Roof Bag Price: How Much Does a Rooftop Cargo Bag Cost?
How much does a roof bag cost? UK price ranges for waterproof rooftop cargo bags, what affects the cost, and the right budget for your trips.
As an Amazon Associate, MyBootlid earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability shown are indicative and may change; only the price displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase applies.
Compared with the hard roof box, often sold for several hundred pounds, the soft roof bag plays the controlled-budget card. For roughly the price of a big food shop, it offers tens, even hundreds of litres of extra loading space, with no heavy investment or out-of-season storage problem.
But how much does a roof bag really cost, and what do you get at each price level? Here are the main ranges observed on Amazon, along with the factors that move the price and some advice on buying at the right time. Prices are a guide, updated regularly, and vary with promotions and availability.
Models we recommend
Three well-rated roof bag to anchor each budget, from the most affordable to premium.
Sac de toit voiture étanche 598L 1000D Nylon, 8 sangles renforcées, tapis antidérapant
Sac de toit 425-566 L imperméable, sans porte-bagages, tapis antidérapant et 6 sangles robustes (bleu, 566L)
Sac de toit imperméable 1132L, 2 sangles à cliquet, 10 sangles renforcées, 6 crochets de porte (SUV/van avec/sans barres, bleu)
Price ranges for a roof bag
In this bracket, you already find very decent bags among the best-sellers: the Amazon Basics 425L soft box (from ~£58), the Sailnovo 580L with a 6+6 strap configuration (~£58), the foldable Sailnovo 430L (~£65) or a 425-566L model needing no roof rack (~£57). Enough to equip a family for an occasional trip, with good waterproofing on the best models. It's the most affordable value for money.
Moving up a little buys more capacity, material and finish: the 598L bag in thick 1000D Nylon with 8 straps and a non-slip mat (from ~£73), the 540L model that's 100% waterproof for bar-free fitting (~£82) or the HandiWorld HandiHoldall 330L with a solid base (~£91). It's often the best compromise for regular use and genuine peace of mind in the rain.
At the top, you target the very large capacities and demanding uses: the 1132L roof bag with ratchet straps and door hooks (from ~£120) carries a substantial load, even without roof bars. This bracket remains far below the price of a hard box of comparable capacity: the soft bag keeps the budget advantage right up to the premium end.
What affects the price
The capacity in litres
It's the first price factor. A bag of 330 to 430L is found from ~£55-70, while a model of more than 1000L climbs towards £120. There's no point, though, in overpaying for capacity you'll never fill: choose the right capacity for your vehicle and your trips.
The fabric quality and waterproofing
A thick fabric such as 1000D Nylon with welded seams and a protected closure costs more than a simple cloth, but makes all the difference in the rain. Models billed as 100% waterproof sit rather in the mid-range. It's on this criterion that it's best not to skimp too much.
The fitting method
Bags designed for fitting without roof bars (door hooks, straps through the cabin) include a more elaborate attachment system, which weighs a little on the price. In return, they avoid the purchase of roof bars, often more expensive than the bag itself: over the total, it's generally a win.
The straps and supplied accessories
The number and quality of the straps (6, 8 straps, doubled, ratchet) and the presence of a non-slip mat affect the price. A model well equipped from the start saves you additional purchases and holds the road better in use.
Brand and popularity
The very well-rated, top-selling references (Amazon Basics, Sailnovo, HandiWorld) benefit from good value thanks to sales volume. A recognised brand sometimes costs a little more, but often offers better support and plenty of reviews to help you decide.
Popular models, from cheapest to most expensive
A few well-rated products on Amazon to gauge each budget. Indicative prices, subject to change.
| Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sac de toit 425-566 L imperméable, sans porte-bagages, tapis antidérapant et 6 sangles robustes (bleu, 566L)
|
4,2
865 reviews
|
View |
 Sailnovo Sailnovo Sac de toit souple pliable 580L (20 cubes) pour voitures avec/sans barres, 6+6 sangles renforcées et sac de transport
|
4,4
2 582 reviews
|
View |
 Amazon Basics Amazon Basics Coffre de toit souple 425L imperméable, sac pliable pour véhicules avec barres, 8 sangles renforcées, housse incluse (noir)
|
4,0
7 815 reviews
|
View |
 Sailnovo Sailnovo Coffre de toit souple pliable étanche 430L, sangles renforcées/crochets de porte, tapis antidérapant (orange)
|
4,4
2 582 reviews
|
View |
|
Sac de toit voiture étanche 598L 1000D Nylon, 8 sangles renforcées, tapis antidérapant
|
4,4
4 099 reviews
|
View |
 Sac de toit voiture 540L (19 CU.Ft), coffre souple haute densité 100% imperméable, montage rapide sans barre, tapis inclus
|
4,4
920 reviews
|
View |
 HandiWorld HandiWorld HandiHoldall grand coffre de toit souple 330L, pliable résistant aux intempéries avec base solide (bleu marine)
|
4,3
685 reviews
|
View |
|
Sac de toit imperméable 1132L, 2 sangles à cliquet, 10 sangles renforcées, 6 crochets de porte (SUV/van avec/sans barres, bleu)
|
4,4
580 reviews
|
View |
Where to find the best price, and spotting a false bargain
The soft roof bag is already the budget choice against a hard box, but there's still a right and a wrong way to spend on one. The biggest false economy here is the very cheap bag that isn't truly waterproof. A model with simply stitched seams and thin fabric may cost a few pounds less, yet let water seep in during the kind of prolonged motorway rain you only discover at the far end of the journey, with your luggage soaked. On a roof bag, waterproofing is the one thing not to skimp on, so judge the fabric weight and the seam type before the headline price.
Timing is your main lever on the price of a decent bag. Demand climbs as the holiday departures approach in spring and early summer, then eases off out of season, so the same bag is often cheaper a couple of months either side of the peak. A few habits make the difference:
- Watch a model for a week or two so you can tell a genuine reduction from an inflated reference price.
- Compare the complete package, since a slightly dearer bag with more straps and a non-slip mat can be better value.
- If your car has no bars, a bar-free bag spares you buying roof bars, often dearer than the bag.
- Treat a price far below similar bags as a warning about the fabric, not a bargain.
Second-hand soft bags are best approached with caution, because the very thing you're paying for, waterproofing, degrades with use as coatings crack and seams loosen, and that's hard to judge from a photo. A barely-used bag from a reputable make can be a fair buy, but inspect the seams, the zip flap and the straps closely and be ready to test it in the rain. For most buyers, a new entry-level or mid-range bag bought out of season is the surer route to genuine value.
In summary
The soft roof bag stands out as the most credible economical alternative to the hard box: from around £55 for entry-level, around £70 to £95 for a good waterproof model, and up to ~£120 for the very large capacities. At every level, you stay well below the budget of a hard box, while gaining in lightness and ease of storage. The key is to aim for the right capacity and serious waterproofing rather than the lowest price, and to buy out of season where you can, since the same bag is often cheaper away from the holiday rush. Spent wisely, a modest budget here buys years of extra loading space. And if the road springs an unpleasant surprise during your loaded trips, MyBootlid provides 24/7 roadside assistance across France.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, considerably. A soft bag is most often bought between ~£55 and £120, where a new hard roof box of good capacity frequently exceeds £170 to £350, even more. Added to that is the fact that some bags fit without roof bars, whereas the hard box always requires them. For occasional use, the saving is real.
For a genuinely waterproof, well-finished bag, reckon on from ~£73 (for example the 598L model in 1000D with 8 straps, or the 540L 100% waterproof bag around ~£82). You'll find entry-level waterproof models from ~£55-70, though. Above all, check the material and the type of seams, more than the advertised price alone.
Not necessarily. If your car has no bars, you can choose a bag designed for fitting without bars, with door hooks: this avoids a purchase that often costs as much as, or more than, the bag itself. If you already have compatible bars, most soft bags attach to them directly, with no extra cost.
For occasional use, yes: the best-selling entry-level models offer usable capacity and decent waterproofing at a low price. Just pay attention to the quality of the fabric and the seams, and avoid overloading. For frequent trips or in heavy rain, a better-finished mid-range model will be a more durable investment.
Yes. Prices often rise as the main holiday departures approach (spring, early summer) and can fall out of season or during promotional events. If your need isn't urgent, watching the prices for a few weeks sometimes lets you grab a good deal. The amounts given here are indicative and change.
In most cases, yes, and the gap is often wider than the sticker prices suggest. A soft bag not only costs less to buy, it can frequently be fitted without roof bars, sparing you a purchase that can match or exceed the price of the bag. A hard box, by contrast, always needs bars on top of its own higher price, and takes up storage space year-round. For occasional use, the soft bag's total cost is hard to beat; only if you set off very often does the hard box's durability begin to justify its extra outlay.
Further reading
Best Roof Bag: Comparison and Buying Guide
Which rooftop cargo bag should you choose? We compare the best waterproof roof bags by capacity, sealing, fitt…
Car equipmentBest Car Jump Starter: Comparison and Buying Guide
Which portable jump starter should you buy? We compare the best car battery boosters by power, engine compatib…
Car equipmentBest Bike Rack for Car: Comparison and Guide
Which bike rack should you choose? We compare the best towbar, boot-mounted and roof cycle carriers by load, e…
As an Amazon Associate, MyBootlid earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability shown are indicative and may change; only the price displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase applies.