About Küat Racks
Küat Racks designs lightweight, stylish and easy-to-use products that help snowboarders, adventurers, cyclists and a variety of outdoor enthusiasts get out and do more of what they love. Starting off in 2008 as an idea for a better way to transport bikes evolved into a thriving company that creates high-end, awesomely engineered hitch racks, roof racks, and accessories that push the envelope of innovation.
With a team of industry experts and avid cyclists, Küat is a machine fueled by bright ideas and heated debates that consistently deliver innovative solutions that chase that perfect balance of style and substance with core function and simplicity.
Switch 6 Overview
Designed to carry 4 snowboards(6 skis) the Küat Switch 6 is an inexpensive, easy to operate, durable roof rack that will carry your snowboards to your destination in an easy to use and aerodynamic way.
Specs from Küat:
- Switch 6 comfortably fits 6 sets of large skis or 4 snowboards
- Folds to a low profile, aerodynamic orientation
- Universal security mounts fit round, square, or aero bars
- Integrated locks included
- Max Roof Weight 165 Lbs
- Patent Pending Design
Intended Use
The Switch 6 roof rack by Küat is used to carry up to 4 snowboards or 6 skis to your desired resort or backcountry destination securely and safely.
Recommended For
Anyone looking for an inexpensive, well-designed, and easy to use universal mount roof rack snowboard or ski carrier.
Review Date and Location: November – January in Idaho/Wyoming
Review:
One of the nicest things about the Küat Switch 6 roof rack by Küat is that it requires zero assembly. It comes ready to go and you just need to install it on your vehicle’s crossbars. The Switch will work with round, square, and aero bars under 4.25 inches in width, and between .5 inches and 2. Inches in height. The rack is so simple to install and can be done by one person in just a few minutes.
Depending on your preference and rack size (4 or 6), just place the rack on your crossbar and then all you will need to do is attach the straps. I found it was much easier to install when in the folded (down) position so it doesn’t fall over. I installed the Switch 6 rack centered on my vehicle, but you can mount it on one side or the other to fit your vehicle or preference. The Switch has mount straps found under each base to make installation a breeze. You simply loop those around your crossbar and into a channel. I had to hold the strap in place while using the provided Allen wrench to tighten the Strap Tensioner Bolt. The provided Allen wrench has a hole in the end and matches up to the bolt, so not just any Allen wrench will fit. Rest assured, stealing your rack would be tough. The strap is made of stainless steel coated with flexible rubber and once tightened down the rack stays put and does not move around. I checked them after use the first few times and did not need to tighten them.
Opening and closing the Switch is simple. The end cap is pressed upward to release and open the rack. Like most racks, it’s lined with durable rubber to keep your skis or boards in place and not mark them up. I’ve found some racks to be difficult to close and lock when filled to capacity, but that was not the case here. I was able to put four snowboards into the Switch 6 and close it with ease. The Switch does have a few closure points depending on how many skis or boards you are planning to carry. As you close the rack, it will click into place so you will know it’s completely closed. The lock operates smoothly and easily even when temperatures are frigid. There’s nothing worse than fighting with a lock at the end of a long day of riding as the sunlight is fading and temperatures are dropping.
The Switch rack folds down for better aerodynamics when not in use and I would highly recommend the fold direction is towards the back of your vehicle. It folds down easily into a low profile, aerodynamic orientation when you are not using it to transport equipment. When it is folded down I found it to be a little better on gas mileage, so this is really a great feature. There is a small lever at the bottom of the end cap to fold the rack down or back up when it’s time to transport gear.
Overall Impressions:
The Küat Switch is very easy to install and will fit most crossbars. While it’s not low profile the fold-down feature makes a huge difference. In my experience, a low profile rack tends to be relatively expensive. The Switch is at the lower end of Küat’s price point but still offers great aerodynamics while you are not carrying skis or boards. The operation, opening/closing, folding down and up, locking, etc. is very simple and can easily be done with gloves or mittens. The Küat Switch is a great rack for skis or snowboards at a very fair price point.
Pros
- Fold-down, aerodynamic mode
- Durable long-lasting components and hardware
- Easy to operate
- Universal Mounting to almost any crossbar
- Reasonable price
Cons
- A bit noisy when carrying skis or boards
| Price: |  (4.8 / 5) |
| Performance: |  (4.5 / 5) |
| Design: | (4.5 / 5) |
| Overall: |  (4.6 / 5) |