Which roof racks are best for a Subaru Outback Wilderness?

Question

Hey everyone! I recently joined the Subaru family with a brand new Outback Wilderness, and I’m absolutely loving the extra ground clearance and that rugged look. However, I’ve quickly realized that if I want to get the most out of my weekend trips, I definitely need to upgrade the roof setup. The factory ladder-type rails on the Wilderness are beefier than the standard Outback, which is great, but now I’m stuck trying to decide which crossbars and rack systems actually play nice with them.

I’m planning to do a mix of things: mainly hauling a couple of heavy mountain bikes, but I also want the flexibility to throw on a hardshell rooftop tent (RTT) later this summer. Because the Wilderness has a higher static load limit (700 lbs, if I recall correctly), I want to make sure I buy a rack that doesn't become the 'weak link' in the chain.

I’ve been looking at the Thule WingBar Evo versus the Yakima JetStream, but I’m also seeing some people swear by the Prinsu platform racks for that low-profile overland look. My main concern is wind noise—the Wilderness is already a bit boxy, and I’d love to avoid a constant whistling on the highway. Also, I need something that won't interfere with the sunroof operation.

I’ve spent hours browsing forums and watching videos, but it’s hard to tell what’s actually worth the premium price tag. For those of you who actually drive a Wilderness, which crossbar or platform system have you found offers the best balance of weight capacity and durability without sounding like a jet engine? I'm hoping to stay under $700 for the initial bar setup if possible. Any specific brands or models that fit the Wilderness rails perfectly?

ihsmfvypnm · Accepted Answer

Seconding the recommendation above regarding the Thule setup! But before you drop $600+ on those, I gotta share what I've learned over the years about weight ratings and value. Basically, the "weak link" is almost always the crossbar's dynamic load limit, not the car's rails.

In my experience, if you want to save some serious cash while still getting that 700lb static capacity for an RTT, you should check out the Yakima JetStream Black 50 inch Crossbars paired with the Yakima TimberLine Towers. I've tried many setups, and honestly, the Yakima teardrop shape is just as quiet as the Thule WingBars but usually runs about $100 cheaper if you catch a sale at REI.

I mean, I currently run the Yakima SkyLine Towers on my own rig and it's dead silent even at 75mph. Plus, they don't block the sunroof at all. If you're looking to stay under that $700 budget and still have enough leftover for bike trays, Yakima is the way to go imo. The Prinsu looks cool but it's overkill and way noisier if you aren't constantly hauling gear. gl! 👍

wdqsdzhiik · Answer

yo congrats on the new OBW! honestly i was in the same boat last year. i tried the budget route first but ended up with the Thule WingBar Evo 135 bars combined with the Thule Raised Evo feet. its basically silent on the highway, even with the sunroof open, which was a huge win for me. if you're planning on a heavy RTT later, these are rated for the weight and feel way more solid than the stock swing-bars on other Subarus. definitely check out the Yakima JetStream Crossbars too if you want more t-slot accessory options, but i've found the Thule rubber strip design is *way* easier to work with when swapping bike racks. good luck!

RichDrura · Answer

Quick question—are you planning on leaving the rooftop tent on year-round, or is it just for summer trips? Honestly, if you're looking for the best value that won't whistle like crazy, the Yakima JetStream Crossbars 60 inch paired with Yakima TimberLine Towers is a solid mid-range alternative to Thule, but the bar length really affects that wind noise. Also, do you already have the bike racks? Knowing if they're T-track or clamp-on helps cuz some bars are way easier to swap gear on than others, you know?