i am new to jeeps,so i need help. haven't found much information on the companies themselves so i figure i will ask the masses. i have narrowed my roof rack search to 3 companies. they are all the same roof rack it looks like, but i am curious to the little things. rust protection at its finest(i am in Thunder Bay, northern Ontario, Canada(real northern, not like sault ste marie) and lots of salt in winter. now for the information,
2 door hard top, things to go on top, kayaks, pulks(sled to pull for snowshoeing)extra camping gear, maybe me sleeping on it, who knows.
now my choices, an i am trying to be cost effective and functional.
smittybilt scr, Smittybilt 76716 - Smittybilt SRC Roof Rack in Textured Black for 07-15 Jeep® Wrangler JK 2 Door - Quadratec
Barrricade, Barricade Wrangler Roof Rack - Textured Black J100174 (07-15 Wrangler JK 2 Door) - Free Shipping
and body armor, Body Armor JK-6125 - Body Armor 4x4 Roof Rack Base Kit for 07-15 Jeep® Wrangler JK 2-Door - Quadratec
try to suggest one of these three as i wont be looking at gobi,(cost and dont like the look) garvin i liked but, like these frames better, etc

 

Over the last two weeks I've been looking at roof racks as well. Tired of stuffing my yak in the back of my Jeep, ready to mount it up properly.

Wide gap on prices for sure. I don't need the best rack, just hold my yak up there please, so been looking at the cheaper racks.

Something I noticed about the Barricade rack, compared to the Smittybuilt rack... The instructions are identical so I'm guessing the racks are identical.

 

Given your location and likelihood of rust, whatever rack you get, I would plan on additional rust protection right away. Powdercoat is good, but even here in Colorado it rusts through after a while so I would think it would happen pretty quick up there. Something I've learned over the years and jeeps that I've owned is almost every single thing I buy for my rig I modify before I even install it. Unless you can find a real difference between the racks, go with the best deal that suits your purpose, add some good rust protection, and enjoy.