn’t always easy, but the Thule Hullavator Pro allows one to do this without straining their back or breaking a sweat.

Hydraulic arms help lift a boat when the kayak rack is pulled over the side of a vehicle. All that needs to be done is to get the kayak a couple feet up onto the Hullavator in loading position. From there, it’s a simple slide.

Check out our videos in the review to see this in practice. It’s not a cheap kayak rack (about $1000 at the time of writing), but it’ll make getting to the water a little more accessible for some people.

The Malone SeaWing Kayak Carrier with Stinger Load Assist Combo (SS Combo) is a uniquely designed kayak rack that carries big boats, small boats and sit on top kayaks too. It supports you when loading a kayak from the rear of your vehicle.

Unlike other load assist carriers like the Thule Hullovator, which is both heavy and expensive, the SS Combo is affordable and lightweight, helping you get your kayak to your paddling destination a little easier.

Malone’s SeaWing carrier design with Jawz brackets allows for kayaks up to 32” wide and distributes the surface area of the kayak’s hull to avoid damage, such as oil canning during transportation. The load assist function also gives you a helping hand when loading your kayak from the rear of your vehicle.

Low cost doesn’t always mean low quality – this is what the TMS J-Bar kayak rack was able to prove. Designed to act as a carrier for kayaks, canoes, bikes, and surfboards, it is built to be compatible with almost every type of crossbars.

Its steel construction combined with the adjustable padding allows you to securely mount your gear without putting too much effort into loading and unloading.

Your kayak can be attached to its side, which gives plenty of room for transporting more than just one piece of equipment. Make use of the straps that come with the rack to safely store your gear on the roof. The majority of kayaks will fit onto this rack as it can accommodate equipment up to 36-inches wide and 75-pounds heavy.

The manufacturer made sure to include 2 sets of racks for your disposal and granted a lifetime warranty that makes the deal as appealing as it can be.

The V-saddle rack is not your typical type of tool, but Malone made it stand out from the crowd by incorporating hi-tech elements into its design.

The SeaWing saddle not only saves space, but also provides you with the opportunity to fit two kayaks on the roof instead of one. This comes in handy for families or friends where no one is willing to be left out of the water activity.

The Jawz mounting hardware is compatible with oval, round, and square cross rails. The buckle protectors along with load straps allow you to transport your equipment in a safe and sound manner. To ensure the ultimate security, you can utilize the stern tie-downs and a safety bow.

This kayak rack is able to withstand gear seven times its weight, which is impressive for a tool of these dimensions. It acts as a roof extender for your vehicle that will last you a long time due to the abrasion-resistant Nylon. Attach it to your roof and you will instantly have sufficient space for all your extra baggage.

This lift system by Thule can be of great help to you if you are planning on solo kayaking. The Hullavator might seem pricey at first, but when you evaluate the benefits of having a tool that allows you to load and unload your gear without any assistance, it becomes a worthy investment.

The rugged steel construction of the rack is equipped with the adjustable padding that helps you place the gear in your preferred position.

You don’t need a specific brand of crossbars in order to fit this rack on them. Most flat, oval, square, and round crossbars will work. The mounting hardware along with the straps is included, so there is no need to purchase anything separately.

Feel free to load your rack with equipment weighing up to 165 pounds (!) and embark on your kayaking adventure with the peace of mind that nothing will fall off the rack along the way.

Perhaps the award of the most low-maintenance kayak rack goes to the one released by YAKIMA. It allows you to transport your gear on its side, which frees up room for another kayak (amounting to 110 pounds weight capacity for both). Or, if you prefer transporting your equipment in the J-cradle position, one kayak. of up to 80 pounds can easily be stacked onto the rack.

The padded contact points provide you with the much-needed grip and security required for backcountry roads that tend to be bumpy. All the necessary hardware including the straps is there, which eliminates the need for additional purchases.

It won’t take you more than 10 minutes to install the roof rack either – the assembling is as easy as ABC.

When you are not using your kayak rack, you can fold the cradles flat and leave them on the roof. This saves your time on removing the rack from the vehicle every time it’s not being used and storing it in the garage.​

There isn’t anything else on the market that is this low-maintenance – the HandiRack inflatable kayak rack is the clear winner in the category. It is compatible with all types of vehicles ranging from sedans and crossovers to SUVs and 5-door vehicles.

The inflatable mechanism behind the tool means that, when not required, , you can deflate it and pack it in a small bag. The cam buckles integrated into the rack are super strong – the risk of losing the attached equipment is extremely low. The D-Rings further ensure the secure attachment with the straps that come with the rack.

You don’t need any external tools to install the rack – the User Manual included in the packaging is easy to comprehend. No side rails or gutters are required for the roof bars, which eliminates the extra costs involved in transporting your water equipment.

Whether it be canoes, winter sports gear, or furniture, you can wholeheartedly rely on this rack to do the job of safely transporting it.

With aluminum construction and universal mounting hardware, Malone Downloader J-style kayak rack presents the hi-tech tool you didn’t know you needed.

The space-saving rack is just as efficient as other cradle-type racks if not more – the fold-down mechanism used for preserving the quality of the toll is in place.

You can easily carry a load weighing up to 75 pounds and not worry about it slipping off the roof or damaging the vehicle. The ‘loading ramp’ integrated into the rack’s construction helps to push the heavy craft, which is handy for when there is no assistance available.

The rack comes with 2 sets of hex bolts that can accommodate crossbars of all kinds. Regardless of the shape of your crossbars, you will be able to securely transport your stuff without risking to damage it.

If you are a water sports enthusiast who tends to carry different pieces of equipment every day, the Thule Dockglide kayak saddle rack is your solution.

This system features pivoting saddles that are independent of each other and can be leveraged to the desired angle. It allows you to adjust them in accordance with the gear’s size and shape without having to compromise safety.

Additionally, the large and flexible cushioned pads help in preserving the integrity of the gear and of the vehicle. To carry your gear that is 36 inches wide and 85 pounds heavy, place it in the horizontal position and you are good to go.

The center load straps are equipped with rubber buckle straps that tightly secure your craft. There will be no damage done to the paintwork of the water gear, which is usually the first to show signs of wear and tear.

Auto Body Now (ABN) released a water gear tool that allows you to carry your craft from A to B at an attractive price. This competitive advantage makes it a stand-out participant in the market of water tools.

Built from the qualitative steel coated with a rust-resistant layer, helps to prevent scratches and potential damages to your vehicle. The wide frame mouth has padding to ensure easy loading and unloading, while also protecting your craft from potential dents.

You can transport your water gear on its side, which frees up the room for up to 4 racks stacked on the roof of your car. The round bars and cargo rails work perfectly well with this rack.

The process of mounting the rack to the crossbars will require a bit of work from your side (you’ll need a wrench to tighten the screws), but not too much of your time. Even those with zero experience operating with tools will be able to securely attach the rack.