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Our Cargo Box vs Cargo Basket on a Subaru Outback article covers this comparison for one specific model. This is the general version — the same tradeoffs apply across the Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek, since the decision is really about what you’re hauling, not which Subaru you drive.
Quick Picks
- Best roof box: Low-profile roof cargo box — weatherproof and secure, the better choice for luggage and anything that needs to stay dry.
- Best roof basket: Roof basket — open, flexible, and better suited to bulky or dirty gear that doesn’t need weather protection.
Weather Protection
A box wins outright here — fully enclosed and weatherproof, it protects luggage, electronics, or anything that can’t get wet. A basket offers none of that on its own; gear needs to be in dry bags or tarped separately, which adds setup time and isn’t as reliable in real rain.
What Actually Fits
A basket handles irregular, bulky, or oversized gear that a box’s fixed shell can’t — coolers, camping gear, firewood, anything dirty or wet that shouldn’t go inside a sealed box. A box is better for anything that benefits from full enclosure: luggage, soft bags, gear you want locked and hidden from view.
Wind Noise and Fuel Economy
An aerodynamic box shell generally creates less wind noise and drag than an open basket, especially at highway speed — one of the underrated advantages of the enclosed design. A basket’s open structure and whatever’s strapped to it both add wind resistance a box’s smooth shell avoids.
Cost and Installation
Baskets are typically less expensive than a comparable-capacity box and simpler to strap gear to without worrying about the box’s opening mechanism or interior fit. Boxes cost more but include their own mounting hardware and a lockable latch system that a basket doesn’t offer without adding separate straps or a cargo net.
Which One Actually Fits Your Use Case
| Roof Box | Roof Basket | |
|---|---|---|
| Weather protection | Full | None built-in |
| Best for | Luggage, soft bags, valuables | Bulky, dirty, or oversized gear |
| Wind noise | Lower | Higher |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
Common Mistakes
- Buying a box for gear that doesn’t need weather protection. A basket is cheaper and handles bulky, dirty gear better.
- Using a basket for luggage on a rainy trip. Without dry bags or a tarp, gear gets wet — a box solves this without extra steps.
- Ignoring wind noise on long highway trips. A basket is noticeably louder at speed than an enclosed box.
FAQs
Which is better, a roof box or a roof basket?
Depends on what you’re carrying — a box for weather-sensitive gear like luggage, a basket for bulky or dirty gear like firewood or coolers.
Is a roof basket cheaper than a roof box?
Usually, yes, for comparable capacity.
Does a roof basket affect gas mileage more than a box?
Generally yes — the open structure creates more wind resistance than an aerodynamic box shell.
Final Thoughts
Neither option is universally better — match the choice to what you’re actually hauling. Weather-sensitive gear favors a box; bulky, dirty, or irregular gear favors a basket. Many frequent users eventually own both for different trips.
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