surfer going right on a wave

The Best Surfboard Bags

Searching for the Best Surfboard Bag for Your Next Adventure?

For surfers, the journey is just as much a part of the lifestyle as catching waves.

When you’re on the move, having a reliable bag to shield your boards from scratches, dents, and the bumps of travel is crucial.

A top-notch surfboard travel bag isn’t just practical—it’s essential for keeping your gear in perfect shape. We’ve rounded up our top choices to make sure your boards stay protected wherever the next wave takes you.

Here are some our favorite Surf Board Bags

Over the years, we’ve put countless surfboard bags to the test, some performed well, a few really impressed us, and others… let’s just say they didn’t make the cut.

Experienced surfers know the market offers an overwhelming variety: different brands, materials, styles, and levels of quality.

Choosing the right bag ultimately depends on your needs and budget. For quick trips, a simple, straightforward bag can be enough, while extended adventures often call for a premium, heavily padded option.

Below, we’ve curated our top picks, covering everything from affordable options to high-end models, so there’s something for every surfer and travel plan.

top view of the dakine mission hybrid surfboard bag


Features:

  • 3/8" closed cell foam padding for maximum board protection
  • Lengths: 6'0″, 6'6"
  • Width (for both sizes): 25.5"
  • TPU venting system to wick moisture off your board
  • Wax / Fin pocket

You’ve put plenty of time, energy, and money into your surfboards, so it’s only natural to want them well-protected on the road. That’s exactly what the Dakine Mission Hybrid delivers.

This bag is built to safely transport a single surfboard, keeping it secure no matter where your travels take you. It features a TPU venting system to help expel moisture and maintain a dry interior, plus 3/8" of dense closed-cell foam padding to protect your board from scratches, dings, and travel bumps.

Durability is a priority—Dakine reinforced the bag with metal hardware, making it far more robust than a standard cover. It’s a serious piece of travel gear. On top of that, the Mission Hybrid includes several convenient stash pockets for wax, fins, and other surfing essentials.

The padded shoulder strap ensures comfortable carrying, and it can be detached and stored inside the bag to avoid snags while on the move.

In short, the Dakine Mission Hybrid is a dependable travel bag that offers strong protection, thoughtful features, and a clean design—making it an ideal choice for any surfer on the go.

Pros of this Bag

  • Beefy YKK molded zipper with internal rail protection
  • Diamond ripstop material is lightweight yet also durable
  •  Reflective bottom is nice for short term outdoor storage

Cons of this option

  • Only designed to hold one surfboard
top view of the pro lite rhino travel bag


Features:

  • Compressible gusset with velcro
  • Empty bag weight 8-11 lbs. depending on size.
  • Fish board styles, 26.5" width.
  • Bag depth is 3" at nose and 7" at tail.
  • 10mm foam protection designed for airline travel

Pro-Lite has been crafting high-quality surf travel bags since 1982, and the Rhino is a standout example of their expertise.

For surfers who want something lighter than a wheeled bag but still protective, the Rhino delivers. It comes with 10mm of padding designed to handle the bumps and jostles of airline travel, keeping your board safe wherever you go.

A built-in divider separates boards and prevents wax transfer, while strong molded, corrosion-resistant zippers glide smoothly even in wet, salty conditions.

The Rhino also comes loaded with practical features like a fin pocket, strap pocket, drainage holes, and more. It accommodates extra-wide hybrid boards as well, making it a versatile and reliable travel companion for any surfer on the move.

Pros of this Bag

  • Rail guard around the zipper to protect your board.
  • Light weight but still tough
  • Venting integrated into the bag to allow air flow to keep your board cool.

Cons of this option

  • It'd be helpful if the bag unzipped from past the nose to tail
top view of the dakine daylight hybrid surfboard bag


Features:

  • Available in sizes: 5'8", 6'0", 6'3", 6'6", 7'0"
  • Generous outline to fit wider/alternative shapes
  • 1/4", 6.5mm,  foam padding
  • Ample design that allows for wider retro shaped boards
  • Weight 2.6 - 3.5 lbs.

A little extra care goes a long way in keeping your surfboard safe, especially when you’re on the move. The Dakine Daylight Hybrid surfboard bag delivers dependable protection without costing a fortune.

With 1/4-inch foam padding, it safeguards your board from dings and dents while staying lightweight. Its spacious design easily fits wider and hybrid-shaped boards.

Crafted from heat- and water-resistant materials, the Daylight Hybrid is built to withstand serious travel. Durable YKK coil zippers ensure long-lasting performance, and padded shoulder straps make it easier to carry.

For surfers seeking a reliable, well-padded bag that won’t hurt the budget, the Dakine Daylight Hybrid is an excellent option.

Pros of this Bag

  • Limited Lifetime Warranty
  • Wax/fin pocket
  • Reasonably priced

Cons of this option

  • Metal zippers, some prefer plastic due to salt erosion.
top view of the pro lite recession fish hybrid day bag


Features:

  • Available in three sizes: 5'10", 6'3", 6'6"
  • 3mm foam padding
  • "Secret" pullout storage pocket
  • Designed for day use
  • Reinforced nose

Surf gear can be expensive, but Pro-Lite makes protecting your board more affordable with the Resession Fish/Hybrid day bag. It shields your board from bumps and the elements as you travel to your favorite surf spots.

The Resession is equipped with molded, corrosion-resistant zippers that stand up to salt and stay smooth, ensuring hassle-free use every time.

Made from tough silver tarpaulin, this bag is built for durability. It also features a spacious external pocket with a dedicated compartment for wax, keeping your gear neatly organized.

The wide top opening makes loading and unloading your board simple. At 26.5" across, the Resession comfortably fits most fish and hybrid boards, with boards up to 24" wide (depending on thickness) generally fitting with ease.

Pros of this Bag

  • Good for everyday use
  • Basically, it's a killer lightweight sturdy wide bag

Cons of this option

  • Not a full length zipper
side angled view of fcs stretch surfboard bag
nose image of fcs stretch surfboard bag with logo


Features:

  • Stretch board cover
  • Drawstring rear closure
  • Length: 6'3"
  • UV light protection

FCS offers a dependable soft bag with the Stretch Funboard Surfboard bag, straightforward, reliable, and exactly what you need. Extra padding at the nose gives added protection, while the soft polyester material keeps your board safe and scratch-free.

Ideal for short trips from home to the surf, this bag is designed with Fish and Funboard shapes in mind. It shields your board from wax transfer, scratches, dust, and UV exposure during day trips.

Pros of this Bag

  • FCS quality est used to keep the sun off my sticks or for a little extra cush in the airline case
  • Best for keeping the sun off your sticks or for a little extra padding in the airline case

Cons of this option

  • Fabric is a bit thin
top view of the creatures of leisure day use bag


Features:

  • Durable Diamond-Tech fabric
  • Length: 50"
  • UV-resistant 
  • 3 coats of internal polyurethane lamination

The Creatures of Leisure Fish Day Use Bag is designed for everyday use and can easily accommodate a single board, including wider funboard shapes.

Your board is protected by 5mm of dense foam and an expandable closed-cell sidewall. An integrated airflow ventilation system helps remove moisture and prevents heat buildup inside the bag.

Carrying is comfortable thanks to a padded shoulder strap with 10mm of cushioning, making longer trips much easier on your shoulders.

A standout feature we love at Paddleboard Surf is the solid warranty. This Creatures of Leisure bag comes with a 2-year warranty—a rare offering in the market. Not only is it well-designed, but the company also backs its product, which adds extra peace of mind.

Pros of this Bag

  • Width: 21.25"
  • For serious surfers
  • Padding sections, stitches and fitting are all awesome

Cons of this option

  • Not the cheapest bag

Final Thoughts

That wraps up our list of favorite board bags for traveling.  We know board bags are the most exciting part of surfing, but if you've ever gone on a trip without a travel bag you know how much that sucks!  


The bags we listed are some of the best you can get, and it will enable you to not have to worry if your board will get damaged in transit on your next surf trip.

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