Main trade-off
Thule Force 3 L Sport
The 175 cm ski limit excludes longer touring and Nordic skis.
Head-to-head
Force 3 L Sport vs Horizon Alpine: Horizon takes skis above 175 cm, Thule opens both sides in a shorter shell
The short answer
Choose Horizon Alpine for skis over 175 cm or the narrowest shell. Choose Force 3 L Sport for dual-side access and a shorter box when your gear fits its 175 cm limit.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The long-ski difference is decisive
Horizon Alpine extends ski capacity by 35 cm at the same 11-cubic-foot nominal volume.
What this is based on
210 - 175 = 35 cm. Both boxes list 11 cubic feet.
Main trade-off
SportRack Horizon Alpine
The narrow 11-cubic-foot interior is not a family luggage box.
Thule Force 3 L Sport
- Choose it for
- You need to load from either side of the vehicle
- Your gear fits 175 cm and a shorter shell suits the roof
- Main trade-off
- The 175 cm ski limit excludes longer touring and Nordic skis.
SportRack Horizon Alpine
- Choose it for
- You carry skis up to 210 cm
- You want a lighter and narrower box beside a bike
- Main trade-off
- The narrow 11-cubic-foot interior is not a family luggage box.
About this comparison
Compare Force 3 L Sport and SportRack Horizon Alpine by ski limits, roof width, empty weight and access when another carrier shares the rack.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
You need to load from either side of the vehicle
Force 3 L Sport opens from both sides. Horizon Alpine opens from the passenger side only.
- Thule Force 3 L Sport
- Better fit
- SportRack Horizon Alpine
- Not suitable
Your skis are longer than 175 cm and no longer than 210 cm
Force 3 L Sport stops at 175 cm while Horizon Alpine lists 210 cm.
- Thule Force 3 L Sport
- Not suitable
- SportRack Horizon Alpine
- Better fit
Your gear fits 175 cm and a shorter shell suits the roof
L Sport is 13.55 inches shorter outside. Horizon is five pounds lighter but needs more roof length.
- Thule Force 3 L Sport
- Better fit
- SportRack Horizon Alpine
- Good
You need dual-side access for skis over 175 cm and no longer than 215 cm
L Sport misses the length requirement and Horizon misses dual-side access. Motion 3 XXL Low combines both, with a wider shell that needs its own fit check.
- Thule Force 3 L Sport
- Not suitable
- SportRack Horizon Alpine
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The long-ski difference is decisive
Horizon Alpine extends ski capacity by 35 cm at the same 11-cubic-foot nominal volume.
How we reached this conclusion
210 - 175 = 35 cm. Both boxes list 11 cubic feet.
The narrowest shell is also longer
Horizon saves 3.7 inches of width but adds 13.55 inches of length.
How we reached this conclusion
24.7 - 21 = 3.7 inches. 88.75 - 75.2 = 13.55 inches.
Access can outweigh a five-pound saving
Horizon is five pounds lighter, while Force offers dual-side access against passenger-side opening.
How we reached this conclusion
34 - 29 = 5 pounds. Opening sides are the documented manufacturer configurations.
Choice A
Thule, 645650
Force 3 L Sport
A narrow box with the Force 3 mounting and locking hardware, built for smaller loads beside other roof gear.
- Best matched use
- Keeping crossbar room available for a bike carrier
Checked facts
- 11 cubic feet of advertised volume
- 175 cm published maximum ski length
- 75.2 by 24.7 by 16.7 inches outside
- 34 pounds empty
- 14.4 inches of published internal height
Choice B
SportRack, Horizon Alpine SR7011
SportRack Horizon Alpine
The box holds 11 cubic feet. It accepts gear up to 210 centimeters long.
- Best matched use
- carry skis without folding the seats and stay within a light roof-load limit
Checked facts
- The box holds 11 cubic feet.
- It accepts gear up to 210 centimeters long.
- The box uses passenger side access.
- Its published exterior size is 88.75 x 21 x 15.75 inches.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Thule Force 3 L Sport | SportRack Horizon Alpine | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum ski length | 175 cm | 210 cm | A ski longer than this documented limit needs a different carrier. |
| Exterior length | 75.2 in | 88.75 in | Check roof placement, hatch movement and storage space for the shell. |
| Exterior width | 24.7 in | 21 in | This consumes crossbar room that might otherwise hold a bike carrier. |
| Exterior height | 16.7 in | 15.75 in | Overall shell height helps compare bulk but cannot establish installed garage clearance. |
| Empty box weight | 34 lb | 29 lb | Subtract the shell and rack from the vehicle roof limit before allocating cargo. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Thule Force 3 L Sport
- Its narrow 20.2-inch interior makes wide suitcases a poor fit.
If you choose SportRack Horizon Alpine
- Passenger-side-only access is less flexible than dual-side opening.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
You need dual-side access for skis over 175 cm and no longer than 215 cm
Choose neither. Motion 3 XXL Low combines dual-side access and a 215 cm ski allowance. Its wider shell, roof-load use and hatch clearance must suit the vehicle.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
The long-ski difference is decisive
A narrow carrier is often bought specifically for winter sports, so measure the longest skis first. The Sport name on the Force does not mean it accommodates longer skis. Its shorter interior favors compact alpine equipment.
The narrowest shell is also longer
This creates a real vehicle tradeoff. The Horizon leaves more bar width for a bicycle but reaches farther along the roof. Check both the hatch and the bicycle handlebar clearance before treating the narrow profile as a complete fit solution.
Access can outweigh a five-pound saving
If the bicycle blocks the passenger side, Horizon can become awkward to load. Force gives another route into the box. Think about which side faces the curb at home and whether the other roof accessory can be positioned away from the opening.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Cargo dimensions and manufacturer load ratings cannot predict wind noise, fuel use or how a particular bag packs around mounting hardware.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current roof cargo boxes comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
Compared set
18 of 26 models checked match every need here: “Carry camping gear” and “Open it from either side”.
18 matching models from 26 checkedSee the checked facts and calculation notes
Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “Carry camping gear” and “Open it from either side”. A need with no documented match does not count.
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Force 3 L Sport |
|
|
|
| SportRack Horizon Alpine | No positive match recorded for these needs |
|
Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Thule Force 3 L Sport
You need to load from either side of the vehicle
See price & reviews on AmazonSportRack Horizon Alpine
You carry skis up to 210 cm
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.