| BEST CHOICE | PREMIER PICK | BEST VALUE |
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| Rightline Gear Sport 3 Car Top Carrier | Thule Interstate Roof Cargo Bag | Curt Cargo Bag |
- The Best Roof Cargo Bag
- 10. Rightline Gear Ace Car Top Carrier
- 9. SportRack Vista Roof Cargo Bag
- 8. Rightline Gear Car Back Carrier
- 7. Thule Outbound Roof Top Cargo Bag
- 6. ARB Cargo Organizer
- 5. Rightline Gear Sport Jr Car Top Carrier
- 4. Thule Interstate Roof Cargo Bag
- 3. Curt Cargo Bag
- 2. ARB Cargo Gear Stormproof Bag
- 1. Rightline Gear Sport 3 Car Top Carrier Roof Cargo Bag
There’s nothing better than a good road trip, fishing expedition, or camping excursion. But you can’t always fit everything and everybody you want. Don’t force yourself to make the tough decision, you can bring all your friends and all of your gear when you have a rooftop cargo bag. Water-proof, durable, and seriously sizable, rooftop bags are the perfect solution and a must have accessory for any vehicle.
Finding the right cargo bag for your vehicle can be tricky. You have to consider whether it is compatible with your vehicle, and whether you’ll need any other gear like a roof rack or crossbars to make it work. That’s why we decided to make things easy. Looking at our sales data and customer reviews, we’ve decided to put together the Top 10 Best Rooftop Cargo Bags of 2023!
The Best Roof Cargo Bag
10. Rightline Gear Ace Car Top Carrier
If you want to ace your next road trip or camping expedition, all you need is the Rightline Gear Ace Top Carrier. This versatile cargo carrier is designed to be compatible with SUVs, crossovers, and minivans and will offer your set-up as much as 15 cubic feet of additional storage space. Available models can hold 10, 12, or 15 cubic feet of space and feature as many as four zippers for easy access.
I love it. Now I have space inside my vehicle for passengers and even my dog while I keep all the camping gear up top. I had always seen these on the highway and now I'm glad to have one.
Read More Rightline Gear Ace Car Top Carrier Reviews
9. SportRack Vista Roof Cargo Bag
Most known for their hard-shelled cargo carriers, SportRack’s Vista Roof Cargo Bag is just as strong as any plastic box. This pliable cargo solution stands as tall as 18” high, so it’s easy to get the big gear inside. The cinching functionality of the bag ensures that even while towing smaller cargo, you can hold everything nice and tight inside. Each velcro enclosure features a rain flap for weather resistance.
Easy to install. Very economically priced.
Read More SportRack Vista Roof Cargo Bag Reviews
8. Rightline Gear Sport 2 Car Top Carrier Roof Cargo Bag
For a creative cargo solution, the Rightline Gear Car Back Carrier puts the load on the hatchback of your car, van, or SUV. Perhaps you want to keep your rooftop free and clear, or perhaps your rooftop is already spoken for with other tools and supplies. Either way, this rear-mounted solution brings an additional thirteen cubic feet of durable, weather-proof storage to your vehicle.
I just used it on the back of our Suzuki SX4 for a trip to the U.P. of Michigan. It worked great and really holds a lot of stuff.
Read More Rightline Gear Sport 2 Car Top Carrier Roof Cargo Bag Reviews
7. Thule Outbound Roof Top Cargo Bag
Netting you as much as thirteen feet of cubic space, the Thule Outbound Rooftop Cargo Bag is designed to haul tons of gear. The aerodynamic design helps to reduce noise and wind resistance while you hit the highway. A weather-proof storm flap makes it easy to access your gear at any time while keeping your cargo dry even in inclement weather. Thule backs this carrier with a Lifetime Warranty.
Thule was all that I had hoped it would be. Came when I needed it and was in good shape. Good shopping and getting what I was after.
Read More Thule Outbound Roof Top Cargo Bag Reviews
6. ARB Cargo Organizer
Folding completely flat when not in use, the ARB Cargo Organizer will never be in the way. Plus, heavy-duty carrying handles mean you don’t have to leave this cargo holder on your vehicle, but you can easily bring it with you to the beach, the campsite, or anywhere else. An ID holder makes it easy to place a badge or business card inside, and cleaning it is as simple as using some warm soapy water.
Much better quality material than I thought great investment.
Read More ARB Cargo Organizer Reviews
5. Rightline Gear Sport Jr. Car Top Carrier
Made from wear-resistant and waterproof polyester material, the 9 cubic feet of cargo you can store in the Rightline Gear Sport Jr. Car Top Carrier will always be in good hands. PVC backing and tough urethane-coated zippers ensure that this carrier will keep its form even when it’s empty or only half full. And because it attaches directly to the roof of your car, you don’t need any existing rack or crossbars.
Clips worked great on my [Chevy car]. Straps were very easy to secure. The bag itself is very well-engineered and built tough.
Read More Rightline Gear Sport Jr. Car Top Carrier Reviews
4. Thule Interstate Roof Cargo Bag
No trip on the Great American Interstate is complete without the Thule Interstate Roof Cargo Bag. Offering sixteen feet of show-stopping storage capacity, this bag with its IP-X3 weatherproofing is capable of keeping your gear dry even as you drive at highway speeds through the heaviest of rain storms. When not in use, this bag collapses down flat so you can keep it stowed out of the way.
A very nice carrier for our '09 Honda Pilot. Worked great for us. Stored tents well as several soft suitcases. Waterproof, easy to install, everything we needed at a reasonable price. Highly recommend.
Read More Thule Interstate Roof Cargo Bag Reviews
3. Curt Cargo Bag
Constructed from a durable 500 by 500 dinner fabric, the Curt Cargo Bag features welded seams and enclosed zippers to ensure neither rain nor snow nor UV-rays will break down this durable bag. Two size options both feature integrated tie-down straps to make it a snap to secure this bag to a roof rack, cargo basket, or simply to your vehicle’s frame! Plus, Curt backs it with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
We have a rack on top of our SUV and the car top carrier fit perfectly. The straps were a bit tricky to secure at first, but we figured it out. It is very durable and holds a lot of luggage, etc. Very pleased and would recommend it to a friend.
Read More Curt Cargo Bag Reviews
2. ARB Cargo Gear Stormproof Bag
You never know what weather might accompany your next trip, but thankfully a weatherproof bag like the ARB Cargo Gear Stormproof Bag weather any storm and hold all of your gear. This unit is built with a waterproof polyester shell and features abrasion-resistant PVC base materials. Quick-release buckles and a double-stitched carrying handle make this bag easy to bring anywhere.
Almost too big for what I needed but I guess too big is better than too small. It is definitely tough and made to last. ARB is a brand that I trust and AAG was great with delivery.
Read More ARB Cargo Gear Stormproof Bag Reviews
1. Rightline Gear Sport 3 Car Top Carrier
At a whopping 18 cubic feet of storage space, the Rightline Gear Sport 3 Car Top Carrier is one of the most spacious cargo bags available. It also has everything else we’ve come to expect from Rightline Gear such as available locks and accessories, and a completely waterproof construction with a rugged design.
We have a rack on top of our SUV and the car top carrier fit perfectly. The straps were a bit tricky to secure at first, but we figured it out. It is very durable and holds a lot of luggage, etc. Very pleased and would recommend it to a friend.
Read More Rightline Gear Sport 3 Car Top Carrier Reviews
Top 3 Best Roof Cargo Baskets
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| 1. Curt Roof Rack | 2. Rhino-Rack Roof Mount Cargo Basket | 3. Yakima LoadWarrior Cargo Basket |
Top 3 Best Roof Cargo Boxes
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| 1. Trident Cargo Box | 2. SportRack Skyline Cargo Box | 3. SportRack Horizon Cargo Box |
Top 10 Selection Methodology
We know you’ll come to rely on the cargo solution you end up with, as it could easily make or break the success of your next road trip or campout. That’s why we took this listing seriously and employed all available knowledge to get our endorsements right. That means looking back on decades of industry experience and familiarity with products and manufacturers. But that’s not all, we also looked through hundreds of real-world customer reviews and ratings to see which of our past orders got the job done, and which ones left more to be desired.
Cargo Bags & Containers Buying Guide
Hauling gear overhead is great for keeping your sight lines clear and your passengers comfortable, but what if it starts pouring outside? Is your valuable luggage and camping equipment protected from Mother Nature's various methods of assault? You should consider keeping your cargo covered when going on those long trips. The best way to do this is by storing your gear in a rooftop cargo container or roof cargo bag.
Cargo Boxes
Stow your gear in a secure, durable overhead compartment with a rooftop cargo container. These tough boxes mount easily onto your roof rack's crossbars and provide a handy place to haul your cargo. Carriers for SUVs and cars like the Thule Atlantis Box and the Thule Boxter Cargo Box are made from impact-resistant composites for supreme durability, and they shield your goods from even the worst weather. Plus, many of them have huge storage capacities despite their low-profile look, so you won't be at a loss for cargo space.
Did You Know? Cargo containers are specially designed not just to look cool - their smooth lines and curves maintain your vehicle's aerodynamics for a drag-free ride and excellent fuel economy.You probably take some valuable and expensive gear with you on road trips, whether you're going on a fishing excursion or helping your daughter move into her college dorm room. Keep your stuff safe with a cargo carrier. These rooftop boxes are designed to keep your valuables safe from theft and prying eyes. Rather than simply tying luggage to your roof, these boxes shield your goods out of sight. Plus, many carriers including the ProRac Explorer and the Thule Sidekick feature a locking mechanism to keep potential thieves away.
Cargo Baskets
You might have some luggage and gear that won't fit in a cargo bag or rooftop cargo container. If that's the case, pick up a cargo basket. These tough metal baskets clamp onto your roof rack and make a handy place to tie down your gear. With a Yakima or Curt roof rack you can carry just about anything you can imagine overhead.
Cargo baskets aren't just limited to your roof. You can also add some extra capacity behind your vehicle with a trailer hitch cargo container like the Curt Basket Style Cargo Carrier. These cargo boxes and baskets mount to your trailer hitch to carry up to 500 pounds of extra stuff. With a carrier on your hitch, you can haul everything from luggage and lumber to coolers and crates.
Cargo Bags
A cargo bag acts like a giant backpack for your car, truck, or SUV. By strapping one of these bags to your roof you add flexible cargo hauling capabilities to your vehicle. Many rooftop cargo bags like the PackRight Sport 3 car top carrier and the Thule Ranger rooftop cargo bag are crafted from water-resistant materials to shield your gear from the weather. Plus, a few roof cargo bags from PackRight can be mounted to your vehicle even if you don't have a roof rack. Understanding these differences is important for determining what is the best rooftop cargo bag for your needs.
Take a look at the following video to see how easily a PackRight cargo bag mounts to your roof rack and protects your gear.
