Best Cargo Carrier For Subaru Outback In 2024: Top Picks & Buying Guide

Sarah Combs By, Sarah Combs
Updated
Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box

Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box is a versatile roof-mounted cargo box for everyday use. Providing 16 cubic feet of additional packing space, this smartly designed vehicle accessory with a quick-mount system "clicks" when it's securely mounted. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: RoofPax 19 cft. Waterproof Car Roof Bag

The RoofPax is the perfect solution to pack anything you need for your road trip and provide a safe, hassle-free ride. The waterproof, military-grade heavy-duty 1680-D coated PVC material is built to last up to years while ensuring your belongings are safe and sound during each journey. Read Review

3. Best Compatible: Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box

Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box is the perfect solution for storing your cargo at home, on the job, at school. With its rapid unboxing time, you can start packing and loading your vehicle in minutes. The lid is super tough and can handle almost any weather condition. Read Review

4. Versatile Design: ARKSEN 64 Inch Universal Roof Rack Cargo

ARKSEN 64 Inch Universal Roof Rack Cargo is the perfect way to carry all your gear. This roof rack has a large capacity of up to 150 lbs - perfect for long trips with a big group of people. Additionally, the rack is fitted with universal mounting hardware for easy installation on most vehicles. Read Review

Any car owner knows that keeping your car clean, organized and safe is a full-time job. With the growing number of car accessories available, it’s getting harder and harder to keep your car organized. You need a cargo carrier that can efficiently store your items and keep them organized. Luckily, we have tested many different types of cargo carriers for subaru outback to help you find the perfect one for your needs.

A well-organized car helps prevent accidents and makes parking much easier. A cluttery or unorganized car makes it much more challenging to find what you need when you need it. Even if you own an SUV, chances are good that most people will see the interior as more of a space outside of the vehicle than they will see inside.

Let’s take a look at several things to consider when searching for a cargo carrier for subaru outback.

Following extensive study and analysis, we've come up with the Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, which we hope will meet your demands. However, it is not the only thing on our list. We also show a full buyer's guide and a number of different options are available to help you find the most suitable.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box
Our Score:
9.9
Thule
  • Fits 5-7 pairs of skis / 3-5 snowboards (up to 175 cm)
  • Internal Dimenions: 70 x 28.75 x 16.25 inches
TOP Choice #2 RoofPax 19 cft. Waterproof Car Roof Bag
Our Score:
9.7
RoofPax
  • ✅ FREE EXTENDED WARRANTY: Our customers mean the world to us! We promise to be there for you whenever needed, that's why our cargo rack rooftop is backed by a lifetime warranty on zippers and buckles and a 5-year warranty on tears and fabric. Our 24/7 customer care is ready to address any issues you might have in no time!
  • ✅ WORKS WITH or WITHOUT a ROOF RACK: Use the RoofPax spacious 19 cubic feet car roof top luggage carrier with any sized car or SUV. It can be quickly and easily installed in minutes using either; raised side rails/crossbars/roof rack/basket and if none of them is installed - you can always use the included 6 door hook straps which attach under the door's rubber seal gasket.
TOP Choice #3 Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box
Our Score:
9.5
Thule
  • Functional rooftop cargo box provides 14 cubic feet of additional packing space
  • Central Locking system provides maximum safety
  • [EASY INSTALLATION] Easy to install on most vehicles. This cargo carrier utilizes your car's crossbars, easily mounting with four universal U-bolts.
  • [RIGID CONSTRUCTION] Heavy-duty steel construction with black powder coating resists weather elements and corrosion, offering several years of long-lasting use.
5 Leader Accessories Roof Rack Cargo Basket Set
Our Score:
9.2
Leader Accessories
  • [ Cargo Basket ] : Roof rack basket is constructed from tubular steel, provide extra storage capacity UP to 150 lbs.Steel wind fairing decreases wind resistance and noise.Mounts to vehicle's cross bars with 4 universal U-bolts. U-bolts fits for roof rack crossbars up to 4.6''(W) x 1.35''(H)
  • [ Cargo Net 3'x 4' ] : Designed with tight 3” x 3” mesh squares, the bungee netting keeps small items from falling out. 12 adjustable carabiners + 12 adjustable ABS plastic hooks quickly strap down light loads by simply moving hooks from 1 mesh square to another. Perfect solution for camping, travelling.Each net comes with a convenient zipper storage bag, so users can easy to carry and store the netting in the trunk or garage.
  • Max Weight Capacity: 100 pounds (45 kg)
  • Tool-free mounting hardware for easy installation and removal
7 RoofBag Rooftop Cargo Carrier
Our Score:
8.9
RoofBag
  • MOST SECURE DESIGN: Your roof cargo is safe with our roof cargo carrier offering the strongest seat-belt style straps. Straps are 1.5? wide and made of nylon for unsurpassed strength, and are not stitched to the roof top car cargo carrier for additional safety. Our straps secure your car carrier at any highway speed. The included protective mat keeps the roof bag waterproof carrier in place and prevents scratching the roof of your car, SUV, van or truck
  • QUIET, FUEL EFFICIENT, EASY TO INSTALL: RoofBag car carriers rooftop are designed lower at the front and higher at the rear for fuel economy and a quiet ride. Additionally, this cargo roof bag doesn?t flap in the wind because it is built from heavier fabric than any other vehicle soft-shell carriers. Fill the roof carrier to capacity to fully benefit from its aerodynamic design. RoofBag cartop carrier waterproof is extremely easy to install. Easy to follow instructions are included.
  • Four universal U-bolts,accommodating square cross bars up to 4.6" wide x 1.35" thick or round bars up to 1.35" in diameter
  • Extra large size: Overall Dimension w/ Extension: 64"(L) x 39"(W) x 6'(H); Perfect Car Top Luggage Holder for hauling extra cargo bags, camping equipment, luggage and more
  • ACCESSORY INCLUDED - Waterproof rooftop bag (15 Cubic feet), Cargo net with attachment hooks. Ratchet Straps.
  • EASY ASSEMBLY- Easy to assemble and install on your vehicles cross bars and side rails, mounting with four universal U-bolts. you will need both side rails and cross bars to use this roof basket.
  • 20 Cubic Feet - Carrying capacity - The whole point of the purchase us to provide additional cargo room, so it makes no point to buy one that is not big enough. the roof bag overall size is 52'' x 39'' x 17'', Carry 20 cubic feet. Larger than other brand.
  • 6 Tough Straps - More Security- Alongside carrying capacity, stability is arguably the most important factor in a car top carrier. We Provide 6pc wide straps & 2pc 3M straps. To some extent, the more straps used to fasten the carrier to the roof the better.

Which Way Should You Follow To Achieve best cargo carrier for subaru outback Of 2024?

Today, our article intends to introduce and describe to you the best cargo carrier for subaru outback, which can be found easily on e-commerce websites these days. Nevertheless, it might take lots of time to get the best item for purchase. As a result, we're always here to help you with your problem.

Before making a purchase, best cargo carrier for subaru outback should be thoroughly researched. The following are some common questions you may raise. After being evaluated and confirmed to be effective, the most beneficial ones were picked.

  • Why are you advised to invest in this product?
  • What is the most popular one among these products listed here?
  • How should you get to the point of buying a guide?
  • Where is a reliable place for you to ask for support?
  • Are there any benefits from this product?

This article includes carefully and accurately checked and selected information about products through AI and Big Data. The goal is to create an accurate and objective set of information for you guys to count on.

Items on this list have undergone extensive testing and approval by experts. Your task is to consider the following factors:

Looks

This is probably not the most crucial criteria. If you are looking for a sporty and sleek car, adding any type of roof box to your vehicle will make it look less elegant. You can minimize any negative effects by sticking with more aerodynamic designs.

Ease Of Use

You might only use the box once a year, so you should consider how simple or difficult it will be to attach and take down. There are many attachment methods available from different manufacturers, so some may be quicker and easier than others.

Price

"Rooftop carriers can be very expensive. The price of a rooftop carrier is unlikely to play a major role in your buying decision, unless you are Bill Gates or Warren Buffett.
Storage capacity is generally more expensive. You will also pay more for extra features and a well-known brand.
You can expect to pay $300-$400+ for a good quality carrier made by reputable manufacturers. Unfortunately, if you require something more, then the cost will go up."

Size

When deciding what items to store on your roof, you should consider the size and shape of the container.
Beyond the size, you should also consider whether the volume in cubic feet of space is adequate for your requirements. There are sizes that range from 8 to 22 feet. You can likely find the right size box for you. You should avoid purchasing something too large for your car.

Weight Capacity

To find out the maximum weight for your roof, you will have to consult the owner's guide. The maximum weight of a car roof is typically 75kg or 165lbs. This includes both the container and the racks/rails it's attached to. Boxes typically weigh between 30-40 pounds so you will need to leave around 120-130 lbs of cargo.

Security

Your items' value will determine the level of security that you need. You should not dismiss theft from the roof box or even the entire package.

Access

Ideal worlds would see us load our belongings and not have to go back until we get to our forest hideaway. You will likely need access to your stuff along the route so ensure you choose a carrier that is easy to use.
Others only permit access from one side, while some others allow you to open from both sides. Some will only allow you to access the back, so you must be aware of traffic and not stop at the curb.

Fuel Economy

A roof storage system will have an adverse effect on fuel economy. Even though you don't have any cargo, the extra weight of your box and the mountings can affect how much gas you get. Although aerodynamic designs may reduce the impact, you'll still get a decrease in miles per gallon.

Aerodynamics

You should consider the aerodynamic design. The most aerodynamic design will generally be the most expensive and have a lower capacity to hold certain shapes.er boxes, on the other hand, are less concerned about aerodynamics and will offer more freedom when it comes to the size and shape of items you can transport.

FAQs

Do I Need A Roof Rack?

Yes. To mount the rooftop cargo boxes, you will need to have a properly fitted roof rack. All boxes can fit on most roof rack cross bars, and the mounting system is universal. To find the best roof rack for your vehicle, check out our Roof Rack Buyers Guide.

How To Storage A Car Roof Box?

You have several options when it comes to where you store your roof box. You can either keep the roof box in your garage or place it in your backyard with the raincover on. If your vehicle is large enough, you could even store it inside of your car.

What Is A Good Size Roof Box?

The best size of roof boxes is the one that suits your specific needs. If you have a small car, it's not worth buying a 22-L roof box. If you are looking to transport skis, you will need to consider the dimensions of your skis when buying a roof cargo container.

How Much Gear Can I Load?

Three things will determine this:
- Carry capacity of your fitted roof rack
- How the cross bars and roof style are attached to your vehicle
- Size of your rooftop carrier

Will A Cargo Box Affect My Fuel Consumption?

You will experience an increase in fuel consumption. It's very minimal. Fuel economy begins to decline when you drive at highway speeds. Fuel economy can drop by 6-10%

Can You Drive With An Empty Roof Box?

Yes. However, you should not use your roof box for a prolonged period of time. It could have a negative impact on your fuel consumption and create extra noise.

What Is The Best Position For A Roof Box?

This is the ideal position for the roof box to be centrally located when you look from the front. The weight should be evenly distributed. To avoid roof boxes that extend too far from your windshield, you should set it so that your hatch can be reached.

I Have A Full-length Box And It Seems To Overhang The Bars A Long Way. Is This OK?

Yes. The boxes have a design that allows approximately 1/3 to hang out behind the rear bars. One third of the roof bars supports the third and the third rests on the front bar.

Do I Need Anything Else Apart From Roof Bars And A Roof Box?

No. Every roof box that we sell comes with a pair of standard and box fittings, along with a set straps for keeping luggage in place. Because the boxes are secured to roof bars by the fixings inside, they can not be lifted from their bars once locked.

Will Roof Racks Scratch My Car?

A rack that is properly attached to a clean roof will not cause damage or scratch to your car. To remove road grime and dirt buildup, we recommend you regularly take your roof rack off of your vehicle.

Please make sure that you read this article carefully to pick your ideal products. Furthermore, please visit our website frequently or subscribe our newsletter to catch up with any new updates.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with us for more information. Also, if you have any questions or difficulties about the product, don’t hesitate to give us your feedback. Thanks for reading!


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About Sarah Combs

Sarah Combs
Sarah Combs is a visual editor who loves to travel and hike. She enjoys taking photographs of her journeys, which help her to remember the beautiful places she's been to. Sarah is grateful for the opportunities that she has had to see the world and looks forward to continuing to explore new places in the future. Sarah is the editor of CampfireHQ since 2021 and has written on a variety of topics, from camping, and hiking to other outdoor guides.

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