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Yakima EXO GearWarrior
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Yakima

Yakima EXO GearWarrior

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AI-RESEARCHED INSIGHTS

Quick Verdict

Great For

Car campers and road-trippers who have (or will buy) the Yakima EXO hitch system and need extra open-air vehicle-level cargo for oversized or bulky items

Not Ideal For

Budget shoppers, lightweight/backcountry travelers, or anyone needing secure, weatherproof storage or who lacks a 2" hitch and EXO components

Heavy-duty, powder-coated steel construction prais...
Expensive when factoring in required EXO SwingBase...
$569.00

Frequently discounted seasonally (REI sales, Yakima promotions); often ~20% off during retailer sales

Community Rating:

Key Specifications

Model Update
Weight
22 lbs(352 oz)
Ultralight
Volume
8970 in³
Ultra-compact
Capacity
250 lbs (when mounted on EXO SwingBase; lower limits when combined with TopShelf)
Packed Size
60 × 23 × 6.5 inches (assembled); ships as two 30" halves for packaging
Materials
Powder-coated steel tubing and mesh floor (outside coated; inside tubing uncoated steel)
Colors Available
matte black

About This Gear

The Yakima EXO GearWarrior is a versatile rooftop cargo basket perfect for adventurous road trips. It offers ample storage space and is compatible with various EXO accessories, enhancing your packing efficiency. The design of the GearWarrior is the same as the SkinnyWarrior Rooftop Basket, making this basket able to be adapted as a roof top basket with the addition of mounting hardware.

Pros & Cons

Synthesized from expert reviews and user feedback

What People Love

6 positive findings

  • Heavy-duty, powder-coated steel construction praised for durability and load-carrying

    Most reviewers

  • High weight capacity (up to ~250 lb on an EXO SwingBase) for hauling large, bulky items

    Most reviewers

  • Tool-free, quick mounting with EXO cleats and locking SpeedKnobs; easy attach/detach

    Most reviewers

  • Modular integration with Yakima EXO system and options like WarriorWheels for cart conversion

    Most reviewers

Things to Consider

7 considerations

  • Expensive when factoring in required EXO SwingBase and accessories

    Most reviewers

  • Only compatible with Yakima EXO (2" hitch) — not an option for vehicles without a hitch or for non-EXO racks

    Most reviewers

  • Open basket exposes gear to weather, dirt, and potential theft compared with enclosed boxes

    Most reviewers

  • Some reported security/usability quirks (plastic hardware, multiple keys across accessories)

    Some reviewers

Weather & Conditions

How this gear performs across different environments and seasons

Best Seasons4 season gear
springsummerfallwinter

Weather Performance

Rain
Humidity
Wind
Snow
Heat
UV

Climate Suitability

Desert / AridExcellent
Alpine / MountainModerate
CoastalGood
Humid SubtropicalGood
TemperateExcellent

Excels In

  • hauling bulky gear
  • mild rain / wet conditions (drains through mesh)
  • moderate temperatures
  • coastal and temperate environments with regular maintenance

Limitations

  • exposes cargo to weather and theft (not weatherproof or insulated)
  • internal tube rust risk if water enters joints and is left unchecked
  • requires 2" hitch and EXO components; increases vehicle overhang and may affect MPG

What People Are Saying

Aggregated insights from expert reviews and user feedback

Community Consensus

Users overwhelmingly praise the GearWarrior for build quality, large capacity and easy, tool-free mounting; common negatives are price, exposed cargo and occasional shipping/quality hiccups.

What Users Love

  • easy setup
  • durable construction
  • high capacity
  • modular EXO integration

Common Concerns

  • pricey
  • gear exposed to weather/theft
  • requires EXO 2" hitch components
Durability Notes
  • powder-coated exterior resists surface rust; some owners seal tube joints to prevent internal rust
  • occasional reports of shipping damage or manufacturing defects but no widespread failures
Sizing Info

fits standard 2" hitches and the advertised footprint; true to expected dimensions

Warranty & Support

Yakima offers a limited lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects; customer service response times reported as mixed

Expert Reviews

REI
4.8/5
REI reviewers rate it highly (4.8/5) and recommend it for its utility and build quality
Read full review →

Care & Maintenance

Keep your gear performing at its best with these tips

Maintenance Tips

Keep it in top condition
  • rinse off salt and grit after coastal or winter use
  • keep dry in storage and seal/tape joints if concerned about internal rust
  • touch up scratches with rust-inhibiting paint and lubricate SpeedKnob threads

Watch Out For

Known issues to monitor
  • shipping/manufacturing defects (bent frame, crushed tube ends) reported occasionally
  • internal tubing corrosion risk if water enters uncoated interior seams over years
No known recalls or safety issues

Alternatives to Consider

Compare with similar products that might better fit your needs

Yakima

Yakima EXO GearLocker

Key Differences
  • enclosed and lockable
  • lower weight capacity (~100 lb)
  • heavier than GearWarrior but protects contents
Consider this when

when you need enclosed, lockable and weatherproof hitch-mounted storage instead of open cargo

Thule

Thule Canyon XT (roof basket)

Key Differences
  • mounts to roof crossbars (not hitch)
  • lower rated weight (~150 lb)
  • more aerodynamic with a fairing
Consider this when

when you have an existing roof rack and want roof-mounted cargo with fairing/One-Key locking options

CURT

CURT hitch cargo basket (generic)

Key Differences
  • much cheaper
  • heavier carrier weight (~64 lb)
  • no EXO modular features or quick-release SpeedKnobs
Consider this when

if budget is primary concern and you want a low-cost hitch basket

These alternatives were identified based on similar features, use cases, and price range to Yakima EXO GearWarrior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this gear

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Last updated December 3, 2025