Roof box mini test
With the Easter Bank Holiday just weeks away, we try five of the latest roof boxes for size. Which is the king of the load?
A roof box offers vital extra storage space if your boot is too small. The latest versions all feature central locking and are ideal for holidays – so we’ve rounded up five of the best and compared them.
We wanted lots of space for our luggage, as well as secure straps, simple fitting and sturdy build quality. Price was also a factor. We loaded each box and assessed their usable space with soft and hard cases. Those that opened from both sides scored points.
The Best Buy is still the Kamei Husky XXL. With a flat base, massive capacity and clever shape, it holds on to its crown. The smaller and pricier Atera Certo takes far less time to fit, and is easier to store when not in use.
If you don’t need loads of space, check out the HandiHoldall. It costs around £100 and packs away into a small case, so edges out the Thule to take third.
1. Kamei Husky XXL
2. Atera Certo 480
3. HandiHoldall
Great value: Atera Certo 480
Price: £354.95
Contact: www.roofbox.co.uk
Rating: ★★★★
If you want a box that can be fitted in seconds, and you’re prepared to spend a little more, the Atera is a brilliant choice. It can be opened from either side and is simple to put together – pop the box on your roof, slip the jaws through the slots until they sit either side of your bars, then tighten them up. The tightening dial is a little bulkier than on the Thule, but it doesn’t encroach on storage, and we reckon the 440-litre capacity is more practical than the Thule and Halfords.
Money no object: Thule Motion 800
Price: £405
Contact: www.thule.com
Rating: ★★★
The Thule Motion 800 is the most expensive roof box on test, so we weren’t surprised by its fantastic build quality. It has one of the largest claimed capacity figures here, at 520 litres, but we prefer the long, wide and low profile of the Kamei, which provides more usable storage compared to this slightly thinner, taller box. The Thule has ridges on its base, which makes sliding in cases difficult. However, if you’re looking for a roof box that’s quick to fit and can be opened from either side, go for the Motion – it gets a lot right.
Budget buy: Halfords 420L
Price: £199.99
Contact: www.halfords.com
Rating: ★★★
Halfords sells this grey box for less than £200, and it’s not a bad way to get a lot of extra storage. Unlike the Husky XXL, you can’t secure it to your roof with one person – the U-bolts need to be held from underneath while you tighten them up. We’re not sure about the claimed 420-litre capacity, either, as the short and fat design, plus the raised base, means this box offers about half the usable storage of the Kamei. The criss-cross layout of the base isn’t as good as the flat finish of the Husky, which allows you to slide in cases easily. Still, this has got straps to secure your bags.
Alternative choice: HandiHoldall
Price: £99.99
Contact: www.handiworld.co.uk
Rating: ★★★
The HandiHoldall isn’t a roof box, but a bag which offers much of the same functionality. It weighs only 4kg empty and takes up far less space when not in use – you can roll it up and slip it into a storage bag. It’s a bit tricky to fit to your roof bars, yet once you understand the strap and buckle system, you appreciate the waterproof bag – it unzips the whole way round and you can get the most out of every inch of storage space. Not as big as any of the others here, at 280 litres, but the price is attractive.
The best buy: Kamei Husky XXL
Price: £254.95
Contact: www.roofbox.co.uk
Rating: ★★★★★
Our 2010 Best Buy is still the top choice for everyday use. It’s not as simple to attach as the Thule or Atera, but the Husky is cheaper, at £255, and as it’s long and has a flat base, it provides loads of storage – we don’t doubt the claim of 510 litres. There are straps to secure your load and the U-bolts stay in place when you push them through, so fitting the box is a one-person job. It doesn’t open on both sides, but you can buy it with a left or right-sided hinge. All you’ll ever need for a holiday.
