Gear Guide: Thule Compass Kayak Carrier + WingBar Evo Crossbars

We’re a retired couple living in a lakeside community in Ontario, Canada, surrounded by three harbours leading out to Lake Simcoe. We love being active and outdoors and spend our time boating, kayaking, walking, as well as spending time with our children and grandchildren. During the summer months, we’re part of a kayaking group that explores various lakes and rivers, so we needed a kayak carrier that could securely and safely transport our two 12-foot kayaks. We drive a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek and a 2021 Ford Escape, and we were looking for a system that would work well with our vehicles and be manageable for us to load and unload on our own.

We tested the Thule Compass kayak carrier along with the Thule WingBar Evo crossbars. These were well suited for our needs, and we’re sharing our full experience here to help others considering a similar setup.

Vehicle & mounting setup for Thule WingBar Evo & Thule Compass

Installing the WingBar Evo crossbars on our Subaru Crosstrek was straightforward using the provided instructions. Installing the Thule Compass onto the crossbars was similarly uncomplicated. Because neither of us is tall, it was a little awkward to tighten the bolts under the crossbars, but a step stool and standing on the door frame did the trick. We used a wrench to fasten everything securely and a measuring tape to ensure even placement. The full setup took us approximately two hours.

Loading & unloading onto Thule Compass kayak rack

Each kayak is over 3.6 metres (12 feet) long and weighs about 20 kilograms (45 pounds). Loading them onto the carrier required two of us using a blanket on the roof to protect the vehicle’s paint. We lifted the kayak into place, rotated it onto the carrier, and used a step stool to secure the straps. Unloading was simple and fast—just a reverse of the process.

Driving experience with loaded kayaks

On the road, the kayak carrier felt rock-solid. Even at speeds of 80 to 90 km/h and over bumpy terrain, there was no noise or vibration. We haven’t uncovered any fuel-economy issues yet, but for daily drives, everything feels stable and secure.

Functionality & versatility of Thule Compass

The Thule Compass is designed to carry one or two kayaks in side-by-side or stacked configurations. However, we found lifting two kayaks on and setting them upright challenging by ourselves. The carrier folds down flat when not in use, which is handy, but the knob mechanism can sometimes come loose during folding.

Safety & security

The locking system for both the carrier and the kayaks is reliable and easy to use. We feel confident leaving the kayak secured on the vehicle inside local harbours or during windy paddles. The quality of the build feels durable and trustworthy.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Thule WingBar Evo Crossbars

• Easy to install
• Silent on the road
• Multipurpose
  

Thule Compass kayak carrier

• Very secure once loaded
• Folds flat when not in use
• Can’t feel it on the car when in use
• Well made and good quality

Cons

• Accessing and tightening bolts under crossbars is difficult without added height.
• Not ideal for shorter or solo users when lifting heavy kayaks.
• Instruction manual uses diagrams only; no text instructions.

Product Specifications

Thule WingBar Evo Crossbars

• Material: Aluminum
• Noise Reduction: WindDiffuser aero design
• Weight Capacity: Up to 100 kg/220 lbs (vehicle-dependent)

Thule Compass

• Material: Steel with rubber and plastic supports
• Orientation: Horizontal (saddle-style) or vertical (stacked-style)
• Kayak Capacity: Up to 2 kayaks, 34 kg/75 lbs max per boat
• Weight: ~9 kg/20 lbs
• Tool Requirements: Wrench included, step stool recommended

Canadian price & warranty

• Thule WingBar Evo Crossbars: CDN$650 
• Thule Compass: CDN$450

Total investment is almost $1,300 once you factor in taxes. For a secure, adaptable setup that offers Thule-quality build and versatility, it’s a worthwhile purchase, especially for people who take frequent kayak trips. Thule’s limited lifetime warranty applies to both the Compass and WingBar Evo systems.

Final thoughts on Thule WingBar Evo & Thule Compass

Overall we recommend the Thule Compass for people who have lighter, shorter kayaks; or when two people can assist with loading. As a solo user, lifting a single lighter kayak is manageable, but heavier kayaks may be tougher to handle.

Tips for new users

• Use a step stool or small platform for loading height
• Watch YouTube tutorials to help understand installation
• Protect your vehicle’s paint with a blanket when loading

The combination of WingBar Evo and Thule Compass is secure, stylish, and dependable—an excellent foundation for our lakeside adventures.

Other Thule kayak-carrier options to consider

If you want alternatives more suited to your needs, here are other popular Thule models:

• Thule Hull-A-Port Pro 837 – Fixed saddle carrier; strong, secure, and easy for one kayak on a tall vehicle
• Thule Hull-A-Port Aero 869 – Lighter saddle-style design with tool-free loading
• Thule AirScreen 859 – Includes windscreen to reduce drag noise and improve aerodynamics
• Thule Hull-A-Port XT 853 – Lightweight, compact design that folds flat; good for small vehicles and ease of storage

Where to buy Thule products

You can find the Thule WingBar Evo and Compass carrier at multiple retailers in Canada:

• Official Thule Canada Website: Thule WingBar Evo crossbars & Thule Compass kayak carrier 
• Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC)
• Amazon.ca Thule Store

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