Unless you have an inflatable board that’s deflated, you’re going to need a way to get your stand up paddle board from your home to the water.
That means you need a roof rack for your vehicle so that you can securely transport the SUP to the beach, lake, or river.
Roof racks make transporting your SUPs not only easy, but they keep your boards safe from any damage that may happen if you tried to move the boards another way.
Below we’ve got some tips on how to find the right SUP roof rack for your vehicle.
We also share some of our favorites when it comes to the best paddle board roof racks for the money.
Keep reading for our tips and recommendations on the best PFDs for kids.
In a hurry? We recommend REI for the best SUP roof racks.
What To Consider Before Buying
As you can likely guess, the type of vehicle that you have is one of the biggest considerations in terms of which roof rack is the best option for you.
Below we’ll go over all of the things you need to think about before buying a SUP roof rack.
Is It Compatible With Your Vehicle?
Before buying a rack, you need to make sure that you can actually mount it onto your vehicle.
Some vehicles already have luggage racks on the top. You may also have a sunroof or moon roof to consider.
Fortunately, the major manufacturers do have vehicle compatibility info that that you can consult before buying.
How Does It Mount To Your Vehicle?
You should pay special attention to the mounting style of any racks that you’re considering buying to make sure that it’s ideal for your needs.
Some of these SUPs will mount to the existing crossbars, or luggage racks, that are already installed on your vehicle.
What you’re looking for is if the rack has front-to-back or side-to-side runners for the mounting on your vehicle.
How Many Paddle Boards Does The Roof Rack Hold?
Do you know how many paddle boards that you need to transport on your vehicle?
Make sure that the roof rack you’re considering buying has enough capacity to handle the number of SUPs that you need to transport.
Does The Roof Rack Have A Locking System?
If theft is a concern, then you need to purchase a SUP roof rack that has a built-in locking system.
These locking systems aren’t just for preventing theft though.
They also ensure that your board stays securely in place on long drives.
Our Picks: Top SUP Roof Racks
If you’re looking for recommendations, we’ve selected a few of our favorite SUP roof racks to help you get your boards from the garage to the water.
1. Thule 810 Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Taxi
If you’re looking for the best paddle board rack that money can buy, this this model by Thule is a great choice.
This premium, locking SUP Taxi stand up paddle board (SUP) carrier from Thule delivers unmatched board security combined with a convenient, universal mounting design.
The Dual loading design allows for transport of 2 boards with maximum stability – Includes 4 locks and lock cylinders for securing your boards in the carrier.
Buy at:
2. INNO INA446 SUP Locking Roof Carrier w/Board Pads
A good alternative to the Thule model above is this model from INNO.
It fits most crossbars and carries up to two stand up paddle boards.
This rack features a universal mounting system, fitting square, round, Aero and most factory bars. And, it supports kayaks, canoes, and wind/Paddle/sail/SUP/long and short boards.
Rubber Coating on the straps and adjustable corner pads help protect your boat and boards from scratches and scuffs during transport.
And the featured ratcheting straps connect over boat or boards and tighten with integrated hand knobs to secure gear.
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3. COR Surf Aero Roof Rack Pad and Tie Down Straps for Surf, SUP, Kayak and Canoe
If you prefer a tie down system for transporting your stand up paddle board by car using your existing roof rack crossbars, then this package from COR Surf is a great option for you.
If you have existing roof rack crossbars, then this is a great choice to consider for your SUP transport needs.
Made with 1.5mm thick dura soft nylon so your boards stay scratch free without sacrificing strength.
The oversized stainless steel cam has been designed so large or small fingers can access it easily and we wrapped it in silicone sleeve to make sure your cars paint job doesn’t pick up dings.
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4. Sea to Summit Pack Rack Inflatable Racks
A great alternative to the traditional SUP roof rack systems is an inflatable rack like this one from Sea to Summit.
This soft roof rack system made to transport a SUP board, kayak, canoe or other long gear safely and securely.
The Sea to Summit Pack Rack inflatable racks conveniently pack down into a 4-liter stuff sack when not in use.
The high-quality 420-denier thermoplastic urethane-laminated air tubes are durable, flexible and easy to clean.
This inflatable rack has a maximum load capacity of 100 pounds.
Buy at:
SUP Roof Rack FAQs
Still have questions about buying a roof rack for your stand up paddle board? We’ve got answers!
Here’s answers to some of the most common questions we hear from paddlers like you.
Do I need a roof rack for my paddle board?
If you have an inflatable SUP, then you don’t need a roof rack because you should transport your iSUP deflated.
But roof racks for paddle boards are the most important paddle board accessory for epoxy and soft top paddle board owners.
They are mandatory for transporting your epoxy and soft top SUP to and from the water from your car, unless you own a large truck.
How do you transport a paddle board on a roof rack?
Position your SUP so it is running parallel with the car and with the widest point of the board between the crossbars of your rack.
Take a cam strap and position the buckle so it is resting on top of the board but near the edge.
It should be close to one of the crossbars. Toss the other end of the strap over your SUP.
How do you put a paddle board on a roof without a rack?
Here’s a short video to show you how to put a SUP on your roof without a roof rack.
Can you use a kayak rack for a paddle board?
Yes, you can use a kayak rack for a SUP.
The kayak racks are designed to carry a larger load and would be more than adequate a normal SUP.
Why does my SUP roof rack make a humming sound?
There’s no need for this sound to alarm you.
It’s simply the sound the straps make when the wind hits them at high speeds.
If you don’t like this sound, just twist the strap a few times when you put it on the boards and you’ll eliminate that loud humming sound.