Roof Rack Options For Hauling Two Kayaks On A 2022 Subaru Forester

Updated 11/20/2023 | Published 11/19/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Malone FoldAway-5 Kayak, Canoe, and SUP Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Clamp On

(116)

$206.95

Malone FoldAway-J Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Clamp On

(116)

$143.95

Malone AirFlow2 Roof Rack - Aero Crossbars - Raised Side Rails - Aluminum - 50" Long - Silver

(1642)

$224.95

Landing Pad 22 for Yakima SkyLine and Control Towers - Qty 4

(893)

$143.95

Yakima JetStream Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 60" Long - Qty 2

(599)

$269.95

SkyLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars - Fixed Mounting Points, Flush Rails, and Track Systems - Qty 4

(60)

$274.95

Question:

Question: I predict some difficulty loading a heavy fishing kayak onto the Foresters AirFlow2 roof rack, so arent I better off not using a kayak rack or saddle at all? The heavy kayak has to slide onto the rack and it seems like the bare crossbars will make that easier but kayak racks add more height to deal with and are more grippy, not as smooth and slick a surface to push the kayak over - right? Question #2: Is it possible to carry both a 34 wide fishing kayak hull side down on the bare crossbars and a lighter conventional kayak in a J-style rack at the same time? How long do the AirFlow2 bars have to be to accommodate both?

asked by: Tom H

Expert Reply:

Saddles/racks typically have some sort of cushion or rubber to help prevent sliding and offer multiple tie-down points so they are typically better than just laying the kayak onto the crossbar. The Malone AirFlow2 Roof Rack # MPG215 has 50" crossbars. If you subtract 34" from that you're left with 16" which is a bit smaller that most J-Style kayak carriers so you'd likely not have enough room. Since the Malone # MAL98FR angles up you might be able to clear the fishing kayak, but this would require a bit of testing to ensure that it actually fits.

If you went with a Yakima roof rack instead you'd be able to use some longer crossbars and then have more than enough space to accomplish what you're wanting. For this you would need the following components:

Yakima JetStream Crossbars - 60" # Y00426
SkyLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars # Y53TR
Landing Pad 22 for Yakima SkyLine and Control Towers # Y00248