Just sharing my experience: I went through this exact same internal debate about 4 months ago when I got my Wilderness. I am honestly still pretty new to the whole overlanding scene, but I was really worried about how much extra weight would affect the handling and the cvt transmission, so I stayed pretty conservative with my choices. Basically, I spent weeks looking at the technical specs of different metals because I did not want to overstress the suspension or the factory mounting points. I ended up going with the LP Aventure Main Skid Plate Big Logo Aluminum for the front. I chose aluminum specifically because it is way lighter than steel, and since I am mostly on gravel and moderate rocky paths, I figured the weight savings was worth the trade-off. It has been about six months and I am really satisfied with how it is holding up... no rattles or anything yet! I also looked into the rear diff protection but I am still debating if it is actually necessary for the kind of trails I do. For the roof, I was really paranoid about the center of gravity. I did not want a huge basket catching the wind and making the car feel tippy on off-camber sections. I went with the Prinsu Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Roof Rack because it sits so low to the roofline. Honestly, it barely changed my gas mileage which was a huge relief, though I did have to be careful during the install to make sure everything was sealed up right. Lighting was the part that actually scared me the most cuz I am not an electrician lol. I did not want to splice into the factory harness and void anything, so I stuck with the Diode Dynamics SS3 LED Pods Pro Amber for ditch lights. They basically just bolt on and use a simple relay. Do you think the extra weight on the roof is gonna be an issue for your specific trips?? Anyway, just happy to see another Wilderness owner getting out there... it is such a fun car! cheers.

omg so cool u got the Wilderness!! i literally just started my journey too and honestly was sooo scared of scratching the undercarriage on my first trip. i decided to stay super budget conscious cuz those mods add up fast right?? i was worried about the weight affecting my gas mileage too so i stayed away from heavy stuff. For your situation, i think u should check out these options to keep it light and safe:

• Primitive Racing Front Skid Plate for 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
• Maxsa Escaper Buddy Traction Mats
• Nilight 20 Inch LED Light Bar with Wiring Harness Basically i learned that you dont gotta spend thousands to be safe out there. i mean, i almost bought way too much stuff lol. its probably best to stick to the basics first and maybe talk to a shop about the light wiring cuz electrical stuff scares me tbh!! gl with the trips!! peace