Carrying your kayak on the car roof is the most common way to get it to the water. There are many kinds of kayak carriers – they all do the same basic job, but come in different shapes, sizes and prices. Here is how to choose, and how to transport your kayak safely.

Types of kayak carriers

• Foam transport cradles – our favourite. Foam cradles press onto the roof bars without tools. They are easy to fit, easy to store when not in use and very affordable. No screws, no fiddling: place the kayak on top, strap it down and drive off.
• J-style carriers – hold the kayak on its side, which saves space on the roof. See our J-style roof rack carrier.
• Sliding carriers – cradles that can be adjusted along the roof bars to fit the hull. See our sliding roof rack carrier.
• High-load carriers – for cars where the kayak needs to sit higher. See our high-load carrier.

An inflatable kayak needs no roof rack at all – it fits in the boot.

Three things that matter most

1. Safety for the kayak

The most important job of a kayak carrier is to transport the kayak safely, without risk of it being damaged, dropped or scratched. Support the hull over a large area and use proper tie-down straps – never elastic cords. Tighten the straps firmly, but not so hard that the hull deforms, and check them after the first few kilometres. On long kayaks, a bow and stern line to the car's towing points adds extra security.

2. Easy loading

If you move your kayak often, it should be easy to get onto the roof – time spent loading is time lost on the water. Find it hard to lift the kayak onto the roof on your own? Try a boat roller or a kayak loader with rotating roller, which let you push the kayak up onto the roof by yourself. A kayak cart helps you get the kayak from the car to the water.

3. Space on the roof

If your car has limited space on the roof bars, you can usually still fit foam cradles, as they can extend a little beyond the bars. If you want to carry two kayaks, you can fit two pairs of cradles side by side, whatever the width of your roof rack.

Checklist before you drive

• Roof bars securely mounted and within the car's maximum roof load
• Kayak centred, with the weight evenly spread over the bars
• Straps tight, buckles protected and loose ends tied off so they do not flap
• Cockpit covered with a transport cover to reduce wind noise and keep rain out
• Check the straps again after a short drive

See all our roof carriers, straps, loaders and covers in the transport and storage collection, and read our guide on how to store your kayak.