Best Soft Top Surfboards of 2023

JUMP TO: CATCH SURF ODYSEA LOG X / SOFTECH FLASH ERIC GEISELMAN / SOUTH BAY TORTUGA LONGBOARD / JJF BY PYZEL ASTROFISH / SOLID SURF CO EZ STREET / CATCH SURF WAVE BANDIT PERFORMER MINI / ALMOND SURFBOARDS SECRET MENU / WAVESTORM 8 FT CLASSIC / BUYING ADVICE

Author: Rose Martin

The Short Version

The Long Version

For most of us, the first surfboard we’ll ever lay hands will be an enormous soft top (aka ‘foamie’) covered in dings that we’ve rented from a local surf store. After all, surfboards aren’t cheap, so it definitely makes sense to try before you buy!

These boards are perfect for beginners because they’re so full of volume. This means that they float well on the water, which makes paddling a breeze, and they provide a nice steady platform for you to practice your pop-ups on.

But oversized foamies definitely aren’t the coolest boards out there – they’re super heavy, you can’t duck dive, and transporting them is a real pain. No doubt as soon as you could stand you were eyeing up other boards in the line-up, keen to upgrade to a lighter, smaller board and say goodbye once and for all to your chunky foamie.

But foamies have experienced a surge in popularity over the last few years, and many seasoned pros are now returning to their softer roots and adding a good old fashioned foamie to their arsenal of boards. But why is this?

Well, it’s mainly due to the huge range of soft top boards that have hit the market. Many of the top surfing brands are now designing soft top boards for intermediate to advanced surfers, often in collaboration with famous surfers. 

Due to their buoyancy these boards give surfers the option to shred even when the waves are small, on boards that are way more dingproof. So it’s not surprising that they’ve been becoming popular.

Whether you’re a total newbie or a seasoned pro, there’s a soft top out there with your name on it. So let’s take a closer look at the best ones currently on the market.

If you love reading this review of the best soft top surfboards, then you'll likely love reading some of our other surfing related content:

Need To Know What To Look Out For?

These days soft top surfboards come in a range of shapes and sizes – gone are the days of softies being strictly for beginners! If you’re not sure what to look for in this ever-growing range of new soft tops, then be sure to check out our buying advice at the bottom of the article.

Best For Beginners: CATCH SURF ODYSEA 8’0 LOG X

LENGTH: 8’00’’ (6’0’’, 7’0’’ and 9’0’’ also available)

WIDTH: 23’’

THICKNESS: 3.375’’

TOTAL VOLUME: 86L

MATERIAL: Composite, polyethylene, wood

PRICE: $$

PROS: Plenty of volume for small waves, more maneuverable than most beginner boards, affordable, durable

CONS: Heavy (but worth it!), can’t duck dive

Catch Surf have been making waves in the world of soft top surfboards. For their Odysea Log x range, they’ve teamed up with some of the best pros around, including the world-famous Jamie O’Brien and Kalani Robb.

These boards are packed full of beginner-friendly features, like a rounded nose that won’t impale anyone if a collision occurs, heaps of volume for easy paddling, and a broad chest area that leaves plenty of room for perfecting your pop-ups.

But you definitely won’t want to get rid of this board when your surfing progresses – the tri-fin set up and narrow railings make this board surprisingly responsive, so it’s a solid choice even for experienced surfers. This makes it slightly less stable than other beginner boards – but there’s no fun without a bit of a challenge, right?

Despite its reasonable price tag, this board is surprisingly durable thanks to the reinforcement of the composite core with stringers. This durability combined with its soft top means that both rookies and veterans alike can catch waves without worrying about every little bump.

If you’re an experienced surfer who usually takes a shortboard out, be warned – this board will feel super heavy (and you can’t duck dive with it)! But, overall, it’s definitely worth those aching arms for a sturdy, economical board that you can play around on even when the swell drops.

LENGTH: 5’0’’ (5’7’’, 6’0’’ and 6’6’’ also available)

WIDTH: 20’’

THICKNESS: 2 3/5’’

TOTAL VOLUME: 32L

MATERIAL: EPS, wood

PRICE: $$

PROS: Great to have fun on without worrying about dings, easier paddling than most shortboards, can be used for high performance surfing and in mushy waves

CONS: Harder to paddle than longer boards (but easier than most short boards), slightly less responsive than hard boards this length

At just 5 ft long, the Softech Flash Eric Geiselman offers great performance, yet it comes with some awesome perks compared to traditional shortboards.

The foam deck combined with a dense, waterproof core means you don’t have to hold back for fear of dinging your board – it can definitely handle some wear and tear. What’s more, despite the short length, the extra buoyancy provided by extra foam layer, combined with a wide nose and middle, makes paddling out on this board way easier than expected.

This buoyancy will also keep your wave count high even when the waves lose their power, and you’ll be able to catch more small waves than you would with a class hard top shortboard. It’s also traction-pad compatible, which is a massive win, especially for anyone into aerial tricks.

Another thing we love about this board is its crafty FCS II fin system. No screws or tools are needed – you can remove any of the three fins by simply pushing (plus all FCS II fins are compatible). Finally, this board is super light to carry around, and the price tag has remained pleasantly low.

Overall, the Softech Flash Eric Geiselman is proof that soft top boards are no longer just for beginners. While it might not be quite as responsive as high-end shortboards designed for huge waves, the ding-proof nature of this board means you can really let rip and practice those more hazardous maneuvers without worrying about breaking your board (or your wallet!).

LENGTH: 9’6’’

WIDTH: 24’’

THICKNESS: 3.25’’

TOTAL VOLUME: 92L

MATERIAL: EPS, wood, bamboo, resin

PRICE: $$$$

PROS: Very stable, durable, fun for all levels, no wax needed

CONS: Hard to transport, expensive

The South Bay Board Co. 9’6’’ Tortuga is an awesome board for anyone keen to dip their toe into the world of longboarding.

The soft layer of foam on the top, combined with a gently rounded nose, make this a super safe board to learn on. Plus, the whopping 92L of volume means you’ll be gliding across the waves with minimal paddling effort, while the huge length means that you’ll be able to catch even the smallest of green waves from way beyond the breakers.

As well as a layer of foam padding, this board features a wooden fiberglass bottom with wooden stringers for added durability – this helps take the stress out of those inevitable crashes as you learn. Plus, the extra bamboo layer and heat-release valve protect your board from those pesky UV rays when you’re on land.

But it’s not all about the beginners, the broad nose and squash tail provide plenty of space and stability for noseriding and cross stepping. And no matter how much experience you have, you’re going to love the super grippy foam top that means you don’t have to spend a fortune on wax (it takes a lot of wax for a board this big!).

As for all boards this size, moving it from A to B will take some muscle work (and a roof rack), but once you’re gliding your way across the water, we’re pretty sure you’ll forget all about those aching arms. The solid construction, large size, and extra features have ramped up the cost, but in this case, we think it’s a case of getting what you pay for.

Best Fish Board: JJF BY PYZEL ASTROFISH

LENGTH: 5’6 (6’0’’ and 6’6’’ also available)

WIDTH: 20.63’’

THICKNESS: 2.67’’

TOTAL VOLUME: 34.5L

MATERIAL: Epoxy, fiberglass, EVA 

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Excellent craftsmanship (rare in soft tops), durable, easy to transport, versatile

CONS: Non great for beginners, slightly expensive

The AstroFish Funformance surfboard is the product of a collaboration between the legendary shaper Jon Pyzel and the pro surfer John John Florence.

It’s been carefully crafted using a combination of epoxy and fiberglass, plus the recycled foam core has been reinforced with wooden stringers. This, combined with the soft top, means that you can really push your limits with this board without worrying about dings.

Yet despite this durability, the weight has stayed low, so you aren’t compromising on responsiveness. Plus, to make sure you get a genuinely fishy ride, the rails of this board have been hand-sanded, so you can rest assured that you’re getting what you signed up for.

Although it comes with a relatively high price tag for its size, this versatile board performs well in all wave conditions, so you’ll definitely get your money’s worth over a year or so. The light weight and short length also make it a super easy board to carry around or pop in the back of the car (no roof rack needed).

It’s versatility, convenience, and durability make this an awesome board for intermediate and more experienced surfers alike – whether you’re working on turns or polishing off a maneuver, your skills will improve in no time with this board in your repertoire.

Best Funboard: SOLID SURF CO EZ STREET

LENGTH: 8’

WIDTH: 22.25’’

THICKNESS: 2.87’’

TOTAL VOLUME: 58.8L

MATERIAL: Cotton, expanded polystyrene, hemp, polyester

PRICE: $$$$

PROS: Great for improvers, eco-friendly, versatile

CONS: Expensive, heavier than shorter boards

The Solid Surf Co EZ Street Surfboard is the perfect board for anyone transitioning from beginner boards to short boards. 

To ease you into the world of non-beginner boards, this board has retained some classic beginner features, such as a rounded collision-friendly nose, a soft top, and plenty of length. Yet it also has way less volume than a true beginner board (but far more than a shortboard). This means that you’ll find paddling slightly harder, but the board will be more responsive when it comes to turns and other maneuvers, so you can start getting a feel for more advanced surfing.

The long length means you can stick to smaller waves while you get used to the reduced stability but, once you’re feeling more confident, you’ll love how this board performs in larger swell too. The wide pin tail provides awesome control in bigger waves and, in case that’s not enough for you, you can always pop on some side fins to boost the board’s sensitivity thanks to the 4+1 fin configuration.

We also love that this board is constructed from recycled materials and various other eco-friendly products, such as plant-based epoxy resin, hemp, and recycled foam – and even the packaging is 100% biodegradable.

So, what’s the catch? Well, this board definitely isn’t the cheapest option out there, and it’s pretty heavy too. But if you’re after an eco-friendly board to help you transition from a beginner to intermediate surfer, then this board is worth every penny.

LENGTH: 4’10’’

WIDTH: 19 1/2"

THICKNESS: 2 15/16

TOTAL VOLUME: 35L

MATERIAL: Wood, composite core

PRICE: $

PROS: Very economical high-performance board, great for waves and wakes, easy to transport

CONS: Poor grip without wax, could be more durable

Mini boards are an awesome choice for anyone who enjoys sitting right in the pocket and shredding their way down the line, and the Catch Surf Wave Bandit Performer Mini is no exception.

It features a custom template end rocker for high performance surfing, and the rigid dense core and dual fin set-up will make sure you hit those top speeds. Plus, the soft top means that this board can handle a beating.

These reasons, plus the super low price tag, have made this board a popular choice among groms keen to test their limits, but it’s a great board for anyone hoping to shred without splashing the cash. On top of that, it’s super versatile too – you can catch waves of all sizes as well as wakes with this thing.

One minor drawback is that the texture on the foam deck isn’t particularly grippy, but this can be easily fixed with a lick of wax. Sure, it might not last you forever, but you’ll have a lot of fun, catch all kinds of waves, and have no trouble carrying your board around. But don’t just take our word for it, ask Ben Gravy, pro surfer and endorser of this board.

Best For The Environment: ALMOND SURFBOARDS SECRET MENU

LENGTH: 5’4’’

WIDTH: 21’’

THICKNESS: 2.75’’

TOTAL VOLUME: 36.4L

MATERIAL: EVA, polypropylene (fully recyclable)

PRICE: $$

PROS: Wax-free deck pad, 100% recyclable, easy paddling, good for maneuvers

CONS: Slightly expensive

When you spend a lot of time on or in the ocean, it’s hard not to develop an appreciation of the natural world. So why not pick up a board that’s as good for the ocean as it is for you? The Almond Surfboards Secret Menu is constructed from materials that can be completely recycled when you’re done with your board (or it’s done with you) via the companies recycling program. But don’t worry, that won’t be happening any time soon – this board is durable too thanks to its high-density core, in-molded stringers, and protective foam deck.

We also love that the textured deck is grippy enough to use without any wax, so you get some extra eco points there too (and you’ll save some pennies).

The board itself is ideal for waves around 4 ft, although it can hold its own in slightly larger waves too. Plus, the short length means you can catch waves when they’re at their most powerful.

Despite the short length, this board has a decent amount of volume and a broad chest area, so paddling out won’t exhaust you and catching waves will be easier than with a traditional hard topped surfboard.

Catered to smaller waves, easy to paddle, and with a rounded nose to boot, this is an ideal board for any eco warriors transitioning from long to short boards.

Best on a Budget: WAVESTORM 8 FT CLASSIC

LENGTH: 8’

WIDTH: 22.5’’

THICKNESS: 3.25’’

TOTAL VOLUME: 81L

MATERIAL: Expanded polystyrene, polyethylene

PRICE: $

PROS: Very economical, great performance in small waves, beginner-friendly

CONS: Not great for big waves, heavy, won’t last as long as a high-end board

The Wavestorm 8 ft Classic is an awesome option for anyone looking for a surfboard for smaller waves that won’t break the bank.

It’s generous volume and broad chest area make it an ideal board for practicing your paddling and pop-up techniques. Plus, it features a gentle collision-friendly nose. Unsurprisingly, these features have made this board a popular choice among budget-conscious beginners.

Despite this, it’s great performance in smaller surf and its attractive price tag make this board a serious contender for any intermediate surfers on the hunt for a board for days when the swell is small. Just don’t go expecting to ride overhead waves on this board – it’s long and has been designed with small waves in mind, so it’s definitely not the one for serious thrill seekers.

It might be a little on the heavy side, but if saving money is the name of the game, this is a great contender.

BUYING ADVICE FOR SOFT TOP SURFBOARDS

Board type

BEGINNER: If you’re brand new to surfing, then a 8/9-ft soft top board with plenty of volume is definitely the way to go. The buoyancy will keep you afloat with minimal effort so you can concentrate on perfecting your paddling and pop-up techniques. What’s more, the soft top will protect your board from dings and protect you when you collide with your board. Plus, big floaty boards perform exceptionally well in small waves, so you can take your time learning on the small stuff before you progress to big over headers.

INTERMEDIATE: Once you’ve mastered the art of standing on your basic beginner foamie, you’ll have to make the all-important decision – go long or go short. The good news is that there are awesome soft top options for both. 

If you’re keen to end up surfing with a short board eventually, then why not try out a soft top fun board or a fish. By reducing the buoyancy slightly, you can learn gradually how to stand on a board that’s less stable and build up the power behind your paddles. Plus, the board will be more responsive so you can work on turns too. The performance won’t be the same as that of a full-on short board, but the round nose and soft top will take the stress out of learning before you reduce the volume further. 

If you want to go long, you might be put off slightly by the high price tag of hard longboards, especially when you’re still learning and crashes and falls are inevitable. Investing in a soft top long board is a wise move while you’re still learning because you’re way less likely to break your board, and you’ll get an extra bit of buoyancy to help you on your paddle out too.

ADVANCED: Advanced surfers have the pick of the bunch. Soft top shortboards take the stress out of high-performance surfing as your board can take more of a beating (and they are generally a bit cheaper too). Plus, the added volume tends to make soft top short boards better even when the waves are small or less powerful.

But, as we’ve seen, there are now soft tops of all sizes catered to more experienced surfers. Long soft top boards designed for advanced surfers are far more responsive than your typical beginner boards and are a great way to make sure that you can still play in the waves, no matter how small the swell.

Grip

WAX: The foam decks of soft top boards make them far less slippery than smoother, more advanced hard boards, which is part of what makes them so beginner friendly. If you’ve been surfing for a while, you can probably get away without using wax on most soft tops, but if you’re new to the sport it won’t hurt to give yourself the extra bit of grip that comes with a lick of wax.

TEXTURED DECK: Constantly buying and applying wax can be a bit of a pain… and that’s why we love soft tops with textured decks. These boards don’t require any wax at all – the deck is grippy enough without it. – that’s winning.

TRACTION PADS: Traditionally, traction pads weren’t used with soft top boards. But as more and more high performance soft top boards have hit the market, some people are now choosing to add a pad to their board to boost their performance. If you are buying a soft top and considering adding one, then be sure to check out our review of the best surfboard traction pads.

Leashes

Soft tops are no different to other kinds of boards when it comes to leashes. Your board will most likely come with a leash included, but in case yours doesn’t, or you need a replacement, bear in mind the following:

BEGINNER: You’ll want your leash to be at least as long as your board, so when you fall (which you will!), your board is more likely to be a safe distance away from you. Some people add an extra foot or two to be sure, but be warned that this will make your board more likely to extend into other people’s crash zones.

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED: When your skills improve, you can definitely shed the extra foot or two of leash length. You might notice that some advanced surfers will opt for a leash a foot or so smaller than their board. This cuts down on drag, but it will increase the risk of you hitting your board when you fall, so you should only consider this if you have a very high level of control while surfing.

MORE INFORMATION

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