Looking For Roof Rack To Carry Kayaks On 2012 Subaru Outback

Updated 06/02/2026 | Published 05/27/2026

Products Featured in This Question

Yakima TimberLine Roof Rack for Raised Rails - JetStream Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - Qty 2

(13)

$544.90

Malone AirFlow2 Roof Rack - Aero Crossbars - Raised Side Rails - Aluminum - 58" Long - Black

(1757)

$251.95

Malone SeaWing Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Clamp On

(123)

$161.95

Question:

Hi there…can you please send links for roof rack that is compatible with a 2012 Subaru Outback 3.6.. that will also support a kayak wing mount? Thanks… P.s. my out back is the type with no slots and has factory bars that fold out…thank hou

asked by: Larry D

Expert Reply:

Hey Larry, thanks for reaching out. We do have roof racks for the 2012 Subaru Outback that can support a kayak mount. For that I recommend the following:

- Yakima TimberLine Roof Rack for Raised Rails - JetStream Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - Qty 2 # Y39YD

This comes with 50" aero crossbars. If you're wanting a longer bar for more cargo space, the Malone AirFlow2 Roof Rack # MAL84AR will also fit your Subaru and has 58" bars.

To be honest, I'm not quite sure what you mean by "kayak wing mount", but if you are referring to the Malone SeaWing Kayak Roof Rack # MPG107MD, this will absolutely work with both of the roof racks I mentioned. With the longer crossbars you could even do two of them side-by-side.

Is that what you meant by "wing mount"? Or something else?

What kind of kayaks do you have?

expert reply by: Jesse M

Malone SeaWing Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs
(click to enlarge)

Larry D.

6/2/2026

Thanks Jesse, I have a 18 ft sea kayak….so this is where I’m confused…the rack on my 2012 is not the same as the links / pics you sent…mine has the fold out cross bars…so I’m looking to add to my current stock set up, I wish I could send you a pic of mine, thanks

Jesse M.

6/2/2026

@LarryD Hey Larry. So it was my understanding that the Subaru fold out crossbars are part of the raised rail system. The roof racks I recommended attach to the factory raised rails and do not utilize the fold out crossbars. There is no way to add pictures to the comments on here (yet), but you are welcome to email those to me. My email is [email protected]. Send those over and I'm happy to take a look and see what we can do.

Larry

6/2/2026

@JesseM thanks! Sending email now

Jesse M.

6/2/2026

@Larry Got it! I just replied but I figured I'd post it in here too. So the roof racks I recommended will work with that. They clamp on to the raised portion of the factory rail assembly. They only thing to keep in mind is that rail style limits the crossbar spread. Any crossbar spread less than 24" really shouldn't be used to carry kayaks or other longer items. From here I suggest you measure the length of that raised portion to see how far apart you can space the bars.