The catch
Thule Force 3 M
Many adult skis are too long for the 155 cm ski limit.
Side by side
Thule Force 3 M vs Yakima SkyBox NX 16 compared: Skis of 170 cm fit SkyBox but rule out the smaller Force M
Quick verdict
The Force 3 M suits shorter gear and gives you a smaller, lighter box that is easier to fit on a compact roof. The SkyBox NX 16 is the pick when 170 cm skis or bulky family bags rule out the Thule. Before you treat either volume rating as usable luggage capacity, check hatch clearance and roof payload.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A 170 cm ski decides it
Yakima’s 175 cm limit covers a 170 cm ski, while the same ski runs 15 cm past the Force 3 M limit. Extra cargo width does nothing to make up for the length restriction.
Where this comes from
Take your longest ski, including any protective bag, and set it against the published maximums. Treat this as a quick fit screen. It does not promise that every binding arrangement works.
The catch
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
It takes roughly 10 to 11 lb more out of the roof allowance.
Thule Force 3 M
- Why pick it
- None of your skis is longer than 155 cm.
- On a compact vehicle, the 37 lb box and shorter body appeal to you.
- The catch
- Many adult skis are too long for the 155 cm ski limit.
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Why pick it
- Your skis fall between 156 and 175 cm.
- The larger 16 cu ft body works with your rack and hatch.
- The catch
- It takes roughly 10 to 11 lb more out of the roof allowance.
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What this page compares
Short-roof hatch access, 170 cm skis, roof-load allowance and the bags you really have to carry all matter when comparing Force 3 M and SkyBox NX 16.
The Force 3 M suits shorter gear and gives you a smaller, lighter box that is easier to fit on a compact roof. The SkyBox NX 16 is the pick when 170 cm skis or bulky family bags rule out the Thule. Before you treat either volume rating as usable luggage capacity, check hatch clearance and roof payload.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A trip on 170 cm skis
The Force M limit falls short of 170 cm, while the NX 16 limit covers it.
- Thule Force 3 M
- Not suitable
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Better fit
Short gear, with roof weight as the limit
At 37 lb, the Thule leaves more room for cargo when the system limit is otherwise the same.
- Thule Force 3 M
- Better fit
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Caution
Loading from either curb side
Each box opens on both sides.
- Thule Force 3 M
- Good
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Good
Fixed crossbars on a compact hatchback
Before you buy, check each brand’s hatch measurement and the bar positions the rack approves.
- Thule Force 3 M
- Depends
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Depends
In practice
Differences you will notice
A 170 cm ski decides it
Yakima’s 175 cm limit covers a 170 cm ski, while the same ski runs 15 cm past the Force 3 M limit. Extra cargo width does nothing to make up for the length restriction.
How we worked this out
Take your longest ski, including any protective bag, and set it against the published maximums. Treat this as a quick fit screen. It does not promise that every binding arrangement works.
Light cargo can live with a smaller roof allowance
Take an illustrative 165 lb system limit and a 20 lb rack. The Force 3 M then leaves 108 lb for cargo, while Yakima’s conservative 48 lb figure leaves 97 lb. In this example the bigger box gives you more space and less weight allowance.
How we worked this out
165 - 20 - 37 = 108. 165 - 20 - 48 = 97. Real vehicle and rack limits could be lower, and the weight of every accessory has to be counted.
Hatch clearance first, extra volume second
Although the Force 3 M is 6.5 inches shorter overall, hatch clearance still depends on where its clamps can sit. Owners of small hatchbacks should work through both manufacturers’ diagrams before choosing Yakima for the sake of two extra cubic feet.
How we worked this out
75.5 - 69 = 6.5 inches. Thule measures from the roof to the hatch and Yakima uses an open-door reference, so these are different measurements and no universal 1.75-inch hatch advantage is claimed.
Option A
Thule, Force 3 M
Thule Force 3 M
It holds 14 cubic feet, and the longest gear it accepts is 155 centimeters.
- Best for
- None of your skis is longer than 155 cm.
Facts we checked
- Gear capacity as published: 14 cu ft, with skis up to 155 cm
- Weight when empty: 37 lb
- Outside footprint: 69 x 32 in
- Hatch check: Over 45.25 in, going by Thule’s diagram
Option B
Yakima, SkyBox NX 16 LG
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
Volume is 16 cubic feet, and it takes gear up to 175 centimeters long.
- Best for
- Your skis fall between 156 and 175 cm.
Facts we checked
- Gear capacity as published: 16 cu ft, with skis up to 175 cm
- Weight when empty: 47 lb on the product page, 48 lb on the fit chart
- Outside footprint: 75.5 x 35 in
- Hatch check: 47 in, going by Yakima’s open-hatch diagram
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Thule Force 3 M | Yakima SkyBox NX LG | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published gear capacity | 14 cu ft, skis up to 155 cm | 16 cu ft, skis up to 175 cm | Even if everything else you pack is light, a longer ski can rule out the smaller box. |
| Empty weight | 37 lb | 47 lb on product page, 48 lb on fit chart | Subtract the box first, then divide up whatever roof payload the vehicle has left. |
| Exterior footprint | 69 x 32 in | 75.5 x 35 in | Look at front overhang and usable crossbar width as well as luggage volume. |
| Hatch check | Greater than 45.25 in using Thule’s diagram | 47 in using Yakima’s open-hatch diagram | Each brand measures from its own reference, so work from each diagram instead of subtracting the two thresholds. |
| Loading access | Dual-sided opening with PowerClick | Dual-sided opening with removable torque knob | Either box opens from whichever side of the parked vehicle you can reach. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Thule Force 3 M
- Bulky soft luggage gets less room in a 14 cu ft interior.
With Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- The 75.5-inch body needs a hatch check on your specific vehicle.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
My skis run 170 cm
Go with Yakima SkyBox NX LG. Skis up to 175 cm are allowed in the NX 16.
Roof weight is tight and all my gear fits the 155 cm limit
Go with Thule Force 3 M. The Force M weighs 37 lb, so it uses up less of the roof-load allowance.
Decision guide
How to decide
Lay out the longest item first
Before settling on a volume, lay out your longest skis and your largest rigid bag. The SkyBox takes the 170 cm example and the Force M does not. If everything is soft and short, the Thule’s smaller exterior and lower weight can be worth more than interior space you would not use.
Add up everything on the roof
Count the crossbars, feet, empty box and cargo together. A 165 lb label on the box does not give the vehicle a 165 lb luggage allowance. The example load calculation deliberately takes Yakima’s heavier chart weight so as not to use up an uncertain pound of margin.
Think about everyday access
Each opens from either side, which is handy when a parking space blocks one side of the car. What still matters most at installation is full hatch movement with the crossbars in their final positions. Never move the bars outside what the vehicle or rack instructions allow just to make a favorite box fit.
What this page can’t tell you
- What you see here are manufacturer fit limits and planning examples. None of it approves an installation on a specific vehicle.
- Yakima's documents disagree by about 1 lb on empty weight, so go with the heavier published figure until you have confirmed the box you receive. No winner on wind noise or fuel economy has been established.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the roof cargo boxes we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Force 3 M |
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| Yakima SkyBox NX LG |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Thule Force 3 M
None of your skis is longer than 155 cm.
See price & reviews on AmazonYakima SkyBox NX LG
Your skis fall between 156 and 175 cm.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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