Roof Rack suggestions

Hi all,

Looking to purchase a roof rack for my 2019 Subaru Impreza without breaking the bank. Anyone have any recommendations?  I am looking at some of the Malone systems and they seem to be highly reviewed.  Primarily car topping a 2021 Hobie Outback.

Good luck buying a roof rack "without breaking the bank"!  All the real roof racks are horribly expensive. 

Good luck buying a roof rack "without breaking the bank"!  All the real roof racks are horribly expensive.

This ^^^^^^ unless you find one used.

The best dirt-bag method I have to suggest is scavenging from junkyards. If you can find an OEM rack in a junkyard that might be the cheapest route. There might also be universal cross-bars in there that you could use, if your car already has rails. Requires some sleuthing.

Used racks from used gear retailers like next adventure (Portland) or peak sports (Corvallis) might also be good places to look. I purchased used Yakima jet-stream bars (sooo much quieter than the round ones) and baseline towers from peak sports annex in Corvallis and the total cost plus the new parts I had to buy new online to complete the package was $275. New cost MSRP is like $600 off the shelf.

Happy hunting!

Re-rack, connected to Next Adventure, got me setup with a rack that did not drill through and held my outback and revos for years prior to me selling it.  I think i paid 275 total.  They sell used racks and often have contracts with several of the junkyards.

Yakima Racks setting in the garage for years.  Fits Subaru Forester $100

Requisite Note on Safety:  If you go with any rack system that isn't mechanically attached to the body (this includes the ones that clamp into your door frame, always use bow and stern lines!  Between the excessive weight of SOT's and their large surface area, they put a lot of stress on connection points.  We had a member who found this out the hard way on HWY26 and my neighbor thought he only needed a bow line until his rack came free and the swinging kayak/Rack Assy nearly totaled his truck.

-Mark-

Requisite Note on Safety:  If you go with any rack system that isn't mechanically attached to the body (this includes the ones that clamp into your door frame, always use bow and stern lines!  Between the excessive weight of SOT's and their large surface area, they put a lot of stress on connection points.  We had a member who found this out the hard way on HWY26 and my neighbor thought he only needed a bow line until his rack came free and the swinging kayak/Rack Assy nearly totaled his truck.

Great advice. It used to be (and most likely still is) required by law to have a bow and stern line in Washington state.

Once you find the appropriately rated rack for your car, be patient and flexible but be persistent and watch Craigslist for all or or bits and pieces of the rack setup.  Negotiate the price and you'll get a good system that is fractions of the retail price.

Don't be afraid of quality used racks. 

throwing ur outback up top has got to be a pain, trailer it?

For my Outback, I load my Rev16 on the stock racks and tie off. 

How much are the stock racks on a Forester rated for?

Requisite Note on Safety:  If you go with any rack system that isn't mechanically attached to the body (this includes the ones that clamp into your door frame, always use bow and stern lines!  Between the excessive weight of SOT's and their large surface area, they put a lot of stress on connection points.  We had a member who found this out the hard way on HWY26 and my neighbor thought he only needed a bow line until his rack came free and the swinging kayak/Rack Assy nearly totaled his truck.

Great advice. It used to be (and most likely still is) required by law to have a bow and stern line in Washington state.

Yup, still is.

Used (Craigslist/facebook market/etc) is perfect for not breaking the bank and getting brand name gear.  People are selling it all the time since they sell a car and their rack system no longer fits their new ride.  Its pretty easy to get a great deal on a used rack system through there.