Updated November 11, 2024
Even the smallest of surfboards are not very portable. They are too big to carry inside most cars, could block the driver’s view, and potentially damage the interior. Carrying it on the outside makes surfboard racks for cars a better option. With that in mind, however, care must be taken to ensure that boards are mounted safely for their protection along with that of the car and of other people and property should they come loose.
To help in your purchasing process a selection of the best is introduced for your consideration below. To begin there is a comparison table of top models of different types and price points, followed by descriptions, key features, photos, and videos, and ending with a buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know in the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For other related information on surfboards, SUPs, canoes, kayaks, boats, and accessories, please check out these popular posts:
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Best Surfboard Racks for Cars
- Thule 811XT Board Shuttle Roof Rack
- Inno INA446 Surfboard Locking Carrier
- Curve Soft Rack Lockdown
- Thule SUPTaxi XT Board Carrier
- Block Surf Surfboard Roof Rack
- Inno Locking Surfboard Rack
- Lockrack Universal Watercraft Carrier
Surfboard Roof Racks for Cars Comparison Table
| Car Rack | Photo | Type | Capacity | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thule 811XT Board Shuttle Roof Rack |   | Cross-Bar | 2 Surfboards or 2 SUPs | 4.5 | $$ |
| Inno INA446 Surfboard Locking Carrier |   | Cross-Bar | 3 Shortboards, 2 Longboards, 2 SUPs, 2 Windsurfing Boards, 1 Kayak, or 1 Canoe | 4.5 | $$$ |
| Curve Soft Rack Lockdown |   | Adjustable Temporary Foam Padding With Straps | 1-4 Shortboards, 1-3 Longboards, or 1-2 SUPs | 4.0 | $ |
| Thule SUPTaxi XT Board Carrier |   | Cross-Bar | 2 Surfboards or 2 SUPs | 4.8 | $$$ |
| Block Surf Surfboard Roof Rack |   | Adjustable Temporary Foam Blocks With Straps | 1-3 Shortboards or 2 Longboards | 3.8 | $ |
| Inno Locking Surfboard Rack |   | Cross-Bar | 1-3 Shortboards or 1-2 Longboards | 4.6 | $$ |
| Lockrack Universal Watercraft Carrier |   | Cross-Bar | 1-2 Surfboards, 1-2 SUPs,1 Kayak, or 1 Canoe | 4.7 | $$$ |
| Car Rack | Photo | Type | Capacity | Rating | Price |
Thule 811XT Board Shuttle Roof Rack
With a telescoping design fitting surfboards or SUPs up to 34 inches wide, the Thule 811XT Shuttle Roof Rack is sturdy with corrosion-resistant stainless construction.
It comes fully assembled and installs quickly on a range of rack systems without the use of tools.
Weather-resistant padding protects up to 2 surfboards or SUPs from scrapes and abrasions.
- Type: mounts on cross-bar
- Capacity: 2 surfboards or 2 SUPs
- Weight: 6 pounds
- Fits all Thule rack systems, including AeroBlades, round bars, square bars, and most factory racks
- Telescoping to widths of 34 inches
- Weather-resistant padding to protect boards from scrapes and bumps in transit
- Center straps with buckle bumpers to protect the board finish
- Board tie-down included for an extra secure load
- Corrosion-resistant steel construction
- Strap ends stow conveniently
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $$
Thule 811XT SUP Shuttle SUP Roof Rack Video
Inno INA446 Surfboard Locking Carrier
The Inno Surfboard Locking Carrier is incredibly versatile with the option of handling up to 3 short surfboards or 2 long surfboards, or a variety of other watercraft.
It mounts on most available cross-bars and has an easy-to-use spring-loading ratchet system.
Lightweight, well-padded, and durable with rubber-coated stainless steel straps, it secures the load from tampering with a locking cover system.
- Type: mounts on cross-bar
- Capacity: 3 shortboards, 2 longboards, 2 SUPs, 2 windsurfing boards, 1 kayak, or 1 canoe
- Weight: 8 pounds
- Fits Aero, square, round, and most factory bars
- Easy installation
- Two-part tie-down system with crane-style spring-loaded straps for easy loading and a ratchet with integrated knobs to cinch it
- Stainless steel straps with a rubber coating to protect boards and watercraft
- Locking cover system with keys to secure the load from tampering
- Adjustable pads
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $$$
The Curve Soft Rack Lockdown uses a simple design to carry several surfboards or 2 SUPs on naked roofs or cars with rails but no cross-bars.
The durable straps connect through doors or rails to secure your boards in place using cam buckles and a single-loop cocoon system that protects your boards from abrasion with 1-inch foam padding.
Lightweight and bargain-priced, it comes with a carry bag to stow it when not in use.
- Type: adjustable temporary foam padding with straps
- Capacity: 1-4 shortboards, 1-3 longboards, or 1-2 SUPs
- Weight: 3.31 pounds
- Fits any naked car top and those with roof rails without cross-bars
- “Lockdown” single-loop cocoon system
- Includes 1-inch foam padding that reaches around boards for rail protection and between the board and roof
- Connects through the doors or roof rails for “lockdown”
- Durable zinc-cast, plastic-coated cam buckles, and 600D polycanvas straps
- Single top load tightening point for each rack
- Carry bag for stowing when not in use
- Rating: 4.0
- Price: $
Thule SUPTaxi XT Board Carrier
The Thule SUPTaxi XT Board Carrier is a high-quality SUP and surfboard car rack that matches up with all Thule rack systems and most factory racks.
Suitable for 2 SUPs or 2 surfboards from 27 to 34 inches wide, it is durable with rubber-coated, stainless steel-reinforced straps, rubber saddles, and weather-resistant padding for a secure, non-scuff fit.
It is easy to mount with no tools necessary and has an extensive locking system to protect from tampering.
- Type: mounts on cross-bar
- Capacity: 2 surfboards or 2 SUPs
- Weight: 20 pounds
- Fits all Thule rack systems, round bars, and most factory racks
- Speed-Link no-tools mounting system
- Telescopes for widths from 27 to 34 inches
- Stainless steel-reinforced, rubber-coated straps
- Rubber saddles
- 4 locks and lock cylinders for security
- Weather-resistant padding
- Includes board tie-down
- Strap ends conveniently stow
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$$
Thule SUPTaxi XT SUP Carrier Video
Block Surf Surfboard Roof Rack
The Block Surf Surfboard Roof Rack is a simple temporary foam-block cross-bar system for up to 3 shortboards or 2 longboards.
With durable straps and ratcheting buckles, it is easy to mount and load and provides a secure grip on your boards.
Lightweight and the lowest-priced car rack reviewed here, it has a carry bag to store it in when not in use.
- Type: adjustable temporary foam blocks with straps
- Capacity: 1-3 short surfboards, 2 long surfboards
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Fits any naked 4-door car top
- Includes 2 foam block pads with heavy-duty straps and ratcheting, rubber-cased buckles for scratch prevention of the boards and car
- Easy and fast installation
- Carry bag for stowing when not in use
- Rating: 3.8
- Price: $ (super low-priced)
The Inno Locking Surfboard Rack is similar to the Inno Surfboard Locking Carrier reviewed above with the major difference being that this model with a maximum width of 23.5 inches is suitable only for surfboards and not SUPs and other watercraft.
It is easily mounted and loaded and secured with the same basic ratcheting system and quality stainless steel rubber-coated straps.
Likewise, the locking system protects against tampering when you are away from the vehicle.
- Type: mounts on cross-bar
- Capacity: 3 shortboards, 2 longboards
- Weight: 10 pounds
- Maximum surfboard width of 23.5 inches
- Fits Aero, square, round, and most factory bars
- Easy installation
- Ratcheting tension system for secure attachment with spring-loaded straps for easy loading and integrated knobs to cinch it
- Stainless steel straps with a rubber coating to protect boards and watercraft
- Locking cover system with keys to secure the load from tampering
- Rubber cushions to protect against scrapes and abrasion
- Rating: 4.6
- Price: $$
Lockrack Universal Watercraft Carrier
The Lockrack Universal Watercraft Carrier has a simple design with 4 touchpoints and no straps to cut into your boards.
Designed for surfboards, SUPs, kayaks, or canoes, it uses aluminum construction and a telescopic design to get the right snug fit.
With adapters to fit a wide range of cross-bars, it is side-loading with arms that fold flat when not in use.
In addition, it locks down with a 4-key system to protect from tampering.
This versatile carrier does come at a fairly high price.
- Type: mounts on cross-bar
- Capacity: 1-2 surfboards 1-2 SUPs, a kayak, or a canoe
- Weight: 17 pounds
- Includes universal adapters to fit round, square, aero, or factory cross-bars
- Durable aluminum construction
- Arms fold flat when unloaded for an aerodynamic streamlining
- Locking design with 4 keys for security
- Sideloading that ratchets closed around the watercraft
- Telescopic design for dialing in the width
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$$
Surfboard Racks for Cars Buying Guide
Compatibility
You have to make sure your car rack matches your car and meets your needs. How is it set up? What sort of mounting options are available – a naked roof, side rails, or side rails with cross-bars? What would you like to load – shortboards, longboards, several of them, or the option of other watercraft like SUPS, kayaks, or canoes? Clarify the answers to these questions before making your selection.
Mounting Systems – Hard versus Soft Racks
Hard Racks – These are heavier and have a more permanent design that is installed on a car’s roof rails. You must take care that the rack you choose is compatible with your rails and cross-bars. Rack manufacturers go to great lengths to describe specifically which types of rails and cross-bars match the rack. Make sure you have a good match. In some cases, adapters can be used.
Soft Racks – These are designed to fit with practically any type of car. Roof rails are not necessary. This style makes use of foam or neoprene padding and webbing to securely strap your board(s) in place. They are relatively cheaper, lightweight, and easily installed for temporary mounting.
Security
Bearing in mind that your boards are not cheap and that you may feel especially attached to or fond of them (like special friends), a lock system can be a good way to hinder any tampering or thievery when you are away from the car. Models reviewed here equipped with such locks include Lockrack Universal Watercraft Carrier, Inno Locking Surfboard Rack, Thule SUPTaxi XT Board Carrier, and Inno Surfboard Locking Carrier.
For other related information on surfboards, SUPs, canoes, kayaks, boats, and accessories, please check out these popular posts:
Beginner Surfboards Soft Top Surfboards Surfboards Surfing Wetsuits Surf Booties Surfboard Travel Bags Rash Guards Men Rash Guards Women Bodyboards Skimboards SUP Roof Racks SUP for Yoga Fishing SUPs SUP Life Vests SUP Boards Surfing Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards SUP Paddles Stand Up Paddleboards Canoe Paddles Canoes Kayak Shoes Kayak Helmets Kayak Wetsuits Kayak Roof Racks Kayak Carts Kayak Drysuit Review Kayak Paddles Kayak Life Vests Women Kayak Life Vests Marine VHF Radios Small Outboard Motors Kayak Trolling Motors Kayak Fish Finders Marine GPS Marine Binoculars Women’s Kayaks Touring Kayaks Tandem Kayaks Whitewater Kayaks for Beginners Lake Kayaks Ocean Kayaks Fishing Kayaks Beginner Kayaks Recreational Kayaks Inflatable Kayaks Inflatable Boats Waterproof Dry Bags Electric Pumps for Inflatables
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