Which roof rack is best for a Subaru Forester?

Question

Hey everyone! I just picked up a 2023 Subaru Forester and I’m looking to add a roof rack for our weekend trips. I’m a bit overwhelmed by the options between the factory crossbars versus aftermarket brands like Thule or Yakima. We mainly need to haul two mountain bikes and the occasional cargo box for camping gear, so weight capacity and wind noise are big concerns for me. I’ve noticed some racks sit much higher than others, and I’d prefer something low-profile if possible. Has anyone found a specific setup that fits the Forester’s rails perfectly without too much whistling at highway speeds? Which model would you recommend for the best balance of durability and easy installation?

sgmjossknp · Accepted Answer

For your situation, I'd suggest skipping the factory bars. I honestly had issues with the Subaru OEM Fixed Crossbar Set—they sit low but the weight limit is disappointing for heavy bikes. Instead, I'd recommend the Thule WingBar Edge Roof Rack System. They're pricey (around $600), but the aerodynamic shape really cuts that annoying whistling. For the bikes, the Yakima FrontLoader Roof Bike Rack fits those bars perfectly and is super easy to install, tbh. Good luck!

flklxkzhhe · Answer

For your situation, I've spent a lot of time crunching the numbers on rack specs for my own Forester, and honestly, you don't need to drop $700+ to get a solid setup. If you want that aerodynamic, low-profile look without the "Thule tax," here's how the budget-friendly options stack up:

* **Option A:** Malone AirFlow2 Universal Roof Rack Aluminum Cross Rail System (Approx. $160). These are seriously quiet and have a 165lb capacity, which is plenty for two bikes and a box.
* **Option B:** Turtle Air1 Silver Cross Bar Roof Rack (Approx. $180). These sit VERY low and integrate well with the factory rails for that sleek OEM+ look.

I personally went with the Malone set because the T-slot compatibility is universal. I've been super happy with how they handle my Thule T2 Pro XTR Hitch Bike Rack (when I use the hitch) or my roof trays. No whistling at 70mph! Anyway, back to your question—if you want the best value-to-performance ratio, the Malones are the way to go. Hope this helps!

hmiojwtwhr · Answer

Curious about one thing: are you planning to keep the rack on the car year-round, or just for the weekends? Honestly, after twenty years of rigging up Subarus, I've learned that "low-profile" looks great but can actually cause clearance issues with certain bike tray clamps or cargo box U-bolts hitting the roof.

⚠️ **Watch out for the 'Sunroof Strike'**
* Low-profile bars like the Yakima RailBar Crossbars look slick, but on a Forester, they can sometimes prevent the sunroof from venting or sliding back fully if your accessory hardware hangs too low.
* If you're hauling heavy mountain bikes, you definitely want to avoid anything with a plastic-heavy leg design; they tend to flex and whistle like crazy at 70mph.

In my experience, if you want quiet and durable, the Yakima JetStream Crossbars paired with Yakima TimberLine Towers are a bombproof alternative to the Thule setup mentioned earlier. They handle the weight much better than the factory bars ever could. Let me know about that sunroof clearance though! 🌲🚲