Top recommended exterior accessories for a Subaru Forester Wilderness build?

Question

Hey everyone! I just recently picked up a new Forester Wilderness, and while I’m absolutely loving the factory setup and that extra ground clearance, I’m ready to start personalizing it for some more serious weekend adventuring. The stock look is a great starting point, but I really want to turn this into a functional overland-style build that can handle more than just a dusty fire road.

I’ve been eyeing a few different directions but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the options. Specifically, I’m looking into a low-profile roof rack—like a Prinsu or a Front Runner—but I’m curious if the wind noise becomes a dealbreaker on long highway stretches. I’m also really interested in adding some ditch lights or a hidden light bar behind the grille for those late-night arrivals at the campsite. Are there any specific bracket kits that work best with the FW trim without having to cut into the trim too much?

Lastly, has anyone upgraded their underbody protection? I know it comes with some factory skids, but I’m wondering if they’re beefy enough for moderate rocky trails or if I should look into something like LP Aventure or Rival. For those of you who have been building out your Forester Wilderness, what were the first three exterior accessories you added that actually made a difference in utility or protection? Looking for the best 'must-have' recommendations to get this build started!

ioqgdsfmde · Accepted Answer

In my experience, get the LP Aventure Main Skid Plate and Prinsu Subaru Forester Roof Rack. Then add the Diode Dynamics Stage Series 30 inch Light Bar—best value for money out there!!!

jmwxjihuqg · Answer

I went through this last year! Ngl, I chose the Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rail Rack Kit cuz the modularity is amazing for hauling different gear types. For skids, I swapped factory plates for the Rival 4x4 Full Underbody Armor Kit since it covers more ground and feels way beefier. Basically, protection first cuz rocky trails are no joke!! Seriously love the peace of mind it gives. gl!

FlowFile · Answer

> I’m curious if the wind noise becomes a dealbreaker on long highway stretches. Honestly, the noise is something I worried about a ton before I settled on my current setup. When I was doing my market research, I noticed that most low-profile options do okay, but you're still gonna lose like 2-3 mpg pretty much no matter what. I spent way too much time looking at comparison spreadsheets on the *Subaru Forester Owners* forum because some companies charge a massive premium just for the brand name, while others are way more cost-effective for the same utility. So basically, I learned that checking out *SoftRoadingTheWest* on YouTube or some of the technical write-ups on *SubaruAmbassador* blogs is super helpful for seeing how these different setups actually perform in the real world. I found a mid-range rack that works for me, but yeah, the highway whistle is real if you don't have a good fairing. Also, if you’re looking at lights, definitely search for "no-drill" bracket kits that use the existing hood hinge bolts—it’s a lifesaver for keeping the install clean. Idk, it’s a total rabbit hole, but I’d definitely check those forum threads for the side-by-side weight specs before you commit. Anyway, hope that helps!