Best kayak & canoe car racks according to redditors

Nothing super snazzy, just Rhino Rack and then the kayak rack to carry the kayaks around

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V57NUQ/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GA2HKAU/

check into something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Summit-Solution-Traveller-Racks/dp/B005OTL11E?th=1&psc=1

I ran those on my BRZ. The large fit all the way across the roof and distributed the weight a little better than foam or noodles seemed to.

https://imgur.com/F15yYzj

I've had these kayak racks for about 4 years, so no, they are not manufacturer (which I think is Thule). I had them on a '14 Outback until last month.

I looked up the big-name brands at the time and was blown away by the price for a basic rack - not any of those with an elevator system or anything - $100+ was insane, I thought. The way I looked at it was a kayak rack is actually very simple construction. Bent steel with some foam and a mounting bracket system. So I looked on Amazon and found a pair for something like $25 shipped.

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The shape that the camps are molded to doesn't fit the exact shape of the crossbar, but this does not hinder them from being safely tightened. When cranked tight, it has no slippage whatsoever. And I test with a few tugs every time I use them. Great price, great purchase, would recommend 100%.

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This is the exact same product I purchased. Note the price was about $25 at the time, and has gone up. You might be able to find cheaper, or even a double set for around this same price. All the top Amazon products in the category all look to be the exact same thing.

https://www.amazon.com/TMS-J-Bar-Carrier-Mounted-Crossbar/dp/B003V57NUQ

Here is my evolution of racks (originally posted here:

I've just finished trying solutions for getting my 60lb poly Tempest 170 on the roof (almost always solo).

First I used inflatable roof racks from Malone, which get the job done surprisingly well, but lifting the 17 foot boat up there remained a challenge.

Second I shifted to J racks as i hated watching the hull deform a bit (temporarily only) by tying the poly boat down on the inflatable. So I got these Malone J Racks. I like these racks, but they add a few inches to the height needed to lift the boat. I could do it, but tended to scrape the car and boat up a bit. That and eventually I was going to injure my back.

Third I got the Malone Telos Load Assist which seemed like a nice, more affordable solution to load assist than the Thule Hullavator. It can be moved from side to side and vehicle to vehicle so the more boats you are loading (requiring Malone J racks) the cheaper it is effectively. The Telos system works, but ins't perfect. It was still scratching my boat up too much, and my side mirror even when folded in. Honestly for smaller boats it would have been just fine.

Finally I caved and returned the Telos and ordered the Thule Hullavator (Note that you can get it cheaper from other places than amazon, but Amazon is convenient to link to for reviews and such). It is silly how pricey it is, but it simply works. I don't risk my back or my gear when loading or unloading, and it is cake to work with.

It has now been around a year and I am SO happy with the final solution.Going out solo even in strong winds is now feasible and injury free!

Does the dislike so far J-cradles in this tread include when used for poly sea kayaks? My understanding is that they should be transported on the side to avoid stress on the boat, where glass boats should be hull down.

It's the sea to summit soft roof rack in size large. I can't say enough good things about it. It attaches in less that 3 minutes and I can have my kayak on and strapped down in less than 10. It can also then be strapped down to anyone elses car in the same amout of time so if a buddy wants to take their car we can put both kayaks on top and be out the door in the same amout of time.

Edit: Forgot to say that the ratching straps do not come with it so you will have to pick those up some where else.

TLDR: Awesome rack here is a link.
https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Summit-Solution-Traveller-Large/dp/B005OTL11E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466260614&sr=8-1&keywords=sea+to+summit+roof+rack

It was my first time driving with the kayaks loaded and strapped down so I took it easy. About 30 miles at 60mph. When I got off the freeway I checked how secure the straps were and everything held nicely.

I bought these kayak racks.

I don't use a folding J-style rack but I do use J-style racks for my kayaks (2 of them) and they barely fit on the X cross bars. They attach nice and snug.

As for securing the kayaks down, I use the quick straps that came with my racks and make sure to tie them off to prevent slippage.

The farthest I've traveled with this setup is about an hour of highway driving (75 mph).

Edit: The racks I have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003V57NUQ/ref=sxl1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467757196&sr=1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65

Last week I was asking a question about hauling some kayaks. I decided to go with these J Hooks from amazon. We had a little trial and error to get them on, but basically, we took them as far out as possible so we could fit 2 on top. Instructions were crap, but we were able to figure out the best way. The crosstrek handeled them without issue and we hardly knew they were up there. I did have to drive on the highway with the jhooks only and there was a little drag and road noise.

Toss my Vibe on top of my Wrangler Sport as well. Not always the easiest thing to load solo.

I bought these guys to make it a little easier on my top:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BCLL52I/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's worked out pretty well so far.

I use Malone J-cradles. They fit well on the Thule square bars.

http://www.amazon.com/Malone-Downloader-Folding-J-Style-Universal/dp/B004O990KO

I found a used set of the Thule crossbars at a dealership for 240$ that were like new. Then I bought this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003V57NUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0oi8AbKDRG2FS

Its a TMS J-Bar Rack HD Kayak Carrier... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003V57NUQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I bought this combo for our Crosstrek...

BRIGHTLINES 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek & 2017-2019 Impreza Aero Crossbars Roof Racks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079K69B5L/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3hjKDb66H3WE3

AA Products 2 Pair J-Bar Rack for Kayak Carrier Canoe Boat Paddle Board Surfboard Roof Top Mount on Car SUV Truck Crossbar with 16 Ft Ratchet Lashing Straps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VWCPJ7T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3ijKDbGC73AEJ

The bars are Rock solid perfect fit with zero noise. Not sure if they make them for your Rav.

Thanks for the bit of kayak info, I really don't know much about them at this point. I'm hoping you notice my future thread I'll post about buying a kayak, if I need to post after doing my research.

I consider the $200 for the trailer to be paid for already, because I'll use this trailer for other things. So adding in two pair of these racks and setting them up similar to this trailer won't cost me much at all (thanks /u/chancrescolex).

There are plenty of other options out there too. Those were just a few I found with a quick google search. The downside to that last one is that those kayak racks can run around $100-$200 per set if you get a name brand. I have these though and they work just fine. You'd also need some welding experience and the right equipment.

If it were me, I think I would prefer not having the kayaks out towards the sides, just in case I got side-swiped or something. I like the variations that have the kayaks raised above the platform and then you have the whole bed for gear.

If you have a $500 budget, you might want to go ahead and get a roof rack. Then you can get a couple of J racks. The bars might come in hand for other stuff (car top carrier, skis, etc) as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Thule-830-Stacker-Kayak-Carrier/dp/B0001FUAXQ/

This is the one I use, I have oval bars. I can get two boats on the roof of a Mazda two. Ones a 12', the other is 11'. Provided you ratchet them well and use a front and back tie down to the back and front bumper of the car, its totally doable.

I have used the universal kayak racks for 30 bucks on Amazon and I have also just laid it across the bar. Both work fine. The OB has flat bars though and the bought racks have a round bracket but just tightening them down really made it secure. I have not used them since they got replaced (a tree ripped them off during the hurricanes) but even when they were used, they held up to some pretty rigorous kayak hauling.


Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003V57NUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_6UcKAb1JFHDBC

Is this the Swiss Cargo rack you're referring to? I'm new to kayaking, so I don't have a lot of experience yet. I have one of these folding mounts and really like it. Here it is on my wife's car with my kayak on it.

> do not want to mount forward or aft lines to the watercraft for stability

I'm not sure what you mean by this.

I bought a Thule and couldn't be happier with it. Buy [these] (https://www.amazon.com/TMS-J-Bar-Carrier-Mounted-Crossbar/dp/B003V57NUQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1468343275&sr=8-2&keywords=kayak+rack&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011) attachments to mount your kayak to the rack as the Thule ones are pricy. Check craigslist often for attachments. I picked up two bike attachments for about the price of one.

Edit: Yakima's are on prime day.

google J hooks for kayaks, you can get cheaper version.

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https://www.amazon.com/Kayak-Rack-Vault-Cargo-Vehicles/dp/B01N46OOBE/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2UJ7DO5ZLH9RO&keywords=kayak+j+hooks&qid=1555817425&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=j+hook+kays%2Csporting%2C223&sr=1-9

inno cross bar system with a malone j pro 2 kayak attachment. Here is a link the the malone

Depends on how you like to secure boats. The 401 will probably be a tad quieter since it's keel down. The jayhook style 400 is an angled keel.

Both systems are t-slotted, btw. Do you have aftermarket bars? You need bars that have the channel/trench for these systems. If you don't, here's a link to a Yakima product, the jaylow. It's a jay-hook with a convenient universal fit, and folds down out of the way. Yakima JayLow Folding J-Cradle Rooftop Kayak Rack with Tie-Downs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FUHDYZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VfTbBbSD9D5CE

The Mopar roof rack. I have a cheap kayak rack I screw onto it from my pathfinder. And then I plan on putting 2nd yak on the Mopar rack itself. If it isn't sturdy I'll buy another cheapo kayak attachment on Amazon.

Said cheapo attachments.... Lifetime Warranty TMS J-Bar Rack HD Kayak Carrier Canoe Boat Surf Ski Roof Top Mounted on Car SUV Crossbar https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003V57NUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_b7nbBb1JE5QD4

I'm looking at something similar for my 16. I have a RTT, the weight adds up quickly. I was planning on factory rails with the cross members below. I don'tplan to leave the cross members on if the rack isn't being used. If you find something good and not too expensive let me know.

Kodiak AeroGrip 53" Universal Roof Rack Crossbars https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074VB3BBM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_x6n8Ab7W5XA8X

I have the Rocky Road Outfitters Crossbars:

http://www.rocky-road.com/wk2-jeep-grand-cherokee-roof-rack.html

With a Yakima Wind Fairing and the Yakima JayLow mounts:

http://www.amazon.com/Yakima-Roof-Rack-Wind-Fairing/dp/B00462RVJ6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

http://www.amazon.com/Yakima-Folding-J-Cradle-Rooftop-Tie-Downs/dp/B00FUHDYZQ?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

I just bought these the other day. because my kayak is too wide to also carry my wifes on top of the car. Here's is a pelican boost? 100. It's the 10ft sit on top at dicks.

http://www.amazon.com/TMS-J-Bar-Carrier-Mounted-Crossbar/dp/B003V57NUQ


Here's a video just after I installed it on my yakima bars. I wobble the back and it moves a lot but I just had a loose ratchet strap in the video. It holds it down just fine on my 45min drive on I-80 in New Jersey going 60-75mph

Shaking it shakes the whole car quit a bit. It's solid, and they're $30.

Only Downside is they don't collapse, so I either leave them on and they point straight up, or I take my whole rack off, because the little quick release wing nut things don't get it tight enough. I actually tightened them on with a wrench. So they're not quick to take off.

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlzLC2-qe5g

get to the gym and start doing shoulder presses!!

depends on the person, and what vehicle. if you can do it on the grass, you won't scratch the kayak too much if you prop up one end on the vehicle and then lift the back up.

watch out for windy days though...yikes, that will mess you up.

there are roof loaders of different types that would help:

https://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Rack-Universal-Loader-Kayaks/dp/B00C2Q3I72

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Tuff-OTF-01CR-Canoe-Loader/dp/B06X8ZK9W7

In the industry, you have what is referred to as a "naked roof". This makes installing a conventional roofrack tricky, but fear not there are alternatives.

One option is to get "towers" that strap under the door and are cinched tight. These work well and my brother has one for his Mazda Protege.

Once you have the towers on, you can get bars that well exceed the width of the vehicle, making transporting two yaks pretty easy.

Although you have short yaks which means they are fat. One way to make stacking boats easier on a roofrack is get a jbar, so the boat can be positioned vertically. I love my Yakima j-bars myself, but you can get cheaper knockoffs from Amazon.

When shopping for bars, there are three types. Flat (factor bars), square (thule), and round (Yakima/generic). I prefer round myself and they fit a number of common saddles and j-bars.

If you really want to save on money, here is dirt cheap tower and round bar set that I used to use on my Corolla:

http://www.prolineracks.com/proline-cb602-universal-car-roof-rack.html

40 dollars...much cheaper than a name-brand like Yakima and easy to install yourself...but the Yakima versions are much better quality.

For j-bars, you can get a dirt cheap set like this for $25...but honestly these don't fit fat kayaks well (doable though, but not ideal):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V57NUQ/ref=oh_o00_s00_i01_details

My vote would be for a name-brand j-bar like Yakima:

For even more room you could get folding cradles.

If you call Yakima's sales support, they can give you a ton of useful information.

I did some more research and came across an article that recommended these (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O990KO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1), and I think j-cradles are the best approach for me since I plan on adding a second kayak down the road. The reviews also look good.

But that is just one component - I also need crossbars / an actual rack. I've been browsing that autoanything website, and there are quite a few different brand options. Any experience with the Rhino brand? Those are highly rated on that site. Also any recommendation on rack type - round, square, etc?

This rack doesn't require it, as it has a rubber strip that runs along the top. But they do make some thick foam pads if you're concerned about it. I bought these for my trailer and they work well:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BCLL52I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You can place them on top of the car, or fit around an "aero" style rack.

Still a little confused. How do they work? Can I buy a universal kayak mount and attach them somehow? Recently bought the oem racks and with those clamps I can attach them to this ?
this

Thanks for the help.

Kayak mount for car roof racks. Never used. Didn't fit my car. Link here if anyone wants to see them.

PM me.

I just picked up these for my '13 JSW. A bit pricier than some of the other universal models offered on Amazon but at ~$150 they're still half the price of the OEM or comparable Thule/Yakima bars. I like the fact that they use a metal strap that wraps around the raised roof rails rather than just a clamp mechanism like some of the other universal brands. I've had them on the car for a week now and so far so good. There is a pretty audible whistle above 40 mph but I can't tell if it's from the crossbars themselves or the bike racks I have mounted. It's by no means unbearable but at 70+ mph is certainly noticeable with the radio off.

thanks! these are the cheapest J Racks on Amazon and they work pretty good!

Going on five years now with no problems. Granted my kayak (Swifty 9.5 by Perception) is made out of hard plastic, I load my yak with the underside up and also I cinch it down till there's no movement. I'd reconsider if I had a fiberglass kayak. You can also get these I believe they can be attached to the bars I mentioned above. Would be great if you have two yaks to move.

I got these on my crossbars and had zero issues last summer.

https://smile.amazon.com/Lifetime-Warranty-TMS-Carrier-Crossbar/dp/B003V57NUQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493324975&sr=8-2&keywords=kayak+j+rack

Hey! We were talking a while ago about racks and I found these J Racks for a really low

www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9ESZ9L/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_np2wCb2N3EBPH

But I’m little worried about how cheap they are. All the other comparable racks I’ve seen have been over $200

Okay, so believe it or not there are factors here that haven't been brought up in the other comments.

First off, what kind of kayaks are we talking about? For whitewater boats, the Thule Stacker or Yakima Bigstack are the obvious choices, but if you're carrying fiberglass touring boats, you won't want either of those.

Second, why is it that you want to fold down - just for aesthetics or do you need to clear an overhead obstruction, like a garage door? If it's just for aesthetics I might encourage you just not to worry about it - carrying your boats safely and loading and unloading easily is a lot more important.

If you're carrying touring or rec boats and want a fold-down solution, the Swiss Cargo carrier is a good option. As far as I know it's really an in-house brand at Dick's Sporting Goods, there's a link elsewhere in the comments. It's essentially a fold-down two sided J bar. Great for what you've described. But I wouldn't recommend it for whitewater boats.

An Expedition is very tall. Loading boats on your roof can't possibly be a pleasant experience. If you're loading heavy boats, I'd really suggest looking into a Thule Hullavator. It's crazy expensive, but it stays horizontal and has a relatively low profile, while greatly simplifying access to your high roof. But because it's so expensive, it's really targeted toward touring paddlers with heavy boats and old shoulders.

My buddy uses [Thule Stackers])http://www.amazon.com/Thule-830-Stacker-Kayak-Carrier/dp/B0001FUAXQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1459269597&sr=1-1&keywords=thule+stacker) on his Tahoe and loves them, but loading is an ordeal that involves a lot of climbing. The Stackers fold out of the way, and unlike the Yakimas they've got a slot in the middle to hold paddles. I use them on my VW when I'm not carrying the boats inside the car (for best fuel efficiency). But for easiest loading for touring and rec boats, you'd be better off with a set of j-bars for each boat. Thule now offers the Hullaport Aero which is pretty nice - J-bars that fold flat. But still a bit pricey. You can get non-folding j bars on ebay for $50 a set.

Yes, we have a 2010 Highlander. It came with the roof rack and cross rails. I purchased two sets of J racks from Amazon for $50 (link below) and they work great with our Old Town Vapor 10’s. They’d work just as good with longer kayaks. For short trips we just use two straps around the entire setup. For longer trips we tie off the front and back also. For the front we have the under hood straps that pull out when needed and tuck under when not in use. You can get them for around $10.

https://www.amazon.com/Tengchang-Pairs-Universal-Mounted-Carrier/dp/B07S1LZYK2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=j+kayak+roof+rack&qid=1559098360&s=gateway&sprefix=J+kayak&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BTI0HD6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_X0-LBb4P0RGWM


Running these cheap j bars no problems all summer, my truck had crossbars already but you can find those pretty inexpensive also. If your loading them up often it makes life much easier than any noodle tricks .

Lifetime Warranty TMS J-Bar Rack HD Kayak Carrier Canoe Boat Surf Ski Roof Top Mounted on Car SUV Crossbar https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003V57NUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ldgyzbKTDDMVG

This is a 14 premium, came with the mounting points in the roof.

Rack itself is OEM from subaru, spray painted the pillars and bars black.

J rack for kayak https://smile.amazon.com/Universal-Carrier-Car-Rack-Foldable/dp/B07PBDRXFZ this came with the bow and stern ropes in the pic

Straps: https://smile.amazon.com/SMARTSTRAPS-Standard-Bungee-Cord-Value/dp/B07NPZCR7N

You should be able to purchase the roof rails that the cross bars mount to. The rails seem to be replaceable on both this car and my s/o's 16 impreza base. (Hers doesnt have the attachment points either) but they definitely seem like they can be added

Tengchang 4 Racks Kayak Carrier Canoe Roof Top Mounted Rack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071WYKQW9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3l3ACbXKNGKB8

I have a Chevy Cruze and an 11 foot kayak, what I do is first unscrew the antenna at the center of the roof. Most cars this can just screw and unscrew no problem.

I have 2 foam blocks like this Centering it as best I can. I try to put them right before the windshield and rear window, the area with the most support. When I load my kayak there is a small part that actually touches the roof so I just put an old towel under it to prevent scratching. The towel is pinned by the kayak and not going anywhere.

Next I put these things under the trunk and hood so I can use a rope to tie down the front and back. I have tried running this system without tying down the front and back and I would not feel comfortable driving more than a couple miles going <30 MPH.

Now I use straps like this and open all my doors and loop it over the kayak and through my car. Again trying to stay close to the front for more strength.

Then I just tighten the front and back ropes to make sure its not going to move left to right, and double check the straps across the kayak.

It seems like a lot but the whole process of loading and tying down takes maybe 10 minutes and that's alone. Quick drive around the block to make sure its good and I'm okay with driving for a couple hours before I want to check it.

This system has worked well for me and the only damage to my car has been the straps will move around a little near the door and leave marks but those are easily buffed out.

I have a fusion and let me tell you these cars are not made to carry kayaks so you have a few things to buy. I'm gonna attach everything I bought for you and I've had great results with it so far.

Roof rack SportRack SR1002 Complete Roof Rack System, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BHWMDSM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_63UbzbPVPJJQX

Kayak rack Thule 830 The Stacker (4) Kayak Carrier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001FUAXQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_k5UbzbKX7MW08

Under the hood bow and stern tie points. The whole car is plastic and there's no safe spots to tie them. Thule 530 Quick Loop Strap,Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EOZD26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_X5Ubzb54HDK4S

roof rack. the roof rack (or rails) runs front to back, cross bars run across. neither Yakima or Thule make a roof rack for your car, so you're going to be stuck with a generic rack. Maybe something like this or this.

Ideally, you get a roof rack and cross bars. Canoes don't use J-racks. You could just use foam blocks and ratchet straps, but it's sketchy if you're going too fast or far. I've made 400 mile trips using foam blocks, but you got to be sure and tie it down well and use bow and stern lines.

Here's a great expanation of how to tie it down. It's worth buying the hood tie down things, $7 on Amazon.

17' canoe is heavy unless it's composite. there's some videos of best ways to load them solo.

Got these ones. Definitely nothing fancy, but they are getting the job done. Had to put some rubber spacers in to make it fit the rack, but that was really simple. Super secure front to back and came with some nice tie-downs. Wobbles a tiny bit side-to-side with the flex of the rack when you hit bumps, but no problems so far.

All in all, two thumbs up.

http://www.amazon.com/TMS-KAYAK-RK-J-1BOX-Universal-Carrier/dp/B003V57NUQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405359817&sr=8-1&keywords=kayak+mount#productDetails

My housemate went through this two years ago.

Thule and Yakima are kind of expensive. We ended up getting a cheap, "universal" generic strap-on roof rack. It's ugly and it's not something to leave on the car all the time, but it works and it fits my car as well as hers.

We also got some J-bars to hold the kayak, which are helpful.

The problem we ran into that was insurmountable was the human factor - my housemate couldn't lift a kayak up over her head to get it on the rack when she wanted to go out by herself. (She does not even lift, bro.)

So we exchanged the kayak for an inflatable, which fits in the trunk.

The base is made up of Yakima round bars and clamp on brackets. The actual kayak part is from amazon. They work very well with some slight modifications.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F6XJZ8I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BqIjDbC5G8ANX

Thanks for the pictures!

Is the cross bar necessary, or is that the bike carrier? Also, would these J hooks be able to clip onto the rack you have?

Thats also a little bit of my concern.These were the ones I bought because I was being a little cheap after buying the kayaks and they had decent reviews. They seem pretty sturdy on the local roads that I've been on. I may have to be less cheap and go out and buy some more "premium" ones. I think I spent like 60 bucks for the two sets that I have so they probably aren't the best quality.

Here is the mobile version of your link