Celebrating 40 years of transforming how people travel
As the days lengthen and the sun shines into the starlit evening, there’s no better time to roll your window down, turn the music up, and hit cruise control. Head for the open road with any kind of gear and leave the rest to us. For 40 years, outdoor enthusiasts and travelers have entrusted Yakima to help them Take It Easy™. We put our best selves into everything we make—pairing common sense with unlimited imagination.
Yakima’s Pacific Northwest roots began in our rural namesake in Washington State, leading to expansive growth in the groovy coastal California town of Arcata. In the Summer of ’84, we racked out the vehicle fleet at the U.S. Olympics in Los Angeles, and the rest is history.
Now in our fifth trend-setting decade, we’ve learned that being an industry innovator requires original, safe, and easy-to-use solutions. Whatever kind of adventure moves your wheels, our products let you break away from the concrete-and-asphalt world to experience the natural one.
Nature's therapeutic nature
Hit the road and leave your worries behind
Being avid explorers ourselves, we know first-hand why getting outside rewards mind, body, and spirit. That’s why you’ve always been the heart of our brand. Yakima’s unwavering mission is to equip outdoor-lovers with ever-capable products—for a seamless transition from work to play, and from stress to fun.
What’s good for the soul should also be good for the Earth. Like us, our nonprofit partners support outdoor recreation for everyone, along with engaging the next generation. As a company, we are committed to improving our carbon footprint by introducing new packaging and working to implement the HIGG index, an industry-wide self-assessment standard for measuring environmental and sustainability effectiveness. We do anything but “take it easy” to make sure you can Take It Easy™.
Peace of mind packs many pleasant surprises
Products that are easy on the eyes—and easy to use
Early on, we broke with existing American and European standards and traditions in rack design. We created hardware people had never seen… that elevated roof racks and bike mounts and kayak saddles, and all the rest, to achieve a new standard for making road trips safer and easier.
Today we continue working from both sides of our brains, engineering solutions that take the guesswork out of hauling gear. As your recreational co-pilot, we let you focus on your playlist and your destination. When it comes to what matters to you, our equipment must check all the boxes: user-friendly intuitive, functional, durable, and guaranteed to amp up every vehicle’s appearance. Rest assured, the Yakima product line-up is a breeze to install, and simple to load and store. That’s what we pack into our mantra, Take It Easy™.
We’re big on diligence and getting our headlights dirty
Testing, one, two, three
There’s no such thing as makeshift at Yakima. We are lighthearted in nature, but downright relentless about innovating solutions that get you where you’re headed. In the lab and on the road, each of our products must meet more than the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO requirements—they must endure our own rigorous testing criteria as well.
Refusing to take a “one-size-fits-all” approach, we use foolproof, high-tech simulations, and actual street smarts to maximize the strength and safety factors of everything we design. We methodically shake, stress, and pummel all parts independently and together in the form of fully assembled units. We’ve got your back, guaranteed—offering one of the best warranty policies in the business.
Built for beefy, sleek, large or compact
Ensuring the perfect “fit” for your vehicle
Transport your gear with Yakima confidence, no matter what set of wheels you drive. From big rigs to modest sedans, from fat tires to rooftop tents, our in-house team tests our products for compatibility with all makes, shapes, body styles, and gear.
Vehicles are constantly changing, with new activities on the rise. Gear is evolving, too, giving us even more of a reason to continuously refine and tailor our products to harmonize with what you drive. We document each “fit” in a continually updated database for online reference 24/7. You can easily customize your vehicle here.
Time doesn’t stand still—neither do we
WE JUST KEEP MAKING IT EASIER
Wanderlust doesn’t always run on a schedule. So when the call of the Wild inspires you to answer, be sure to take us along for a smoother ride. Whether you’re buying a new vehicle, have just picked up your first kayak, or are planning an epic summer road trip… count on us to make the journey safe and seamless. After four decades expanding horizons and pushing personal boundaries—yours and ours—there’s no stopping us. When it comes to almost about any type of outdoor activity, we keep on finding smarter ways to help our fellow wanderers Take It Easy™. Thanks for exploring with us.
To continue the journey, follow along with us @YakimaRacks and #TakeItEasy—and share photos of how you TakeItEasy™.
