Best roof rack accessories for Subaru Crosstrek road trips?

Question

Ive had my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek for a few years and recently installed factory crossbars for a two-week road trip from Colorado to Utah. The basics seem covered, but Im realizing there are a lot of accessory choices for actual long-distance use: a cargo box, soft bag, fairing, tie-downs, maybe a basket or awning. I want to keep wind noise and MPG loss reasonable, and my total budget is around $500. The car will mostly carry camping gear, with some lighter stuff inside. Which roof rack accessories have held up well on Crosstrek road trips?

Sofiknodo · Accepted Answer

For a cautious setup, I’d spend part of the budget on protection and verification rather than adding another large carrier. A fitted roof-rack pad such as Rhino-Rack 43201 Pioneer Platform Protective Pad Set can help prevent gear from rubbing against the bars, while a compact awning like ARB 4x4 Accessories 2000 Awning is useful at camp but doesn’t need to stay mounted during highway travel. Be careful with the Crosstrek’s factory crossbar weight rating, especially when the car is moving. Weigh the loaded gear, include the carrier itself, and keep heavier items low and centered. I’d also carry a small torque wrench and check every clamp after the first 25–50 miles, then at fuel stops. Use sealed plastic bins inside the carrier, keep nothing loose, and avoid overhanging the windshield or rear hatch. That approach is quieter, safer, and usually cheaper than chasing extra capacity.

dgvuuheheq · Answer

^ This. Also, I’d add a hard box if the budget allows—Thule Force XT M Roof Cargo Box 16 cu ft is quieter and more secure, but eats a lot of the $500 budget. A basket like CURT 18115 Roof Rack Cargo Carrier baskets is cheaper and handy for bulky coolers, though it’s noisier and needs a tarp. I’ve tried both over the years; for two weeks, I’d pick the box if your camping load fits.

tzjhtyfong · Answer

I’ve had good luck keeping it simple on my Crosstrek: a weatherproof soft bag, a basic fairing, and a few quality cam-buckle tie-downs. That setup worked well for camping gear, and I was happy with the noise and MPG hit compared with running a hard box or basket. One small tip: put the softer, bulky items up top and keep anything heavy inside the car. The factory crossbars handled that without any issues, and I had no complaints after several long highway days.