Roof rack crossbar pads

Hey everyone. I have a question about those of you who car top your kayaks. I have a 2018 Hobie Outback that I currently carry on pads that look sort of like these:

https://www.amazon.com/Seattle-Sports-RS-Deluxe-Replacement/dp/B00CHFGYWO/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3FW8KBB5M2RVA&keywords=kayak+pads&qid=1649704304&sprefix=kayak+pads%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-5

However, the annoying this is that they tend to spin and rotate as I slide my kayak up onto them. I wrapped them with bungees to try and keep them tight on the cross bars, but they still spin. I'm wondering if pads like these would work for my kayak and would be less likely to spin when a kayak is being pushed across it.

https://www.amazon.com/Thule-Surf-Pad-Aero-30/dp/B07T27NM8R/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2SDX9IUUIM7AI&keywords=kayak%2Bpads%2Bfor%2Broof%2Brack%2Bthule&qid=1649704367&sprefix=kayak%2Bpads%2Bfor%2Broof%2Brack%2Bthule%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-3&th=1

I mount my kayak face up because of the H-rails, so I'm nervous that a flat pad might not support the rounded shape of the hull well enough to stay secure. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 I invert my kayak (Compass) when I car top and I use the Thule pads, they work great. haven't tried un-inverted.  Might work if the pad placement fits on a flatter area of your kayak.

i use pool noodles and transport my revo 13 rightside up been doing it for years on2 different cars.

i use pool noodles and transport my revo 13 rightside up been doing it for years on2 different cars.

Dang, who knew pool noodles were the answer to all of life's problems? Pool noodles are the new duct tape

I'm wondering if pads like these would work for my kayak and would be less likely to spin when a kayak is being pushed across it.

https://www.amazon.com/Thule-Surf-Pad-Aero-30/dp/B07T27NM8R/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2SDX9IUUIM7AI&keywords=kayak%2Bpads%2Bfor%2Broof%2Brack%2Bthule&qid=1649704367&sprefix=kayak%2Bpads%2Bfor%2Broof%2Brack%2Bthule%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-3&th=1

What kind of cross bars does your roof rack have?  If the bars are oval or wing shaped, the Thule pad will work.  If the bars are square or round, the Thule pads will spin around the cross bars and/or get out of alignment with the cross bars.

If you do an internet search for roof rack pads for canoes, kayaks, or surfboards, you'll find a variety of nylon-covered cross bar pads which will fit over oval, wing-shaped, round, or square cross bars.  But most of these pads won't cover the entire width of your cross bars between the supports or feet for the cross bars, and one pad won't be wide enough to support both gunwales of a typical sit-on-top fishing kayak.  For example, in order to carry my Hobie Revolution on the cross bars of my wife's Subaru Outback, I had to buy two pairs of pads, and cut one of the pads down to half width, so each cross bar is covered by one-and-a-half pads.

A good manufacturer of roof rack pads is Vitamin Blue, whose website is https://vitaminblue.com/blog-rack-pads/ and https://vitaminblue.com/product-category/accessories/roof-rack-pads/.   

For many years I carried my kayaks on crossbar pads which I made by attaching 1"x4"x4' oak boards to the cross bars with a pair of carriage bolts and thumb nuts connected by bar stock. The boards are padded with closed cell foam from a sleeping pad and covered with heavy cordura nylon I got from an awning contractor.  The pads are wide enough to carry two average sized sit-on-top kayaks or one Pro Angler.  Pictures of that set of pads are shown below.

I recently bought a new SUV, and for reasons too boring and irritating to explain here, my old roof rack doesn't work on the new SUV, so I had to buy a new Thule roof rack (feet, fit kits, locks, and aero bars) at hideous expense.  I have padded the aero bars with closed cell foam and made heavy cordura nylon covers for the aero bars which attach on with velcro. It's a nice setup with minimal wind resistance. Pictures of that set of pads are also shown below. 

I used YAKIMA, 30" Crossbar Pads.
You can choose the Aero or Round crossbar type.

Paul

I'm wondering if pads like these would work for my kayak and would be less likely to spin when a kayak is being pushed across it.

https://www.amazon.com/Thule-Surf-Pad-Aero-30/dp/B07T27NM8R/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2SDX9IUUIM7AI&keywords=kayak%2Bpads%2Bfor%2Broof%2Brack%2Bthule&qid=1649704367&sprefix=kayak%2Bpads%2Bfor%2Broof%2Brack%2Bthule%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-3&th=1

What kind of cross bars does your roof rack have?  If the bars are oval or wing shaped, the Thule pad will work.  If the bars are square or round, the Thule pads will spin around the cross bars and/or get out of alignment with the cross bars.

If you do an internet search for roof rack pads for canoes, kayaks, or surfboards, you'll find a variety of nylon-covered cross bar pads which will fit over oval, wing-shaped, round, or square cross bars.  But most of these pads won't cover the entire width of your cross bars between the supports or feet for the cross bars, and one pad won't be wide enough to support both gunwales of a typical sit-on-top fishing kayak.  For example, in order to carry my Hobie Revolution on the cross bars of my wife's Subaru Outback, I had to buy two pairs of pads, and cut one of the pads down to half width, so each cross bar is covered by one-and-a-half pads.

A good manufacturer of roof rack pads is Vitamin Blue, whose website is https://vitaminblue.com/product-category/accessories/roof-rack-pads/.   

For many years I carried my kayaks on crossbar pads which I made by attaching 1"x4"x4' oak boards to the cross bars with a pair of carriage bolts and thumb nuts connected by bar stock. The boards are padded with closed cell foam from a sleeping pad and covered with heavy cordura nylon I got from an awning contractor.  The pads are wide enough to carry two average sized sit-on-top kayaks or one Pro Angler.  Pictures of that set of pads are shown below.

I recently bought a new SUV, and for reasons too boring and irritating to explain here, my old roof rack doesn't work on the new SUV, so I had to buy a new Thule roof rack (feet, fit kits, locks, and aero bars) at hideous expense.  I have padded the aero bars with closed cell foam and made heavy cordura nylon covers for the aero bars which attach on with velcro. It's a nice setup with minimal wind resistance. Pictures of that set of pads are also shown below.

Wow, thanks for taking the time to write all that out. Here’s what I have now on top of my WRX wagon. You can see how the pads aren’t completely snug, which is why it spins so easily. I’ll check out the pads you mentioned. Hopefully I’ll find a effective upgrade that won’t break the bank.

I use Dakine pads on my Yakima HD bars. Never had issues with rolling. I notice the first set I bought kinda shrunk though. Not sure if that’s a common issue

I use Dakine pads on my Yakima HD bars. Never had issues with rolling. I notice the first set I bought kinda shrunk though. Not sure if that’s a common issue

Did you add extra zip ties to it?

Wow, thanks for taking the time to write all that out. Here’s what I have now on top of my WRX wagon. You can see how the pads aren’t completely snug, which is why it spins so easily. I’ll check out the pads you mentioned. Hopefully I’ll find a effective upgrade that won’t break the bank.

I have the same problem like yours, I lift up the yak and rotate the foam.  Or, if you already know which way it will rotate, get it to rotate to the right position as you settle in the kayak on the rack.

I use Dakine pads on my Yakima HD bars. Never had issues with rolling. I notice the first set I bought kinda shrunk though. Not sure if that’s a common issue

Did you add extra zip ties to it?

I added one heavy duty zip ties to each one as an insurance in case the Velcro fails while driving.

Wow, thanks for taking the time to write all that out. Here’s what I have now on top of my WRX wagon. You can see how the pads aren’t completely snug, which is why it spins so easily. I’ll check out the pads you mentioned. Hopefully I’ll find a effective upgrade that won’t break the bank.

I have the same problem like yours, I lift up the yak and rotate the foam.  Or, if you already know which way it will rotate, get it to rotate to the right position as you settle in the kayak on the rack.

I do the same thing. The front pad is usually not too much of a hassle, but the rear pad is a PITA to get back on the bar once it has spun off

I use Dakine pads on my Yakima HD bars. Never had issues with rolling. I notice the first set I bought kinda shrunk though. Not sure if that’s a common issue

Also use the Dakine. It has been pretty solid for me even with some abuse

I have Thule aero blade cross bars. They’re aluminum, but have a 1” rubber strip to prevent slipping. Problem is, when I load/unload my Revo 16 (I slide it from the back), I need it to slide. So I put a fleece towel on the back bar, and angle the kayak so it slides on it.
Once in position, I take the towel off, and support the hull with 4 pieces of closed foam cubes.
Works great, and no need for extra stuff on the car.