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theabortionator
April, 2025

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Roof rack- yakima vs thule

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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
searchbarred and couldnt find this so give me your opinions.

which do you like better and why? comments on performance, looks, etc. lets hear it
16 years ago
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ScuffDUFF
Posts: 2027 - Karma: 143
i would say yakima.  thats because i live in Yakima ,Washington. 509 reppin
16 years ago
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mfz
Posts: 332 - Karma: 73
get a thule rack, it will last way longer, and will not damage your car like yakima does


16 years ago
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
A legit roof rack question?  Nothing to do with Lotus's or McLaren's?  Ha ha. 

Seriously though, I think I would go with Yakima.  Both are quality, but I'm pretty sure you can mount Thule atatchments to a Yakima (some kind of adapter or something).  Correct me if I'm wrong.
16 years ago
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chicken
Posts: 6844 - Karma: 2,122
It really depends on what your needs are. My simple answer is THULE, if it earned itself a THULE logo it means they really stand by the product and it should last you a long time. THULE bought out Sportrack which basically took over all of their lower end products. That being said there are some Yakima products that are very well built as well, but also some that I would not recommend.

If you are looking for a roof box definitely consider both brands, Yakima's skybox line is comparable in price to Thule's ascent line, and has some extra features (stiffer lid, metal support bars). If you have the cash to drop on a high end box, stick with Thule (Atlantis, Spirit, Boxter). Another company to consider for roof boxes is INNO, they use a much better plastic than anyone else and make nice low profile boxes which are great for skis www.rv-inno.com.

If you are looking for a base rack (crossbars) and have nothing on the roof, a Thule or Inno system is superior to Yakima. The fit you get with them is just so much better. If you have side-rails and just need crossbars, All 3 make great products for that.

Pretty much everything else is just coke vs pepsi between the two brands. Thule's fork mount bike racks are better, Yakima's upright bike racks are better, ski racks are about equal, etc....

I know I can get carried away talking about roof racks, but If you have questions about anything rack related feel free to PM me.



16 years ago
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
thanks +k to all so far.

more specifically comments on the base rack system w/ ski/bike carriers are most helpful to me
16 years ago
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dat_ski_dude
Posts: 554 - Karma: 15
i ve had my yakima set up for like 5 years or so. ive had 0 problems with it. iv got lowrider mounts, powderhound ski racks, and 2 steelhead bike racks
16 years ago
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ski-swagga
Posts: 5276 - Karma: 219
truth
16 years ago
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chicken
Posts: 6844 - Karma: 2,122
fully rubber coated hooks vs protective stickers that fall off
customized rubber pad vs 1 of 5 generic pads

but yeah to the guy who has that yakima setup that is a nice one

16 years ago
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tonyflow1
Posts: 82 - Karma: 27
Ok, first off - I know nothing about roof racks. I'm heading to nz and have hired a car with racks. Is it possible to carry skis on racks without bindings?
coz im planning on taking some new unmounted skis on my flight over (because it's easier to travel that way) and have them mounted in wanaka.
also, how many pairs of skis can racks usually carry?
++k for help
16 years ago
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mfz
Posts: 332 - Karma: 73
its not recomanded to carry skis without bindings on your ski rack, and u can usually go up to six pairs if you get the wider ones
16 years ago
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Spacekroft
Posts: 1332 - Karma: 41
depending on the size of your rack you can fit anywhere from 2-6pairs of skis. i like yakima racks becasue they have round cross bars so you can mount either yakima or thule to them
16 years ago
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ct_steeze
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 153
THULE ftw!!
16 years ago
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Deletedtoday
Posts: 4060 - Karma: 399
both work well but i highly suggest that you look what brand is carried more in your area so if you need a fix or something theres a variety of places
16 years ago
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tonyflow1
Posts: 82 - Karma: 27
thanks guys. +k
16 years ago
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SHastatahoe
Posts: 3414 - Karma: 20
Dude, +++  Karma for just blowing my mind with roof rack knowledge. 

but I have a yakima rack on my WRX.  I like it cause YAKIMA is fun to say.
16 years ago
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chicken
Posts: 6844 - Karma: 2,122
haha I can get a little carried away when it comes to roof racks.

yeah I have worked at a rack shop for like 4 years. We help you get loaded!
16 years ago
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japanada
Posts: 13785 - Karma: 1,959
I'm partial to thule. I like the idea of square bars better, gives a better, more secure fit. The racks and boxs are interchangeable between the two. Plus we sell thule exclusively at my shop.
16 years ago
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FreshCoast
Posts: 5602 - Karma: 34
It all depends what you are using your racks for but if you need a rack for heavy duty car topping Yakima is the only choice.  I've used both countless times for transporting sailboats which obviously weigh way more than skis or even a loaded box, but Thules seem pretty sketch in comparison.  The rectangular bars are way more flimsy than Yakima's round ones.  When your driving Thules crossbars will flex which can result in not only your load bouncing, but could even fuck up the top of your car.  My friends cars with thules all have scratchs and small dents on the top.  If you are just carrying skis though Thules should be sufficient since you will have the short cross bars and not much weight.  From my experience though Yakimas are way more quality.
16 years ago
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,705
I have used both many times and both are great choices.  Get the rack that suits your needs best.
16 years ago
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selkirks
Posts: 1979 - Karma: 62
Don't get a roof rack. Get a box. If you put your skis in a rack, they'll get eaten by the sand, salt and chemicals used to treat the roadway in the winter. Spend the extra $ to get a box. I'm a strong proponent of Yakima's ski boxes.
16 years ago
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zagfan5
Posts: 2608 - Karma: 144
haha yeh 509
16 years ago
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noparking
Posts: 1123 - Karma: 50
thule
16 years ago
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
good info, but i'm not really considering a box for the following reasons:

sand/salt/chemicals not as much of an issue iin the SE
if sand/salt/chemicals was an issue i'd at least have an excuse to buy new gear
during the summer i want to switch out for a bike rack- i don't have anywhere to store a giant box during these times
it would look silly on my altima

good input so far, more +k to all
16 years ago
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selkirks
Posts: 1979 - Karma: 62
Haha I see that makes sense.

If you didn't have a smaller car i'd say also look at hitch racks, because they can easily be swapped out for a bike rack, but in your situation, i guess i'd go with a roof rack. Thule tends to have better racks. Yakima tends to have better boxes.
16 years ago
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bobs
Posts: 4801 - Karma: 868
I have a thule 6 set that I have been extremely pleased with. I would certainly reccommend it.
16 years ago
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