Hi All, I'll be driving from Syd to Qld soon, with a 9' and a 7' sup and a surfboard and I'm wondering if anyone's used soft racks. There's tons of brands with very mixed reviews
I've read that they can dent the roof, sometimes permanently. The widest I've seen advertised are 120 cms which I could prob. put 2 side by side, or 80cm and do 3 on top of each other. Also read on this forum with a couple of views on nose or tail forward.
Anyone with experience and advice would be great thanks!

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Hiya, I'm in NZ and used these with my former employer company cars where I couldn't have permanent roof racks.
They work well and adjust to most cars easily.

www.curvesurf.co.nz/collections/surfboard-roof-rack-surfboard-soft-racks-nz-rack-pads-tiedowns/products/sup-soft-racks-sup-car-rack-stand-up-paddle-board-racks-nz-by-curve

I've used the seak ones from anaconda and had no problems, place them as close to the windscreens as possible to avoid denting the roof, bugger if it rains as they leak, 14' board on the Corolla was ok, but the board moves about a bit. If it's really windy I throw a long strap over the top as well.

Soft racks are fine but there are cheap bad ones and more expensive good ones.. I'd get the good ones.

I'd also recommend having the boards upside down and nose forward..

These look ok..

www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/prorack-prorack-soft-roof-racks-pair/558318.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIptSozbK3_AIVZJlmAh13EQ9QEAQYBCABEgJ5HfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

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515 said..

Hiya, I'm in NZ and used these with my former employer company cars where I couldn't have permanent roof racks.
They work well and adjust to most cars easily.

www.curvesurf.co.nz/collections/surfboard-roof-rack-surfboard-soft-racks-nz-rack-pads-tiedowns/products/sup-soft-racks-sup-car-rack-stand-up-paddle-board-racks-nz-by-curve

Thanks, will check them out!

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DavidJohn said..
Soft racks are fine but there are cheap bad ones and more expensive good ones.. I'd get the good ones.

I'd also recommend having the boards upside down and nose forward..

These look ok..

www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/prorack-prorack-soft-roof-racks-pair/558318.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIptSozbK3_AIVZJlmAh13EQ9QEAQYBCABEgJ5HfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Yeah, I saw those, ok reviews but one bad one. Will check em out. Cheers!

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DavidJohn said..
Soft racks are fine but there are cheap bad ones and more expensive good ones.. I'd get the good ones.

I'd also recommend having the boards upside down and nose forward..

These look ok..

www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/prorack-prorack-soft-roof-racks-pair/558318.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIptSozbK3_AIVZJlmAh13EQ9QEAQYBCABEgJ5HfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks, yeah, they look ok, but the paddings only 2.5cm thick, I've got a station wagon so can't put the rear ones at the back of the roof.
Cheers!

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DavidJohn said..
Soft racks are fine but there are cheap bad ones and more expensive good ones.. I'd get the good ones.

I'd also recommend having the boards upside down and nose forward..

These look ok..

www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/prorack-prorack-soft-roof-racks-pair/558318.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIptSozbK3_AIVZJlmAh13EQ9QEAQYBCABEgJ5HfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks, will have a look at them.

I have used the ocean earth ones with 2 x 10'6 sups driving up the coast with no issues. Just make sure the straps are done up tight. As others mentioned if raining some water will leak in.

Would not take it on the freeway, suburban drive was OK.

I've used the O&E straps which are good, I added a separate strap around the front to stop the inevitable up & down movement which will ultimately "soften" up the roof of the car.
Didn't use them long enough to see if it caused permanent damage to the roof but it isn't a good sound when the roof is flexing
Hire cars are exempt of course

I was thinking of getting these myself. It looks like they would spread the weight out quite well. Any comments on them?
seatosummit.com.au/products/traveller-soft-racks

Steve - i'm sure you've got your reasons for using soft racks.
But if you're going to use 2x 120 cm or 3x 80 cm to protect the car, how much more would you spend for 'solid' roof racks specifically for your car? Depending on the car, you may even find some used ones on gumtree etc? I was looking for some for my son's car and found the cross bars quite cheap on gumtree, and then all we needed was the specific mounts for the car. I can't remember what it cost all up, but from memory it was maybe $200? maybe $250?