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There are a lot of different factors to consider when you’re shopping for a cargo roof box— enough to make you throw up your hands and cancel your next ski or camping trip. But it doesn’t have to be hard figuring out what qualities to look for as you compare products. We’ve broken down some of the main qualities to look for in a cargo roof box, plus some of the more granular features that will help you choose between your top few options.

Finding the Right Fit

The first step is to narrow down your search down to the types of cargo roof boxes that will fit your vehicle. Of course you’ll need cargo bars to attach the roof box to. Many of the best cargo roof boxes are universally compatible with factory or aftermarket cross bars, but it can’t hurt to double check the specifications.

 

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For example, someone with a smaller sedan or economy sized car might do well to purchase the BRA240, an INNO product designed for smaller vehicles. On the opposite end of the spectrum, someone with a big SUV or station wagon might spring from the BRM466, the largest cargo roof box model on offer. Simply starting with the size of your vehicle can narrow down your options nicely. So can checking the dimensions of the garage at your home or work to make sure clearance won’t be an issue.

Shop For A Cargo Roof Box That Fits Your Outdoor Activities

Next, consider what type of cargo roof box would be compatible with the sports or activities you participate in. For example, if you plan on hauling your snow sport gear, you’ll want a box that is long enough to hold your board or skis, with enough additional volume for your boots, bindings, helmet, poles, etc. Or if you need the cargo roof box to keep your camping gear organized, you’ll want to make sure you have the right volume for your typical camp setup.

 

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The BRM864, BRM665, BRM624, BRM660, BRM1250CA, and BRA1150 all can hold 6-8 skis or 4-6 snowboards, except the BRM660 and BRA1150, which can only hold 4 snowboards. If you have a large family or routinely hit the slopes with your ski squad, those capacity guidelines can help you get a sense of which box will give you the most bang for your buck. By the same token, if none of those seem large enough, you’ll want to spring for the BRM466, which can hold 8-10 pairs of skis or up to 8 snowboards, depending on the dimensions.

Choosing the Right Extra Features

While you’re considering the size of your vehicle and the amount of gear you need to fit into your cargo roof box, you can also calculate the dimensions and weight of the different models on your list. If you’re planning on taking your cargo roof box on and off of your vehicle yourself, you should definitely check how many pounds the box will be and if it’s something you can easily lift and maneuver safely. Don’t assume that the largest size cargo box will necessarily be the heaviest— in our line of cargo roof boxes, it’s the mid-size BRM655 that’s the heaviest, not the roomiest BRM466.

 

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With the dimensions, weight, vehicle, and activity compatibility in mind, next you can think about other features. The color, for example, might matter if you’re hoping to match or coordinate with your vehicle’s paint scheme. Or perhaps you’d prefer a cargo roof box that opens on either side, so you aren’t always having to walk around your vehicle to access your gear. The best cargo roof boxes also have niceties like memory mount hardware that make it easy to pop the cargo roof box on and off your vehicle or custom inner mats to reduce noise and provide extra cushion.

With so many different types of cargo roof boxes to choose from, even within individual brands or retailers, there’s no doubt the right product for your needs is out there. By breaking down all the different features from size to weight to durability and appearance to extras, you can sift through all the cargo boxes that aren’t the best fit and narrow your search down to the few that will be that Goldilocks match— suiting you just right.

Sometimes it’s easy to get overwhelmed by trying to pick out a bicycle carrier. There’s so many different kinds, and brands, and it can seem like a lot to sort out what style would be best for your bike, your vehicle, and getting the most out of your rides. After all, you don’t want your bike rack to be frustrating to use or to put your valuable equipment at risk. So how do you narrow it down? You can start by asking yourself if you want the kind of rack that mounts to the rear of your car, whether by hitch or by attaching to the trunk or hatchback, or if you want a rooftop bike carrier.

Many people prefer rooftop bike carriers because they don’t require getting a hitch added to their vehicles or interfere with opening and closing the back of their car. On the other hand, hitch mount bike carriers or rear mount bicycle carriers can be easier to load and unload if you aren’t confident about lifting things over your head. You can also carry more bikes with a rooftop bike carrier system than with hitch mount bike carriers, which tend to top out after 4 bikes.

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If you feel a rooftop bike carrier is right for you, there’s still a few choices to be made, namely between a fork lock rooftop bike carrier and a tire hold rooftop bike carrier. Both are very secure and will take good care of your rig. What it comes down to is partially what style bike you have, how comfortable you are with bike maintenance, and personal preference.

The fork lock carriers require you to remove the front wheel of your bike. Some consider that to be a little inconvenient, especially if they are a newer rider who isn’t as accustomed to bike maintenance. The advantage of fork lock bike carriers is that they offer the most stability and fuel efficiency, especially on long trips. Some, like the INA387, are also designed specifically for road and cyclo-cross bikes. Others like the XA391 FORK LOCK III for Aero Base Rack are made with mountain bikes in mind.

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Tire hold style carriers don’t require the extra step of taking a wheel off, and some racks like the Inno INA389 Tire Hold II have just a three step process to get your bike securely loaded. This style also secures your bike without touching the frame, which can be an advantage if you just got a fresh powder coat or an extra-expensive frame.

Whichever style you choose, a rooftop bike carrier is what many avid cyclists choose. This style evenly distributes the weight of your bicycle, doesn’t complicate parking or navigation, and works with the roof rack or bars you vehicle already has in place. Whether you go fork lock or tire hold depends on the type of bike you have and the car you’re driving. Either way, you know that your bike will be safe for adventure after adventure, ride after ride.

You’ve got your car cleaned out, your kayak all loaded up, your clothes and food and firestarters stuffed into dry bags, and a cooler full of cold beer. The sun is shining, a breeze is blowing, and you’re itching to get out on the water. You could head to your favorite local lake or river to get your paddling fix. You could also turn this into an adventure, and road trip your way to some spectacular new waters you’ve never gotten to try before. So make the most of that kayak roof rack and head out towards these three spectacular paddling destinations:

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

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There are a lot of gorgeous parts of Lake Superior— after all, it’s huge. Boundary Waters tends to get a lot of the credit, but one of the nicest spots on Lake Superior is Pictured Rocks, protected as a designated national lakeshore. Paddling along the shore is one of the best ways to take in the huge sandstone cliffs for which the park is named, along with its spectacular hardwoods, waterfalls, and beaches. There are 40 miles of shoreline to explore and numerous campsites along the way. You can definitely make a multi-day trip out of Pictured Rocks, ‘yakpacking your way along Michigan’s fringes.

Neches River, Texas

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About a hundred miles from Texas’ biggest cities, the Neches River doesn’t get the same publicity as the Rio Bravo or Ladybird Lake or the Rio Grande. That’s perfect for paddlers who like a little peace and quiet, or who are hoping to catch a glimpse of nearby wildlife. It’s slightly better for day trips than longer excursions since so much of the river is banked by private property. That said, you’ll have prime birding and fishing opportunities. Pack your rod and reel to go after catch fish and a pair of binoculars to spy on Northern Parula, Summer Tanager, and Belted Kingfishers.

Ocoee River, Tennessee

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If you like white water, the Ocoee is a can’t-miss destination. It’s got a long history in the paddling community, even earning accolades as the spot where freestyle kayaking originated. It’s what Olympic paddlers ran during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Just 2-4 hours from the South’s major cities and about 40 minutes from Chattanooga, you can find 10 miles of class III-IV rapids. There are plenty of rafting companies in the area offering tours, but you shouldn’t have any problem finding a spot to put in and enjoy your own journey down the river.

Whether you’re looking for scenery, wildlife, or thrills, there is no shortage of wonderful places to kayak. So don’t get in a rut this season! Make good use of that kayak roof rack and head out in search of your new favorite river.

There’s nothing like looking out the window and realizing that you can just get up and go fishing. We all dream of those kinds of perfect, impulsive mornings where you slip away to your favorite fishing spot, drop a line in the water, and enjoy the peace and quiet…at least until the fish start thrashing. Other than our busy schedules, however, there’s usually just one thing getting in the way of that ideal, spontaneous fish trip: having to wrestle your gear in and out of the car. Unless, of course, you have an interior fly rod holder.

It can be seriously frustrating to have to assemble and disassemble your rods every time you go fishing, or to feel like you have to choose between maintaining the interior of your car and protecting your expensive fishing gear. If you don’t have a pickup truck, it can be hard to decide what the best way to transport all your gear without anything getting tangled, bent, or broken. That’s why we created the interior fly rod holder— so you can maximize the space in your vehicle, protect your rods, and spend more time angling and less time fighting with your fishing gear.

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Plenty of folks have figure out how to DIY interior fly rod holders out of materials like PVC pipe or cannibalized parts from other equipment. But wouldn’t it be nice to skip the project and buy something you know that looks good, works effectively, and is perfectly sized for your vehicle? We have several styles of interior fly rod holders depending on the ceiling height and interior dimensions of your car or SUV, as well as what type of rods you’re hauling.

For example, the IF6 is designed for both 1 piece and 2 piece rods, including sea bass, ocean, and fly rod styles. The IF56, on the other hand, can handle up to 10 rods, including a mix of telescopic rods, 2-piece rods, gaffs and landing net handles. All are made so that you can open and close the clasps with one touch. All you have to do is clip in your rods and rest the tip on the provided sponge for extra protection.

Many fishing enthusiasts find an interior fly rod holder is a great way to store gear so that you can head to your favorite fishing hole any time, especially if you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated vehicle for camping, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Commuters will be happy, too, at how easy this makes to load and unload your rods so you can spend more time at the lake and less time fussing over fishing line in your garage when you have to get up the next day for work.

The other advantage of an interior fly rod holder, rather than simply attaching your poles to your roof rack, is that this leaves the top of your vehicle available to hold things like your kayak or paddle board locker or your camping gear in a roof box. It’s safer, more efficient, and less hassle. So bring on a season full of early mornings, long drives along running rivers, cool water and warm sunshine, new flies, and biting fish. Don’t waste any time when you can just get up and go.