Best Roof Racks for 2019–2024 Subaru Forester: 6 Raised-Rail Crossbars and Wilderness Notes

Tuyoung's lockable set is the pick for most SK Forester owners because the title answers the two questions that matter: it's built for Foresters with raised rails, and it is not for the Wilderness. It is rated at 300 lb, which gives a stiff bar with plenty of margin over the Forester's 176 lb driving limit, and lock cores keep the bars on the car at trailheads and on the street. The bars are aluminum and clamp around the rail, so installation is a matter of setting the spread and tightening evenly.

The title spans 2014–2026, which is broader than one generation. It covers the SK Forester this page is about, but the 2025 and 2026 Forester is a new generation, so if you're shopping for one of those, confirm fit with the seller. As with the other Amazon sets here, the rating and warranty come from the listing rather than a maker spec sheet. Remember the 300 lb figure is the bar's: the car's 176 lb driving limit is what you load to.

If you want the bars Subaru designed for the SK Forester, this is them: the Aero Crossbar Set, part SOA367010. The Amazon title names the 2019–2023 Forester, and Subaru dealer parts catalogs list the same part for the 2019–2024 car. Subaru Parts Pros shows an MSRP of $349.95 and a sale price of $263.87. Subaru describes it as a set of two aero-style crossbars that work with genuine Subaru roof attachments and carriers, and it requires the factory roof rails. For the total roof load, Subaru sends you to the owner's manual; its 2022 and 2024 trim sheets print 176 lb for the standard rails.

Read the catalog notes before you order. Subaru's listing says the part is not applicable to the base model or the Wilderness Edition, so it is for the Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring-type trims with standard rails. It also says, plainly, that the aero crossbars do not support rooftop tents. If a tent is the plan, buy a rated aftermarket system instead. One more note: the two screws under each bar end are not meant to be adjusted, and Subaru says tampering with them voids the warranty. What you get for the price is a factory look, dealer support and bars that match Subaru's own bike, ski and cargo carriers.

This lockable, adjustable set is titled for the 2019–2025 Forester, which lines up with the SK generation more closely than the multi-generation listings. It is rated at 300 lb, like the Tuyoung, and the adjustable design lets the bar suit the rail width. If you want locks and a close model-year match, this is the alternative to the Tuyoung, usually at a similar price.

The gap is trim coverage. The title doesn't mention the Wilderness in either direction, and the 2025 end year belongs to the new generation. Confirm both with the seller before ordering, especially if you have a 2022–2024 Wilderness or a 2025. Once it's on, check the adjustment hardware and clamps after the first drive and before long trips. An adjustable bar that shifts is the most common cause of a rack that starts whistling or creeping on the rail.

BRIGHTLINES' Forester set is the middle ground between the unbranded bars and Subaru's own. The Amazon title calls it an aero roof rack cross bar replacement for the 2019–2024 Forester and says it does not fit the Wilderness, which is exactly the trim split this generation needs. "Replacement" is the key word: it is sold as a swap for the factory aero crossbars on standard-rail cars, so it suits owners whose car came without bars, whose bars were stolen, or who don't want to pay dealer prices for SOA367010.

One detail sets BRIGHTLINES apart from most budget racks: parts support. ASG Auto Sports, which sells BRIGHTLINES racks, lists replacement right- and left-hand end mounts and rubber pad top inserts for BRIGHTLINES' 2019–2024 Forester crossbars. If a pad cracks in the sun or a mount breaks, you can fix one end instead of buying a new set. The title doesn't state a bar rating or whether the ends lock, so read the listing for both before you order. As with every bar here, the Forester's own 176 lb driving limit is what you load to, and the bars count toward it. For a tent or heavy box, the lockable 300 lb Tuyoung or a Thule or Yakima system is the stronger choice.

Snailfly's set is the simple option: titled for the 2014–2024 Forester, except Wilderness. That span covers every year of the SK generation, and it also covers the previous Forester, which is useful if you're moving bars from an older car or buying used. The bars clamp around the raised rails and need no drilling. It is a basic clamp-on crossbar set without the lock cores of the Tuyoung.

The title doesn't give a bar rating or mention locks. Read the listing for both, and keep your load under the Forester's 176 lb driving limit regardless. For a roof cargo bag, a pair of ski carriers or a single bike tray, a basic clamp-on bar does the job. For a tent, a heavy box or street parking, spend a little more on a lockable, rated bar or a Thule or Yakima system.

EZREXPM sells these bars for Subarus with raised side rails, with the Forester and Crosstrek named in the title and 2014–2024 given for the Forester. That makes it a practical buy for households with two Subarus that share a bike or cargo carrier: one style of bar across both cars, and accessories that move between them. The bars clamp to the rails without drilling and sit in the lowest price band on this page.

Multi-vehicle listings need a little more care. Confirm with the seller that the bar length suits your Forester's rail spacing, and check whether the Wilderness is covered before buying for a 2022–2024 Wilderness; we list it for standard rails only. The title doesn't state locks or a bar rating. For light loads under the 176 lb driving limit, it is a reasonable budget bar. For heavier loads, choose the rated Tuyoung.