If you’re an active person who loves the outdoors, you understand how important having a roof rack is. Roof racks like Whispbar help maximize storage and give you the advantage of loading gears that are too large to even fit inside your car like skis, kayaks, surfboards, and more.
Maybe you’re here because you’ve heard that Whispbar is one of the best products when it comes to roof racks. Or you might be here because you need a replacement and just found out that Whispbar has already been discontinued.
Whatever your reasons are, we’ll do our best to help you. In this article, we will discuss what Whispbar is and its main features. We will also give you Yakima’s replacements that are comparatively the same quality, to give you some options if you need to buy one asap.
Now, let’s dive into the article!
What is the Whispbar?
For the few people who don’t know about this product, the Whispbar is a type of roof rack designed to reduce wind noise and gas consumption! In fact, at the time of its launch, the product is considered one of the quietest roof racks in the market.
In addition to that, the Whispbar Roof Racks are equipped with different technologies that make them easy to use, easy to remove, and highly stable. They were available in three types, the Fushbars, the Railbars, and Heavy-Duty bars.
Despite the very expensive price tag (around $500), Whispbar has built a loyal customer base. That’s because their products are durable, high-quality, efficient, and especially good-looking!
Because of its great potential, the company was bought by Yakima, way back in 2010. But shortly thereafter, in 2016, Yakima announced that it has discontinued the production of its Whispbar Roof Racks. Instead, they have introduced their own line of aerodynamic Roof Rack Systems and crossbars including the RailBar, the Flushbar, the HD Bar, and the latest JetStream Bar model.
The only problem is, not all of the Whispbar models have corresponding products from Yakima. In fact, Yakima was only able to reproduce the Whispbar S2-S10 sizes for the Flushbar and the S42-S47 for the Railbar. See the Conversion Chart below:
Whispbar Flushbar to Yakima Flushbar
Whispbar Railbar to Yakima Railbar
You might like: Yakima Jetstream vs Whispbar: Which Is The Quietest?
There are shops that still sell Whispbar products and it seems like Yakima still have some Whispbar products remaining in stock. Luckily, they are being sold half the original price and if you still want to get one you can purchase them using the links below:
Whispbar Alternatives
The safest way to go if you want to replace your Whispbar and still want the same quality is to buy from Yakima. The roof rack systems below use the same technology that Whispbar users love about it, the quietness, durability, and fuel efficiency.
In addition to that, it will be very easy to find the same size as most of the Yakima’s crossbars has the same size as the Whispbar models. You can check the chart we’ve included above or you can go to Yakima’s Fit Guide Page to find the roof rack that will best fit your car.
Yakima Flushbar System
- Materials: Aluminum
- Colors: Black & Silver
- Product Weight: 3.8-5.8 lbs
- Weight Capacity: 165 lbs
- Sizes: 3XS-3XL
The Yakima Flushbar, formerly known as Whispbar Flushbar is a sleek-looking aerodynamic roof rack with a maximum weight capacity of 165 lbs. The flush bar already comes with a tower (foot) with no overhang and SmartFill™ technology for easy installation.
The Flushbar system is equipped with Yakima’s WindRidge Technology that reduces noise, drag, and therefore gas consumption as well. On the other hand, the lightweight yet strong JetTruss internal support enables this rack to carry up to 165 lb loads.
If you have a small car and want something with a low profile to avoid drag and noise, the Flushbar system is the one for you. This roof rack system comes in several sizes, check out our size conversion above or go directly to Yakima’s Fit Guide to find the size best for your car.
Yakima Railbar
- Materials: Aluminum
- Colors: Black & Silver
- Product Weight: 4.1-5.8 lbs
- Weight Capacity: 165 lbs
- Sizes: XS-XL
If your car has factory-equipped raised side rails, then you should get the Yakima Railbar Systems instead. One advantage of the Railbar is that you can use ropes or clamps to secure your gears.
In addition to the WindRidge Technology, this Railbar system is also designed with the lowest profile to provide the least drag and noise. Furthermore, Just like the Flushbar, the Railbar is equipped with the SmartFill™ technology easy installation and the JetTruss internal support.
JetStream Bar
- Materials: Aluminum
- Colors: Black & Silver
- Sizes: 50”-70”
- Product Weight: 9-13 lbs
- Weight Capacity: 165 lbs
- Sizes: XS-XL
The JetStream is the best roof rail if you’re looking for an alternative for the Whispbar’s through bar. Unlike the Flushbar and Railbar, the JetStream is longer and has an overhang. This feature increases the bar length you can use thus letting you carry more accessories for your off-the-grid trip.
It also is equipped with the same Yakima technology as the two roof racks mentioned above. But another thing that differentiates it from the rest of Yakimas products is it doesn’t use the WindRidge technology. Instead, the JetStream is specially designed to have the JetFlow teardrop shape that is exceptionally strong, quiet, and highly efficient.
YAKIMA – HD Bar
- Materials: Aluminum
- Colors: Black & Silver
- Product Weight: 10.86-15.25 lbs
- Weight Capacity: 500 lbs
- Sizes: 55”-78”
If you have a truck or a pickup and have heavier gears then the three Whispbar alternatives mentioned earlier may not be suitable for you. Luckily, Yakima has also released a similar heavy-duty roof rail just like the Whispbar’s HD (Heavy Duty).
The Yakima HD Bar is also made from aluminum but weighs twice as much as the FlushBar and RailBar. But outstandingly it has a maximum weight capacity of 500lbs! These crossbars will let you mount large and heavy loads including a rooftop tent if you love camping!
The HD bar is cheaper than the 3 roof racks mentioned above. That’s because it doesn’t come with towers. You will need to buy StreamLine Towers with Yakima HD Bar SL Adapter to set it up. These additional towers with adapters will cost you around $250.
Benefits of a Roof Rack System
Now that you know the roof rack alternatives you can buy from Yakima, here are additional reasons why you should buy a roof rack system for your vehicle. But before we talk about it, here’s one of the top reasons why you should buy a roof rack system:
Roof Rails vs Roof Racks
The main difference between roof rails and roof racks is the direction/alignment of the bars. Roof rails are mounted along the length of your vehicle while roof racks are installed across your vehicle’s roof.
Some vehicles already come with pre-installed roof rails or you can request for them to be installed in the factory. But if your vehicle doesn’t come with them or you’re looking for a more sturdy system with higher load capacity, you should invest in a roof rack instead. Furthermore, you need to install an additional roof rack system to your roof rails to be able to carry skis racks or heavier cargo.
Roof racks give you several advantages especially if you love the outdoors or love camping or living off-the-grid. Here are just some of them:
- Maximize Your Storage Space
- Gives you more space inside the car
- Ability to carry long cargos won’t fit inside your vehicle
- It will let you load a lighting system if you travel at night or camping off-the-grid
FAQs about Whispbar & Yakima Roof Racks
Which Whispbar/Roof Rack fits my Car?
Every car model may require a different type/size of roof rack. If you want to know specifically the type/size of roof rack you should buy, go directly to Yakima’s Fit Guide Page.
Are Yakima roof racks universal?
No, the Yakima crossbars or roof racks systems are not universal. You need the buy a specific set for your car. Let an expert install one for you or check out Yakima’s Fit Guide Page.
Are Yakima Racks Made in the USA?
Yes. The main reason why Yakima racks are high-quality and durable is that these roof racks are designed and made in the USA. The only main complaint from users is its expensiveness especially the towers, adapters, and accessories.
Are Yakima Roof Racks quiet like the Whispbar?
Yakima uses more advanced technologies for creating quiet and efficient roof racks including WindRidge and the JetFlow teardrop construction.
How do you Install Yakima Roof Racks?
Installing roof racks are easier today (if you already have all the tools) thanks to Yakima’s SmartFill technology. You just need to find the correct position to mount your towers then you can install your crossbars easily because most Yakima towers have T-slot style mounts. Here is a short video to help you understand how roof rack and roof rack towers are installed.
