The catch
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
Skis of 180 to 200 cm will not go in.
Side by side
Yakima SkyBox NX 16 vs 18: NX 18 takes skis above 175 cm, while NX 16 is more compact to park and store
Quick verdict
NX 18 is for skis over 175 cm or when you want the extra luggage floor. NX 16 is the better option if compact gear fits, since its shorter, lighter shell eases parking and storage.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Capacity grows only moderately
NX 18 has 12.5% more nominal volume than NX 16.
Where this comes from
Check: (18 - 16) / 16 × 100 = 12.5%.
The catch
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
200 cm Nordic skis are a little longer than its 195 cm ski limit.
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Why pick it
- 175 cm is the longest your skis get
- A shorter box is easier to store between trips
- The catch
- Skis of 180 to 200 cm will not go in.
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Why pick it
- Your skis run from 176 to 195 cm
- A bigger, lightweight holiday load is what you pack
- The catch
- 200 cm Nordic skis are a little longer than its 195 cm ski limit.
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What this page compares
SkyBox NX LG and XL differ in ski length, shell dimensions and weight, and the XL gives a family road trip two extra cubic feet.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
16 cubic feet is enough for you, and your skis fit 175 cm
With a shorter, lighter shell, NX 16 meets these requirements. Two extra cubic feet come with NX 18.
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Better fit
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Good
Your skis run past 175 cm but not past 195 cm
NX 18 raises the published ski allowance from 175 to 195 cm.
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Not suitable
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Better fit
A shorter box is easier to store between trips
NX 16 is shorter by 8.5 inches and lighter by six pounds.
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Better fit
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Good
Your skis run past 195 cm but not past 200 cm
Neither compared SkyBox size meets this ski requirement. Motion 3 XL lists 200 cm.
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Not suitable
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Capacity grows only moderately
NX 18 has 12.5% more nominal volume than NX 16.
How we worked this out
Check: (18 - 16) / 16 × 100 = 12.5%.
Length changes much more
NX 18 grows 8.5 inches outside, and its ski maximum goes up by 20 cm.
How we worked this out
Length: 84 - 75.5 = 8.5 inches. 195 - 175 = 20 cm.
Extra shell weight cuts into usable payload
Before loading, NX 18 weighs six pounds more.
How we worked this out
53 minus 47 is 6 pounds.
Option A
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
- carry skis while the seats stay up, and keep clear of the rear hatch
Facts we checked
- Capacity is 16 cubic feet.
- Gear up to 175 centimeters long fits.
- The documented crossbar spread runs from 24 to 36 inches.
- The box uses dual-sided access.
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
- keep the seats up while carrying skis, and pack for a family of four
Facts we checked
- Capacity is 18 cubic feet.
- It accepts gear up to 195 centimeters long.
- The documented crossbar spread runs from 24 to 40 inches.
- The box uses dual-sided access.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Yakima SkyBox NX LG | Yakima SkyBox NX XL | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo volume | 16 cu ft | 18 cu ft | Once each bag's dimensions are checked, compare the space they need. |
| Maximum ski length | 175 cm | 195 cm | Any ski longer than this documented limit calls for a different carrier. |
| Exterior length | 75.5 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 | It takes up crossbar room that could otherwise go to a bike carrier. |
| Empty box weight | 47 lb | 53 lb | Before you allocate cargo, take the shell and rack off the vehicle roof limit. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Lifting the 47-pound shell on or off by yourself can be awkward.
With Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Empty, it weighs 53 pounds, so watch low-rated roofs and removing it solo.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Your skis fall between 196 and 200 cm
Neither model fits. Motion 3 XL lists the same 18-cubic-foot nominal capacity as NX 18, along with a 200 cm maximum.
Decision guide
How to decide
Capacity grows only moderately
The added space might take one more soft bag, though that depends on the layout you already have. Lay the load out on the floor before assuming a certain suitcase count. Both boxes have a flat interior floor and access from both sides.
Length changes much more
Skis of 190 cm point to the larger model. With shorter skis, the longer shell is the price of luggage space, and hatch and crossbar placement call for a fresh fit check.
Extra shell weight cuts into usable payload
Under the same rack and vehicle limit, the larger box leaves six fewer pounds for contents. Families packing light clothing can still gain from the added volume, while heavy camping hardware has to stay within the calculated weight allowance.
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.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the roof cargo boxes we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
18 of the 26 models checked meet every need here: “Haul camping gear” and “Load from both sides”.
18 models fit, out of 26 checkedThe gap in numbers
Yakima SkyBox NX XL lists 18 cu ft for listed cargo volume, 13% more than the 16 cu ft on Yakima SkyBox NX LG.
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- 16 cu ft
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- 18 cu ft
- Models with this figure
- 20 of 26
Show the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Haul camping gear” and “Load from both sides”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
How we calculatedFigures are the published exterior-category volume. Shape, mounting hardware and long gear can leave less room to pack. For context, 20 of 26 models publish comparable figures.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima SkyBox NX LG |
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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.
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
175 cm is the longest your skis get
See price & reviews on AmazonYakima SkyBox NX XL
Your skis run from 176 to 195 cm
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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