In-depth review
Rightline Gear Sport Jr Car Top Carrier (10 cu ft) Review (2027)
In-depth review of the Rightline Gear Sport Jr: 10 cu ft capacity, 36 x 30 x 16 in compact footprint, waterproof PVC mesh, and rack-free mounting.
Rightline Gear Sport Jr Car Top Carrier (10 cu ft)
A 10 cu ft waterproof soft carrier sized for compact cars, rack or no rack.
Our verdict
The Sport Jr is the carrier compact cars were missing from the soft-bag class: an honest 10 cu ft in a footprint a small roof can carry, fully waterproof construction, and mounting hardware that works with or without a roof rack. It is a weekend-for-two size with soft-bag security limits, and within that brief it is exactly right.
What we like
- 10 cu ft in a 36 x 30 x 16 in footprint sized for compact cars
- 100% waterproof PVC semi-coated mesh construction
- Attaches with or without a roof rack using the included straps and car clips
- Packs into its own stuff sack with a sewn-in setup guide
What to watch out for
- Soft-bag security: never leave valuables in it at stops
- Smaller volume is a weekend-for-two size, not a family size
- Shape and noise depend on careful, even packing
What owners report: Rightline Gear Sport Jr Car Top Carrier (10 cu ft)
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Sized for compact cars, it adds weekend volume without overwhelming a small roof
- It can mount with or without a roof rack using the included clips and straps
- Packing into its own stuff sack with the guide sewn in is a thoughtful touch
Common complaints
- Soft construction offers no real security for anything left inside at stops
- Ten cubic feet is a weekend for two, and families outgrow it immediately
- Careless packing shows up as noise and a lumpy profile at speed
Who it is for
Compact and small car owners who need occasional extra cargo room for weekends and moves, including cars with no roof rack.
Sized for small roofs
Full-size 15 to 21 cu ft carriers overwhelm compact roofs and their weight ratings. The Sport Jr's 36 x 30 x 16 in footprint and 10 cu ft capacity match what a small car can actually carry, which keeps the bag's shape, and its highway manners, manageable.
Waterproofing and mounting
Rightline builds the Sport Jr from PVC semi-coated mesh and rates it 100% waterproof, a stronger claim than the water-resistant fabric of budget rivals. The included straps and car clips attach it to crossbars or rails, or directly to the car when no rack exists, which is the compact-owner case more often than not.
Storage and limits
Between trips it packs into its own stuff sack, complete with a sewn-in setup guide, and disappears into a closet. The standing soft-bag limits apply: it is not lockable security, and careful, even packing decides how quiet it rides.
Key specifications
- Capacity
- 10 cu ft
- Dimensions
- 36 x 30 x 16 in
- Material
- PVC semi-coated mesh, waterproof
- Mounting
- Straps and car clips, with or without roof rack
- Model
- 100S50
Sources: Rightline Gear product data, Amazon listing, Desertcart product data
Also consider
Rightline Gear Sport 3 Car Top Carrier Bag
An 18-cubic-foot soft carrier from Rightline's rack-mounted Sport line.
Why consider it: Choose the Sport 3 for 18 cu ft when your car and roof rating can carry a full-size carrier.
- Capacity: 18 cu ft
- Dimensions: 48 x 40 x 19 in
Thule Sidekick
A compact 8-cubic-foot box that leaves half the roof free for bikes or a kayak.
Why consider it: Choose the Sidekick if you want lockable hard-box security in a compact footprint instead of soft-bag convenience.
- Capacity: 8 cu ft
- Load limit: Up to 110 lb box rating; observe vehicle limits
Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Does the Sport Jr need a roof rack?
No. It attaches with the included straps and car clips with or without a roof rack, per Rightline's specifications.
Is it really waterproof?
Rightline rates the PVC semi-coated mesh construction as 100% waterproof; as with any soft carrier, keep the zipper area loaded and closed correctly for the rating to hold.