Loading Two Hobie Mirage Passport Kayaks on a 2025 Kia Soul with Malone Telos XL

Updated 08/20/2026 | Published 08/19/2026

Products Featured in This Question

Malone DownLoader Kayak Roof Rack w/ Lift Assist and Tie-Downs - J-Style - Clamp On

(150)

$611.90

Yakima SkyLine Roof Rack for Fixed Mounting Points - HD Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - Qty 2

(6208)

$619.20

Question:

I have searched for a solution to carry TWO Hobie Mirage Passport kayaks on the roof of my wifes 2025 Kia Soul. We are both up there in age, so will need assistance getting them safely up to the roof. The Kia does not have any roof top rails, but has four female bolt holes designed into the roof. I plan to buy after market rails that fit the Soul. I think I can use the Malone Telos XL with the Malone Downloader J-style racks to get this job done. 1. Do you agree that this will do what I need? 2. When will you have the Telos XL back in stock for me to order? Thanks for your guidance! Jerry

asked by: Jerry

Expert Reply:

Hi Jerry,

Yes, I think you’re headed in the right direction with the Malone DownLoader and Telos XL for getting your Hobie Mirage Passport kayaks onto the roof without having to muscle them all the way up there. The Malone DownLoader with Telos XL Load Assist, part # MPG114MD-351XL, lets you load from the side of the Soul and gradually work the kayak up to roof level. The self locking ratcheting cradles help keep the kayak from sliding back down while you’re loading, which is exactly the kind of assistance I’d want in your situation.

I also agree with going with J style carriers for two kayaks on the Soul. They hold the kayaks more upright, which makes much better use of the limited crossbar space than trying to carry both sitting flat. You would need a separate carrier for each kayak, and the Telos XL can be moved from one DownLoader to the other so you can load them one at a time.

For the bare roof on your 2025 Kia Soul, I’d use the Yakima SkyLine Roof Rack with HD crossbars, part # Y95BB. This setup is designed to work with the fixed mounting points on the roof, so you don’t need to add aftermarket raised side rails first. That keeps the setup simpler and gives you a solid foundation for the kayak carriers.

The downside right now is availability. We’re currently expecting the Telos XL setup to be out of stock for at least another month (8/19), so I know that doesn’t help if you were hoping to get on the water right away. Once it’s available, though, I think this is a much better approach than wrestling two Hobies onto the roof and risking a sore back or an unhappy Kia.

What waters are you and your wife excited to get the Hobies out on once loading them onto the Soul gets easier, Jerry?

expert reply by: Heather A

Jerry

8/19/2026

Thanks for the reply. Actually the Kia goes on a trailer which we tow behind our motorhome. Thanks to etrailer, I have set up the Kia to also pull the trailer (unloaded) so that I can move it around the campground or even use it to launch the kayaks. We plan to hit many differenct things including state and national parks, Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains, etc.

Heather A.

8/20/2026

@Jerry The Smoky Mountains is an incredible place to put those Hobies to use. Between the mountain scenery and all the lakes and waterways around that area, it sounds like you and your wife have some great adventures ahead of you! Let me know if you need anything else, I'm still around.

Bill

8/20/2026

I've had the Malone DownLoader for a couple of years and it works great. Like you, my old body doesn't want to act young anymore. I would caution you about your plan to use the existing holes on your roof to mount cross rails. I have a 2020 Honda CR-V, and it had a similar arrangement. Honda says that using that configuration is only rated for 100 lb. So, check what Kia says about load rating. I went with clamp on racks which had a higher rating.

Jim& D.

8/20/2026

Two Pigmy Penguino 14.5s on a Subaru Forester. Our Kayaks are lighter than equivalent length plastic kayaks but also longer than most so they are about 30 pounds each. We did a dry run to learn the set-, take down, adjustments etc before actually going to the water. Very helpful. The Downloader makes an impossible task simply a task that gets easier with each use. Once one gets all the adjustments right and straps in the right place while loading, it's pretty quick. Due to our car's hood design we can't put straps between the bonnet and body but there are nice steel holes underneath for the hooks, The two tie down ratchets that I had used with our double kayak work really well and I'll be getting two more so that all for end tie-downs will be ratcheted. A nice feature when fingers are cold. For best loading, make sure the downloaders are parallel. Jim & Donna