In the classic road trip scene, you'll imagine a set of roof bags tied on top of an old-school estate car (or station wagon if you're from the U.S). Unfortunately, the sights of classic Volvo 245s and Ford County Squires loaded to the brim with luggage is increasingly rare. But the prospect of roof bags and indeed roof boxes is still very much around.
Of course, sturdier roof boxes are unquestionably the best option to extend your vehicle's cargo volume without hooking up a trailer. But roof boxes aren't cheap, and this is where roof bags comfortably come sliding in due to their immense value for money for the volumes that you can get in comparison to boxes.
You may envision images of a roof tent, only for the purpose of storage, but this is far from the case. Roof bags contain all the things you carry in one wrapped package - making things a little easier when travelling.
The best car roof bags 2024 at a glance:
The best car roof bag: Fischer 126000 Roof Bag - buy from Amazon.
Editor's pick: BougeRV Soft Roof Top Cargo Carrier - buy from Amazon.
The best budget car roof bag: Marretoo Car Roof Bag - buy from Amazon
But should we consider them? Are roof bags truly a viable alternative to sleek and streamlined roof boxes? We've been scouring the internet and finding the best roof bags available in a range of shapes, sizes, and purposes.
The best car roof bags 2024
The best car roof bag
Via FischerThe Fischer 126000 needs to be the first roof bag option you consider. While you will find larger roof bags, this bears the best design. It's about as aerodynamic as you can expect a roof bag to be, and is the most comprehensive choice on our list.
Although it's not the biggest on the market in terms of capacity, we also think it's a great size. It gives you plenty of extra luggage space without being a burden, and there's no worry of it scratching your roof either. All that's required is a set of roof racks.
Pros
- Great quality, thanks to waterproof and sturdy materials
- Solid base and aerodynamic enough for what it is
- Good value for money at just over £100
Cons
- Not a massive volume at just 270 litres of space available
| Volume | 270L |
| Dimensions | 100cm (L) x 80 |
| Max load capacity | 50kg |
| Weight | 5.5kg |
| Needs roof racks? | Yes |
Editor's pick
Via BougeRVIf you're after a roof bag that emphasises aerodynamics and minimal drag when at cruising speed, look no further than this sleek option from BougeRV. It's soft rooftop carrier bag is designed to cut through the air efficiently, while offering a bit of extra storage.
It doesn't offer anywhere near as much as some of the other bags on this list. But it's made from water resistant PVC materials and comes with reflective straps which makes seeing the bag easier if, for example, you arrive at your holiday destination in the depth of night.
Pros
- Properly aerodynamic design, which is better for fuel economy and wind noise
- Good value for money at just over £80
- Reflective straps, which helps visibility in lower-light situations
Cons
- Doesn't offer as much space as others on this list
The best roof bag for all purposes
Via Rightline GearIf it's the size you're after, the Rightline Gear roof bag swallows a massive 509 litres of cargo. That's roughly the average size of a small hatchback's boot, so you have plenty to play with here. It's tough too, with a heavy-duty, UV-resistant fabric and you can use it with or without roof racks.
We also appreciate it's excellent value, sitting at just under £110 - which undercuts some others which are at a higher price point. There are also smaller sizes available too if you don't need the space this version offers.
Pros
- Huge volume of 509 litres of space, meaning loads of stuff can fit inside
- Good value for money at just under £110
- Well made, thanks to waterproof materials and PVC semi-coated mesh
Cons
- Not as many straps as others, which may be off-putting to some
| Volume | 509L |
| Dimensions | 122cm (L) x 91cm (W) x 46cm (H) |
| Max load capacity | Not given |
| Weight | 3.7kg |
| Needs roof racks? | No |
Best roof bag for smaller vehicles
Via RoofBagThis model is similar to the large Range 3 roof bag, but smaller and can therefore be used on smaller vehicles. It's equally tough, easy to mount, and offers 481-litres of space, which is impressive for its price point.
This is an ideal bag if you're planning a road trip, and the vehicle you're using is a little Ford Fiesta or perhaps a Golf. It's a bag for shorter trips that are with a small group of friends or family rather than a long getaway. For those trips, this roof bag is the ideal companion.
Pros
- Size suitable for a range of vehicles, including smaller ones
- More aerodynamic than others, thanks to lack of size
- Comes with heavy-duty straps to secure it properly in place
Cons
- Designed to primarily sit directly on roof, but will comfortably fit on roof racks
| Volume | 311L |
| Dimensions | 102cm (L) x 94cm (W) x 43cm (H) |
| Max load capacity | Not given |
| Weight | 3.6kg |
| Needs roof racks? | No |
Best all-round roof bag
Via HandiworldTo protect your car roof, this model sits on top of roof racks, rather than over them, thanks to this bag's rigid base (gained by the use of removable fibreglass poles). It's made from a PVC-laminated fabric, which makes it reassuringly durable and capable of battling all weather conditions.
It offers a capacity of 330-litres, which isn't as much as others. However, some won't want all the space in the world, rather just a bit of extra room for carrying the extras. It also represents good value for money, too. At under £100, it's quite cost-effective compared with many other box and even bag options.
Pros
- Designed to sit on roof racks, limiting damage to the car's roof
- Ideal roof bag for a bit of extra storage, without overkill
- Made of durable, waterproof materials that'll withstand the elements
Cons
- Not as aerodynamic as others on this list i.e. the BougeRV
- Capacity is limited at a mere 330-litres, which won't be enough for some
| Volume | 330L |
| Dimensions | 100cm (L) x 75cm (W) x 40cm (H) |
| Max load capacity | 50kg |
| Weight | 3.6kg |
| Needs roof racks? | Yes |
Best versatile roof bag
Via SalinovoThis roof bag is best for incredibly large loads at not-so-large money. At 580-litres, it's an incredibly large and spacious option on the roof bag market and rivals the space of some top end, XL-sized roof boxes.
Salinovo claim it can fit anything from tents, sleeping bags, and extra suitcases into the roof bag all at once, which makes it insanely large for the money it's being offered at. It can be fitted with or without roof racks and comes with an anti-slip mat, two long straps and six door hooks. You can even opt for a slightly bigger version which boasts up to 595-litres of space.
Pros
- Pretty good value at just under £130 for extortionate levels of space at 580-litres
- Storage bag is included, which makes things handy when the bag isn't in use
- Fits on both roof racks or can sit on the roof with hooks, depending on preference
Cons
- Not very aerodynamic, which will affect wind noise and efficiency
| Volume | 425L |
| Dimensions | 105cm (L) x 90cm (W) x 45cm (H) |
| Max load capacity | Not given |
| Weight | 2.7kg |
| Needs roof racks? | No |
Best all-round car roof bag
Via SalinovoOffering 566-litres of extra space, Salinovo's other roof bag also offers exceptional amounts of extra room for luggage while not breaking the bank either. It's the ideal solution for many as they embark on their holiday travels.
Salinovo claim it can fit a four-person tent, four suitcases measuring at 24" and 26" respectively, and four sleeping bags. This should give you the reassurance that this roof bag has a lot of room to store huge items inside. You also get a total of eight straps along with a storage bag, so everything can be held in place and stored away neatly when not in use.
Pros
- Good value for money at around £100 for 566-litres of storage space
- Made of strong, waterproof materials designed to withstand any weather conditions
- Comes with a total of eight straps to help secure the bag in place
Cons
- It's mainly designed to sit on the roof of your car, which isn't ideal for everyone
Best mid-range roof bag
Via HandiworldAnother option from HandiWorld comes in the form of the XL version of its waterproof roof bag. It offers 400-litres of space in a solid, block-shape bag designed to swallow up a plethora of extra bags and items.
It'd held in place by a set of glass fibre poles which help stand up the bag to its box-like shape, and you're recommended to use a set of roof racks made by the same manufacturer (sold separately) to hold it in place. It's by no means aerodynamic, but the HandiHoldall XL is a relatively cost-effective way to shove a huge amount of extra things into for a road trip.
Pros
- Poles hold up the bag to give it a box-like profile, which can be useful for extra space
- Waterproof materials and designed to withstand rain, snow, and sleet
- 400-litres of space is enough extra room for most people
Cons
- HandiWorld roof racks (recommended for use) are sold seperately
- Not aerodynamic, so it will affect wind noise and vehicle efficiently
Best value roof bag
Via MarretooOffering great value for money for up to 594 litres of luggage space, the Marretoo roof bag is a great large option that doesn't break the bank in which others or indeed roof boxes might. It opens on both sides, which makes loading and unloading easy.
It's made of waterproof PVC fabric and comes with a number of extras, including an anti-slip mat, six hooks, two padlocks and extra-long straps in case you need them. You even get a storage bag when you're not using it.
Pros
- Great value for money at well-under £100 for 594-litres of space
- Comes with anti-slip mat and other extras to ensure you're well-equipped
- Storage bag included for easy storage when not in use
Cons
- Not aerodynamic, so wind noise will be evident when moving along
Best value large roof bag
Via FlvklemnzOffering a massive 594-litres of space, this humungous roof bag from Fivklemnz is capable of swallowing up a whole load of extra things. All while still retaining waterproof properties and a padlock to lock onto the zip for added security.
It's designed to simply mount on top of the roof, which isn't ideal for everybody. However, it will happily sit on a set of roof bars or indeed a whole roof rack, depending on your preferences. But it also comes with an anti-slip mat for good measure.
Pros
- Comes with anti-slip mat if you have to place it directly onto the roof
- Will fit on roof racks and bars, if you have them on hand
- Massive capacity of 594 litres to store things into
Cons
- Quite blocky, meaning it's not an aerodynamic solution
FAQs and things to consider with car roof bags
Are car roof bags worth it?
If you cannot cram every last thing into the boot of your vehicle, then absolutely. They're a relatively cost-effective and spacious way of loading up extra gear for your summer family getaways. You simply strap the things onto some roof racks - or if you have to - directly onto the roof of your vehicle, and you're ready to go.
Do roof bags affect MPG?
A heavily-loaded up and large roof bag will make a considerable difference. The shape and size of the roof bag will add drag as well as wind noise, which means your vehicle's powertrain has to work slightly harder in order for it to achieve the same pace than without it.
How much MPG you'll lose is not a question that can be directly answered here. It depends on your vehicle, speed, roof bag, and driving style. But users have reported losing anywhere from 5-30% of their usual MPG figures. But smaller units won't make as much of a difference as you might fear due to their lightweight and (slightly) more aerodynamic nature.
Are roof bags better than roof boxes?
In terms of value for money, yes. For complete sturdiness and aerodynamics, roof boxes have the edge as many are designed to be sleek and cut through the air much better than a roof bag could ever manage.
However, roof boxes are immensely expensive with some top models (from the likes of Thule) retailing for over £400 and possibly more, whereas most roof bags sit comfortably around the £100 mark. This means you get the same amount of extra space in bags without breaking the bank, but lose some efficiency points.
What are the advantages of car roof bags?
Value: The first thing we notice about roof bags is their value for money over roof boxes of an equivalent volume. Especially when considering that unlike bike racks, they are able to carry a plethora of items and have many uses.
Volume: Roof bags come in a range of sizes to fit a range of vehicles and thus cater to a variety of needs. Although the largest roof bags cannot match the largest roof boxes for volume, they can still get up to about 500 litres. This which is larger than the boot size of a mid-size hatchback (with back seats up).
Hardy: Roof bags are made from heavy-duty waterproof and UV-resistant fabrics. Those designed and produced by reputable manufacturers are able to cope with both sunny and wintery conditions for a long time.
What are the disadvantages of car roof bags?
Accessibility: Roof bags are not as accessible once fitted and filled as roof boxes. Roof boxes open easily from one or both sides, whereas roof bags need to be unclipped and unzipped.
Aerodynamics: Try as some might, roof bags are still essentially a fat slab as far as aerodynamics are concerned. They are made from fabric and when compared to the sleek and rigid roof boxes. Roof bags will therefore have a bigger effect on fuel economy. Because roof bags also create more wind noise at speed and most have an upper-speed limit recommendation of about 70 or 80mph.
Fitting: Some roof bags sit directly onto the roof of a vehicle. In order to avoid scratches on your car's roof, we recommend you either buy a roof bag that is designed to sit above the roof on roof racks. Alternatively, you can always use the anti-slip mats that some roof bags are provided with.
What are roof bags best used for?
We recommend roof bags to those who are undertaking a trip which doesn't involve motorway at high speeds. Especially over long distances. They are too noisy and brick-shaped for that, and a sleeker roof box would be better.
A roof bag is a good option to consider if perhaps you’re heading away into the Scottish Highlands or somewhere where you’ll be driving at lower speeds, where the roof bag’s aerodynamic flaws don’t matter quite so much. They’re also a very useful addition to homemade or converted campervans to give you extra storage space. If you're considering taking a couple of bikes as well, we've done a bike rack comparison test finding out which one impressed us.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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