On a Subaru with raised roof rails, crossbar length is simpler than it looks. The bars only need to be long enough for the feet to clamp both rails, plus whatever extra width your gear needs. Most Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback setups use 47 in or 50 in bars. Here’s what fits each model, and when longer bars are worth it.
Common Crossbar Lengths
Crossbars come in fixed lengths, not custom sizes. Thule’s WingBar Evo, for example, comes in five:
| Length (in) | Length (cm) |
| 43 in | 108 cm |
| 47 in | 118 cm |
| 50 in | 127 cm |
| 53 in | 135 cm |
| 60 in | 150 cm |
Yakima and other brands use their own size steps, but the idea is the same: the fit guide for your car lists which lengths work with your roof and feet.
What Length Fits Each Subaru
These are the bar lengths used in fit-tested Thule setups for raised-rail Subarus, from Thule dealers’ vehicle-specific rack listings.
| Model and years | Roof setup | Bar length used |
| Crosstrek 2018-2023 | Raised roof rails | 50 in (127 cm) |
| Crosstrek 2024-2026, incl. Wilderness | Raised roof rails | 47 in (118 cm) or 50 in (127 cm) |
| Crosstrek 2024-2026 Base | Crossbar mounting points, no rails | Needs a fixed-point foot and fit kit; check the fit guide |
| Forester 2019-2024 | Raised roof rails | 47 in (118 cm) or 50 in (127 cm) |
| Outback Wilderness 2022-2026 | Raised roof rails | 50 in (127 cm) |
| Outback 2020-2025, other trims | Rails with built-in swing-out crossbars | Check the fit guide for your trim |
Why Two Lengths Fit the Same Roof
With raised-rail feet, the feet clamp onto the rails, and the bar just has to span them. So on a Forester or a 2024+ Crosstrek, both 47 in and 50 in bars work. The difference is overhang:
- 47 in bars sit closer to the rails. They look tidier, are a little quieter, and are harder to bump your head on.
- 50 in bars leave a few more inches on each side. That extra width helps when two kayaks, or a box plus a bike, need to sit side by side.
If you only ever carry a cargo box, the shorter bar is usually the better choice.
When Longer Bars Make Sense
- Two kayaks or a canoe. Wide loads need room on both sides of the rails. See Best Crossbars for Kayaks.
- A cargo box plus bikes. A box takes up most of the width between the rails, so bike mounts end up outboard.
- Gear you plan to add later. If a second kayak or bike is likely, it’s cheaper to buy the longer bar once.
The cost of extra length is more overhang: more wind noise and more to bump into when you load the car or walk past it.
For Cargo Boxes, Spread Matters More Than Length
Most cargo boxes mount between the rails, so extra bar length does nothing for them. What matters is spread, the front-to-back distance between the bars. Every box has an allowed range. The Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite, for example, needs 24 to 34.5 in of spread. Raised-rail feet have their own limit too: Thule’s Evo Raised Rail foot needs at least about 27.5 in between bars. Set the spread inside both ranges, then position the box so the rear hatch clears. See How Far Forward Should a Cargo Box Sit?.
How to Check Before You Buy
- Run your exact year, model, and trim through Thule’s or Yakima’s online fit guide. It will list the foot, the fit kit (if any), and the bar lengths that work.
- Know your roof type: raised rails (a gap under the rail), flush rails, or fixed mounting points. Each uses a different foot.
- If two lengths are listed, pick the shorter one unless you carry wide or side-by-side loads.
- Check the bar’s weight rating against your roof’s rating. The lower one is your limit.
FAQs
What length crossbars does a Subaru Crosstrek need?
Fit-tested Thule setups use 50 in bars on 2018-2023 Crosstreks with raised rails, and 47 in or 50 in on 2024-2026 models with raised rails. The 2024-2026 Base has mounting points instead of rails and needs a different foot.
What length crossbars does a Subaru Forester need?
47 in or 50 in on 2019-2024 Foresters with raised rails. The 47 in bar sits closer to the rails; the 50 in bar gives more room for side-by-side loads.
What length crossbars does a Subaru Outback need?
50 in bars on the 2022-2026 Outback Wilderness. For other 2020-2025 trims with the built-in swing-out crossbars, check the fit guide for your trim, since the factory bars may already cover what you need.
Are longer crossbars stronger?
No. Strength comes from the bar and foot design and the vehicle’s roof rating, not length.
Are longer crossbars noisier?
They can be. Bar sections that stick out past the rails catch clean, fast air and often whistle.
Do cargo boxes need longer bars?
Usually not. Spread, the front-to-back distance between bars, matters more for a box than length.
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.
Final Thoughts
For most Subaru owners with raised rails, the choice is 47 in or 50 in. Take the shorter bar for a cargo box or everyday use, and the longer one if you carry kayaks or side-by-side gear. Always confirm with the fit guide for your exact year and trim before you buy.
Sources: Thule WingBar Evo size range and Evo Raised Rail specifications, Thule dealer vehicle-specific rack listings, and Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite specifications.
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