[TSQ]

I went with OEM and have no regrets. Originally, like you, I was thinking of taking them off during the winter but I never have.

The main reason I picked OEM was all the aftermarket I've had over the years have had some kind of wind noise. I was glad to find the Honda ones are silent

 

[gjanz]

I plan on going OEM with my Odyssey. Have Rhino Racks for my 2010 Fit Sport. They work great but there is a ton of wind noise since they attach to the door jamb. I expect much of the same with Rhino Racks for the Odyssey. I also have a 2003 Yukon with roof rails and factory racks similar to what the OEM Odyssey setup is like and wind noise is not at all noticeable.

 

[vango5]

I vote for OEM roof rails and aftermarket crossbars. The fit and finish of the OEM rails can't be beat. The problem with the OEM crossbars is that they are not adjustable--the attachment points to the rails is fixed.

The Thule website does show 4 very expensive products that are compatible with the 2020 Odyssey with roof railing, until you click on them--very strange. It may be a problem with the website--you could call Thule's customer support for clarification, but some just read off scripts.

I have used Thule products for a couple decades and have been very happy with them--starting with our 99 EX, then 06 EXL, now the 15 EXL. The first 2 used the same sized crossbars (60"), the 15 required 65". Started out using the Thule 415 feet, then went to the 450 crossroads feet. We now have a set of Yakima Timberline feet and crossbars on the Odyssey. Aside from the first set of crossbars and a roof box, ALL of my crossbars and feet have been purchased off eBay, Craigslist, OfferUp, thrift stores, and/or garage sales.

I ran across the Yakima Timberline feet and crossbars at a garage sale, since they are more aerodynamic than the old square Thule bars I started using the Yakima product.

Not sure why the Thule website says not compatible, I would imagine that the Thule Rapid Crossroads (450R) would work with the OEM rails. You should be able to snag a set of Thule Rapid Crossroads 450R and a pair of 65" Thule Aeroblades off ebay or Craigslist and use them on your Odyssey. It shouldn't set you back more than $250 for the setup. The Crossroads aren't as aerodynamic or visually nice like the other Thule products, but the roof box will provide much more wind resistance than the crossbars or feet.

The Yakima Timberline and the Thule Rapid Crossroads can be spaced and placed anywhere on the rails. If you want to save even more money, you could get a set of Thule 450 Crossroads and a pair of Thule 65" square bars--they should fit fine.

 

[vango5]

One more thing, the Yakima and Thule products are easy to install and remove--we store the feet and crossbars (and golf clubs) in the cargo box. Make sure you have sufficient storage in your garage for the cargo box.

The OEM ones are bolted onto the roof rails--I do not recommend removing them once they are installed. I managed to shear off one bolt when removing the dealer installed crossbars.

 

[granitepeaker]

I went with the OEM rails off Amazon for $323. What are your thoughts on the Malone AirFlow2™ Roof Rack - Aero Crossbars - Raised, Factory Side Rails - Aluminum - 58" or 65". I believe it's compatible with the Thule Force XT XXL Rooftop Cargo Box. I believe the feet are built in so a savings and easier to transfer between vehicles. They only cost $209/$220.

 

[vango5]

Haven't actually seen/touched the Malone products. Seems like a good price. Probably good quality. I have only experience with Thule and now Yakima products--both are pretty bullet proof and grip the side rails well. The nice thing about feet that wrap around raised side rails is that they can be used with any vehicle with the raised rails. I have a Thule set for another vehicle that has solid side rails--one has to buy vehicle specific fit kits so they are not universal fit.

Even if the feet are not integrated with the cross bars, they are very easy and quick to install and remove (and store).

Again, I would take a look at local listings on Craigslist, OfferUp, or local equivalent--people are always selling their Thule and Yakima feet and crossbars when they change vehicles--especially if they are going from a raised rail to solid rail system. You should be able to get a set of Thule 450R rapid crossroads with AeroBlade or AeroBars for around $200-250 (make sure they are the correct length). I had to buy the feet and crossbars from two different sellers to get the right length. I sold the ones that were too short on eBay.

I try to remove the crossbars when I don't have anything attached to them because they create a pretty annoying howl--the square bars create a more scary movie scene howl, the aerodynamic ones a higher pitched one--the sound varies with vehicle speed starting at 20 mpg, at highway speeds not as annoying. Due to the position of the forward rail, I couldn't attach a wind fairing on the Odyssey. I read that having a barber pole like application of bungie cord or rope can decrease the creation of standing sound waves and thus decrease the howling.

Let us know what you end up with.