Surfing is one of the most exciting water sports in the world, and traveling to different locations to surf can be an amazing experience.
However, when it comes to traveling with your surfboard, choosing the best surfboard bag is crucial to ensure that your board stays protected and arrives at your destination safely.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best surfboard bags for travel, including their features, pros, and cons, to help you make an informed decision before your next surf trip.
Types of Surfboard Bags
Before we dive into the top 15 best surfboard bags for travel, it’s important to understand the different types of surfboard bags available on the market:
Day bags – These bags are designed for daily use, providing lightweight protection for your board during short trips to the beach.
Board socks – Board socks are the simplest and most affordable type of surfboard protection. They offer minimal padding and are mainly designed to prevent scratches and minor dings.
Hybrid bags – Hybrid bags are a mix of day bags and travel bags, offering more protection than a day bag but not as much as a travel bag. They’re ideal for short trips or as a backup bag for your travel bag.
Wheeled bags – Wheeled bags are designed for longer travel and offer the most protection for your surfboard. They come with wheels and a handle, making it easier to transport your board from one location to another.
How To Pick Surfboard Travel Bag
When picking a surfboard travel bag, there are a few important factors to consider:
- Board size: Make sure to choose a bag that fits your board size. A bag that is too small or too large may not provide adequate protection for your board.
- Type of bag: Consider the type of bag that suits your travel needs. If you’re traveling long distances or with multiple boards, a wheeled travel bag with more padding may be ideal. If you’re just going to the beach for the day, a lightweight day bag or board sock may suffice.
- Padding: Look for a bag with at least 8mm to 10mm of padding to provide enough protection for your board.
- Durability: Choose a bag made from durable materials, such as heavy-duty nylon or polyester, to ensure that it lasts for many trips.
- Additional features: Some bags come with additional features, such as pockets for storing fins or wax, or internal dividers to keep your boards separate and secure during transit.
Top 15 Best Surfboard Bags for Travel
Dakine Daylight Surfboard Bag
The Dakine Daylight Surfboard Bag is a perfect option for daily use. It features a heat and water-resistant tarpaulin material, which provides excellent protection for your board. The bag is lightweight, easy to carry, and comes with a durable zipper for easy access. However, it doesn’t offer as much padding as other bags on this list.
Pros: Lightweight, durable, and affordable.
Cons: Not suitable for long-distance travel.
FCS Travel 2 All-Purpose Surfboard Bag
The FCS Travel 2 All-Purpose Surfboard Bag is designed to fit two to three boards, making it an excellent option for those who travel with multiple boards. The bag features a durable 600D polyester construction with 10mm foam padding and a heat-reflective silver panel to protect your boards from the sun’s harmful rays. The bag also comes with a padded shoulder strap and an adjustable internal strap system for secure transportation.
Pros: Offers excellent protection for multiple boards, durable construction, and adjustable internal strap system.
Cons: Can be heavy and bulky to carry.
Pro-Lite Rhino Double Travel Surfboard Bag
The Pro-Lite Rhino Double Travel Surfboard Bag is a durable and heavy-duty option for those who travel frequently. The bag features a 600D polyester construction with 10mm foam padding, a heat-reflective bottom, and reinforced nose and tail areas. It also comes with compression straps to keep your boards secure during transit. However, the bag can be heavy to carry and may not fit in some smaller cars.
Pros: Durable and heavy-duty construction, excellent protection, and compression straps.
Cons: Heavy and bulky to carry.
Channel Islands Travel Surfboard Bag
The Channel Islands Travel Surfboard Bag is a high-quality option for surfers who want to protect their boards during long-distance travel. The bag features a 600D polyester construction with 10mm foam padding, a heat-reflective bottom, and a padded shoulder strap for easy carrying. It also comes with an internal padded divider to keep your boards separate and secure during transit.
Pros: Durable construction, excellent protection, and internal padded divider.
Cons: Expensive.
Dakine Coffin Surfboard Bag
The Dakine Coffin Surfboard Bag is a high-quality option for those who want to travel with multiple boards. The bag can fit up to six boards, depending on their size, and features a durable 600D polyester construction with 10mm foam padding. It also comes with compression straps to keep your boards secure during transit and a padded shoulder strap for easy carrying. However, the bag can be heavy and bulky to transport, especially when fully loaded.
Pros: Can fit up to six boards, excellent protection, compression straps, and padded shoulder strap.
Cons: Heavy and bulky to carry.
Pro-Lite Smuggler Series Travel Surfboard Bag
The Pro-Lite Smuggler Series Travel Surfboard Bag is designed to look like a regular suitcase, making it a great option for those who want to keep a low profile while traveling. The bag features a durable 600D polyester construction with 10mm foam padding, a heat-reflective bottom, and a padded shoulder strap for easy carrying. It also comes with internal compression straps to keep your boards secure during transit.
Pros: Looks like a regular suitcase, durable construction, excellent protection, and compression straps.
Cons: Can be heavy to carry.
FCS Double Wheeled Travel Surfboard Bag
The FCS Double Wheeled Travel Surfboard Bag is a high-quality option for those who want to travel with multiple boards. The bag can fit up to two boards, and features a durable 600D polyester construction with 10mm foam padding and a heat-reflective silver panel to protect your boards from the sun’s harmful rays. It also comes with smooth-rolling wheels and a padded shoulder strap for easy transportation.
Pros: Can fit up to two boards, durable construction, excellent protection, and smooth-rolling wheels.
Cons: Expensive.
Dakine Regulator Double/Quad Convertible Travel Surfboard Bag
The Dakine Regulator Double/Quad Convertible Travel Surfboard Bag is a versatile option that can fit up to four boards, depending on their size. The bag features a durable 600D polyester construction with 10mm foam padding, a heat-reflective silver panel, and a padded shoulder strap for easy carrying. It also comes with a removable padded divider, which can be adjusted to fit your boards.
Pros: Can fit up to four boards, versatile design, durable construction, and excellent protection.
Cons: Heavy and bulky to carry.
Creatures of Leisure Double Travel Surfboard Bag
The Creatures of Leisure Double Travel Surfboard Bag is a heavy-duty option for those who want to travel with multiple boards. The bag can fit up to two boards, and features a durable 600D polyester construction with 10mm foam padding, a heat-reflective bottom, and reinforced nose and tail areas. It also comes with compression straps to keep your boards secure during transit.
Pros: Can fit up to two boards, heavy-duty construction, excellent protection, and compression straps.
Cons: Expensive.
Dakine World Traveler Surfboard Bag
The Dakine World Traveler Surfboard Bag is a high-quality option for surfers who travel frequently. The bag features a durable 600D polyester construction with 10mm foam padding, a heat-reflective silver panel, and a padded shoulder strap for easy carrying. It can fit up to two boards, and comes with an internal padded divider to keep your boards separate and secure during transit.
Pros: Durable construction, excellent protection, internal padded divider, and padded shoulder strap.
Cons: Heavy and bulky to carry.
FCS Travel 1 Funboard Surfboard Bag
The FCS Travel 1 Funboard Surfboard Bag is a great option for those who travel with shorter boards. The bag features a durable 600D polyester construction with 10mm foam padding, a heat-reflective silver panel, and a padded shoulder strap for easy carrying. It can fit up to two boards, depending on their size, and comes with an adjustable internal strap system to keep your boards secure during transit.
Pros: Durable construction, excellent protection, adjustable internal strap system, and padded shoulder strap.
Cons: Can be heavy and bulky to carry.
FCS Travel 3 Shortboard Surfboard Bag
The FCS Travel 3 Shortboard Surfboard Bag is a high-quality option for those who travel with shortboards. The bag can fit up to three boards, and features a durable 600D polyester construction with 10mm foam padding, a heat-reflective silver panel, and a padded shoulder strap for easy carrying. It also comes with an adjustable internal strap system to keep your boards secure during transit.
Pros: Can fit up to three boards, durable construction, excellent protection, adjustable internal strap system, and padded shoulder strap.
Cons: Can be heavy and bulky to carry.
Dakine Recon Thruster Surfboard Bag
The Dakine Recon Thruster Surfboard Bag is a great option for surfers who travel with their thruster boards. The bag features a durable 600D polyester construction with 10mm foam padding, a heat-reflective silver panel, and a padded shoulder strap for easy carrying. It can fit up to two boards, and comes with an internal padded divider to keep your boards separate and secure during transit.
Pros: Durable construction, excellent protection, internal padded divider, and padded shoulder strap.
Cons: Can be heavy and bulky to carry.
Dakine Cyclone II Dry Pack Surfboard Bag
The Dakine Cyclone II Dry Pack Surfboard Bag is a unique option for those who want to keep their boards dry during travel. The bag features a waterproof construction with welded seams and roll-top closure, providing excellent protection against water damage. It can fit up to two boards, and comes with a padded shoulder strap for easy carrying.
Pros: Waterproof construction, excellent protection against water damage, padded shoulder strap.
Cons: Limited space, not suitable for long-distance travel.
Dakine Recon Double Travel Surfboard Bag
The Dakine Recon Double Travel Surfboard Bag is a heavy-duty option for those who travel with multiple boards.
The bag can fit up to two boards, and features a durable 600D polyester construction with 10mm foam padding, a heat-reflective silver panel, and a padded shoulder strap for easy carrying. It also comes with an internal padded divider to keep your boards separate and secure during transit.
Pros: Durable construction, excellent protection, internal padded divider, and padded shoulder strap.
Cons: Heavy and bulky to carry.
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Are surfboard travel bags washable?
Whether or not a surfboard travel bag is washable depends on the specific bag and its materials. Some bags may be machine-washable, while others may require hand washing or spot cleaning. Always refer to the care instructions provided by the manufacturer before attempting to wash your surfboard travel bag. In general, it’s best to avoid washing the bag too frequently to avoid damaging the material or padding.
Do surfboard travel bags come with warranties?
Many surfboard travel bags come with warranties from the manufacturer, although the length and specifics of the warranty may vary. It’s important to read the warranty details carefully before purchasing a surfboard travel bag.
Some warranties may cover defects in materials or workmanship, while others may offer protection against damage during transit. It’s also a good idea to keep the original receipt or proof of purchase in case you need to make a warranty claim in the future.
Conclusion
When it comes to traveling with your surfboard, choosing the right surfboard bag is crucial to ensure that your board stays protected and arrives at your destination safely. From day bags to wheeled bags, there are various options available on the market to suit different travel needs.
Our guide has reviewed the top 15 best surfboard bags for travel, including their features, pros, and cons, to help you make an informed decision before your next surf trip.
Whether you’re a frequent traveler or a casual surfer, investing in the best surfboard bag can make all the difference in protecting your board and enjoying your surfing experience to the fullest.