Thule Sonic Alpine 663
Rooftop cargo carrier's have a nickname: rocket boxes. It's a misnomer鈥攖he blocky dimensions add drag and reduce fuel economy. Which is why Thule's new Sonic Alpine 663 is so smart. It's longer, thinner, and more aerodynamic than most, so it doesn't eat into your gas mileage. And with 11 cubic feet of space, it's still roomy enough to stow ski gear for four.
Thule Easy-Fit CU-9 Chains
Putting on chains is generally a pain in the ass. It's cold and snowy, and you just want to get back in your comfy car. That's why we're fans of Thule's Easy-fit CU-9 chains. Thanks to a hands-free tensioning system, they take about 12 seconds each to install and half that to remove.
Yakima QuickDock
If there's such a thing as a hubbub in the world of car racks, Yakima created one last summer when it released the ultraefficient, silent-in-the-wind Whispbar rack. This year things get even more user-friendly with the QuickDock, a system of interchangeable attachments鈥攌ayak, paddle, ski, and bike racks鈥攖hat fasten to the Whispbar. The quick-release levers (think bike skewers) open and close without tools, so you can switch sports in minutes.