Yakima

American manufacturer of roof racks, bike racks, and cargo solutions. Known for the SKS lock system and innovative designs like the ShowDown kayak loader.

premium TierUSAEst. 1979

Products84

Categories6

WarrantyLimited lifetime

WebsiteVisit site

About Yakima

Yakima is Thule's main North American rival. The company started in 1979 in Yakima, Washington as a small bike shop that was building its own roof racks because nothing on the market worked well on Subarus. That DIY origin still shapes the brand — Yakima racks are known for being genuinely installer-friendly.

Yakima sells crossbars, towers, cargo boxes, hitch bike racks, water-sport carriers, and ski mounts. Their bread-and-butter product is the Q-Tower system, which clamps to bare roofs (no factory rails required). It's the reason Yakima has a strong hold on the Subaru, Toyota 4Runner, and Tacoma crowd.

Pricing is usually a hair below Thule for comparable gear. Build quality is similar. The choice between the two usually comes down to fit kit availability for your specific vehicle and which color you like better.

Did you know?

Yakima's signature Q-Tower system — the thing that lets their racks clamp to bare roofs without factory rails — wasn't launched until 1979, and the company is still headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, not in Yakima, Washington.

Top Yakima racks compared

	Yakima OffGrid	Yakima GrandTour 16	Yakima GrandTour 18	Yakima CBX 16	Yakima CBX 18
Weight Capacity	165.0	165.0	165.0	165.0	165.0
Weight	49.4	53.0	57.0	79.0	86.5
Length	45.3	82.5	90.0	82.0	90.0
Width	40.3	36.0	36.0	36.0	36.0
Height	7.0	16.0	16.0	16.0	16.0
Material	Wood	Abs Plastic	Abs Plastic	Abs Plastic	Abs Plastic
Mounting	Roof Crossbar	Roof Crossbar	Roof Crossbar	Roof Crossbar	Roof Crossbar
Installation	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Noise Rating	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Security	None	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Value Score	90	87	87	87	85
Ease of Use	90	90	90	90	90
Build Quality	87	87	87	87	87
Foldable	No	No	No	No	No
Score	91/100	91/100	91/100	91/100	91/100

Yakima OffGrid

91/100

Weight Capacity: 165.0
Weight: 49.4
Length: 45.3
Width: 40.3
Height: 7.0
Material: Wood
Mounting: Roof Crossbar
Installation: Moderate
Noise Rating: Moderate
Security: None
Value Score: 90
Ease of Use: 90
Build Quality: 87
Foldable: No

Yakima GrandTour 16

91/100

Weight Capacity: 165.0
Weight: 53.0
Length: 82.5
Width: 36.0
Height: 16.0
Material: Abs Plastic
Mounting: Roof Crossbar
Installation: Moderate
Noise Rating: Moderate
Security: Moderate
Value Score: 87
Ease of Use: 90
Build Quality: 87
Foldable: No

Yakima GrandTour 18

91/100

Weight Capacity: 165.0
Weight: 57.0
Length: 90.0
Width: 36.0
Height: 16.0
Material: Abs Plastic
Mounting: Roof Crossbar
Installation: Moderate
Noise Rating: Moderate
Security: Moderate
Value Score: 87
Ease of Use: 90
Build Quality: 87
Foldable: No

Yakima CBX 16

91/100

Weight Capacity: 165.0
Weight: 79.0
Length: 82.0
Width: 36.0
Height: 16.0
Material: Abs Plastic
Mounting: Roof Crossbar
Installation: Moderate
Noise Rating: Moderate
Security: Moderate
Value Score: 87
Ease of Use: 90
Build Quality: 87
Foldable: No

Yakima CBX 18

91/100

Weight Capacity: 165.0
Weight: 86.5
Length: 90.0
Width: 36.0
Height: 16.0
Material: Abs Plastic
Mounting: Roof Crossbar
Installation: Moderate
Noise Rating: Moderate
Security: Moderate
Value Score: 85
Ease of Use: 90
Build Quality: 87
Foldable: No

All Yakima Products(84)

91/100

Yakima

Yakima HighRoad

Bike Racksroof_mount_bike

~$526MSRP

91/100

Yakima

Yakima OffGrid

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$700MSRP

91/100

Yakima

Yakima FatCat EVO 6

Ski & Snowboardroof_mount_ski

~$517MSRP

91/100

Yakima

Yakima GrandTour 16

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$1,190MSRP

91/100

Yakima

Yakima OnRamp LX 2

Bike Rackshitch_mount_bike

~$1,400MSRP

91/100

Yakima

Yakima GrandTour 18

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$1,330MSRP

91/100

Yakima

Yakima CBX 16

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$1,400MSRP

91/100

Yakima

Yakima CBX 18

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$1,540MSRP

91/100

Yakima

Yakima EXO SwingBase

Cargo Carriershitch_cargo_carrier

~$840MSRP

91/100

Yakima

Yakima EXO GearLocker

Cargo Carriershitch_cargo_carrier

~$840MSRP

91/100

Yakima

Yakima HoldUp 2

Bike Rackshitch_mount_bike

~$840MSRP

91/100

Yakima

Yakima FatCat EVO 4

Ski & Snowboardroof_mount_ski

~$461MSRP

89/100

Yakima

Yakima EXO TopShelf

Cargo Carriershitch_cargo_carrier

~$349MSRP

89/100

Yakima

Yakima BoatLoader EVO

Kayak & Canoej_cradle

~$419MSRP

89/100

Yakima

Yakima OffGrid Extension

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$419MSRP

89/100

Yakima

Yakima StageTwo

Bike Rackshitch_mount_bike

~$1,330MSRP

89/100

Yakima

Yakima EXO GearWarrior

Cargo Carriershitch_cargo_carrier

~$560MSRP

89/100

Yakima

Yakima SkyBox NX 12

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$1,120MSRP

89/100

Yakima

Yakima SweetRoll

Kayak & Canoesaddle_mount

~$321MSRP

89/100

Yakima

Yakima PowderHound 6

Ski & Snowboardroof_mount_ski

~$391MSRP

89/100

Yakima

Yakima MegaWarrior

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$560MSRP

89/100

Yakima

Yakima EXO DoubleUp

Bike Rackshitch_mount_bike

~$770MSRP

89/100

Yakima

Yakima OnRamp

Bike Rackshitch_mount_bike

~$980MSRP

89/100

Yakima

Yakima SkyBox NX 21

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$1,330MSRP

89/100

Yakima

Yakima SkyBox NX 18

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$1,190MSRP

88/100

Yakima

Yakima GrandTour Lo

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$1,190MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima BigStack

Kayak & Canoestacker

~$181MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima EXO SnowBank

Ski & Snowboardhitch_mount_ski

~$531MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima FreshTrack 6

Ski & Snowboardroof_mount_ski

~$419MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima FreshTrack 4

Ski & Snowboardroof_mount_ski

~$279MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima HullRaiser

Kayak & Canoej_cradle

~$363MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima PowderHound 4

Ski & Snowboardroof_mount_ski

~$349MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima JayHook

Kayak & Canoej_cradle

~$279MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima FullBack 3

Bike Rackstrunk_mount_bike

~$461MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima FullSwing 4-Bike Hitch Rack

Bike Rackshitch_mount_bike

~$630MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima SkinnyWarrior

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$391MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima RocketBox Pro 14

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$840MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima SkyBox NX 16

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$1,120MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima SkyBox Carbonite 12

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$770MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima RocketBox Pro 11

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$658MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima DryTop

Cargo Carriersrooftop_bag

~$251MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima SUPDog

Kayak & Canoesaddle_mount

~$209MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima RocketBox Pro 12

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$700MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima TopWater Fishing Rod Carrier

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$980MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima FrontLoader

Bike Racksroof_mount_bike

~$386MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima SkyBox Carbonite 18

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$1,050MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima GetOut Pro

Cargo Carriersrooftop_bag

~$321MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima FullBack 2

Bike Rackstrunk_mount_bike

~$419MSRP

87/100

Yakima

Yakima DeckHand

Kayak & Canoesaddle_mount

~$223MSRP

86/100

Yakima

Yakima SkyBox Carbonite 21

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$1,150MSRP

86/100

Yakima

Yakima SkyBox Carbonite 16

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$910MSRP

85/100

Yakima

Yakima JayLow J-Cradle

Kayak & Canoej_cradle

~$293MSRP

85/100

Yakima

Yakima DeepSpace 10

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$840MSRP

85/100

Yakima

Yakima RidgeBack 2

Bike Rackshitch_mount_bike

~$602MSRP

85/100

Yakima

Yakima RidgeBack 4

Bike Rackshitch_mount_bike

~$672MSRP

85/100

Yakima

Yakima DoubleDown 4

Bike Rackshitch_mount_bike

~$363MSRP

85/100

Yakima

Yakima ForkLift

Bike Racksroof_mount_bike

~$349MSRP

84/100

Yakima

Yakima OffGrid Large Basket

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$840MSRP

83/100

Yakima

Yakima HangOut 3

Bike Rackstrunk_mount_bike

~$307MSRP

83/100

Yakima

Yakima OffGrid Medium Basket

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$700MSRP

83/100

Yakima

Yakima EasyTop

Cargo Carriersrooftop_bag

~$195MSRP

83/100

Yakima

Yakima HangOut 2

Bike Rackstrunk_mount_bike

~$279MSRP

82/100

Yakima

Yakima BowDown Kayak/SUP Mount

Kayak & Canoesaddle_mount

~$349MSRP

80/100

Yakima

Yakima LoadWarrior Cargo Basket

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$489MSRP

~$391MSRP

Yakima

YAKIMA, CoreBar Aerodynamic Crossbars for Roof Rack Systems, Set of 2

Accessoriesaero_crossbar

~$321MSRP

Yakima

Yakima Set of 2 Roof Rack Crossbars, Rooftop Car, SUV, or Truck T-Slot Bars Compatible with StreamLine Tower – Bars Only, 50 Inch, JetStream

Accessoriesaero_crossbar

~$379MSRP

Yakima

YAKIMA, WindShield Fairing for Roof Racks, Quiet Noise, Reduce Drag

Accessorieswind_fairing

~$209MSRP

Yakima

Yakima RoundBar Medium Steel Round Roof Rack Crossbars

Accessoriesaero_crossbar

~$210MSRP

Yakima

Yakima SUPDawg

Paddleboard Carrierssup_saddle_mount

~$701MSRP

No image

Yakima

Yakima GrandTour 18

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$1,340MSRP

Prices may vary. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Articles featuring Yakima

Reviews, guides & comparisons

Hitch Cargo Carriers — 5 Picks for an F-150 | MyCargoRacks

Michael Rollins

Jan 10, 2025

Yakima ShowDown Load-Assist Review

Bill Nikolaou

Oct 5, 2023

Best Spare-Tire Bike Racks Jeep Owners Love in 2026

Hanna Leclair

Jul 31, 2023

Best Vertical Hitch Bike Racks (2026 Buyer's Guide)

Hanna Leclair

Jul 31, 2023

Store 4 Kayaks Easily: The High-Capacity Racks Guide

Bill Nikolaou

Jul 31, 2023

Kayak Racks for Jeeps in 2026: The Ultimate Guide

Bill Nikolaou

Jul 31, 2023

Lift-Assist Kayak Racks: The 2026 Guide to Hassle-Free Loading

Bill Nikolaou

Jul 31, 2023

Top Horizontal (Saddle) Kayak Racks Explained in this 2026 Guide

Bill Nikolaou

Jul 31, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions About Yakima

Yes. Like Thule, most Yakima roof rack systems need a Landing Pad or BaseLine fit kit (~$70–168) specific to your vehicle. Their Fit Guide covers most popular vehicles. The total system cost is typically ~$421–771 — generally 15–25% less than equivalent Thule setups.

Yakima racks are generally durable, but older Q-tower designs have documented detachment issues when rubber pads degrade. The newer BaseLine/StreamLine platforms addressed this. If buying used, avoid pre-2018 Q-tower systems. New Yakima products carry a limited lifetime warranty.

Yakima's strengths are value pricing (15–25% less than Thule for comparable racks), simpler installation on many vehicles, and their LockNLoad platform for overlanding builds. Their FrontLoader and HighRoad bike mounts are genuinely easier to load solo than Thule equivalents. Where Yakima falls short: aerodynamic noise and premium finish quality.

The SkyBox is Yakima's best-seller for a reason — solid build, dual-side opening, and tool-free mounting. At ~$561–841, it undercuts the Thule Motion XT by ~$140–280 for similar capacity. The trade-off is slightly more wind noise and less refined aesthetics. For most families, it's the sweet spot between budget boxes and premium Thule.

Yakima is ideal for the value-conscious buyer who wants brand-name quality without Thule's premium. Great for families who load up a few times per season, overlanders building a LockNLoad platform, and anyone who'd rather spend the savings on the trip instead of the rack. Not ideal if highway noise is your top concern.

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