The 7 Best Surfboard Car Racks For Any Vehicle
Different Types of Surfboard Roof Racks
Chances are you’re often driving to places near and far in search of surf. The challenge is surfboards are large, fragile, and don’t always fit inside of a car. The roof of a vehicle offers ample real estate to rack your board and free up extra space inside for friends and gear. There are many different types of surfboard roof racks. The right racking solution for you will depend on your budget, needs, and aesthetic preferences.
Hard Racks
A hard rack is a durable and versatile racking option. Hard racks are designed to be installed on the roof long term and are great if you consistently drive the same vehicle to the beach. More so, hard racks can be used for more than just transporting your surfboards. Bikes, skis, suitcases, and even kayaks can all be secured to a hard rack. Just make sure to add some padding, like this rack pad, to prevent any-rack induced damage to your surfboard.
On the flip side, hard racks are specific to a car’s make and model and are not compatible across different car models. So if you don’t consistently drive the same car to the beach a hard rack might not be the best option for you.
Hard racks are designed to be installed on a vehicle long term. The downside is the rack will create additional noise and reduce the overall fuel efficiency of your vehicle, even when not being utilized. Because installing a hard rack is a somewhat time consuming process, it is not practical to install and remove hard racks regularly. And so depending on your frequency of use, it may or may not make sense to opt for the hard rack option.
Hard racks require straps to secure your surfboard to the vehicle. Hard racks do not typically come with tie down straps. You can buy straps at your local hardware store. Pro tip: To reduce tie-down strap noise make twists in the strap like so.
All in all, the hard rack is a great option for the person who transports many different types of gear and consistently drives the same vehicle.
Soft Racks
The soft rack is a convenient and cost effective surfboard roof rack. Soft racks are built out of fabric wrapped foam and nylon webbing.
Soft racks are especially convenient because they come with everything you need to secure your board to your vehicle. Tie down straps are built into the soft rack and so you don’t have to worry about purchasing additional racking equipment. The foam racking component provides adequate protection for your boards. Plus, soft racks can easily be installed and removed, which means you don’t have to worry about drag and noise on your roof when not actively using the racking system.
The main advantage soft racks hold over hard racks is compatibility. Soft racks are compatible with virtually any vehicle. Plus Soft racks are also compact and easy to travel with. This is perfect if you’re going on a surf trip and plan on renting a vehicle.
On the flip side, soft racks require you to lace tie down straps through the cabin of your vehicle. This can potentially decrease the headroom of your vehicle and contribute to additional noise when driving at higher speeds. Additionally, the nylon straps that are integrated into the soft racks are easily subject to wear and tear. Don’t expect to get a long lifetime out of your soft rack, especially if you use them frequently.
Locking Racks
For those surfer’s who are concerned about the security of their surfboards, a locking rack might be a great option to consider. Locking racks are an option that can be installed on existing hard racks. Locking racks contain a lockable mechanism that secures surfboards to the crossbars. This means that you have the ability to lock your surfboards to the roof of your vehicle. Now that doesn't mean that this is a full proof system, but it certainly is more secure than using a standard tie down.
However, you still need an existing hard rack to mount the locking rack option. Locking racks will limit the amount of surfboards you can transport on your vehicle. The locking roof carrier will also prevent you from securing most surfboard bags onto your vehicle.
You have to ask yourself how likely it is that your surfboards will be left on your roof unattended. Perhaps you like to stop for a bite after a session and want to feel like your boards are secure. In this case, the locking rack might help put your mind at ease.
Alternative Racks
If you’re looking for the best of all worlds, a surfboard car rack bag might be the best option for you. The DirtBag is the industry’s only surfboard travel bag that secures to the roof of a vehicle with no additional equipment required. The DirtBag is essentially a surfboard bag with a soft rack built in. What’s more, you can strap the back to existing hard racks, and because of the built in pads, you don’t need to worry about board protection. The DirtBag’s Universal Racking System (URS) means that you’ll always have a way to secure your boards to the roof of any vehicle. What’s more, if traveling in a pick up truck, the URS provides ample tailgate padding to protect your boards. Whether you're a new surfer looking for a simple racking solution, or an experienced traveling surfer looking to protect and rack your boards, the DirtBag is for you. You can purchase the DirtBag, the industry's most innovative surfboard travel bag, here.
The 7 Best Surfboard Roof Racks
Best Soft Racks
SeaSucker Soft Roof Rack
Buy on SeaSucker's Website
Pros:
- Innovative design
- No tie down straps thorugh cabin
- No additional gear needed
Cons:
- More expensive than most soft racks
- Limited board carrying capacity
- Requires pump to install
Novinter Roof Rack
Buy on Amazon
Pros:
- Cost effective
- Comes with tie down straps and accessories
- Can be used for Kayaks and other large items
Cons:
- Rack subject to wear and tear from the elements
- Generally not as sturdy as a hard rack or rack-bag
Best Hard Racks
Thule Wingbar Evo
Buy on Thule’s Website
Pros:
- Very durable
- Corrosion resistant
- Aerodynamics reduce sound and drag
- T bar allows for easy installation of accessories
Cons:
- Expensive
- Harder to install than a soft rack
- Each rack is model specific
Yakima Baseline
Buy on Amazon
Pros:
- Corrosion Resistant
- Pitch adjustment to optimize aerodynamics
- Durable
- Modular design allows for accessories
Cons:
- Expensive
- Racks are model specific
- Not practical to install and remove regularly
Best Locking Rack
Thule Sup Taxi
Buy on Amazon
Pros:
- Top quality
- Easy to use
- Keeps boards secure
Cons:
- Requires existing hard racks
- Expensive
- Additinal noise and drag
Inno Locking Surfboard Rack
Buy on Amazon
Pros:
- Simple to use
- Secures boards under lock and key
- No need for additional straps
Cons:
- Expensive
- Requires crossbars or existing hard rack
- Limited board carrying capacity
- Additional noise and aerodynamic drag
Best Rack for Versatility
The DirtBag
Buy on DirtBag’s Website
Pros:
- Can be used with or without existing racks
- Universal Racking System
- Lightweight
- Easy to install
- Offers maximum protection
- Surfboard Travel Bag
Cons:
- Limited board capacity
- Will not fit very long boards
- Creates some aerodynamic drag
How to Put a Surfboard on Your Car Without a Rack
If you don’t have a rack, the DirtBag’s URS will allow you to secure your surfboards to the roof of any vehicle. Simply secure the included straps onto the bag and loop them through your vehicle. Pull down on the straps to tighten and you’re good to go.
How to Prevent Strap Noise on Your Car Roof Rack
Photo: Courtesy Salmon Bay Paddle
Are your straps making a lot of noise when traveling at speed? Air flowing under the straps can cause lots of vibration. Not only is this very noisy, but it could potentially reduce the life of your equipment. You can nearly eliminate the noise from your straps by adding twists on each side of the straps. It's that simple!