Yakima FatCat EVO 6 Review
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The quick verdict: The rack for powder-width quivers: a taller hinge swallows 136mm tips and four boards, in a slick low-profile housing that weighs less than anything comparable. ~$400
Overview
Yakima is the other half of the great rack duopoly, and the FatCat EVO is its answer to one specific complaint: ordinary ski racks were drawn up when 85mm was a fat ski. The FatCat EVO sits at the top of Yakima's snow line, above the simpler FreshTrack, and the name is literal. Everything about it is sized for the gear people actually ride now, wide all-mountain skis, powder boards, and the tall pivoting bindings that come with them.
The engineering centerpiece is the DoubleJoint hinge, which lifts the lid up as well as back, creating more vertical space than a standard clamshell. Yakima rates the 6-size for six pairs of skis up to 136mm at the tip or four snowboards, figures the flatter competition cannot match. An integrated SkiLift riser adds binding clearance, the OverHang clamp design tucks the rack low against the bars for a clean aerodynamic line, and the whole thing weighs 12.75 pounds, the lightest in our lineup despite the largest opening.
Key Specs
| Spec | Yakima FatCat EVO 6 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 pairs of skis (tips to 136mm) or 4 snowboards |
| Dimensions | 40.5 x 3.75 x 5.25 in |
| Weight | 12.75 lbs |
| Crossbar spread | 12 in minimum to 36 in maximum |
| Mounting | Tool-free universal clamps: round, square, factory, aero; T-slot via SmarT-Slot Kit 2 (separate) |
| Security | Integrated SKS locks included |
| Extras | DoubleJoint hinge, integrated SkiLift binding riser, glove-size button |
| Finish | Mirror black |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
| Price | ~$400 (frequently listed near $500) |
Fit & Compatibility
The tool-free clamps wrap round, square, factory, and aero bars with a 12 to 36 inch spread, which covers nearly every car with existing crossbars; only T-slot mounting requires the separate SmarT-Slot Kit 2. At 40.5 inches long the housing spans wider roofs gracefully but is worth measuring against a compact car's bar spread. Capacity math is the FatCat's strong suit: where rivals quietly assume race skis, the 136mm tip rating means four pairs of genuine powder skis fit without forcing, and the DoubleJoint hinge clears tall freeride bindings that jam flatter racks. Boards load base down; four standard-width boards fit, though two boards plus two pairs of fat skis is the more common real-world mix.
Where It Shines
- Largest usable opening in its class; 136mm tips and tall bindings close without wrestling, per brand spec and published reviews
- Lightest rack in our lineup at 12.75 lbs, easy to mount solo and move between cars
- Low-slung OverHang design draws less wind noise than boxier racks, a recurring note in owner feedback
- SKS lock cores included and keyable alike with other Yakima gear
- Tool-free universal clamps install in about 15 minutes on most bars
Tradeoffs to Know
- Stiff closing springs: shutting the lid over a full load takes real downward force, the most consistent criticism in published reviews
- T-slot owners pay ~$60 extra for the SmarT-Slot kit the SnowPack includes hardware for
- List price hovers near $500 when the frequent ~$400 sale pricing lapses
- Mirror-black plastic housing shows scratches and swirl marks more than bare aluminum designs
Who It's For
Skiers and riders whose quiver starts at 100mm underfoot: powder-day regulars, splitboarders, and families mixing boards with fat skis. It is also the pick for anyone prioritizing low weight and a clean look over gadgets, and for households already invested in Yakima SKS locks who want one key for everything.
Who Should Skip It
If closing a stiff lid at full stretch sounds miserable, the SnowPack L latches with less drama. Carving-ski households gain nothing from the big opening and can save ~$160 with the Rhino-Rack 576. And tall-vehicle owners still reach across the roof here; the slide-out Kuat Grip 6 is the fix for that.
How It Compares
The Thule SnowPack L costs about the same, includes T-track hardware, and closes more easily, but its lower opening squeezes fat skis the FatCat shrugs off. Powder gear goes Yakima; mixed or narrower quivers can pick on brand preference and current price.
The Kuat Grip 6 adds the slide-out tray for ~$150 more and nearly twice the weight. The Kuat wins on tall vehicles; the FatCat wins everywhere weight, price, or wind noise matters more than reach.
The Rhino-Rack 576 undercuts it by ~$160 with the same nominal capacity, but its lower clamp height favors skinnier setups. The FatCat is what the 576 buyer upgrades to the winter they bring home 112s.
See the full lineup in our guide: The Best Ski & Snowboard Racks of 2026-27.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the FatCat EVO 6 need extra parts for T-slot crossbars?
Yes. The included clamps handle round, square, factory, and aero bars from a 12 to 36 inch spread, but mounting into a T-slot channel requires Yakima's SmarT-Slot Kit 2, sold separately for about $60.
How wide a ski or board fits in the FatCat EVO?
Yakima rates it for six pairs of powder skis up to 136mm at the tip, or four snowboards. The DoubleJoint hinge adds vertical room, so thick skis with tall bindings close more easily than in flatter racks.
Are locks included with the FatCat EVO 6?
Yes, SKS (Same Key System) cores come installed, locking both the gear and the rack's mounting hardware. If you run other Yakima SKS products, a shop can match everything to one key.