Surfboard racks are critical for a successful surf trip. Secure even the most coveted freshies to your vehicle confidently with these five surf racks. Photo: Nick Bruckbauer//The Inertia

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Surfers have been transporting their surfboards on top of cars since, well, the car was invented (yeah, surfboards are older than cars). In the modern era of surfing that we live in today, it’s possible to throw a couple of shortboards in the trunk of almost any car, but anything bigger than a shortboard and – unless you have a van or a station wagon that you’re happy to ride solo in – you’ll want to have some surfboard roof racks for your car.

Even a pickup could benefit from a tailgate pad, and there are plenty of cheaper and more temporary options as well such as surfboard roof pads that can be installed and removed with ease (think rental cars, your mom’s car, etc.)

We’ve done some soul-surfing (err, searching) on the topic of surfboard car racks, pads, straps, and otherwise, and found a number that we like. If you don’t want to read the why and how, see our top picks below. But do yourself a favor and read on to make sure you’re making the best choice for your vehicle and your surfboards.

Navigate To: Comparison Table | Buyer’s Guide | How We Tested

The Best Surfboard Roof Racks (And Other Options)

Best Roof Pads: FCS D-Ring Soft Rack
Best Cross Bars: Thule Evo Wing Bar
Best Cross Bar Pads: Dakine Aero Rack Pads
Best Roof Straps: FCS D-Ring Tie-Downs
Best Tailgate Pad for Pickups: Dakine Pickup Pad
Best Hybrid Rack for SUP/Surf: Yakima SupDawg

Best Budget Picks

Best Budget Roof Pads: Ho Stevie! Surfboard Roof Pads
Best Budget Cross Bars: Malone SteelTop Square Bar Rack
Best Budget Roof Rack Pads: Ho Stevie! Roof Rack Pads
Best Budget Roof Straps: COR Surf Tie Down Straps

Best Roof Pads

FCS D-Ring Double Soft Rack ($108)

Pros: D-Ring securely buckles board, can be opened with one hand
Cons: Strap around roof taking away from car’s headspace, questionable on the freeway

We’ve seen these racks a lot, and we were pretty skeptical at first. But, they’ve grown on us. If you have a small car, are borrowing/renting, or are traveling and planning on renting a car, these can be pretty awesome and easy to use. And, if you have a bigger car, you can probably figure out how to get a board to fit in the car without racks, anyway.

You can even load a couple of boards onto the racks if you’re driving with friends or if you don’t leave home without your entire quiver. The racks themselves strap to your car and you can then strap your boards to the rack straps. The advantage of the FCS version over all the other ones on the market is FCS’s D-Ring, which securely buckles your board to your car with friction, and can be opened with one hand (most cam buckle straps require two hands).

Plus, these racks are easy to set up and take down so you don’t need to keep them on your car when you’re not using them. You can save your fuel efficiency and transfer them to another car if you have to with ease. They come in single, double, and single wide variations.

Though we do like this rack system a lot, there are a few disadvantages. You have to strap these around the roof of your car which means that you’re taking height away from your car’s headspace. If you’re a taller person this may make driving uncomfortable. We’re also not sure how much we’d trust these racks on longer trips or at high speeds – they’re more than suitable for a trip to your local break. If set-up properly and monitored for issues, you could almost certainly survive a road trip with them, but they wouldn’t be our first choice.

Best Cross Bars

Thule Evo Wing Bars ($509)

Pros: Lots of attachments and customization options
Cons: Expensive

Thule makes awesome car racks, buy them once and you’ll likely have them for life – but they are not cheap. At the very least, you’ll need a set of cross bars, like the Thule Evo, and a set of feet that fit your car’s rail system.

It’s a bit of a toss-up between Thule and its main rival, Yakima, with both having top-tier roof rack systems and a wide variety of accessories to attach to them. We chose Thule here as their crossbar packages tend to run a bit cheaper than Yakima’s, and their lowest-priced crossbar system the SquareBar is both cheaper than Yakima’s lowest-priced RoundBar system, and in our opinion, the square bars are more useful than the round ones. But you really can’t go wrong either way.

If you’re just looking to carry surfboards, you have a couple of options from Thule. You can get the board carrier system. It is perfect for larger boards like longboards or SUPs and works for shortboards as well, just make sure you have a good tight fit. The ease of use is incredible, but their versatility is a bit limited.

If you want to haul any of your other toys around like bikes, ski gear, or regular luggage, just plain ol’ crossbars with some of Thule’s rack pads to protect your boards are a great choice. You’ll need to snag some solid tie-down straps, but the versatility of such a setup is unmatched. We’re also fans of the roof baskets since you can load it up with everything you need or just strap a longer board straight across it if that’s all you’re bringing.

Runner-Up Best Cross Bars

Yakima Jetstream Bars ($545)

Pros: Variety of accessories, modular system
Cons: Expensive

Another great option, from another top-tier car-rack manufacturer. You can’t go wrong with Thule or Yakima, to be honest.

Like Thule, Yakima has a variety of gadgets that you can put on top of this rack system to carry all kinds of things. The modular system allows for easy installation of any type of addition for whatever trip you are taking.

This Yakima rack has a teardrop shape, and there are some aerodynamic benefits of having a flatter, wider bar (see round vs aero racks, below). You can save some of your fuel economy which is always a plus.

Yakima also offers a rack that can cover your surf and/or SUP needs, and if you go with their base rack system just make sure you get some pads to put over your rack.

Best Cross Bar Pads

Dakine Rack Pads ($50)

Pros: Super durable
Cons: A little pricier than other options, only compatible with aero crossbars (round/square crossbar version here)

We cannot speak more highly of the durability of these rack pads. For the past 8+ years, the same pair of Dakine Aero Rack Pads have sat on the roof of our tester’s car, through rain, sun, snow, and everything in between, and they have yet to even think about deteriorating. Who’s to say if that has anything to do with the inordinate amount of surf wax that has melted into them over the years, or if they’re just plain awesome, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and these sure haven’t broken yet.

There are cheaper options out there, but none with Dakine’s proven durability. They come in a couple of different lengths (28″ and 34″) so be sure to order the size that will suit your roof rack the best.

If you have a round or square roof rack (like the Malone, above), you’ll want to go with these pads from Dakine, instead.

Best Roof Straps

FCS D-Ring Tie-Downs ($45)

Pros: Only requires one hand to open
Cons: Not the most versatile

When it comes to roof rack straps for surfboard transport, FCS’s D-Ring Tie-Downs can’t be beaten. Featuring the same buckle design as their roof pads, above, these securely strap your surfboard to your car and only require one hand to open, helpful when you’re standing on your car tire and reaching across the roof of your car to get surfboards down.

However, they are a bit less versatile than classic tie-down straps that feature a metal cam construction as they need a flat surface for the most secure fit. If you’re more interested in an all-around pair of straps to keep in your car for whatever life throws your way, the D-Ring might not be your best bet as they do best with a flat surface (like the bottom of a surfboard) to be cinched down onto.

Best Tailgate Pads for Pickups

Dakine Pickup Pad ($125)

Pros: Multi-functional
Cons: Need cam straps to use

If you own a pickup, you’re likely putting your surfboard in the bed, rather than on the roof. With that in mind, you probably will want some pads to ensure that the hard edges of your pickup bed don’t damage your board. The Dakine Pickup Pad, above is as multi-functional as it gets, protecting your board from your tailgate and vice versa. It’s also a great choice for bikes and other gear you might hang over the tailgate to ensure you don’t scratch that precious paint job. Note that you will need a set of cam straps if you choose to go this route for surfboard truckin’.

For a cheaper, more surf-specific option, check out the Dakine Tailgate Surfboard Pad, which clocks in at $75 bucks cheaper, and comes equipped with an integrated cam strap to keep your board secure.

Best Hybrid SUP/Surf Rack

Yakima SupDawg ($349)

Pros: Easy to install, integrated roller wheel helps boards slide on
Cons: Pricey

The Yakima SupDawg is a convenient rooftop SUP and surfboard rack that makes it quick and convenient to attach and secure your board to your vehicle without having to mess around with floppy rack pads or loose tie-down straps. The rack is super easy to install with oversized dials that you turn by hand to tighten the rubber-coated mounting claws. The mounting claws fit aero roof bars and include a set of accessory clips to mount to round roof bars. Overall, the SupDawg is a breeze to install, adjust, or remove, and felt very secure on top of our vehicle.

Once installed, it’s similarly easy to attach up to two SUPs or surfboards to the rack. A small integrated roller wheel on each rack helps you slide the board onto the rack, and adjusts to accommodate boards up to 36 inches wide. Once the board is on the rack, the integrated straps have an inner steel reinforcement cable for extra strength, and they easily feed into the strap lock system where you can cinch the straps down tightly. Bonus features include a slot to feed leftover strap material so that it’s not flopping around when you drive, and two rubber sleeves on each strap to help protect the edges of your board.

Other Surfboard Car Racks We Love

Best Budget Roof Pads

Ho Stevie! Surfboard Roof Pads($49)

Pros: Affordable and durable
Cons: Single pad

For half the price, Ho Stevie! provides an awesome and secure option with their proven customer service and satisfaction. The straps and pads are super durable, and the cams have a rubber sleeve to make sure the hard metal doesn’t damage your precious cargo.

Though it’s just a single pad (FCS, above, has two-pad options) the straps are long enough to accommodate up to three boards stacked on top of one another.

Best Budget Roof Rack

Malone SteelTop Square Bar Rack ($126)

Pros: Ready-to-go system, affordable
Cons: Square bar system which is less aerodynamic

For half the price of the crossbars that Thule and Yakima offer, above, you can get yourself a ready-to-go system from Malone that will attach to basically any side rail system a car might have (we’ve yet to find one it doesn’t work for).

However, one negative of the Malone rack is that it’s a square bar system. This kind of system is the least aerodynamic. It can also be a worry to strap boards straight onto since there is less surface which will apply more pressure to your board. But that’s less of a concern as you’ll be adding pads to those racks (right?).

Best Budget Roof Rack Pads

Ho Stevie! Roof Rack Pads ($35)

Pros: Affordable and reliable
Cons: Not as big as Dakine

Ho Stevie! strikes again. For low-priced, but well-made surf accessories, they really can’t be beat. These pads (made for aero-style roof racks, check out their round rack pads here) are made of a durable and waterproof nylon construction, to be honest, there’s very little difference, if any, between these and the Dakine pads.

That said, Dakine as a brand carries a bit more weight and cachet than Ho Stevie!, so for extra style points, go with the Dakine option. Dakine’s pads are also a little longer (Ho Stevie!’s pads come in 17″ and 28″ sizes). For unbeatable pricing, Ho Stevie! fits the bill.

Best Budget Roof Straps

COR Surf Tie Down Straps ($29)

Pros: Affordable, versatile
Cons: Need to purchase a rack separately

Ahh, the classic tie-down straps. While they don’t offer the one-handed ease of the FCS D-Ring, nor the security of the Kanu Lock, these straps are about as versatile as you can get and should be a staple in anyone’s car, surfer or otherwise. We’ve used them to extend hammock straps on camping trips, roll up a sleeping pad, and strap anything from surfboards to skis to kayaks to our roof rack.

Classic tie-down straps are a better choice for surfboards than ratchet straps, as they can’t really be tightened enough to damage a board (but please don’t test that theory). COR Surf makes a solid set, but really, any cam strap from your local hardware store should do the trick and maybe save you a buck or two.

Kanu Locks ($90)

Pros: Surfboard straps with interior metal cables that lock
Cons: A lot pricier than your average tie-downs

Kanu Locks takes the classic tie-down strap and gives it a significant upgrade. If you’ve ever had to leave a surfboard strapped on top of your car for an extended period of time (aka a surf session), you have probably spent said extended period of time worrying that someone might steal it (at least we would be worrying).

Kanu Locks fixes that problem with a strap that is reinforced with an interior metal cable, and a locking cam buckle to keep your boards safe and give you peace of mind. The interior cable wouldn’t be a match for a solid pair of wire cutters, but for a simple crime of opportunity, they should do the trick. They come in a few different lengths as well so you can choose the size you need (usually larger than you think).

One small con we encountered here in testing was that the straps, due to the metal cable, can be difficult to tie off if you end up with a spare end after cinching down your boards, as knots you tie tend to loosen with the stiff strap, but we found throwing an extra knot or two over the first one to do the trick here.

Surfboard Roof Racks Comparison Table

How We Tested The Best Surfboard Roof Racks

As surfers and water-people we’ve used a lot of different types of attachment styles for our precious boards and gear, as well as heard the horror stories from friends about boards flying off on the highway. For this article, we leaned on the institutional knowledge of our experienced gear testers and got our hands on the latest and greatest products to see how they fared against our tried and true options.

This article was originally written and published in November 2020 by experienced surfer, lifeguard, and gear-tester Jacob Holke of Southern California, with input from The Inertia‘s gear team. In January of 2023, Will Sileo, the Inertia’s lead Gear Editor, did some additional testing of budget options and added four new products to the lineup. This summer, Nick Bruckbauer tested out some hybrid SUP/surf racks, which we added one of to the list, and we conducted a format update to make everything as clear and concise as possible.

Surfboard Roof Rack Buyer’s Guide

What Makes a Good Surfboard Car Rack?

Choosing car racks can be a daunting task. There’s a bunch of known brands that all seem pretty good. Then there are cheaper ones that are, well, cheaper and may seem a little sketchy. Thule and Yakima are the most trusted brands, but there are plenty of other trusted options out there, too (and in this list). The main thing you’ll want to figure out, however, before you go out and get a set of racks, is what type of rack will be best for your car.

If your car has side rails already installed, you can go with a simple set of crossbars. If your car has a flat roof or a roof with rain gutters, you have some options there, too.

That’s the first consideration: get the system that fits your car. No one wants to shell out all that money for a system that’s not compatible.

The Yakima SupDawg is a great hybrid SUP/surf rack. Photo: Nick Bruckbauer//The Inertia

Round/Square vs. Aero Surfboard Car Racks

Supposedly aero racks are quieter when you’re driving. In our experience, quieter is a relative term when it comes to racks. But, they’re also more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient. Though, exactly how fuel-efficient isn’t entirely clear either, but anything helps if you’re going to be driving with them on your car full-time.

One true plus of the oblong-style aero roof racks is that they give a flatter surface to place things on when you’re loading up.  We feel like we’re able to get a better base when we strap our boards down.

Overhang vs. Flush Surf Racks

Some racks end at the spot where they attach to the base. These are flush racks. Others, called overhang racks, continue past that base for a few inches. If you’re going to be strapping things to your racks we recommend getting racks that overhang.

When racks overhang, you can attach the tie-down to the outside of the tower and prevent your board or load from sliding around the middle. If you wrap both sides of the tie-down to the outside, your strap won’t slide around as you drive.

Ok, now that you have a rack system, it’s time to look at rack pads.

The Dakine Rack Pads are one of the most durable options out there.  Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Do I Need Rack Pads to Transport My Surfboard?

If you don’t have a special attachment and are just putting a board straight onto the crossbar, you should have some sort of pad. There are plenty of options, and it doesn’t have to be super fancy. But, you’ll want something to stop your board from being pushed into a hard, narrow rack and something that will stop wax from getting everywhere. Some sort of rack pad will help with this.

Best Rack Pads

Dakine’s Aero Rack Pads are insanely durable, reliable, and for a product that will last you years if not decades, pretty cost effective.
Buy Now

Other Surfboard Transport Options

Despite all the hoopla over roof racks, they aren’t the best for everybody, for reasons previously stated. Different strokes for different folks, and different surfboard transport solutions for different vehicles.

For those with a pickup truck, a tailgate pad will probably be what you’re looking for. These are great for longboards, and can often also be used for bikes and other equipment.

If you’re looking for a temporary or cheaper option, roof pads are a great call. They won’t work (or at least will be super sketchy) on a car that but for any car with a flat roof area and some doors or windows to thread the straps through, these will work great. That said, roof pads tend to be the sketchiest option out there for surfboard transport. Used properly they can be a bomber solution, used improperly, and you’re ending up on Kook of the Day, my friend.

Putting Your Surfboard on Your Car Rack

When putting a surfboard on a roof rack, put the board fins up and fins facing forward. You might think that it doesn’t matter which way the board goes, but fins back is for kooks. Your board probably won’t slide out from your straps when you accelerate, but what if it did and the fin wasn’t there to stop it? Just think about it.

In any case, the less board you have hanging over the front of your car the better. Don’t push things way to the back and make them horribly off-balance, but if you’re transporting a longboard, having a bunch of board hanging over your windshield will catch the wind, hurting your gas milage and putting the sort of upward pressure on your roof rack system that causes flyaway boards on the highway.

Return to Top Picks | Return to Comparison Table

Editor’s Note: Biking to the surf instead? Check out The Best Surfboard Bike Racks. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.

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