Best Kayak & Canoe Racks for Car of 2025

"I purchased these to replace some permanent J-Hooks. Now, I can park my car in the garage and have seen marginally better fuel efficiency. Installation was as easy as my other J-Hooks. They've held up very well for the month I've had them on my car, even at highway speeds with my kayaks strapped in. Overall, I'm very satisfied with these as a safe and secure way to haul my kayaks."

"I bought this rack system in March 2021 for my 12' Wilderness Kayaks. I've used it heavily for 2 seasons and it has performed exceptionally well. It's easy to install and remove. The angle of the upright supports is adjustable and they fold down flat when not in use. We’ve gone on 4+ hour drives with the kayaks in place and have never had a problem. Highly recommend this great value rack!"

"I read a lot of reviews about these but thought I would give it a try. Works great, and I don't know why there are so many 1-star reviews. Over 10,000 miles of being on the roof with 2 kayaks and no problems. Just make sure everything is installed correctly and your kayaks are tied down properly, and you are good to go!"

"I purchased this kayak rack to transport my kayak safely and prevent inadvertent damage to my water toy! It is very durable and solid! I find it sleek and easy to install and remove. The functionality is great; I mainly use it for my kayak. The instructions were a bit ambiguous, but I managed to interpret them well. Overall, a great product and great bang for the buck!"

"I was initially frustrated and gave this a one-star review due to usability problems with the nuts and bolts that came with it, but I realized it stemmed from poor instructions and my own error. It does work, but there are no instructions, just a one-picture diagram, which caused my initial issues. The J-tube supports are smaller than those I've seen before, and I had to buy longer straps. The bolts are longer than necessary, requiring me to tighten them partly with a ratchet and finish with a crescent wrench. Despite these issues, everything worked securely on my 60-mile round trip!"

"The mounts themselves are quite sturdy, although they were a bit tricky to assemble. Once together, they work well. However, I noticed that the straps provided are very short, and the latches on them slipped and were unusable for us. We ended up using the mounts but purchased sturdier, stronger straps."

"I just returned from another trip, and I was impressed with how well these held up at 70 mph with 30 mph gusts over a bridge. Unlike some reviews, I found the included straps to be perfect if you know how to use them. I’d avoid ratchet straps though, as they could over-tighten and damage both my kayak and the racks."

"We took these j-bars on a three-hour trip with our large fishing kayak, and I didn’t have to readjust anything during the drive. The product arrived complete, even with a few extra pieces. My husband had them installed and uninstalled in under 20 minutes!"

"For $50, I think you get what you pay for. The j-bars were easy to assemble, although the instructions were a bit lacking. I had two knobs that were incorrectly threaded, but I managed to tighten everything with a 13mm wrench. I carried two kayaks for over 40 miles with no issues, but the cam straps were too short to use. Thankfully, I had brought my own ratchet straps."

"These racks worked very well! The construction was easy but tedious, but installing them onto my vehicle was a breeze. They held down the kayaks perfectly on the freeway at over 70mph with wind. Overall, for function, stability, and appearance, I would call this a great product!"

"I had some trouble assembling these kayak racks. The instructions were not very clear, and I had to spend a lot of time figuring things out. However, once I got them together, they worked great. I just recommend having a good wrench on hand to make things easier!"

"I bought these as a cheaper alternative to name brand racks for my snowboards. They held 4 snowboards securely during a long drive through varied weather. Installation was straightforward, and the material quality is pretty good. Overall, I’m satisfied with my purchase!"

"I have a 5th gen (2021) RAV4 and two pairs of the older style J mounts from Thule. Both styles are great, but I sometimes have to park in low clearance garages. These mounts were a perfect fix since the clearance is only about an inch. They fold down easily, and my wife and I can load kayaks in just a few minutes. I can even unload a kayak by myself. We're thinking of getting a pair for my wife's car so she can kayak independently."

"I bought two of these for my son and me to carry kayaks on my Impreza. Installation was a breeze, and they fit and look fantastic! They've held up securely on several trips this month. Although they were a bit on the expensive side—about $250 per set plus tax—I expect nothing less than great quality from Thule. The fold-down feature works well but requires some strength to operate."

"I initially thought these wouldn't fit my Volvo Vingbalk, but it turned out I hadn't opened them fully. I already had the 848000 model with side 'claws' that grip the wing bar. This new holder wraps around the bar, but it needs to be completely opened to work properly. It was odd that Thule's support didn't ask if I had opened them fully."

"This Folding Kayak Roof Rack has been a game-changer for my outdoor adventures. I can transport my kayak, canoe, or SUP securely and conveniently. The adjustable design fits a variety of vehicles, which is a huge plus. Installation was simple, and the folding feature makes it easy to store when not in use. I feel confident that my watercraft is well-secured during transport."

"I was impressed with how quickly I could install the rack—about half an hour from start to finish. I added thread-lock to some bolts, just to be safe. I used it to haul two 10' kayaks and a 14' tandem, and everything stayed securely in place on my highway trip. I would definitely recommend this rack; it’s affordable and surprisingly sturdy for the price!"

"These racks worked perfectly for our two kayaks. I love how sleek they look when folded down, and I had no issues with gas mileage or noise. The only adjustment I made was to shorten the bolts to prevent them from touching the roof. Overall, transporting kayaks has never been easier for me!"

"I was initially skeptical about this product for several reasons, including fit and durability. However, I am extremely impressed with these kayak racks. They are durable and easy to install on my car, taking only five minutes. The fit on my crossbar is great, and I love how easy it is to take them on and off. My only concern is the strap buckle, which could use a higher quality mechanism. Overall, a fantastic value!"

"I really love these racks! They are sturdy and affordable. They fit my car perfectly and were easy to mount. My kayaks felt safe and secure during an hour's drive. I haven't tested them on a longer trip yet, but I'm confident they will perform well. There are some scratches from the ratchet straps, but no rust so far."

"I bought these racks for a weekend trip with friends. They arrived quickly and were easy to put together, though it did take some time. I recommend using deep well socks for the ratchet. I experienced no issues using them on the highway. A great product for the price!"

"I found these kayak roof racks to be perfect for my kayaks. While they did take some effort to assemble, the sturdiness is impressive. I've traveled up to 70 mph with them secured properly, and encountered no issues at all."

"Initially, I thought assembly would be challenging, but I realized it wasn't as bad as some reviews suggested. After a few minutes of looking at it, the assembly became obvious. I've successfully hauled two kayaks multiple times at 55 mph, and they feel incredibly solid as long as you strap them down correctly."

"I was searching for cradles for my son's canoe and didn't want to spend a fortune. I decided on these racks and have only set up one side for his 27-pound kayak. They've held up well so far, although I'm a bit concerned about their long-term durability. They aren't locked, so someone could easily take them off my jeep if they wanted to, but overall, I would definitely recommend this purchase."

"I was amazed at how well this worked. The setup was very secure and strong, and I drove for hours on the freeway at high speeds without any issues. Definitely worth the cost, and I have no regrets."

"This product did its job well. It arrived as described, and I was able to transport my kayak without it moving. However, I did notice that the foam blocks could cause some rubbing on my car's paint if not positioned correctly, and the straps make a lot of noise when driving over 30 mph."

"I found this product very useful. It met my needs perfectly for transporting my kayak, and I didn't require any additional attachments. It worked like a charm!"

“I found the assembly to be straightforward and it took me about 30 minutes to complete. The rubber adhesive pads included were a great bonus, and I was pleased with the overall sturdiness once installed.”

“These kayak racks are sturdy and secure. They easily hold both of my kayaks, and I appreciate that there's not much noise when driving at 60 mph. However, I do wish there was a locking mechanism since I have to remove them after each use.”

“I got this for a last-minute camping trip and was surprised at how easy it was to put together. Although it was a little tedious, it worked great for transporting my kayaks!”