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RSK
2025-08-15 11:56:12
The best. Durable, easy to mount, leave on all summer. Arms flip up and down with ease. Optional lock recommend for security. Have them on 2 cars super strong, each pair accommodates 2 kayaks, watch manufacturers video for more details.
BK
2025-08-13 11:59:13
Easy to take on and off my car rack. Very stable when my kayaks are loaded. I have 2 sets, one for each side of my car, for my two 17 and 18 foot kayaks. These don't lock but they are so easy take on and off that I can easily put them inside my car if I'm worried about someone stealing them while I'm out on the water.
EJ
2025-07-30 13:39:25
Among my friends, I am the only one who drives a vehicle capable of transporting kayaks without any extra equipment. I have always just thrown them in the back, but I can only fit two inside the vehicle. In an effort to increase my capacity to bring more friends out on the water, I purchased two sets of these racks. They attached directly to my Suburban's aero-style bars, but had cutouts for square bars and sleeves for round bars as well. Once attached, they were very secure. The only way they were going anywhere is if they sheared the crossbars off the roof itself. I purchased the Yakima lock cores, which I felt is an unnecessary secondary purchase. They really should just build these into the racks.Strapping the boats takes less than 5 minutes if you're only putting one on, obviously longer if you're strapping two to a rack. It was kind of confusing at first figuring out what goes where for two on a rack, but now that I've done it a few times, I can get 4 kayaks on my roof ready for the road in less than 30 minutes with one other person to help. The racks came with bow and stern straps, but I didn't really feel comfortable with them in the front after the first trip. The straps would shake with the wind, even with a couple twists in them, and the backpack-style buckles didn't inspire much confidence. I have since purchased two sets of the Yakima Bow and Stern Tiedowns with the ratchet-style tightening system and rope. I use all 4 in the front (since that's where the most force is while driving) and hook them directly into the push bar on the front of my vehicle. I still use the supplied straps for the rear.**The bow and stern straps are the most important part of this whole system. They are what keep the boats in your car at speed. Without them, the wind would shear the rack right off your car. They are only attached with thin sheet metal screws. It is because if this I would recommend getting a better tiedown system, at least for the front.All told, I am very happy with this purchase. I am able to fit 4 boats on the roof of my vehicle, which leaves room inside for friends and gear. I don't have pictures with 4 on there, but you can see if I straightened the rack with the green boat that there is enough room to put another kayak on the other side of the rack. I have had 4 boats on the roof and driven 70mph on the highway with no problems whatsoever (aside from the wind noise, which is unavoidable). I will update if anything changes, but for now, I would definitely recommend these.
h-coyote
2025-07-16 12:01:38
Whistled like crazy with round bars - upgraded to aero bars and the noise is gone!They're pretty solid, very adjustable, and super-easy to install and use. After a few years the rubber padding where the kayaks sit is looking pretty worn but no failures or complaints.I like that you can lock them to the bars (even if the locks are not super-secure, they're better than nothing).
Robert Walden
2025-06-20 18:51:03
I have two sets of these racks for carrying two kayaks on a late model Prius. The kayaks almost touch one another at the top where they lean in but it fits perfectly. I have not tried to put two kayaks on one pair of racks like the description says you can do, but I assume it works. Installation is very easy (at least on Yakima bars) and they seem sturdy - my kayaks weigh 50 lbs each. The racks fold down easily when not in use.I find some of the other reviews confusing. If you tighten the red folding lever before you close it I am not sure how it would come open on its own. I can only assume people are taking the rack out of the box and not tightening/turning the lever before folding it down, which would allow it to randomly come open. When you tighten the thing it is tight. The mechanism works similar to bike seat post clamp. I also do not hear a whistle when I am driving with or without kayaks on the car. Maybe I am deaf or they changed something (but I do have the Yakima wind fairing).The hooks they provide to tie down the front and back of the kayak are pretty useless and clumsy. You really need to get the straps that you close in the trunk and hood lids instead.I have only used the racks three times so far, so if I encounter any issues I will update here. Also, I would buy better quality and lighter kayaks if I had it to do over again.
John B.
2025-06-18 21:28:35
These were so easy to install and handled a 10ft kayak with ease.
KC
2025-06-09 17:32:11
We had cheap-o ones which were a SUPER pain in the butt to take on and off the roof rack (Needed open ended wrenches as ratchets wouldn't fit under the bar. Had to cut the bolts shorter so they didn't rub a hole in the top of my car). However... these go right and and off in 2 min with hand-tightening. I bought some rubber sheets to use as padding so it wouldn't scratch my roof rack, but probably didn't even need it because the surface of these are rubbery. Beware of over-tightening which will bow the mechanism. I was worried that it seemed to not be tight enough, but it worked flawlessly. Remember, these things aren't holding weight so much as orienting the kayak so you can strap it down. We have two kayaks and used only one set of these racks... put one on each side and strapped down. Again, worked great. The cam lock that stands the vertical part up has some play in it even when its locked, but I think its designed this way as we had no problems on a 600 mile round trip. They are more expensive, but worth every penny as far as I'm concerned.
Shopper
2025-05-21 10:42:49
I purchased these J cradles 6/2015. Yes, 2015. 9 years ago. Loved them then and love them now! Solid, stable and built to last. They’re easy to mount on crossbars and they’re not going to move once mounted properly. They’ve carried 12ft and 14ft recreational kayaks and a monster 12 ft fishing kayak without fail. I’ve driven up to 75mph with them mounted with my kayaks with absolutely no issues. Of all the purchases I’ve ever made, I’ve never regretted these for one second.
Richard What?
2025-05-13 21:59:24
These are the best J racks I've ever used. Solid construction with no assembly required. They fit tightly to aero cross bars and I'm able to easily carry two 12 ft kayaks knowing they will not move. The load assists are a real bonus when getting the boats on. I did not bother getting the locks as they mount and dismount so quickly I just take them off and lock in the trunk.Worth the money.
Customer
2025-04-29 16:25:57
Sturdy, well built and easy to install . Excellent product .
Hugo
2025-04-19 14:22:37
These are even easier to install than I anticipated! They're solid, and by supporting 2 kayaks, it saves you on having to buy 2 pairs. The cheaper non folding alternatives are a pain to set up! If you park your vehicle in a garage they most likely won't fit, meaning you'll need to take them off every time! It takes 30-45 minutes to put on/ take them off! It made me never want to go kayaking. Now with these, it's a breeze!Here's my main complaint and it's a significant one. Yakima is earning extra revenue by selling the locks separately. This, in my opinion is poor customer service! That should be included in the racks! If it was, I'd give it 5 stars. The locks aren't cheap either, and again, it's functionality that should just be part of the racks. Just include them, and increase the price slightly. That said, they come off super easily, so it's not a huge deal, but still, I want to eventually have the ability to lock them so that'll be an extra expense in the future for sure.
The Nuthouse
2025-02-21 11:56:48
Well, we spring for two sets as you can see. They work absolutely great, were a breeze to put on, and we did get the locks also so we can leave them on through the summer. The straps that come with them are so easy to use and seem to hold tight without crushing the kayaks. Very happy that we can load up on a nice day and hit the water without a huge production. They also fold down and blend in fairly nice when not in use, very happy
Nature / Food / Music lover
2025-01-15 11:05:40
UPDATED: After 4 years, still LOVING this rack! Received it in less than a week, small compact box. Incredibly easy to set up - it fit right on our Toyota Highlander rack, very clever design. We used it for two kayaks as well as for one kayak. We actually placed the second kayak on its keel, with foamies (which we had) but tied it to the rack and the other kayak. We had to improvise a bit as our vehicle does not have metal front hook, but we got it to work. It was GREAT! I can't get over how easy it is to install and to use. Our kayaks have never felt so secure! Wow. We are very, very impressed.
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