Best Shortboard Surfboard Bags of 2025
Surfing can be expensive, and it’s worth the extra effort to take care of your gear with a quality surfboard bag. A good board bag can save you hundreds of dollars in damages and protect your precious shapes from losing resale value. A surf cover shields your board from the outside elements and can help prevent it from getting weathered. Plus, they make carrying your precious stick to and from the car that much easier. Follow along as we review six of the best shortboard surfboard bags of 2025.
Best Shortboard Bags Reviewed
Best simplistic design: Pro-Lite Recession Shortboard Day Surfboard Bag - $86+
Best bang-for-your-buck shortboard bag: Roam Shot Tech Day Surfboard Bag - $102+Pro-Lite Recession Shortboard Day Surfboard Bag - $86+
“Light Weight Simplisity”
- Strong & Lightweight
- Durable non-corrosive zipper
- Comfortable shoulder strap
- Inner storage pocket
- It only has 3mm of padding and doesn't have the best protection for extended trips or traveling.
Our Take: The Pro-Lite Recessions shortboard day bag is a minimalistic version of the Sessions bag. With 3mm of foam throughout, the bag is exceptionally lightweight and will protect your precious shapes from getting damaged. I personally have this board bag in the longboard version. It has treated me well, and I have safely been getting my longboard from A to B.
Roam Shot Tech Day Surfboard Bag - $102+
“Thick padding for an affordable price”
- 10mm of padding
- Durable nose and tail
- Air ventilation
- Wetsuit pocket
- Might be a little heavy for a day-use bag
Our Take: The Roam Shot Tech day surfboard bag stands out due to its lower price tag and feature-rich properties. Designed to handle quick trips to and from the beach or short-distance travel, this bag combines thoughtful design with high-quality materials. With 10mm of high-density padding, it offers reliable day-use protection against dings, UV rays, and heat.
A generous outline fits most modern shortboard shapes, and the large, corrosion-free zip runs smoothly even after repeated exposure to the elements. The internal stash pocket is perfect for keys, wax, or fins, keeping your essentials close by.
Pro-Lite Sessions Shortboard Day Surfboard Bag - $137+
“Everything you need”
- Durable Ripstop nylon
- Heavy-duty zipper
- Updated colorway for 2025
- Well thought-out design
- Not as wide as the hybrid model
Our Take: The Pro-Lite Sessions is one of my personal favorite day bags. It’s still going strong after two years of day trips and travel. Pro-Lite went through every detail while creating the Sessions model. This day-use surfboard cover includes a non-corrosive zipper with a rail guard for protection, 5mm of foam throughout, and a reinforced nose.
Pro-Lite bags are cut on the generous side, 3” longer than the advertised length. Consider this trusty day bag next time you need something for your shortboard that falls within the 5’10-7’2 length range.
Dakine Daylight LT Thruster Surfboard Bag - $138+
“Versatility at its Finest”
- Durable heavy-duty zipper
- Ventilation ports
- Comfortable shoulder straps
- Lightweight
- It wouldn't be the most protection for extended trips and traveling
Our Take: The Dakine Daylight LT Thruster is new for 2025. It comes in 5 different lengths and has a max width of 24” on a 7’0” size. This bag is shortboard-specific, and I wouldn’t recommend it if you have a Hybrid/groveler shape. It all depends on your board's width vs. the bag's width.
With 3mm of foam, this surfboard bag provides enough protection for your everyday surf trip. The durable YKK coil zipper has internal protection and is built to last. The bag also has molded ventilation ports to keep it from getting damaged by the sun and to keep your wax from melting on a warm summer's day.
FCS Funboard Cover Day Surfboard Bag - $176+
“Innovative 3D Protection”
- Lightweight
- Expandable fin wing
- Durable 3D rail protection
- Countored stretch fit
- Slightly expensive compared to other day bags
Our Take: The FCS Funboard Day cover is an outstanding option. It includes some of the latest high-tech features that will heighten your surfing experience. With FCS’s attention to detail, this 3D-fit bag will not disappoint. A few of the key features that make this Funboard/Fish cover stand out are the lightweight material, 3D protection, and Expandable fin wing.
The expandable fin wing allows you to comfortably store your board with or without fins. Another cool part of the design is the armadillo strip, which helps the surfboard bag stay in place while in carrying your board.
Pro-Lite Rhino Shortboard Travel Surfboard Bag - $230+
“Expedition Companion”
- 10mm of padding
- Built for traveling
- Exterior wetsuit accessory pocket
- Can fit two boards
- It might be a little much if you need a simple day bag
Our Take: Pro-Lite is at the forefront of the surf industry in terms of board bags and accessories. The Rhino travel bag is one of their most popular models. Similar to the Recon, the Rhino sports 10mm of foam padding, can hold up to two surfboards 20.5” in width, and is designed for the use and abuse of air travel. With size lengths ranging from 6’0-6’10, the Rhino bag will protect your favorite shortboards.
Honorable Mentions
VEIA 3/2 Convertable Travel Bag: The VEIA Shortboard travel bag can fit up to 3 boards and has all the high-end features of a premier surfboard bag.
Best Shortboard Surfboard Bag FAQ
What makes a surfboard bag “the best” for shortboards?
The best shortboard bags offer the right blend of protection, fit, and function. Look for quality padding (at least 5mm for day use, 10mm+ for travel), durable materials like 600D polyester or tarpaulin, a snug but not overly tight fit, and added features like internal pockets, ventilation, and reinforced nose/tail zones. Comfort extras like padded shoulder straps and grab handles are also key for easy transport.
What’s the difference between a day bag and a travel bag?
Day bags are lighter and slimmer, designed for quick beach runs or car trips. They usually have 5mm padding and protect your board from sun, dings, and wax mess. On the other hand, travel bags offer more heavy-duty protection—typically 10mm or more of padding, multiple board capacity, and reinforced construction to survive airports and roof racks.
Can I fit other gear inside my board bag?
Yes, many surfboard bags have internal pockets or enough room for extras like fins, wax, a leash, and a towel. Avoid overpacking, as too much bulk can stress zippers or compromise padding.
Are shortboard bags worth the investment?
A good board bag definitely extends the life of your surfboard by protecting it from dings, sun damage, and pressure dings during transport. Even for quick beach sessions, a bag keeps your car clean and your board safe from accidental knocks.
Similar Blogs We've Written
Final Thoughts
For 2025, it's evident that the surfboard shortboard bag market has reached new heights, and surf enthusiasts have never been more spoiled with choices. This year's best shortboard bags have seamlessly combined style, durability, and functionality, providing surfers with the ultimate protection for their prized possessions. With innovative materials, surfboard transportation has never been such a breeze; these bags have truly elevated the surfing experience.
If you have any questions, you can always call us at 1-888-546-6176, drop a comment below, or send an email to support@cleanlinesurf.com.
SHOP OUR 25+ SHORTBOARD SURFBOARD BAGS
What Our Customers Are Saying