The summer season is about to start and there is no more comfortable way to transport your stand up paddle to the next spot than with a SUP roof rack. There is no need for a large trunk, as roof racks for SUPs are simply mounted on the car roof using special (lockable) roof racks or straps.
Recognize quality:
We present the 7 best SUP roof bars 2024 in our recommendations. The most important information is summarized in our guide. Avoid buying mistakes and stow the SUP safely.
Contents:
- Top picks: The best SUP roof racks 2024 reviewed.
- Checklist: These features are important.
- Bestsellers: Overview of the most popular SUP roof racks.
- Guide: How to make the right decision.
- FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about SUP roof bars.
The best SUP roof racks 2024 reviewed
1. best inflatable SUP roof rack
The HandiWorld HandiRack offers a quick and safe solution for transporting SUPs and water sports equipment, ideal for almost all types of car.
- Quick and easy installation
- Universally suitable for almost all car types
- Lightweight and portable
- High load capacity
- Seat belts in the passenger compartment take some getting used to
- Protective mats required for scratch protection
Why we like it:
In our test, the HandiWorld HandiRack proved to be an extremely practical and versatile roof rack for SUPS. Particularly noteworthy is the quick and easy assembly: the carrier is ready for use within 5-10 minutes.
The double-stroke pump supplied enables the chambers to be inflated quickly so that the HandiRack is ready for use in no time at all. The robust denier nylon materials and the D lashing rings ensure safe transportation.
During our test, we placed anti-slip pads under the carriers to provide additional protection for the car roof.
Despite the minor disadvantages, such as the belts in the driving area and the need for protective mats, the HandiRack is impressive thanks to its practicality and versatility.
A big plus point is the compact design: the HandiRack can easily be stored in the trunk when not in use. The carrying bag supplied makes transportation and storage easier.
Recommended for:
Thanks to its universal fit, it is suitable for almost all types of car, making it a flexible solution for SUP enthusiasts.
The HandiRack is particularly recommended for those looking for a quick and easy installation and a compact storage solution.
2. best SUP carrier for safe transportation
The Thule roof rack has a size of 63.5 x 20.3 x 12.7 cm per rack and can carry loads of up to 50 kg. A heavy-duty strap is included to securely fasten the SUP. However, the carriers are heavier to transport than inflatable models due to their high weight of 3.2 kg.
- Load capacity
- Assembly
- Security
- Size
- Portability
Why we like it: This SUP roof rack impresses with its easy handling and installation on the car. Maximum stability is achieved with the hard rack system of the “SUP Shuttle” from Thule. Pads can be purchased as accessories.
Recommended for: This roof rack is suitable if you are looking for a robust hard rack carrier for up to 50 kg.
3. best SUP roof rack pad for easy handling
The Northcore roof rack pads are easy to attach to the car's roof racks. The Velcro fastener keeps the protectors firmly in place. The nylon fabric is very robust. Thanks to the inner foam core, the SUP boards are very well protected.
- Weather resistance
- Upholstery
- Assembly
- Fit
- Price
Why we like it: The soft foam pads ensure safe transportation of any SUP. They are easy to fit and cover the entire carrier thanks to their length of 72 cm. However, they are relatively expensive for simple upholstery.
Recommended for: This product is suitable if you are looking for padding for roof racks for transporting all SUPs.
4. best SUP roof rack for maximum safety
The SUP cab carrier from the Thule brand impresses with its robust construction and yet weighs just 1 kg. The carriers are also quick and easy to fit and remove for long journeys. They have a load capacity of 25 kg and can therefore also be used to transport several boards.
- Assembly
- Longevity
- Load capacity
- Theft protection
- Weight
- Price
Why we like it: The system is simple, quick to use and offers the best security against theft thanks to steel-reinforced safety straps and a user-friendly locking mechanism.
Recommended for: This roof rack is suitable if you are looking for a high-quality and theft-proof rack for any SUP.
5. Best SUP roof rack for cars without roof rails
These luggage carriers can be easily attached to the doors and hold a maximum of 75 kg at up to 100 km/h. The elastic and secure straps make it easy to attach all kinds of water sports equipment. Nevertheless, it only weighs 600 g thanks to its compact design.
- Load capacity
- Security
- Assembly
- Weight
- Length
Why we like it: The pads of this SUP roof rack are simply attached to the car roof. They have an anti-slip coating so that nothing scratches or slips. They are also very easy to install – without any tools.
Recommended for: This roof rack is suitable if there are no roof rails and a lightweight alternative is required.
6. best deal among SUP roof racks
This roof rack has a width of 71 cm, making it easy to attach most SUP and surfboards. The two straps made of UV-resistant Oxford fabric prevent scratches on the car and equipment. As a result, this model only weighs 340 g.
- Versatility
- Assembly
- Price
- Weight
- Slightly shorter
Why we like it: The roof rack from COR is a soft rack mount made of foam and can be used not only for SUP boards, but also for kayaks. The price in particular is immediately convincing.
Recommended for: This product is suitable for anyone looking for an inexpensive roof rack. Water sports fans and active vacationers take note.
7. best SUP luggage carrier for those on a budget
This model consists of 2 parts, which can be quickly assembled and securely fastened with a strap. The width of 84 cm ensures a good fit for all SUP or surfboards. The carriers can be stowed away in your luggage to save space during transportation.
- Versatility
- Security
- Width
- Pack size
- Price
Why we like it: This carrier for stand up paddles is super easy to use and an absolute price hit! The vehicle does not need roof rails as the soft roof rack is mounted with a single strap.
Recommended for: This roof rack is suitable for every car model to safely stow your vacation equipment.
SUP roof rack Checklist: These features are important
- Compatibility:
It is important that the SUP roof rack fits on the car roof or on the railing of the vehicle. Not every car roof has a railing or the car is not compatible with the SUP roof rack. There are also systems that can be attached to cars without railings. - Capacity:
Before buying, you should consider how many boards you will be transporting. There are different capacities for SUP roof racks. Most SUP roof racks can easily transport up to 2 boards, but there are also roof racks for 1 SUP. - System:
There are hard and soft roof bars on the market.- Hard rack systems are more stable and secure.
- Soft rack systems are quicker to assemble and easy to stow away.
- Security:
There are various security systems:- Lockable: There are hard rack systems that are lockable. These make theft virtually impossible.
- Tensioning straps with steel content: These straps cannot be cut and thus prevent the board from being stolen.
Watch out: Not every soft rack system has these extra theft-proof straps!
Reading tip: The best SUP boards for beginners 2024?
Bestsellers: The most popular SUP roof racks
(**Last update 2024-09-16)
More articles you might find interesting:
- Inflatable paddle boards
- Cheap SUPs
- beach tent
- Beach balls
- All round paddle board
- SUP boards for sale
- SUP for beginners
- SUP up to 150 kg
- SUP Board Aldi
- SUP Board Lidl
- SUP Boards
- SUP double sided paddle board paddle
- SUP fins
- SUP Leash
- SUP motor
- SUP paddle
- SUP pump
- SUP Race Boards
- SUP backpack
- SUP shoes
- SUP seat
- SUP Surf Boards
- Paddle board life jacket
- SUP bag
- SUP touring boards
- SUP transport trolley
- SUP dry suit
- SUP accessories
- Windsup
Buy SUP roof rack:
How to make the right decision
The right roof racks are essential for transporting SUP boards. It is important that neither the boards nor the vehicle are damaged.
It is therefore advisable to pay closer attention to various purchase criteria before buying a suitable roof rack for stand up paddles.
- Vehicle type and compatibility
- Board capacities
- Locking systems
- Soft rack systems vs. hard rack systems
Vehicle type and compatibility: Which SUP roof rack is suitable?
The most important factor when choosing the best SUP roof rack is whether or not it is compatible with your car:
- Hard rack systems usually require an existing railing in order to be mounted on the roof of the car.
- Soft rack systems, on the other hand, are simpler and can be fitted without the need for existing roof racks or roof rails.
- Please note: Before purchasing the SUP roof rack, it is advantageous to enquire about compatibility with each brand.
Thule brand SUP racks work with most of their in-house roof racks and are only compatible with a few other brands.
To ensure that the SUP rack fits your vehicle model, Thule has provided a compatibility table called “fit my car” for checking.
Board capacities: Roof rack for one or more boards?
SUP roof racks also differ in the number of boards that can be attached to them. The racks are equipped for two Stand Up Paddles as standard. However, if the SUP is very large or the car is very narrow, this can reduce the capacity, meaning that only one SUP board will fit on the roof rack.
You should also check whether the width of the SUP board is compatible with the dimensions of the roof rack. Most roof racks for SUPs can transport boards with a width of up to 34 inches (approx. 86 cm).
Locking systems: How are boards stored securely?
Some SUP roof racks have robust locking systems that make it easy to store boards and protect them from theft. Locking systems with up to four locks are available, making it almost impossible to break into hard rack systems.
Soft-rack systems tend to be less secure than hard-rack systems, as the soft SUP roof racks are usually made of robust nylon and polyester and do not have a lock.
Soft rack systems vs. hard rack systems?
Fixed roof racks (hard rack system)
These normally only work with vehicles that are already equipped with railings. As they are more difficult to install, they usually remain mounted on the vehicle.
This system is for anyone who regularly transports the SUP on the roof of their car and doesn’t want to constantly mount the roof racks or inflate the board. Some models are also available with a lock, which makes the roof rack particularly secure.
Soft roof racks (soft rack systems)
These are ideal for people who own vehicles without railings but still want to transport their boards safely to the water.
They are easy to assemble and disassemble, making them a perfect solution for paddlers who want to transport their boards from time to time without the need for complex equipment.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers
- 1 Vehicle type and compatibility: Which SUP roof rack is suitable?
- 2 Board capacities: Roof rack for one or more boards?
- 3 Locking systems: How are boards stored securely?
- 4 Soft rack systems vs. hard rack systems?
- 5 What to look out for when buying a SUP roof rack?
- 6 Which SUP roof bars are good?
- 7 What are the advantages and disadvantages of SUP roof bars?
- 8 How expensive are good SUP roof racks?
- 9 What alternatives are there to the SUP roof rack?
- 10 When does a SUP roof rack become worthwhile?
- 11 Where can I buy SUP roof racks?
- 12 Is there a test from Consumer Reports or Öko Test on SUP roof bars?
What to look out for when buying a SUP roof rack?
Which SUP roof bars are good?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of SUP roof bars?
How expensive are good SUP roof racks?
What alternatives are there to the SUP roof rack?
When does a SUP roof rack become worthwhile?
Where can I buy SUP roof racks?
Is there a test from Consumer Reports or Öko Test on SUP roof bars?
*Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.
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