The catch
Thule Motion 3 XL
Many medium boxes leave the hatch more room than this one does.
Side by side
Thule Motion 3 XL vs SkyBox NX 18: Motion takes 196–200 cm skis, and Yakima keeps its body slightly shorter
Quick verdict
Skis from 196 to 200 cm, or a narrower shell, point to Motion 3 XL. SkyBox NX XL is the pick when its flat floor and slightly shorter exterior suit your luggage and vehicle.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Fit can hinge on five centimeters
Motion lifts the published ski maximum from 195 to 200 cm.
Where this comes from
200 - 195 = 5 cm, and a 198 cm ski runs 3 cm past Yakima guidance.
The catch
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
200 cm Nordic skis are a little longer than its 195 cm ski limit.
Thule Motion 3 XL
- Why pick it
- Your skis run 196 to 200 cm
- The narrower shell works better with your approved rack and vehicle arrangement
- The catch
- Many medium boxes leave the hatch more room than this one does.
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Why pick it
- All your gear is 195 cm or shorter
- Yakima's flat-floor packing and torque knob are what you prefer
- The catch
- 200 cm Nordic skis are a little longer than its 195 cm ski limit.
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What this page compares
Motion 3 XL and SkyBox NX XL set side by side on their 200 and 195 cm ski limits, exterior proportions, mounting workflow and empty weight.
Skis from 196 to 200 cm, or a narrower shell, point to Motion 3 XL. SkyBox NX XL is the pick when its flat floor and slightly shorter exterior suit your luggage and vehicle.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Your skis run past 195 cm but not past 200 cm
Motion raises the stated maximum from 195 to 200 cm.
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Better fit
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Not suitable
The shorter shell matters to you, and your skis fit 195 cm
Outside, SkyBox is 0.7 inch shorter. Check actual hatch travel before you treat that small difference as decisive.
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Good
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Better fit
You want a little more width left over on the crossbars
Both list 18 cubic feet, and Motion is one inch narrower outside. Before assuming both fit, check clamp placement and adjacent accessory clearance.
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Better fit
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Good
Your skis run past 200 cm but not past 215 cm, and a lower profile matters
With a 215 cm ski allowance and 13 inches above the bars, Motion 3 XXL Low also has a longer footprint, which needs a new hatch and rack check.
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Not suitable
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Fit can hinge on five centimeters
Motion lifts the published ski maximum from 195 to 200 cm.
How we worked this out
200 - 195 = 5 cm, and a 198 cm ski runs 3 cm past Yakima guidance.
The Thule runs longer yet narrower
Outside, Motion is 0.7 inches longer and one inch narrower.
How we worked this out
Length: 84.7 - 84 = 0.7 inches. 36 - 35 = 1 inch.
Settle the box weight before you load close to the roof limit
Each advertises 18 cubic feet, which says nothing about your car's luggage allowance. Motion's empty weights conflict. If the rack, box and luggage come close to the vehicle limit, confirm the supplied weight before picking it for a claimed two-pound saving.
How we worked this out
On its page Thule lists 51 lb, and in its manual it prints 52.7 lb. Yakima lists 53 lb. No exact difference is selected. Rack, box and cargo all count toward the roof limit.
Option A
Thule, Motion 3 XL Black Glossy
Thule Motion 3 XL
Capacity is 18 cubic feet, and gear up to 200 centimeters long fits inside.
- Best for
- Your skis run 196 to 200 cm
Facts we checked
- Longest ski length: 200 cm
- Outside length: 84.7 in
- Outside width: 35 in
- Outside height: 17 in
Option B
Yakima, SkyBox NX 18 XL
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
You can fit gear up to 195 centimeters long in its 18 cubic feet.
- Best for
- All your gear is 195 cm or shorter
Facts we checked
- Longest ski length: 195 cm
- Outside length: 84 in
- Outside width: 36 in
- Outside height: 16.5 in
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Thule Motion 3 XL | Yakima SkyBox NX XL | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum ski length | 200 cm | 195 cm | Any ski longer than this documented limit calls for a different carrier. |
| Exterior length | 84.7 in | 84 in | Look at where the shell sits on the roof, how the hatch moves and where it is stored. |
| Exterior width | 35 in | 36 in | Clamp placement and clearance to an adjacent accessory still need checking, even though the narrower shell may leave different room. |
| Exterior height | 17 in | 16.5 in | Overall shell height is useful for comparing bulk and says nothing certain about installed garage clearance. |
| Empty box weight | 51 lb on product page, 52.7 lb printed in manual | 53 lb | Before you calculate the remaining roof payload, confirm the supplied Motion weight. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Thule Motion 3 XL
- Where a roof-load limit is close, confirm the supplied empty weight.
With Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- A separate rack and accessory-clearance check is needed for its wider outer shell.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
My skis come to 198 cm
Go with Thule Motion 3 XL. That length is covered by Motion's 200 cm limit but not by Yakima's 195 cm limit.
Your skis run past 200 cm but not past 215 cm, and a lower profile matters
Neither model fits. A 215 cm allowance and 13 inches above the bars come with Motion 3 XXL Low. Confirm its longer footprint, rack fit and actual garage clearance.
Decision guide
How to decide
Fit can hinge on five centimeters
When skis are close to the limit, rely on the stated ski allowance and do not subtract wall thickness from the exterior length. A bag and bindings can still change the practical fit. If your equipment is shorter, vehicle geometry and packing decide between these two.
The Thule runs longer yet narrower
Next to another roof accessory, even a small exterior difference can matter. It is no substitute for the hatch chart, because clamp placement changes where the shell sits. Let the dimensions narrow your options, then validate the exact vehicle and rack.
Settle the load first, then count volume
Shared volume guarantees neither a rigid-case layout nor a cargo allowance. Thule's page and manual contradict each other on some interior dimensions and empty weight, so confirm the box you receive before loading close to a roof limit. Yakima's flat floor is still a packing feature, but an exact two-pound lifting advantage has not been established.
What this page can’t tell you
- Wind noise, fuel use and the way a given bag packs around the mounting hardware are things cargo dimensions and manufacturer load ratings cannot predict.
- Thule's documents contradict each other on some interior dimensions and empty weight, so no exact two-pound saving 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 Motion 3 XL |
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| |
| Yakima SkyBox NX XL |
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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 Motion 3 XL
Your skis run 196 to 200 cm
See price & reviews on AmazonYakima SkyBox NX XL
All your gear is 195 cm or shorter
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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