Main trade-off
Thule Pulse 2 L
The 175 cm ski limit is short for many adult skis.
Head-to-head
Thule Pulse 2 L vs SkyBox NX 16: Pulse lifts lighter, SkyBox uses less roof length for its flat-floor layout
The short answer
Choose Pulse 2 L for a substantially lighter box. Choose SkyBox NX LG when its shorter exterior length and flat-floor layout suit the car and luggage better.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Equal volume comes with different roof load
Pulse saves 11.7 pounds at the same 16-cubic-foot capacity.
What this is based on
47 - 35.3 = 11.7 pounds. 11.7 / 47 × 100 = 24.9% less empty weight.
Main trade-off
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
It will not fit 180 to 200 cm skis.
Thule Pulse 2 L
- Choose it for
- You frequently move the box between cars
- You want to preserve a limited roof payload
- Main trade-off
- The 175 cm ski limit is short for many adult skis.
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Choose it for
- Your vehicle benefits from a shorter shell
- You prefer a removable torque knob and flat floor
- Main trade-off
- It will not fit 180 to 200 cm skis.
About this comparison
Compare Pulse 2 L and SkyBox NX LG by empty weight, exterior dimensions, mounting approach and their shared 175 cm ski allowance.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
You frequently move the box between cars
Pulse saves 11.7 pounds at the same 16-cubic-foot nominal volume.
- Thule Pulse 2 L
- Better fit
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Good
Your vehicle benefits from a shorter shell
SkyBox is 1.2 inches shorter and 1.8 inches wider outside. Hatch fit still needs measuring.
- Thule Pulse 2 L
- Depends
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Better fit
You want to preserve a limited roof payload
Pulse leaves 11.7 more pounds of a fixed roof-load allowance for cargo, subject to all vehicle and rack limits.
- Thule Pulse 2 L
- Better fit
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Good
Your skis are longer than 175 cm and no longer than 180 cm
Both compared models stop at 175 cm. Motion 3 L extends the rating to 180 cm at 16 cubic feet.
- Thule Pulse 2 L
- Not suitable
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Equal volume comes with different roof load
Pulse saves 11.7 pounds at the same 16-cubic-foot capacity.
How we reached this conclusion
47 - 35.3 = 11.7 pounds. 11.7 / 47 × 100 = 24.9% less empty weight.
The shorter shell is wider
SkyBox is 1.2 inches shorter and 1.8 inches wider outside.
How we reached this conclusion
76.7 - 75.5 = 1.2 inches. 35 - 33.2 = 1.8 inches.
The same ski ceiling removes one reason to upgrade
Both manufacturers list 175 cm skis and 16 cubic feet, so neither solves a 180 cm ski requirement.
How we reached this conclusion
180 - 175 = 5 cm beyond both stated limits.
Choice A
Thule, Pulse 2 L
Thule Pulse 2 L
The box holds 16 cubic feet. It accepts gear up to 175 centimeters long.
- Best matched use
- carry skis without folding the seats and keep the rear hatch clear
Checked facts
- The box holds 16 cubic feet.
- It accepts gear up to 175 centimeters long.
- The box uses dualside access.
- Its published exterior size is 76.7 x 33.2 x 15.6 inches.
Choice B
Yakima, SkyBox NX 16 LG
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
The box holds 16 cubic feet. It accepts gear up to 175 centimeters long.
- Best matched use
- carry skis without folding the seats and keep the rear hatch clear
Checked facts
- The box holds 16 cubic feet.
- It accepts gear up to 175 centimeters long.
- The documented crossbar spread runs from 24 to 36 inches.
- The box uses dual-sided access.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Thule Pulse 2 L | Yakima SkyBox NX LG | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior length | 76.7 in | 75.5 in | Check roof placement, hatch movement and storage space for the shell. |
| Exterior width | 33.2 in | 35 in | This consumes crossbar room that might otherwise hold a bike carrier. |
| Exterior height | 15.6 in | 16 in | Overall shell height helps compare bulk but cannot establish installed garage clearance. |
| Empty box weight | 35.3 lb | 47 lb | Subtract the shell and rack from the vehicle roof limit before allocating cargo. |
| Maximum ski length | 175 cm | 175 cm | A ski longer than this documented limit needs a different carrier. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Thule Pulse 2 L
- Central locking is simpler than Motion's SlideLock feedback system.
If you choose Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- The 47-pound shell can be awkward to lift and remove alone.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Your skis measure between 176 and 180 cm
Choose neither. Motion 3 L keeps 16 cubic feet while extending the rated ski length to 180 cm.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Equal volume comes with different roof load
The weight saving is useful for repeated lifting and for vehicles with modest dynamic roof ratings. Both still require a full rack-and-cargo calculation. A box cargo rating cannot override a lower vehicle limit.
The shorter shell is wider
If hatch geometry is the problem, consult the model-specific clearance chart rather than treating this small overall-length reduction as automatic approval. If a bicycle shares the roof, the wider Yakima shell may be the more consequential dimension.
The same ski ceiling removes one reason to upgrade
For short skis, compare how bags sit around the mounting hardware. For longer skis, move the search to a longer-rated model now. Choosing between these two based on nominal volume will not cure the hard length mismatch.
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 Pulse 2 L |
|
| |
| Yakima SkyBox NX LG |
|
|
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 Pulse 2 L
You frequently move the box between cars
See price & reviews on AmazonYakima SkyBox NX LG
Your vehicle benefits from a shorter shell
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.