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10 durable cargo boxes to consider for your next adventure

10 durable cargo boxes to consider for your next adventure

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Planning for your next road trip adventure is an exciting experience, but finding enough space to carry all your necessary gear can be a challenge. Car cargo boxes help solve this problem, providing ample storage space while protecting your gear from the elements during transit.

The best cargo boxes are designed to withstand the rigors of travel while keeping your gear safe and secure. Whether you’re going camping, skiing or road tripping, there’s a cargo box that’s sure to meet your needs.

In this article: Thule Force Rooftop Cargo Box, Thule SideKick Rooftop Cargo Box and SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box.

Types of cargo boxes

The two most common types of cargo boxes are hard-shell and soft-shell. You can also find lesser-used cargo options, including truck bed cargo boxes and cargo box trailers. 

What to look for in a cargo box

Here are some of the features to look for in a cargo box

What other cargo products are useful? 

If you’re still working out how to take all the gear you need on your next adventure, these are other cargo and transport products you might find handy. 

Best cargo boxes and other cargo products

Thule Force Rooftop Cargo Box

You can choose from four sizes with this roof box. The smallest has a capacity of 11 cubic feet and the largest has a capacity of 22 cubic feet. It has a quick mount system that makes it easier to fit to your car and that clicks when properly in place, so you don’t have to wonder whether it’s secure. 

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Thule SideKick Rooftop Cargo Box

A great compact choice, this 8-cubic-foot box leaves room for other roof-mounted accessories. The passenger side opening allows for safer and easier loading and unloading, while the sturdy hinges are durable over the long term. 

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SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box

With 18 cubic feet of interior space, you can fit plenty of luggage or gear for the whole household. The rear-opening design gives you easy access to your belongings away from traffic, and it has tool-free mounting hardware. 

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Rightline Gear Sport 3 Waterproof Rooftop Cargo Carrier

Thanks to its welded seams, you can be sure this soft-sided roof box is sturdy, even though it isn’t made from hard materials. It simply straps onto the roof rack, so installation could hardly be simpler. 

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Rightline Gear Ace 2 Rooftop Cargo Carrier

Reinforced with a polyester mesh, this is a highly durable soft-sided cargo carrier. It’s made of a UV-protected fabric, which reduces fading and degradation over time. The 15 cubic foot capacity is roomy enough for long trips or plenty of sporting gear. 

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Amazon Basics Rooftop Cargo Carrier

You can fit lots of gear inside this 15-cubic-foot cargo bag. It’s made of a waterproof material and has flaps over the zipper to keep rain out, whatever the conditions. It’s compatible with both side bars and cross rails, but doesn’t work on cars that don’t have either. 

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Shield Jacket Car Rooftop Cargo Carrier

What’s great about this roof box is that it’s compatible with cars with or without roof racks, so you can easily fit it to any car. The eight straps attach to any car securely, while the 15-cubic-foot capacity is more than enough for most adventures. 

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Reese Explore Rainproof Car-Top Carrier

Made from a waterproof material with sonically welded seams and protected zippers, you can rest assured your gear will stay dry inside. It fits on all cars with roof racks and has a capacity of 15 cubic feet. 

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RoofPax Extra Waterproof Rooftop Cargo Carrier

Its heavy-duty construction makes this a great soft-sided cargo box for regular use. It works with or without a roof rack, so you don’t need to worry about compatibility. 

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Thule T2 Pro Hitch Bike Rack

If you regularly take bikes on your adventures, you’ll need a quality bike rack. This one fits on the rear of a car, so you can use it in conjunction with a cargo box. It fits two bikes of up to 60 pounds each.

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