> I just picked up a new Wilderness and I’m planning some mountain trips! The trunk space is solid, but I need better organization for my muddy hiking gear and recovery tools.

Ok so, I've been running Outbacks for a decade and honestly, those OBW rails are beefy but can be a pain for some generic mounts. Over the years, I've tried many setups and realy prefer specialized gear.

For protection, I highkey recommend the Canvasback Subaru Outback Custom Cargo Liner over the standard plastic ones. It actually covers the side walls too, which is huge when your muddy boots are flopping around.

For the roof, I'd compare the Yakima OffGrid Medium Cargo Basket vs the Thule Canyon XT Cargo Basket. The Yakima is better for the Wilderness IMO because the mounting clamps are way more adjustable for those thick rails. The Thule is sleek, but I've found it a bit more finicky to get tight.

Lesson learned: don't forget the sides of your trunk! The floor is easy to clean, but mud on the side carpet is a nightmare to get out. gl!

For your situation, I'd definitely grab the Subaru J501SAN230 Seatback Protector first. It's usually like $65 and SAVES your interior from mud... anyway, for a roof basket on a budget, check out the MaxxHaul 70115 Steel Roof Rack Cargo Carrier. It's basically $115 and fits the rails fine. Just make sure to tighten it well so it doesn't rattle. Lowkey a lifesaver for recovery gear. gl!

Noted!

Totally agree with the above! Stumbled onto this today and those seat protectors are mandatory. But real talk... whats ur budget? You looking at Thule or something cheaper??