How to choose a roof box
A roof box does one thing: get the luggage out of the cabin so people fit inside. Before you rent or buy one, you only need to weigh three things — capacity, mounting and brand. The rest is marketing.
1. Capacity — how many litres you really need
Capacity is quoted in litres and it's the most important number. As a rough guide:
| Capacity | Fits | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| 300–380 l | 4–5 pairs of skis or 3–4 cases | couple, small family |
| 400–500 l | soft luggage for a family week | family of 3–4 |
| 500–600 l+ | 6–7 pairs of skis, snowboards, big cases | family on a longer trip |
2. Mounting — no bars, no box
A box mounts on roof bars, not directly on the roof. If you don't have them, you need those too — and they must fit your car (feet + a fitting kit). Modern boxes have quick-mount and go on in minutes. When you rent from us, we sort the mounting for you — just send the make, model and year of your car.
3. Brand — Thule vs Hapro vs Hakr
- Thule — premium. Best build, aerodynamics, dual-side opening. Pricier, but quietest and most secure.
- Hapro — mid-range, good price-to-capacity, reliable.
- Hakr — affordable, a Czech classic. Smaller capacities, but it does the job.
For a week's holiday you don't need the priciest Thule — you need the right capacity that holds and doesn't leak. Which is exactly why it makes sense to rent rather than buy.
What to watch for
- Speed: keep to the recommended limit with a box (usually up to 130 km/h) — for mounting and fuel.
- Fuel: expect ~10–20% more at motorway speed. An aerodynamic shape shrinks the gap.
- Height: with a box the car won't fit low garages or car washes — mind the total height.
- Lock: the box should lock. Your gear then travels safely.