Malone

Specializes in kayak, canoe, and SUP carriers.

mid_range TierUSAEst. 2002

Products20

Categories3

WarrantyVaries by product

About Malone

Malone is the Portland, Maine kayak and canoe carrier brand founded in 2002. They specialize in J-cradles, saddle mounts, stackers, and trailers — everything you need to get a boat from your driveway to the water.

The MegaSport is Malone's bread-and-butter trailer, a two-kayak trailer that's the default choice for paddlers who can't fit boats on their roof. The J-Pro 2 and DownLoader are their most popular roof mounts — both priced below comparable Thule and Yakima products while working just as well.

For kayak and canoe carriers specifically, Malone is almost always the best value. They don't make roof bars or bike racks — just water-sport gear — and the focus shows.

Did you know?

Malone was founded in 2002 in Portland, Maine by a pair of commercial fishermen who got tired of losing boats off their pickup trucks. The original "Malone" name came from a fishing dory that a co-founder's grandfather built in the 1940s.

Top Malone racks compared

	Malone DownLoader J-Style Kayak Carrier	Malone Telos XL Load Assist Module	Malone J-Pro 2 J-Style Kayak Carrier	Malone MicroSport Trailer	Malone Stinger Kayak Carrier
Weight Capacity	80.0	80.0	80.0	80.0	80.0
Weight	12.2	19.0	11.5	197.0	4.6
Length	17.0	58.8	20.0	159.0	24.0
Width	6.0	6.0	6.0	78.0	10.5
Height	19.5	12.0	16.5	30.0	4.0
Material	Steel	Steel	Steel	Steel	Steel
Mounting	Roof Crossbar	Roof Crossbar	Roof Crossbar	Hitch Receiver	Roof Crossbar
Installation	Basic Tools	Basic Tools	Basic Tools	Basic Tools	Basic Tools
Noise Rating	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Silent	Moderate
Value Score	90	86	88	83	91
Ease of Use	88	86	86	86	86
Build Quality	78	78	78	78	78
Score	88/100	86/100	86/100	86/100	86/100

Malone DownLoader J-Style Kayak Carrier

88/100

Weight Capacity: 80.0
Weight: 12.2
Length: 17.0
Width: 6.0
Height: 19.5
Material: Steel
Mounting: Roof Crossbar
Installation: Basic Tools
Noise Rating: Moderate
Value Score: 90
Ease of Use: 88
Build Quality: 78

Malone Telos XL Load Assist Module

86/100

Weight Capacity: 80.0
Weight: 19.0
Length: 58.8
Width: 6.0
Height: 12.0
Material: Steel
Mounting: Roof Crossbar
Installation: Basic Tools
Noise Rating: Moderate
Value Score: 86
Ease of Use: 86
Build Quality: 78

Malone J-Pro 2 J-Style Kayak Carrier

86/100

Weight Capacity: 80.0
Weight: 11.5
Length: 20.0
Width: 6.0
Height: 16.5
Material: Steel
Mounting: Roof Crossbar
Installation: Basic Tools
Noise Rating: Moderate
Value Score: 88
Ease of Use: 86
Build Quality: 78

Malone MicroSport Trailer

86/100

Weight Capacity: 80.0
Weight: 197.0
Length: 159.0
Width: 78.0
Height: 30.0
Material: Steel
Mounting: Hitch Receiver
Installation: Basic Tools
Noise Rating: Silent
Value Score: 83
Ease of Use: 86
Build Quality: 78

Malone Stinger Kayak Carrier

86/100

Weight Capacity: 80.0
Weight: 4.6
Length: 24.0
Width: 10.5
Height: 4.0
Material: Steel
Mounting: Roof Crossbar
Installation: Basic Tools
Noise Rating: Moderate
Value Score: 91
Ease of Use: 86
Build Quality: 78

All Malone Products(20)

88/100

Malone

Malone DownLoader J-Style Kayak Carrier

Kayak & Canoej_cradle

~$253MSRP

86/100

Malone

Malone Telos XL Load Assist Module

Kayak & Canoej_cradle

~$593MSRP

86/100

Malone

Malone J-Pro 2 J-Style Kayak Carrier

Kayak & Canoej_cradle

~$170MSRP

86/100

Malone

Malone MicroSport Trailer

Kayak & Canoekayak_trailer

~$1,190MSRP

86/100

Malone

Malone Stinger Kayak Carrier

Kayak & Canoestacker

~$134MSRP

86/100

Malone

Malone SeaWing Saddle-Style Kayak Carrier

Kayak & Canoesaddle_mount

~$338MSRP

86/100

Malone

Malone ClipperTRX-2 Deluxe Cart

Kayak & Canoefoam_block

~$253MSRP

86/100

Malone

Malone Stax Pro 2 Universal Car Rack Folding Kayak Carrier

Kayak & Canoestacker

~$255MSRP

86/100

Malone

Malone MegaSport 2-Boat Trailer

Kayak & Canoekayak_trailer

~$1,870MSRP

86/100

Malone

Malone J-Loader

Kayak & Canoej_cradle

~$151MSRP

86/100

Malone

Malone SeaWing Kayak Carrier

Kayak & Canoesaddle_mount

~$338MSRP

79/100

Malone

Malone J-Pro2 J-Cradle

Kayak & Canoej_cradle

~$170MSRP

77/100

Malone

Malone AutoLoader XV J-Rack

Kayak & Canoej_cradle

~$338MSRP

Malone

Malone SUP 30" Rack Pads

Paddleboard Carrierssup_roof_pad

~$59MSRP

Malone

Malone Saddle Up Pro

Paddleboard Carrierssup_saddle_mount

~$255MSRP

Malone

Malone AirFlow2 Aluminum Cross - 50"

Accessoriesaero_crossbar

~$413MSRP

Malone

Malone Maui-2 SUP Carrier

Paddleboard Carrierssup_saddle_mount

~$289MSRP

Malone

Malone FoldAway-5 Multi-Rack

Paddleboard Carrierssup_j_cradle

~$408MSRP

Malone

Malone Standard SUP Foam Block Kit

Paddleboard Carrierssup_foam_block

~$94MSRP

Malone

Malone Deluxe SUP Carrier

Paddleboard Carrierssup_foam_block

~$136MSRP

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

Articles featuring Malone

Reviews, guides & comparisons

Malone SeaWing/Stinger Load Assist Review

Bill Nikolaou

5 Oct 2023

2026 Guide: Best Hitch Canoe Racks You'll Want to Have!

Bill Nikolaou

31 Jul 2023

Kayak Racks for Jeeps in 2026: The Ultimate Guide

Bill Nikolaou

31 Jul 2023

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

Bill Nikolaou

31 Jul 2023

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

Bill Nikolaou

31 Jul 2023

Best Kayak J-Racks in 2026: Why People Love Them

Bill Nikolaou

31 Jul 2023

How to Stop Roof Rack Wind Noise and Whistling: 7 Proven Fixes

Michael Rollins

31 Jul 2023

Frequently Asked Questions About Malone

Malone is a strong mid-range choice specifically for kayak and canoe carriers. Their J-Pro 2 and DownLoader models are well-regarded in the paddling community for ease of loading and solid construction at ~$170–425. Where they're weaker: their crossbar and universal fit systems are less refined than Thule or Yakima. Stick to their water sport carriers — that's where they excel.

Malone kayak carriers deliver about 85% of Thule's functionality at 50–60% of the price. The Malone DownLoader J-style carrier (~$204) vs. Thule Hull-a-Port (~$340) is the classic comparison — both work well, Thule has slightly better padding and finish. For your first kayak rack or occasional use, Malone is excellent value. For daily use or premium kayaks, Thule's extra protection may justify the price.

Malone is ideal for paddlers — kayakers, canoeists, and SUP boarders who want a reliable carrier without premium pricing. They're the go-to recommendation in paddling forums for first-time rack buyers. If you're primarily carrying bikes, skis, or cargo boxes, look at brands that specialize in those categories instead.

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