In the 1970s, in the small town of Yakima, Washington, a company began making wheel-truing stands and bike parts, then found its calling helping people haul their gear on top of their cars. Yakima became one of the two names, alongside Thule, that every cyclist, paddler, and skier knows: the racks that turn an ordinary car into an adventure vehicle.
The short version: Yakima makes vehicle roof racks, bike and boat mounts, cargo boxes, and hitch racks, one of the two dominant names in getting your gear to the trailhead. Buy it for roof and hitch systems, bike racks, and kayak or ski carriers, backed by a strong warranty and a huge accessory ecosystem. It competes head-to-head with Thule; the choice usually comes down to fit and preference.
Where Yakima came from
From bike-shop components in small-town Washington, Yakima grew into a Pacific Northwest rack institution, building an enormous modular ecosystem of towers, bars, and mounts for nearly every vehicle and sport. Its American, versatility-first character contrasts with rival Thule’s Swedish precision, and the two have defined the category for decades.
What they actually make well
Roof rack systems, bike racks (roof, hitch, and trunk), kayak and SUP carriers, ski and snowboard mounts, and rooftop cargo boxes and tents. It is the connective tissue of a gear-hauling life, getting bikes, boats, and boards to the trailheads mapped in our Trail Atlas.
Built to last?
Racks carry expensive gear at highway speed, so durability and secure locking are the whole game; Yakima backs its systems with a strong warranty and sells replacement parts and fit kits that extend a rack’s life across vehicle changes. Build quality is high, as it must be.
The causes they actually fund
Yakima supports outdoor recreation and access communities fitting its get-outside mission; as a rack maker its cause work is less land-conservation focused than the apparel brands in this series. Its practical contribution is enabling car-free-at-the-trailhead adventure, more gear on fewer trips.
Where this gear comes from, and where it earns its place
Born in the Pacific Northwest, at home on any vehicle headed for a trailhead, put-in, or ski hill: the road to every region in the Trail Atlas, from desert canyon to alpine pass.
The honest take
Racks are expensive and the Yakima-versus-Thule debate rarely has a clear winner; check fit for your specific vehicle first, because compatibility matters more than brand. But for a durable, well-supported system with a vast accessory range, Yakima is a safe choice that will outlast several cars. Buy for fit; keep for decades.
The Pacific Northwest racks that turn a car into an adventure vehicle. More makers in Brands We Love. Last verified July 2026.