For someone who drives a relatively small, low-clearance car, I take it places that may surprise you! From semi-washed-out roads to mountain passes and snowy streets, this car has brought me on a lot of adventures. With a variety of hobbies, and a dog, I feel like I always need gear on hand. With the Yakima SkyBox NX and its eighteen cubic feet of storage space, I’m able to load up the dog, her gear, my gear and anything we may need depending on the season.

Unlike previous cargo boxes I’ve owned, the lock and handle are made of metal offering extra strength and security. The SkyBox can be opened on either side to make unpacking and repacking a breeze — especially important if you’re carpooling with the crew. Featuring a flat bottom base, the SkyBox NX can carry more than its competitors and makes fitting in awkwardly shaped items far less frustrating.

With previous boxes, I’ve felt like the weight of a winter snowstorm would make the support arms malfunction, with the SkyBox NX from Yakima however, have full confidence in the sturdiness of the construction. The SkyBox NX does not open as far as previous boxes I’ve owned, but I will take better construction over a wider opening any day! In the winter, I need a cargo box that can accommodate my backcountry and resort setups as well as my snowshoes and poles. The SkyBox has no problem doing that, with room for soft goods too! My longest pair of skis are 181cm and the SkyBox, to my surprise, fit them easily.

When it comes to installation, the directions do say it takes two people but I assure you I successfully took off my old roof box and installed this one by myself! With the SkyBox NX coming in at only 53 pounds when empty, it’s a bit awkward to install but certainly doable. Once the SkyBox was on my crossbars, the most difficult part was making sure it was lined up straight. I’d say the whole process took less than 30 minutes!

If you’re looking to solve some car storage solutions — or your family is growing and you simply need the space — check out the SkyBox NX from Yakima. It retails for $799 and can be purchased through Yakima, REI or Backcountry.com. Happy adventuring!

Gear Hub: Yakima SkyBox NX 18