When considering the purchase of a storage bag like the Rackpack, many factors must be considered. The first of these is weather. I drove through some heavy rain, and suffered some slight leakage around the seams. Some tent type sealer might solve this problem, but this needs to be considered. The other major factor is attachment: Many hard "coffin" storage boxes can be affixed independent of any roof rack. Not the Rackpack: it must have a roofrack, with bars on all sides. A factory rack will work, but the popular bar system lacks side attachment points. (I solved this by fabricating side bars out of aluminum hockey sticks, which were the same size as the main bars.)
Pros and Cons
This storage bag is not for everyone, but it certainly fits the bill for those with storage problems on a budget.
Pros:
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Foldable when not in use, for easy storage.
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Lightweight
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Soft sided, to allow for variable shaped cargo
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Very cost effective: this bag cost 1/3 the price of a comparable hard plastic rooftop storage bin.
Cons:
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It contacts the roof, so the roof must be clean before the bag is put in place.
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The rack needs a four-sided roofrack in order to attach it.
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It tends to leak in wet weather.
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It is best packed with soft-sided items, since the roof is not protected beyond a layer of nylon packcloth.
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The straps tend to loosen over time, so they need to be checked periodically, on long drives
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The Rackpack cannot be used when partially full: it must be completely stuffed, or the material will flap.
Conclusion
Admittedly, this rooftop storage option is not ideal under all circumstances. If you plan on using this bag in wet weather, or need to store hard items such as skates, or tools, then I'd suggest a hard-shell carrier. If you don't have a roof rack, then the savings are negated by having to buy a rack first.
If you need a cost-effective way to carry soft items, such as sleeping bags, duffle bags, tents, etc., and you don't have room for a large plastic shell around your house when not using it, this may be your ticket to maximizing the carrying capacity of your sport utility vehicle.
