Board Covers
Surfboard bags are one of the best investments you can make in your surfing equipment. The right one will keep your valued surfboard or quiver safe through years of travel or daily use. In essence they are very simple, but as with all of our products - it’s the details that make the difference. Our boardbags have been tried and tested, hauled through aiports, loaded on boats, tied to tuk tuks.
Here’s our guide on what matters most in road tested surfboard bags:
SOCKS
Lightweight woven covers to protect against dirt, scratches and keep waxed boards from away from other surfaces. Good for daily use in cars, storage or within travel or coffin bags for extra padding when travelling.
DAYBAGS
Lightweight board bags. Good for daily use especially when walking to the beach. Heat reflective materials keep heat away and thin (usually around 5mm) padding protects against small impacts. Can be used within a larger travel bag or coffin for extra protection and daily use on arrival.
TRAVEL BAGS
Usually defined by thickness of padding (minimum 8mm but should be around 10mm) and more heavyweight materials and construction. These often have space for more than one board (or a board within a day bag) and come with more features like more handles or tie down points, ID pockets
COFFINS
For serious travel with 2+ boards. Minimum 10mm padding and heavy- weight construction. Should accommodate 2+ boards including socks or day bag, plus wetsuit/boardies/surf gear. Available in wheeled and non-wheeled versions. Be aware wheeled versions can be heavy so check luggage allowance.
SIZE / SHAPE
Most bags are available in a range of shapes to suit the surfboard type: Fish, Shortboard, Longboard etc. The difference is mostly in the nose shape and width. If in doubt buy a bag with a wider nose shape - a shortboard will still fit in a Fish bag and when carrying 2surfboards more space helps.
A bag should be designed to fit the surfboard it’s labelled for: a 6’8 bag should fit a 6’8 board. If the bag itself is 6’8” in length then it’s really a 6’6 bag. Not all brands do this so make sure you check.
Width is also key, especially when packing 2 or more surfboards.
Note also the tail shape or if there is a tail box or expanding fin area to allow a surfboard to be put in with fins. (Always remove fins before travelling by air)
We list all dimensions of all our bags on our website, including weight.
MATERIALS
1. OUTSIDE LINING:
For Day Bags and light Travel - Silver Heat Reflecive
For Travel and Coffin - Hard wearing rip stop, nylon or similar
2. INSIDE LINING:
All bags should have tarpee - does not stick to wax.
3. PADDING:
Day Bags should have around 5mm
Travel Bags should have 8-10mm
Coffins should have 10mm with additional padding on the sidewalls
KEY FEATURES:

ZIPS
A poor quality zip is a deal breaker; when regularly in contact with sand and salt bad zips fail quickly making the bag useless.
Plastic sliders wont corrode but are less strong. Metal zip sliders are stronger but more likely to corrode and seize - always get coated sliders and keep them oiled when in storage.

ZIP LENGTH
If a surfboard bag is left in the sun, the wax melts then sticks to the bag. A short zip, just around the tail makes it a mission to get the surfboard out.
On travel bags a long zip means you can pack your wetsuit, towel or extra padding all around the surfboards.

VENTILATION
The insides of surfboard bags get surprisingly hot, and surfboards don’t like heat. Ventilation is vital on any board bag.
EXTRA FEATURES

ID Badge

Padded Handles

Spreaders / Inlays

Pockets

Grab handles, utility loops

Fin Slot