As an Amazon Associate, RackReveal earns from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
Strapping a surfboard to a roof rack is quick once you know the routine: pads on the bars, board deck down with the fins up, two straps looped the right way, then a twist to stop the hum. Here’s the full method, the gear you need, and what to do if your car has no crossbars.
Quick answer: wrap pads around both crossbars, lay the board on them deck down, fins up (most surfers put the fins toward the front), resting on both padded bars. Run a cam strap over the board, around the bar, back over the board and around the bar again, then buckle it snug. Put a twist in the strap where it runs over the board so it doesn’t hum, and secure the loose end.
What You Need
- Crossbars, or a soft rack if your car has none (see below).
- Rack pads so bare bars don’t dent the board. One Wave Surf’s transport guide says not to forget padding between the board and the bars.
- Two cam-buckle straps, ideally with covered buckles so the metal doesn’t ding the board or the paint.
How to Strap a Surfboard to a Roof Rack, Step by Step
- Pad the bars. Wrap a pad around each crossbar and close the hook-and-loop strip.
- Place the board. Lay it on the pads deck down and fins up. One Wave Surf says most surfers put the fins toward the front of the car. Make sure it rests on both padded bars, following your rack’s instructions.
- Loop the first strap. Toss the strap over the board, wrap it around the crossbar inside the rack feet, bring it back over the board and wrap it around the crossbar on the other side, then feed it into the buckle.
- Repeat on the other bar with the second strap.
- Twist and tighten. Put a few twists in the strap section that runs over the board (keep the webbing flat where it goes through the buckle) so it doesn’t hum, then pull it snug. Push the board side to side; it shouldn’t move.
- Secure the tail. Secure the excess webbing so it can’t flap or come loose. One Wave Surf suggests a simple knot around the buckle, with the excess inside the car so it can’t flap.
- Check after a short drive. Straps can settle in, so pull over after a few minutes and check them again.
Surf Rack Pads and Straps
Dakine Aero Rack Pads 34″ (set of 2)
Aerodynamic pads with hook-and-loop closure that fit crossbars 5.5–8 inches (14–20 cm) in circumference, per the listing. They’re 34 inches long; Dakine also sells shorter sizes.
Skip it if your bars are thicker or thinner than that circumference range.
- SAFE & SECURE TRANSPORTATION – This set of two aerodynamic rack pads from Dakine make getting your surfboard, SUP board,…
- DURABLE SOFT CONSTRUCTION – These Aero rack pads are made from 600D polyester material that is extremely durable, water-…
- EASY TO USE – Dakine Aero rack pads feature hook and loop closure for fast and convenient installation. Just wrap around…
COR Surf Aero Rack Pads + Tie-Down Straps
A pad-and-strap kit. The listing comes in two pad sizes (narrow factory bars, or wide Thule and Yakima style bars) and includes 10 ft silicone-covered cam-buckle straps.
Skip it if you carry a longboard stack and want longer straps.
- Now in TWO Sizes! Our NEW SMALL Size Fits most smaller and NARROW factory size crossbars and the large fit the wide and …
- Set of two rack pads, Durable 600D oxford fabric with PVC coating With 50+ anti-UV to keep the color from fading in the …
- Premium 10′ SCRATCH-RESISTANT Silicone Covered CAM Buckle Tie-down Strap. The silicone coating will prevent your car fro…
Ho Stevie! Surfboard Tie Down Straps (pair)
Two 15 ft, 1.25 inch wide straps with silicone buckle covers, plus a carrying case. The listing says they’re long enough to stack multiple boards.
Skip it if you already have straps and only need pads.
- SECURELY TIE DOWN your surfboards to your car’s roof rack with these 15’ straps. These tie down straps work with any car…
- SILICONE BUCKLE COVERS prevent your car or surfboard from being dented or scratched by the metal buckle. This is a major…
- SURFBOARDS CAN BE STACKED on top of each other, if you need to tie down multiple surf boards. 15 foot straps are long en…
Ho Stevie! Soft Surf Rack (no crossbars needed)
For cars without crossbars. A thru-the-door soft rack with padding and an anti-slip base that, per the listing, fits 2-door and 4-door vehicles and holds up to 3 boards.
Skip it if your car already has crossbars; pads and straps are simpler.
- 🏄♂️ HOLDS UP TO 3 SURFBOARDS – Can be used with or without surfboard bags or surfboard socks (we have a few different t…
- 🚙 FITS ANY VEHICLE – Thru-the-door style soft rack system fits any vehicle, 2 door or 4 door, without crossbar racks. So…
- 🦾 MAX STRENGTH STRAPS and POWERFUL BUCKLES keep everything tight and won’t loosen while driving on the highway.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Common Mistakes
- No pads. Bare bars can dent the deck.
- Fins down. The board goes deck down with the fins up.
- Strap across the fins or the nose tip. Keep the straps on the flat middle section of the board, near the bars.
- Flat straps. They hum at speed; add a twist.
- Loose ends flapping. Secure them so they can’t come loose; they can whip the paint.
- Overtightening. Snug is enough; cranking the strap can press into the rails.
- Ignoring load limits. Stay within your vehicle’s roof load limit, your rack’s limit and your straps’ instructions. The rack and boards count toward the roof limit.
Black Friday Tip and Gift Idea
Black Friday tip: if you’re buying surf rack gear on Black Friday 2026 (November 27) or Cyber Monday (November 30), measure your crossbars (circumference and type) and decide between pads + straps or a soft rack now. On the day, check the current price on Amazon rather than a “was” price.
Gift idea: surf straps can make a useful gift for a surfer with a roof rack; check that the length suits their board stack. Pads need the right bar size, and a soft rack suits surfers without crossbars.
FAQ
Which way does a surfboard go on a roof rack?
Deck down and fins up. One Wave Surf says most surfers also put the fins toward the front of the car. Make sure both padded bars support it, following your rack’s instructions.
How do you strap a surfboard to a roof rack?
Pad the crossbars, lay the board on the pads deck down, then run each strap over the board, around the crossbar, back over the board and around the crossbar on the other side before buckling. Pull it snug, twist the strap where it runs over the board to cut humming, and secure the loose end.
Why does my surfboard strap hum at speed?
A flat strap can vibrate in the wind. Putting a few twists in the strap section that runs over the board usually stops it. Keep the webbing flat where it goes through the buckle.
How tight should surfboard straps be?
Snug enough that the board can’t shift when you push it, but don’t crank them so hard they press into the rails. Cam-buckle straps make this easier to judge than ratchets.
Can I carry a surfboard without a roof rack?
Yes, with a soft rack. The Ho Stevie soft rack below uses thru-the-door straps, needs no crossbars and holds up to 3 boards, per its listing.
How many surfboards can I stack?
It depends on your pads and strap length, and the total must stay within your vehicle’s roof load limit and your rack’s limit. Ho Stevie’s 15-foot straps are sold as long enough for multiple boards. When stacking, One Wave Surf says to put the biggest board on first.
More roof rack guides: how to make roof racks quieter, whether you can install roof racks yourself, and our roof rack and crossbar guide.
🛠️ Buying Gear for Your Work Truck?
A free Amazon Business account gets you bulk pricing, tax-exempt purchases, and business-only deals on tools, racks, and truck accessories.
Create Free Amazon Business AccountAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
