Main trade-off
Yakima SkyBox NX Skinny
It uses 1.8 inches more bar width and weighs 9 lb more.
Head-to-head
Yakima SkyBox NX Skinny vs Thule Force 3 L Sport: Skinny fits longer skis and wider bars, Sport preserves more roof allowance
The short answer
Choose SkyBox NX Skinny for skis longer than 175 cm and up to 195 cm, or approved bar spacing above 36 5/8 and no more than 40 inches. Choose Force 3 L Sport for shorter gear when shared bar space and roof allowance matter. Both still need a vehicle-specific hatch and mounting check.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A 190 cm ski can outweigh the narrower shell
A 190 cm ski qualifies against the Skinny’s 195 cm limit but exceeds the Sport limit by 15 cm. For that trip the extra 1.8 inches of Yakima width buys a usable ski-carrying option. Check the second carrier’s clearance rather than forcing a long ski into the smaller limit.
What this is based on
190 cm is within the 195 cm rating and 15 cm above the 175 cm rating. The widths differ by 26.5 - 24.7 = 1.8 inches. Bags and bindings need a separate fit check.
Main trade-off
Thule Force 3 L Sport
Its 175 cm ski limit excludes 190 cm skis.
Yakima SkyBox NX Skinny
- Choose it for
- Your skis are 190 cm long.
- Your approved crossbar spacing exceeds the Force Sport range but stays within 40 inches.
- Main trade-off
- It uses 1.8 inches more bar width and weighs 9 lb more.
Thule Force 3 L Sport
- Choose it for
- Your longest skis are no more than 175 cm and a second carrier needs room.
- A lighter shell matters within a tight total roof-load allowance.
- Main trade-off
- Its 175 cm ski limit excludes 190 cm skis.
About this comparison
Compare two narrow roof boxes for a bike-and-ski trip, using actual ski limits, bar spacing and the weight left for luggage.
Choose SkyBox NX Skinny for skis longer than 175 cm and up to 195 cm, or approved bar spacing above 36 5/8 and no more than 40 inches. Choose Force 3 L Sport for shorter gear when shared bar space and roof allowance matter. Both still need a vehicle-specific hatch and mounting check.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Carry 190 cm skis
The Sport stops at 175 cm while Skinny allows 195 cm.
- Yakima SkyBox NX Skinny
- Better fit
- Thule Force 3 L Sport
- Not suitable
Approved bars fixed 38 inches apart
Skinny permits 40 inches and Sport permits 36 5/8.
- Yakima SkyBox NX Skinny
- Better fit
- Thule Force 3 L Sport
- Not suitable
Short gear beside a bicycle carrier
Sport is 1.8 inches narrower and 9 lb lighter, subject to actual mounting clearance.
- Yakima SkyBox NX Skinny
- Caution
- Thule Force 3 L Sport
- Better fit
A total roof load close to its limit
Rack, box, bicycle, carrier and cargo all consume the same system allowance.
- Yakima SkyBox NX Skinny
- Weigh everything
- Thule Force 3 L Sport
- Weigh everything
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A 190 cm ski can outweigh the narrower shell
A 190 cm ski qualifies against the Skinny’s 195 cm limit but exceeds the Sport limit by 15 cm. For that trip the extra 1.8 inches of Yakima width buys a usable ski-carrying option. Check the second carrier’s clearance rather than forcing a long ski into the smaller limit.
How we reached this conclusion
190 cm is within the 195 cm rating and 15 cm above the 175 cm rating. The widths differ by 26.5 - 24.7 = 1.8 inches. Bags and bindings need a separate fit check.
Add the bicycle before choosing the box
With a hypothetical 165 lb system limit, 20 lb rack and 35 lb bicycle plus carrier, Skinny leaves 67 lb for box cargo and Sport 76 lb. If the gear is short enough for either box, Thule can preserve nine pounds for luggage without changing the rack or bicycle.
How we reached this conclusion
165 - 20 - 35 - 43 = 67 lb. Replacing the 43 lb box with the 34 lb box gives 76 lb. Use the lowest actual vehicle, rack and accessory rating.
Fixed 38-inch bars reverse the small-box preference
A vehicle with approved bars fixed 38 inches apart is within Skinny’s 24 to 40-inch range and beyond Sport’s 36 5/8-inch maximum. The Sport’s lighter body cannot resolve that mounting mismatch. Do not reposition bars unless the vehicle and rack instructions permit it.
How we reached this conclusion
38 - 36.625 = 1.375 inches beyond Sport’s maximum. Clamp width, bar profile and hatch clearance remain separate checks.
Choice A
Yakima, 8007368
Yakima SkyBox NX Skinny
A 12 cu ft box for skis up to 195 cm. Its 26.5-inch width leaves more room beside it than the full-width SkyBox NX XL.
- Best matched use
- Your skis are 190 cm long.
Checked facts
- Maximum ski length: 195 cm
- Cargo volume: 12 cu ft
- External width: 26.5 in
- Empty box weight: 43 lb
Choice B
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
- Your longest skis are no more than 175 cm and a second carrier needs room.
Checked facts
- Maximum ski length: 175 cm
- Cargo volume: 11 cu ft
- External width: 24.7 in
- Empty box weight: 34 lb
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Yakima SkyBox NX Skinny | Thule Force 3 L Sport | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum ski length | 195 cm | 175 cm | The narrower Thule does not accept the same long-ski load. |
| Cargo volume | 12 cu ft | 11 cu ft | Choose by gear shape as well as total space. |
| External width | 26.5 in | 24.7 in | Thule leaves more nominal space for a neighboring carrier. |
| Empty box weight | 43 lb | 34 lb | Box weight is deducted before adding cargo. |
| Crossbar spread | 24 to 40 in | 21 7/8 to 36 5/8 in | Fixed bars can eliminate one option before packing. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Yakima SkyBox NX Skinny
- Its minimum 24-inch bar spacing excludes some narrower layouts.
If you choose Thule Force 3 L Sport
- Its maximum 36 5/8-inch spread excludes wider fixed layouts.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
My skis are 190 cm long
Choose Yakima SkyBox NX Skinny. Skinny’s 195 cm limit covers that length.
My skis fit 175 cm and preserving side space is the priority
Choose Thule Force 3 L Sport. Sport is narrower and lighter.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Start with the longest object
Measure the longest ski or board before choosing a box by volume. The 12 and 11 cu ft labels look close, yet the ski limits serve different loads. A 190 cm ski makes Skinny the relevant model even if a shorter and narrower box initially looks easier to share with a bike.
Plan two carriers as one roof load
Add the bicycle and its carrier to the rack and box weights before packing. Then measure usable bar space around the feet, clamps, lid travel and bicycle. A width subtraction is a planning aid. It is not proof that the two specific accessories can safely share your rack.
Check bar spacing before hatch clearance
Skinny accepts a wider documented spread, while Sport starts at a narrower spread. Either can lose on a fixed mounting layout. Once spacing is approved, follow each brand’s own hatch diagram because the measurement reference differs. Keep the final installed height available for garage checks.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No side-by-side bike installation or vehicle fit is guaranteed by external width alone.
- No measured wind noise, fuel-economy or weatherproofing advantage is established.
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.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima SkyBox NX Skinny |
|
| |
| Thule Force 3 L Sport |
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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.
Yakima SkyBox NX Skinny
Your skis are 190 cm long.
See price & reviews on AmazonThule Force 3 L Sport
Your longest skis are no more than 175 cm and a second carrier needs room.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.