06/10/2026 7:35 pm
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Just picked up a used 2021 Crosstrek and I am dying to get out for some camping trips this summer around the Pacific Northwest. I definitely need a roof rack to haul my kayak and maybe a cargo box for the extra gear because the trunk space is kind of a joke honestly. My budget is probably around 400 to 500 bucks total if possible.
Ive been scouring Reddit and some subaru forums all week. A lot of people swear by the Yakima Baseline system because it looks super sleek but then I read a few threads where owners complained about the wind noise being unbearable on the highway. Then there is the Thule WingBar Evo which seems like the gold standard but damn is it expensive. Im kinda confused if I should just buy the factory aero crossbars from the dealer since they are way cheaper or if those are actually garbage for anything heavier than a pair of skis.
Does anyone have experience with the OEM bars compared to the aftermarket ones for actual daily use? Is it really worth double the price to go with Thule or Yakima if I am just planning on weekend trips? Really dont want to waste money on something that makes my car sound like a jet engine at 60 mph...
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06/10/2026 8:10 pm
Coming back to this, I used the Yakima JetStream Crossbar 50-inch for a few years and honestly the wind noise was just brutal. Unfortunately, those aero bars are kinda loud compared to the Thule WingBar Evo 135 setup I switched to recently. It cost a bit more, but the noise reduction is night and day. If you want to keep your sanity on the highway, definitely dont cheap out on the bars.
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06/10/2026 7:35 pm
Honestly, skip the factory bars if you plan on hauling a kayak. I tried the OEM aero bars for a season and was pretty disappointed. They flex way too much under load and honestly felt sketchy on the highway. You dont want to be worried about your gear sliding around while driving through the PNW. If you want something that lasts without the massive Thule markup, look into the Yakima CoreBar Black 50-Inch setup. It uses a different shape that actually handles wind noise way better than the thinner bars. Its sturdy enough for a kayak and a cargo box combo, which is exactly what you need. Just save yourself the headache and spend the extra cash on a real rack system now. Cheap bars just end up costing you more in the long run anyway.
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06/10/2026 8:15 pm
Stumbled upon this discussion today and honestly, I have seen so many people struggle with those factory bars. If you are serious about hauling a kayak, you really need something that wont flex under pressure. I have been using roof racks for over a decade now, and my advice is to look at higher end manufacturers rather than sticking with the dealer gear. You might want to consider going with Rhino-Rack or perhaps Inno if you want something durable without paying the extreme premium for the big names.
- Ensure you check the weight ratings carefully before mounting any kayak saddles or cargo boxes.
- Be careful with how you tighten the clamps because overtightening can actually damage the roof rails on these newer models.
- Make sure to clear off any debris from the mounting points before installation to prevent paint scratches. I would suggest aiming for a system that features an integrated locking mechanism, as it saves a lot of headache when you are parked at a trailhead. Honestly, the noise is almost always about the wind fairing. If you grab a decent setup and add a fairing, you can cut that whistling sound down significantly even at highway speeds. Just save up a little extra and do it right the first time; you really dont want your gear flying off on the I-5. It is worth the peace of mind.