The Best Roof Bag Cargo Carriers For 2021

Even SUV owners may run out of room for that fifth or sixth suitcase. Folding rear seats to expand cargo space isn’t always an option with a full load of passengers. Lightweight cargo carriers strap to the top of your vehicle, store bulky items and easily fold away when not in use, unlike hard-shell rooftop cargo carriers. A good cargo bag adds storage options without adding unnecessary weight—many

Best Soft Rooftop Cargo Carrier Overall

Fivklemnz Car Roof Bag Cargo Carrier

On Amazon

Why We Picked It

Made from heavy-duty materials and heat-welded seams, the Fivklemnz soft rooftop cargo carrier is waterproof and keeps belongings dry, even in a deluge. The 15-cubic-foot Fivklemnz roof bag comes with an anti-slip mat and adjustable straps that will keep the carrier in place without scratching the vehicle. From multiple suitcases to a full camp setup including sleeping bags and a tent, the Fivklemnz soft rooftop cargo carrier is a top-seller in the marketplace. This unit weighs less than seven pounds and expands to over a foot in height. It’s 43 inches long and 33 inches wide.

Pros & Cons

Waterproof storage capacity
Oversized cargo compartment
Does not require roof rails; comes with four door hooks for naked roofs

Not subtle: large, bright orange logo
Does not work well with crossbars as it is meant to lay flush against the roof
Seams may not be durable in strong headwinds

Best Roof Bag Design

RoofPax Car Roof Bag And Rooftop Cargo Carrier

On Amazon

Why We Picked It

The RoofPax soft rooftop cargo carrier is larger than most, offering 19 cubic-feet of space. It’s made of durable materials with waterproof double zippers and dual-seam technology. It also includes a water repellent double coating, making it a waterproof cargo hauler. It also offers a lifetime warranty on its buckles and zippers and works with or without roof rails rails. It has a built-in protective mat and comes with 10 elastic Velcro straps. It expands to nearly 20 inches in height when packed to the brim. Its footprint is 47.2 inches long and 35.4 inches wide. A smaller 15 cubic-foot bag also is available that expands to the same height, but offers a smaller foot print (43.3 inches long and 33.5 inches wide).

Pros & Cons

Lifetime warranty on zippers and buckles
Can attach to a naked roof or a vehicle with roof rails
Two sizes available

Expensive
Protective flap barely covers the zipper
Needs an extra mat if laying flush against a glass moonroof

Best Value Roof Bag for Rails, Crossbars or a Rack

Amazon Basics Cargo Carrier

On Amazon

Why We Picked It

The Amazon Basic Cargo Carrier does the job for about $65.00. It offers fade-resistant, waterproof protection to shield whatever fits within its 15 cubic-feet of storage. A flap shields the zipper from the natural elements and helps keep the rain from trickling in through the opening. There are eight straps for some extra security against the buffering of the wind or wear from constant use. This bag requires at least roof rails, but would be better off attached to crossbars or inside a cargo basket. The straps are meant to loop around the vehicle’s side rails or crossbars and adjust individually via buckles. The zipper can be locked, but the bag cannot be secured to the roof.

Pros & Cons

Velcro holds down the zipper flap
4.7-pound lightweight option which is easier to fold
Buckles unsnap for easier access to cargo while attached to the roof

Requires roof rails, crossbars or other rack system like a cargo basket
No pad or other non-slip measures on the bottom of the bag
Like some other Amazon Basics products, availability waxes and wanes

Most Versatile Roof Bag

RoofBag Rooftop Cargo Carrier

On Amazon

Why We Picked It

For those who like choices (or have more than one vehicle type), the RoofBag offers four different configurations from which to choose. There are two 11 cubic-feet bag options. They both are 40 inches in length and 36.5 inches in width. They both are good for cars with roofs that stretch 48 inches or more in length. One comes with straps and a mat, the other comes with three water-repellent duffle-shaped bags extra security against weather or just more organized packing. The smaller bag also is a good choice for drivers of smaller sedans or smaller hatchbacks, especially with more restrictive roof load limits and to prevent the bag from hanging over the rear window. The larger option has 15 cubic-feet storage capacity and can also be paired with or without the liners. Both bags also have a distinct shape. That’s because the bag is lower in the front for increased aerodynamics. The smaller bag is 10 inches in the front and 17 inches in the back, and the larger bag add 1 additional inch of height at either end. The larger bag is ideal for cars with roofs over 58 inches. Its footprint is 48 inches long and 38 inches wide.

Pros & Cons

Smaller bag a good choice for sedans
Four choices
Can be used with a naked roof, roof rails, crossbars or a roof basket

Users report bag will slide a bit if you do not fill to capacity
Only two straps, a ratchet strap may be required for extra security
Awkward to fill without the liner bags

Best Budget Soft Rooftop Cargo Carrier

San Hima Car Roof Bag Cargo Carrier

On Amazon

Why We Picked It

The San Hima soft rooftop cargo carrier packs a lot of punch for its price. Made from PVC mesh, a material that is both strong and flexible as well as waterproof and flame retardant. It also has good color fastness, so it won’t fade in the sun. Showcasing welded seams and a concealed waterproof zipper with Velcro zipper flaps, the San Hima bag keeps contents dry. It’s carrying capacity is 14.6 cubic-feet and it expands to 17 inches in height when packed. Its footprint is 44 inches long and 34 inches wide. The San Hima also is designed with aerodynamics in mind for reduced drag. It will attach to a naked roof as well as rails, crossbars or a basket. As with other soft cargo carriers, the San Hima soft rooftop cargo carrier folds up for easy storage and fits most cars, SUVs and vans.

Pros & Cons

Velcro reinforced flaps offer extra protection for zipper seams
Adjustable, eight straps
Affordable (about $60)

Prominent logo on the front of the bag in bright orange
Under 15 cubic-feet, which is smaller than most

Bestselling Vehicle Cargo Carriers on Amazon

Sponsored

SaleBestseller No. 1

725 Reviews

KING BIRD Upgraded 60" x 24" x 6" Hitch Mount Folding Cargo Carrier Fits to 2'' Receiver,550LBS Capacity Cargo Basket with Trailer Hitch Lock,Hitch Stabilizer,Net and Straps

【GREAT DURABILITY】 - Upgraded cargo rack is made of heavy-duty HD FULL TUBULAR and CARBIDE BLACK POWDER COAT. Greatly enhanced rust resistance and durability, can HAUL UP TO 550 LBS of cargo, gear, or equipment
【UPGRADED SHANK 】- This cargo hitch carrier is equipped with a folding, angled shank. When use, the angled shank provides additional ground clearance. And ALLOWS FOLDING when not in use
【MORE VISIBILITY AT NIGHT】- Two large reflectors on the rear side provide higher night visibility, and there are also 3 reflectors at the BOTTOM OF THE FOLD FRAME, The reflectors add visibility to the cargo carrier and your vehicle in different situations

SaleBestseller No. 2

3,375 Reviews

MaxxHaul 70107 Hitch Mount Compact Cargo Carrier - 53" x 19-1/2" - 500 lb. Maximum Capacity for 2" Hitch Receiver

Capacity: 500 pounds distributed weight
Outer basket size: 53 x 19 x 5 inch
Inner basket size: 51 x 17-1/2 x 4 -1/2 inch

Bestseller No. 3

1,840 Reviews

MaxxHaul 70108 49" x 22.5" Hitch Mount Aluminum Cargo Carrier With High Side Rails For RV's, Trucks, SUV's, Vans, Cars With 2" Hitch Receiver - 500-lb Load Capacity , Grey

Basket-style cargo carrier is constructed from extruded aluminum material that is durable, sturdy, lightweight and easy to install. Will not rust and is easy to clean and easy to maintain
Features a heavy duty steel under support frame with a 2" x 2" hitch shaft to fit standard Class III and IV hitch receivers.
It comes with reflector lens and red colored corners to provide extra visibility for safety. High side rails help keep cargo in place and provide multiple tie down points

Bestseller No. 4

904 Reviews

Rightline Gear Range 2 Car Top Carrier, 15 cu ft, Weatherproof +, Attaches With or Without Roof Rack

QUALITY WEATHERPROOF + CONSTRUCTION: UV protected PVC Semi-Coated Mesh XT material, welded seams, and urethane coated zipper with hook-&-loop-close flap provide reinforced protection against rain, snow, heat, heavy winds, and other extreme conditions.
ATTACHES WITH OR WITHOUT A ROOF RACK: Attach the carrier's straps to a vehicle’s roof rack or use the Car Clips to attach the straps to a vehicle's door frame weather molding.
1 YEAR MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY: Shop confidently; our service team is based in the USA & skillfully trained to help you with any questions or concerns.

Bestseller No. 5

194 Reviews

USSerenaY Hitch Cargo Carrier - Trailer Hitch Luggage Rack with Net, Waterproof Cargo Bag and 2 Reinforced Straps - Folding Car Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier L60" X W20" X H6" 550lbs Capacity

[Luxurious Foldable Cargo Trailer Set ]: The basket trailer hitch cargo carrier overall size is 60" X 20" X 6". Hitch mount cargo carrier comes with everything you need. 4 pcs red reflectors provide a safe driving experience at night or smog situation. Cargo rack hitch also with a waterproof storage bag with a supportive net, 2 yellow ratchet straps for fixing the goods. 1 hitch tightener to prevent wobbling&noise.; Perfect for hauling cargo, camping equipment, luggage or use as a rear bike rack.
[550LBS Capacity & Stable Metal Support Poles]: The cargo trailer is constructed from heavy duty steel to promote high strength and a lightweight mesh design. Stable steel frames support this hitch cargo boxes' max load bearing to 550lbs. 2 steady metal support poles on each side of the basket and an extra-thick folding receiver tube to fasten all extra camping gear in the vehicle cargo basket.
[6" Tall Side Rails&More; Features]: Cargo racks for trailer hitch's heavy duty steel mesh bottom construction keeps the luggage more secure. Black powder coated cargo baskets with open platform design increase the durability. 6" tall side rails to prevent the small objects from falling off. This vehicle cargo baskets will work well with any vehicle; a car, van, jeep, pickup truck, or SUV that has a 2" receiver hitch.

Bestseller No. 6

339 Reviews

FIERYRED Folding Cargo Carrier Luggage Basket - 500 lbs. Capacity Basket Trailer Hitch Cargo Carrier with Cargo Carrier Net & Hitch Stabilizer, Fits 2-Inch Receiver

✓CARGO CARRIER HITCH MOUNT BASKET KIT - Includes a cargo net and bonus hitch stabilizer to ensure that any type of cargo is loaded in your vehicle's cargo basket, Let you feel free to throw all extra camping gear in the basket.
✓DURABLE - Heavy-duty tubular construction and durable blank powder coat keep carrier intact always, Strong Square tube construction , Single Piece fully welded basket,Has the capacity to hold up to a hefty 500 Lbs of cargo such as luggage carrier or camping gear and any construction material.
✓EASY TO INSTALL - Package includes all mounting hardware and customized tie-down points for users’ convenience, Universal design fits all 2" hitch receiver.

Bestseller No. 7

1,406 Reviews

SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box

18 cubic foot (510 L) internal cargo capacity
Made from durable UV-resistant ABS material
Rear opening for easy access away from traffic

Bestseller No. 8

1,771 Reviews

SECURE & PROTECT YOUR GEAR in this 18 cubic ft. HDPE plastic hard shell car top cargo carrier; high-capacity interior dimensions 57 L x 38 1/2 W x 17 3/4 H inches; aerodynamic design for fuel efficiency
WATERPROOF STORAGE FOR YOUR LUGGAGE with a four corner locking system, front latch, and weather-tight seal for ultimate car rooftop protection and security
EASY & CONVENIENT LOADING AND UNLOADING from either side of the car make for smooth travel and hassle-free storage

SaleBestseller No. 9

Mockins Steel Cargo Basket | 60" L X 20" W X 6" H Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier with Cargo Bag and Net | with a Hauling Weight of 500 lbs & a Folding Arm to Preserve Space When Not in Use

Includes a Waterproof Cargo Bag & an extra 2 ratchet straps & cargo net with bonus hitch stabilizer the car trailer hitch carrier is constructed with heavy duty steel and has the capacity to hold up to a hefty 500 Lbs of cargo such as luggage carrier or camping gear and any construction material
The product comes in a box packaging 31.5*9.5*23.5; however, After assembly the tray is 60" | The 60” long x 20” wide x 6” tall cargo basket car rack makes it convenient to haul anything you may need and provides multiple easy access tie down points. Hitch storage rack comes with a simple to clean mesh floor as well and great to us for all occasions such as camping road trips or tailgates
Hitch hauler with 2" rise for improved ground clearance and the fold-able basket folding trailer for when not in use this hitch basket will work great with any vehicle car SUV van or truck that has a 2" receiver. This cargo carrier is not compatible with cars that have a tire on the back as your side swing door will not open.

Bestseller No. 10

623 Reviews

Nevlers Folding Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier with Net, Cargo Storage Bag, 2 Blue Ratchet Straps and Bonus Hitch stabilizer - Waterproof - 500 lb Weight Limit

🚙 Includes - The Nevlers Folding Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier comes with everything you need. It includes most of your must needed travel trailer accessories ; the hitch cargo carrier , cargo net , waterproof bag , 2 straps, 2 ratchet straps, and the bonus hitch stabilizer to ensure steadiness of the hitch mount cargo carrier.
☔ Quality - The Nevlers Cargo Carrier is made from heavy duty steel to withstand up to 500 lbs. The Cargo Bag is made from Heavy Duty Abrasion Resistant Vinyl. It's waterproof and sturdy with a zipper, flap, AND velcro closure and will protect everything that you put inside. The Cargo Bag measures 57.7" L x 19.4" W x 24" H and has 15.5 cubic feet of space.
🚗 The Nevlers hitch hauler has a 2" rise for better ground clearance and the fold able basket trailer can be folded when not in use so that it takes up less space. This hitch basket will work well with any vehicle; a car, van , pickup truck , or SUV that has a 2" receiver hitch. No need for a roof rack cargo carrier that's hard to get to; or it can even be in addition to your car roof cargo carrier. The Nevlers Cargo Carrier has multiple uses as a cargo carrier and a rear bike rack.

Methodology

Forbes Wheels surveyed more than 20 rooftop cargo bags with their accessories and examined user feedback. Durability prevailed as the most common user desire in a soft-top carrier bag vehicle compatibility a close second. As a result, our choices reflect the bags with higher user satisfaction and longer lasting, functional finishes.

We evaluated the straps, material and the bag’s general ability to resist wear from weather conditions like rain, snow, wind or extreme heat. After establishing credible durability, we matched each bag’s features to categories like “biggest bag” or “best value” while keeping in mind price, performance and the bag’s construction – like how the straps attach to the vehicle. We chose bags that will work for a variety of users since elements like the vehicle type or cargo play a deciding factor

Are rooftop cargo bags safe?

They’re safe if they’re not overloaded, if they’re packed with soft-side luggage and snuggly strapped to the car. A loosely secured cargo bag may slide or let the wind get under the bag. Check the owner’s manual or online for the maximum dynamic (when moving) maximum roof load (the static weight may be higher). It might be 50-150 pounds for a car, 200-plus pounds for a larger SUV. Also check the max carrying weight of the cargo bag itself.

How do you pack a roof soft car top carrier?

1. Place the bag on the roof and start packing before strapping the bag on. Since a cargo bag carrier is more flexible than its box cousins, the straps typically adjust to the size and shape of the load. 2. Distribute the weight appropriately. Heavier things go in the center with lighter items towards the edges. Consider also what you will use first or if there is any cargo you want easy access to. 3. Pack as compactly as possible. To avoid shifting, don’t leave any gaps for cargo to move when under way. 4. Consider taking extra steps for waterproofing. Try using plastic or garbage bags if there are items you want to remain unaffected by the weather. 5. Preserve the shape of the bag while packing. Typically this will result in better aerodynamics if the bag is angled in the front to cut through wind resistance.

Can you use a car top carrier without a roof rack?

You can attach the bag without a roof rack with a few accessories. Ratchet straps and loops are both popular options. Loops can be added to the edges of your car roof by a metal hook at the end, which attaches to a vehicle's door frame. Open your car door, pull down the rubber weatherstrip, attach the hook, and close the door. When all the doors are shut, the loops hold firmly in place and the cargo bag straps can be attached to a car without a roof rack.

Which is better, soft or hard rooftop carrier?

A soft-side rooftop carrier stretches to fit slightly-too-big bags. Various models hold 13 to 21 cubic feet; 15 is typical and some are expandable. By tightening the straps, the fabric bag can shrink for smaller loads. They don't need roof rails or cross-bars. Instead of taking up a portion of the garage, soft carriers fold up and can be tucked away in a closet. They're vulnerable to holes made by cargo with sharp edges. They cost $50 to $200. Hard-shell rooftop carriers are more protective, typically need roof rails and/or crossbars to secure, have about the same carry capacity but some space will be lost unless you only load soft-side luggage. Some double as ski or snowboard carriers. They take up space in the garage. They cost $200 to $1,000 and look sleek; soft-side bags (see photo above) often look lumpy.

How much is 15 to 19 feet of cargo capacity?

Most bags here hold 15 to 19 cubic feet. A Toyota Camry or Honda Civic trunk holds 15 cubic feet, so a rooftop bag doubles hauling capacity. The space behind the second row of a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V crossover holds about 38 cubic feet, so the rooftop bag improves capacity by 50%. A big Ford Explorer with all three rows occupied only has 18 cubic feet of cargo capacity, so a rooftop bag doubles the storage of a vehicle almost 200 inches long.

Are rooftop cargo bags legal?

The bags themselves are legal. The driver could be cited if the bag came loose or flew off, creating a hazard to other cars or obstructing the roadway.