Put simply, getting items in and out of the Motion XT XL is a quick and painless process. Of course, I did need assistance when attaching the box to our high-roof Sprinter-one person hoisted from below, while the other lifted from above (more on this in “Installation and Removal” below). In practice, the Motion XT is light enough for me to safely and confidently lift above my head and place on top of a standard sedan or SUV, but it takes a good amount of balancing and is easiest with two people. For reference, the box’s load capacity is 165 pounds, and your vehicle’s roof and rack system will also have weight limits that you’ll need to factor in. In terms of weight, Motion XT XL clocks in at 46 pounds, which leaves ample wiggle room for hauling heavier items. We’re still waiting on shipment, but my preliminary measurements indicate that there shouldn’t be any issues (I’ll follow up here if there are). In fact, I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to fit a canoe alongside the box on our Sprinter van. Finally, the Motion XT’s 31.5-inch width (the exterior measures 36 in.) feels plenty wide but leaves open a good amount of roof space to add accessories like a bike rack. The other dimensions are generous too, including a functional 15-inch peak height that can accommodate items stacked on top of each other.

I opted for the XL version of the Motion XT to accommodate my longer skis (the size L maxes out at 175cm), and the box’s 6.6-foot length easily accommodated four pairs with room to spare.

The Thule Motion XT XL offers an impressive amount of storage, even for those prone to overpacking. The only potential issue to be aware of is that the box has a very tight seal and therefore doesn’t drain well, so you’ll need to be diligent about dumping any water that pools at the bottom. I also found the box to be a great place to stash wet equipment like paddles and PFDs, or dirty clothes and gear after a long mountain bike ride. For reference, I was able to fit four pairs of skis with room to spare, the longest of which was 185 centimeters (Thule claims you can fit five to seven pairs up to 200cm, or three to five snowboards). I’m used to dealing with these items bouncing around and creating a lot of noise while driving on bumpy forest service roads, but the Motion XT’s straps keep everything tight and quiet.įor winter use, the Motion XT XL has ample space for stowing snowboards and skis. I especially loved the built-in tie-down straps inside the box, which made it easy to secure my vehicle recovery tools like Maxtrax, a shovel, rope, and shackles. On a recent drive through Utah and up to Oregon, the Motion XT comfortably swallowed our massive NEMO Jazz 30 Double sleeping bag and accompanying (and equally big) Roamer Double pad, as well as backpacks, off-road equipment, and a large YETI cooler. With 18 cubic feet of capacity and a functional shape that can accommodate bulky equipment, the Thule Motion XT XL is a great match for gear-intensive outings and long road trips. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best rooftop cargo boxes. Below we break down our experiences with the Motion XT XL. In short, it’s a real standout for gear-intensive adventures with quick and secure access to the interior, generous capacity that can accommodate large and bulky equipment (including multiple pairs of long skis), and best-in class installation that makes it easy to swap between vehicles. The Motion slots in as their premium all-rounder, and we recently took the mid-sized XL version on an extended road trip from Colorado back home to Vancouver Island. Thule’s rooftop cargo box collection is undeniably extensive, from luxurious designs with felt-lined interiors and built-in lighting to soft-sided models for cheap and compact storage.

Thule motion xt xl in stock