Material
The main material used in the construction of the boot. For boxes (see "Type"), the material of the container is indicated here, for crossbars — the material of the rails, etc.
— Steel. The main advantages of steel are high strength and reliability; in addition, the price of this material is low. There is also a drawback: steel structures are quite heavy, which accordingly affects fuel consumption. At the same time, the difference in weight with aluminium analogues is usually not so great that this disadvantage can be considered critical.
— Aluminium. Most of the aluminium alloys used in modern boots combine good strength and corrosion resistance with low weight (the latter helps save fuel). However such structures are more expensive than steel ones.
— Plastic. Plastic is characterized by low cost, combined with good strength, corrosion resistance, ease of processing and low weight. In terms of reliability, it is somewhat inferior to metals, but this moment becomes significant only at high loads. Therefore, plastic is practically not used in crossbars and open boots (see "Type"), but it is quite suitable for other types — except, perhaps, for the most load-bearing models.
— Fibreglass. Material based on glass threads. Unlike ordinary glass, such threads do not break or break, but instead are able to bend easily. The fibreglass used in car boots is notable for its high strength and low weight, but it is also quite expensive, and...therefore is found mainly among premium models.
— Textile. The fabric is mainly used for boxes (see "Type"). Such products have a soft container that resembles a tourist backpack (and the fabric itself usually belongs to the “tourist” varieties — nylon or polyester). The main advantage of this material is the ability to roll an unused boot into a fairly compact roll; and the weight of the structure is quite small. On the other hand, in terms of aerodynamic properties and degree of protection, soft boxes lose out to hard ones, and this material is practically inapplicable in other types of boots.
