As the name suggests, J-style kayak racks derive its name from its J-Shape form and it is considered to be one of the most popular kayak roof racks available in the market. The best thing about these Kayak J Cradles is that they don’t take much space. Since Kayak J Cradles are side-loading, they give you more space to load other accessories on the roof of the car. Cars with a narrow roof should get these Kayak J Cradles installed because vertical hauling of kayaks with rollers or saddles is not going to work. Transporting multiple kayaks on a small car is only possible if you get J-style kayak racks attached to the roof of the car.
The major advantage of using J-cradles is that they make it super easy to load and unload even heavy kayaks. J-cradles are also known for their remarkable level of stability and they do help you secure your kayaks on long-distance travel. However, if your kayak is extremely heavy, then you might find it really hard to haul it sideways. So, in case you get tired easily or don’t have the muscle power that it needs to side-load a kayak, you should stick with a standard saddle.
Contents
Best Kayak Roof J-Cradles
Affiliate Disclaimer: This site is reader-supported and we earn commissions (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase products from retailers after clicking on a link from our site.
Since the market is getting flooded with J-cradles of different shapes and sizes, here we have listed top 3 best Kayak Roof J-Cradles so that you don’t have to spend hours on the web to figure out which one suits your requirements –
1. Thule Hull-a-Port Pro Kayak Roof J-Cradle
Easy to load and unload, Thule 835PRO Hull-a-Port Pro Rooftop Kayak Carrier is an elegantly shaped roof rack that is designed to help you free up some space and believe me, these Roof J-Cradles are not going to give you any hard time during the process of installation. You can sling up to 4 kayaks easily. Another major advantage of Thule Hull-a-Port Pro Kayak Roof J-Cradle is that it is foldable; so, when not in use, you can fold it to minimize wind resistance which will have a positive impact on the mileage of the car.
Easy to use and efficient, Thule 835PRO Hull-a-Port Pro Rooftop Kayak Carrier has 4 padding adjustable touch points and it is built around two folding J-profile Hull-a-Port carrier. When stowed precisely, your kayaks will stay in their position no matter what. Aerodynamically designed, its vertical stowage position is extremely safe for long distance transportation.
Features –
- Lockable
- Carrying capacity is 75 lbs
- 1-person load and unload
- Space saving design
- Adjustable padding offers better protection
- Made from steel
2. Yakima JayLow
Yakima JayLow Kayak Rack is one of the most popular and affordable Kayak Roof J-Cradles available in the market. Its foldable construction helps to save space and also it helps to improve the aerodynamics of the car and thus boosting the mileage of the car. It comes attached with an integrated cam-lever as it allows people to carry multiple kayaks in a vertical position. However, if you are transporting only one kayak, you can transport it in J-Cradle position. To offer better grip for long distance travel, Yakima JayLow Kayak Rack comes fitted with extra padded contact points.
Features
- Straps and bow included
- Integrated bottle opener
- Padded contact points
- Locks to the base rack
3. Malone Auto Racks DownLoader Kayak Carrier
Looking for a simple yet robust Kayak Roof J-Cradle that can help you transfer your kayak without creating any trouble in the middle of the journey? In that case, you need to check out Malone Auto Racks DownLoader Kayak Carrier. Secure your kayak with the straps and place it gently into the two Maui-2 Cradles and you can rest assured that your kayak is not going to develop any scratches or fall off.
Features –
- 75 lbs maximum load capacity
- 19.5″ height and 17″ length
- Oversized paddings
- Foldable design
- Built-in boarding ramp
4. Malone J-Pro 2 J-Style Universal Car Rack Kayak Carrier
It does not matter what kind of vehicle you own; Malone’s unique range of kayak roof racks will help you transport your kayaks safely without causing any damage or dent in the process. No matter what kind of crossbar system that you have installed on the roof of your kayak, Marlone’s JAWZ universal fit mounting system will fit perfectly with it. One of the major advantages of Malone J-Pro 2 J-Style Universal Car Rack Kayak Carrier is that it is e-coated that adds to its durability and it is made with corrosion-resistant steel. Once strapped down with Malone J-Pro 2 J-Style Universal Car Rack Kayak Carrier, there is very little chance that your kayak will fall off all of a sudden in the middle of the journey.
Features –
- Limited Lifetime Manufacturer’s Warranty
- E-Coated
- 12-Foot Cam Buckle Straps
- 60mm and 70mm Pre-Coated Mounting Bolts
- Easy to Assemble
5. ROLA (59912) J Style Kayak Carrier Roof Rack
In case you are looking for a really dependable J Style Kayak Carrier Roof Rack that stays true to its promise to provide reliable solutions when it comes to transporting a kayak safely. ROLA (59912) J Style Kayak Carrier Roof Rack draws its strength from rust-resistant hardware and it is built with powder coated steel and it means, it is basically designed for the long haul. To project the kayak from scratches, foam pads are used and the best thing about this ROLA (59912) J Style Kayak Carrier Roof Rack is that they work seamlessly with almost all kind of crossbars. Premium quality straps are used to make it easier for the users to tie the kayak easily and to ensure that the straps don’t get snapped that easily.
Features –
- Straps and bow/stern tie-downs included
- Compatible with most crossbars
- Powder coated steel construction
- Compatible with most crossbars
