Product Review · Rooftop Cargo Boxes · #7 Ranked
Yakima SkyBox NX 16
16 cu ft dual-side hard-shell cargo box · Reviewed by Drew · amazon.com live, Sept 24 2026
Why it scored a 82
The Yakima SkyBox NX 16 is a well-built 16 cu ft box with dual-side opening, a full metal handle, an SKS lock and a flat floor, which is why quality scores 88 and features 86. Value is the lowest factor at 70 at $798.95, and reliability sits at 80 because only 60 ratings back the 4.4 stars. One listing flag: a bullet claims 18 cu ft, but the model name and title say 16 cu ft. It needs crossbars, sold separately, and it ranks just behind the Thule Force 3 L.
What you're getting
- Hard-shell roof box, 16 cu ft
- 75.5 x 35 x 16 in; 46 lb
- Fits skis and snowboards up to 175 cm
- Dual-side opening with full metal handle
- SKS lock secures the lid and the box to the rack
- Crossbar spread 24 to 36 in; round, square, aero, factory bars
- Flat interior floor; nano-texture finish on lid and base
- Needs crossbars (sold separately); sold by a third-party seller
ViperScore breakdown
At a glance
- 16 cu ft hard-shell box
- Dual-side, SKS lock
- Crossbars required
- Price$798.95
- Tier16 cu ft dual-side hard-shell cargo box
- Category rank#7 of 10
Should you buy the Yakima SkyBox NX 16?
The Yakima SkyBox NX 16 is for a Yakima rack owner who wants a matching box on the same SKS key system. At $798.95 it ranks #7 of 10 in our Rooftop Cargo Boxes category. It needs crossbars, sold separately. The Thule Force 3 L offers the same volume with a 165 lb rating and a torque click for $879.95, and the SportRack Vista XL holds more for $399.99 if you can accept rear-only access.
Where it earns its score
- Opens both ways. Dual-side access and a full metal handle make loading from the curb easy.
- Wide crossbar range. It accepts bar spreads from 24 to 36 inches and fits round, square, aero and most factory bars.
- Usable floor. A flat, unobstructed floor makes more of the 16 cu ft usable for duffels and boards.
- Lifetime coverage. Yakima backs the SkyBox NX with a limited lifetime warranty.
What to know first
- Value is the lowest factor at 70. $798.95 is about $50 per cubic foot, more than twice the SportRack Vista XL.
- The listing says 18 and 16. One bullet claims 18 cu ft, while the model name and title say 16 cu ft. Treat 16 as correct.
- Third-party seller. It is not sold by Amazon directly, and only 60 ratings back the 4.4 stars.
Our verdict
The Yakima SkyBox NX 16 scores 82, a Good Buy, on Warranty (95), Quality (88) and Features (86). Buy it if you already run Yakima bars and want SKS keying and dual-side access. Otherwise the Thule Force 3 L (83) is a slightly better box for $81 more, with a published 165 lb load rating.
Thule Force 3 L
Questions buyers ask
Is the Yakima SkyBox NX 16 16 or 18 cubic feet?
16 cu ft. One listing bullet says 18, but the model name and title say 16.
Does the Yakima SkyBox NX 16 fit factory crossbars?
It fits round, square, aero and most factory crossbars spaced 24 to 36 inches apart. Crossbars are sold separately.
Will skis fit in the Yakima SkyBox NX 16?
Yes, skis and snowboards up to 175 cm fit.
Ready to check it out?
Yakima SkyBox NX 16 · ViperScore 82 · Good Buy · $798.95
How the other 9 rooftop cargo boxes scored
86RoofPax XXL 28 Cu Ft Roof Bag
84Thule Pulse 2 M
84INNO Wedge 660
84Thule Motion 3
83SportRack Vista XL
83Thule Force 3 L
80Rightline Gear Sport Jr 10 Cu Ft
75FIVKLEMNZ 21 Cu Ft Roof Bag
74INNO Ridge BRA240 8 Cu Ft
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