Many individuals shop for a brand new roof carrier based on the vehicle they already own and plan to use, but it’s also important to think about the specific purpose for which you’ll be utilizing your roof box.

You can’t expect everyone else to have the same exact requirements for a camping trip as you do.

It’s important to have a sturdy box that can hold all of your supplies, is waterproof so nothing gets ruined by rain, and can be locked to prevent wild animals from getting into your food.

It’s up to you to decide which of these roof cargo boxes is ideal for your next camping trip, but be assured that any of them will make the process of getting there more manageable and the vacation itself more fun.

Our Top 8 Best Roof Boxes For Camping

Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier

Opens Both Sides

Thule Pulse Cargo Box

Opens Passenger Side

Yakima Showcase Rooftop Cargo Box

Opens Passenger Side

Thule Hyper XL Rooftop Cargo Box

Opens Both Sides

Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 Rooftop Cargo Box

Opens Both Sides

Yakima Skybox Carbonite Cargo Box

Opens Both Sides

Thule 682 SideKick Cargo Box

Opens Passenger Side

Thule 682 SideKick Cargo Box

Opens Both Sides

Here Are Our Best 8 Roof Boxes For Camping Gear

We will now discuss the best roof boxes for camping, specifically designed to make your life easier and more comfortable while in the great outdoors. We have compiled a list of the top eight roof boxes for camping, based on customer reviews, features, and overall value.

Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier

Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier

There are many of stylish roof boxes available, but Thule has created one of the best.

This means that you can take your new roof box on your camping vacation without worrying about its aerodynamics, no matter how far into the forest you want to travel.

If you’re concerned about the safety of your stuff while you’re on the road but don’t want to sacrifice convenience, this rooftop box is the perfect option for you.

This is a great choice if you often find yourself parking in tight spaces next to trees and need easy access to the contents of your roof box.

This freedom from concern about unpacking means you may choose any clearing in the woods and immediately set up camp.

Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box

Thule Pulse Cargo Box

There’s no reason you can’t combine a camping vacation with a ski trip, but doing so would be a major hassle unless you own a roof box specifically made to accommodate all of your stuff. 

Thule’s box is widely regarded as the premier winter camping roof box for this reason. This roof box can hold up to three surfboards or six pairs of skis, in addition to the usual winter gear and other soft, easily-compressed things. This roof box has a low profile at 12.5 inches, so it won’t be useful for transporting large or awkward objects. However, it’s simple to install and remove from your vehicle, and you won’t have any trouble loading or unloading it at your destination thanks to the wide opening on the passenger side.

This is an excellent roof box for your upcoming camping vacation, regardless of whether you want to snowboard into your campground or establish a base for your regular ski excursions.

YAKIMA - ShowCase, Aerodynamic Rooftop Cargo

Yakima Showcase Rooftop Cargo Box

The Yakima roof box is not only a good-looking addition to your vehicle, but it is also very sturdy and resistant to water and dirt.

All your gear will be safe and sound when you get to your campsite, no matter how far into the woods you’ve gone or how much mud you’ve sloshed through on the way there.

This roof box is suitable for both smaller and larger vehicles, so you can take your pick when deciding which car to bring on your weekend getaway. The lid’s internal stiffeners make it easy to open and close and make it convenient to reach inside when retrieving an item.

The aerodynamic shape of the roof box also makes it resistant to being blown off or damaged by passing vehicles or low-hanging tree branches.

Thule Hyper XL Rooftop Cargo Box

Thule Hyper XL Rooftop Cargo Box

If you are concerned about how the new rooftop carrier will appear when fitted to your vehicle, this Thule model is a great choice.

It is sleek and well-designed in addition to being quite aerodynamic, so you can cut through the air with ease when driving.

This roof box is not only stylish, but also convenient for spontaneous camping vacations since it is simple to install and uninstall from your car. The hefty price tag is a major deterrent for many individuals who are thinking about purchasing this roof carrier for use on camping vacations.

Though the price tag may seem steep, keep in mind that Thule has built a premium product with several user-friendly features and details for your roof rack. Take pleasure in the increased mounting points, the loud “clicks” when mounted properly, and the built-in light that making unloading and loading in the dark a snap.

Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 Rooftop Cargo Box

Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 Rooftop Cargo Box

The Yakima ShowCase is the perfect way to carry all your gear on your next road trip. This aerodynamic roof box is built to last, with lid stiffeners inside for simple opening and closing.

It’s also compatible with both round and aerodynamic factory crossbars as well as square ones, so you can be sure it will fit your car perfectly. And thanks to the metal clamp’s molded soft-finish, you’ll get clearance even on tight spaces.

The ShowCase is also accessible from either side of the car, thanks to the opening’s symmetrical design. Plus, the maximum amount of space is available for a hatch thanks to the forward-mounted hardware and tapering rear end.

So whatever kind of car you’re driving – whether it’s a station wagon or SUV – the ShowCase is a great way to transport all your gear.

YAKIMA - SkyBox Aerodynamic Rooftop Cargo Box

Yakima Skybox Carbonite Roof Box

Looking for an easy and convenient way to transport your gear? Look no further than the Yakima Skybox Carbonite Cargo Box.

This tough and durable cargo box is perfect for skis, snowboards, and other equipment, and can accommodate up to 3 people.

The textured lid and aerodynamic shape help reduce wind noise and drag, while the inner lid stiffeners make it easy to open and close. Plus, the SuperLatch system ensures that your gear stays safe and secure. And it’s compatible with most rack systems, so you can use it on factory, aerodynamic, round, and square Yakima bars.

Make your next camping adventure a breeze with the Yakima Skybox Carbonite Cargo Box.

Thule 682 SideKick Cargo Box

Thule Side Kick Cargo Box

Although this roof box is much smaller than many others on the market, you shouldn’t rule it out as a viable option for your family’s next camping trip because of its compact size.

Thule has designed a box that is capable of carrying up to 110 lbs of goods, making it ideal for stowing bulky camping supplies. You can take your box camping without worrying about it breaking or being damaged thanks to its sturdy ABS plastic construction, which is both impact and UV proof.

Due to the fact that the lid of this roof box can only be opened from the passenger side, careful consideration should be given to parking locations. In any case, for a long-lasting and aerodynamically constructed roof box, that’s a negligible cost to bear.

No need to worry about your stuff being stolen or lost on the road since the two locks will keep your box locked to your carrier and your belongings safe.

Keeper - Waterproof Rooftop Cargo Bag

Keeper - Waterproof Rooftop Cargo Bag

This roof-mounted cargo bag may not be a box in the traditional sense, but it provides just as much safety for your camping goods as the other hard roof boxes here.

It’s simple to imagine taking virtually everything you’ll need for your camping vacation with you if you choose this choice, since its inside is roomy at 15 cubic feet.

Some may be reluctant to forego the added security of a hard case, but switching to this softer alternative from Keeper has several advantages. This bag’s pliable sides make it simple to stow away equipment and supplies of varying shapes and sizes in the trunk or on the roof of your vehicle.

In addition, when you’re not using the bag, you can simply take it down from the roof, collapse it, and stow it away in the car’s trunk or garage. Therefore, it is a great choice for those who don’t have the space to keep a rigid and cumbersome box in their houses.

Finally, this bag’s reduced price makes it a fantastic pick for thrifty campers. Even if you’re set on getting a rigid box, this bag may sway you.

Parting Thoughts

Even though it may take some time to choose the perfect roof box for your future camping trip, you can be certain that any of the options on our list will give you with the safe and reliable storage space you need.

The use of a roof box eliminates the problem of not having enough room in your vehicle to transport all of your camping gear, and if you choose a model that is simple to mount, you may always be prepared for impromptu overnight excursions.

If you want to have a pleasant camping trip, get a box that can safely fit on your car and is big enough to contain all of your goods.