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Buying a roof rack for a Subaru comes down to three checks: what is already on your roof, which parts you still need, and how much weight the roof can carry. Do them in that order and the rest of the buying is simple.
Step 1: Find Out What Is Already on Your Roof
Subaru changed its roof hardware by model, year, and trim, so the year matters more than the model name. This table shows what each Subaru comes with and the weight rating that goes with it.
| Model and years | Roof hardware | Roof rating (driving) |
|---|---|---|
| Outback 2018-2019 | Roof rails with retractable crossbars | 150 lb |
| Outback 2020-2025 (not Wilderness) | Roof rails with built-in swing-out crossbars | 150 lb |
| Outback 2022-2025 Wilderness | Roof rails; fit guides list separate 50 in bars | 200 lb (700 lb parked) |
| Outback 2026 | All trims | 220 lb (800 lb parked) |
| Forester 2019-2024 | Raised roof rails, separate crossbars | 176 lb |
| Forester 2025-2026 | Raised or low-profile rails | 176 lb (700 lb parked) |
| Forester Wilderness | Wilderness trims | 220 lb (800 lb parked); 2026 Wilderness 176 lb |
| Crosstrek 2018-2023 | Roof rails, separate crossbars | 150 lb |
| Crosstrek 2024-2026 Premium, Sport, Limited, Wilderness | Raised roof rails | 165 lb (700 lb parked) |
| Crosstrek 2024-2026 Base | Crossbar mounting points only, no rails | See owner’s manual |
Source: Subaru trim comparison specifications by model year, the 2019 Crosstrek owner’s manual, and retailer fit guides for the Wilderness bar length. Full year-by-year tables are in Subaru Roof Weight Limits by Model and Year.
Step 2: Work Out Which Parts You Need
A complete rack has three parts: crossbars (hold the gear), feet or towers (connect the bars to the car), and sometimes a fit kit (vehicle-specific pieces that make the feet sit correctly). What you need depends on your roof hardware from Step 1:
| Your roof | Crossbars | Feet or towers | Fit kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in or retractable crossbars (Outback) | Already there | Not needed | Not needed for basic loads |
| Raised rails (most Forester and Crosstrek) | Buy | Raised-rail feet that clamp to the rail | Usually not needed |
| Low-profile or flush rails | Buy | Vehicle-specific towers | Needed |
| Mounting points only (Crosstrek Base) | Buy | Vehicle-specific towers | Needed |
Check the maker’s fit guide for your exact year and trim before you pay. Rail type is the single biggest reason an order turns out wrong. For bar length, 47 or 50 in fits most of these Subarus (see Crossbar Length for Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback).
Step 3: Do the Weight Math
Your limit is the lowest of three ratings: the car’s roof rating, the crossbars’ rating, and the rating of whatever you mount (box, basket, bike carrier). Subtract the empty weight of the gear first, and what is left is what you can pack.
Example: a 150 lb Outback carrying a 44 lb cargo box leaves about 106 lb for luggage. A 2026 Outback at 220 lb leaves about 176 lb with the same box. The numbers matter more than the look of the setup.
Step 4: Full Kit or Piece by Piece
- Full kit: bars, feet, and fit kit matched to your year. Easiest and safest if this is your first rack.
- Piece by piece: more choice in bars (aero or square, black or silver), but you check each part yourself. Best when you already know what you want to carry.
- Factory bars: if your Outback has built-in crossbars, you may not need to buy bars at all. See OEM vs Aftermarket Crossbars for when an upgrade is worth it.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the fit kit. Low-profile rails and mounting points need one; raised rails usually do not.
- Wrong bar length. Too short limits where accessories can go. Too long leaves overhang. Use the length your fit guide lists.
- Not checking the rail type. Raised, low-profile, and built-in bars all mount differently.
- Ignoring the weight rating. A rack that fits can still be overloaded once the box and gear are on it.
- Buying a taller system than needed. Extra height makes loading harder and garage clearance tighter.
Gear Worth Considering
Three well-reviewed items that go with a roof setup. We chose them for their ratings and review counts.
- Thule Pulse Large cargo box: 4.5 stars from 1,700+ reviews, a popular box if you need more room
- Thule One-Key System 4-pack: 4.7 stars from 1,300+ reviews, one key for your Thule bars, box and carriers
- Cam buckle tie-down straps: 4.7 stars from 4,000+ reviews, for loose loads
Need bars first? See our picks for the Outback, Forester and Crosstrek.
FAQs
What parts do you need for a Subaru roof rack?
Crossbars, feet or towers, and in some cases a fit kit. Outbacks with built-in crossbars already have the first two.
Do all Subaru roof racks need fit kits?
No. Raised rails usually take feet that clamp straight on. Low-profile rails and Crosstrek Base mounting points need vehicle-specific pieces.
What is the difference between flush rails and raised rails?
Raised rails sit above the roof with a visible gap and are the easiest to fit. Flush or low-profile rails sit against the roof and need towers and a fit kit.
Can you mix roof rack brands?
Often yes for bars and accessories that use a standard T-slot or round bar shape, but feet and fit kits should come from the same system. Check the accessory’s listed bar shapes.
Do integrated crossbars limit cargo box fitment?
They can. Built-in bars move less than aftermarket bars, so you have less control over spread and hatch clearance. See How Far Forward Should a Cargo Box Sit?.
Final Thoughts
Look up your roof hardware, match the parts to it, then check the weight math. If you do those three in order, the buying is simple.
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