The 7 Best Surfboard Travel Bags for 2023

January 24, 2023

by Erik

The 7 Best Surfboard Travel Bags for 2023

A surfboard travel bag is essential when it comes to a successful surf trip. Finding the right bag for your needs is key to less stress and more fun on your next mission. There are a lot of different options available with different features, materials, gadgets, specs, and so on. We’ve done the research for you by reviewing the seven best travel bags on the market to cover every surfer’s needs and budget. Let's take a look at 2023's best surf travel bags below.

Travel Surfboard Bags Reviewed

Dakine - Mission Surfboard Bag - $140.00+
Pro-Lite - Rhino Travel Surfboard Bag - $214.00+
Channel Islands - Travel Light Coffin Surfboard Bag - $160.00+
Pro-Lite - Smuggler Series Travel Surfboard Bag - $260.00+
FCS - Travel Series Surfboard Bag - $160.00+
Pro-Lite - Finless Coffin Travel Surfboard Bag - $274.00+
Db - The Djarv Coffin Surfboard Travel Bag - $449.00

These bags are listed in order from the simpler, lightweight offerings to the heavier-duty options available. I think there’s something in this list for every surfer, from the weekend warrior to the sponsored pro. These are the seven travel bags we found to offer the greatest features, value, and quality.

Dakine Mission Surfboard Bag - $140.00+

“Reliable Heat Protection”

Do you travel to tropical surf destinations where the sun melts your wax within minutes of your board sitting outside? Then you need a travel bag that suits your style, such as the Dakine Mission surfboard bag. Dakine is a well-known name in the surf industry producing high-quality goods such as traction and leashes, and their board bags continue the legacy. This travel bag protects your board from heat damage and the typical dings during travel.

The Mission surfboard bag is padded with 10mm of closed-cell foam, ensuring your board is protected from dings or cracks. The bottom of the bag heat uses reflective material and TPU venting to help regulate airflow, preventing your board from cooking inside. This travel bag is meant to last using a heavy-duty YKK coil zipper and metal hardware. Rest assured; these features will allow you to carry your board with any extra weight necessary without worrying about breaking a strap.

The Mission bag is available in a single hybrid shape up to 7’0 in length and a log shape up to 10’2 in length. We would highly recommend this board bag for anyone traveling with a heavy midlength or log because of the extra padding and reinforced hardware. A comfortable strap and strong features are key to a longboard bag. For example, the strain from carrying that extra weight through an airport or down a trail will quickly wear out a board bag: leaving you with ripped seams or broken straps, quickly ruining a good time.

If you’re a fan of the Dakine Mission travel bags, be sure to check out the Dakine Recon Double Thruster Surfboard Bag. With a similar construction in mind, the Recon is a rad choice for the surfer trying to get another board to their destination without the extra airline fees.

Features and Highlights:

TPU Venting doesn’t trap heat in the bag
Padded shoulder strap
External stash pocket
10mm closed-cell foam
Zippered fin slot
Available in 5’8 - 10’2

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Dakine JJF Mission Surfboard Bag - $140.00+
Dakine Mission Hybrid Surfboard Bag - $155.00+
Dakine Mission Noserider Surfboard Bag - $185.00+

Pro-Lite Rhino Travel Surfboard Bag - $214.00+

“The Best Value in Basic Travel Bags”

If you had to own only one board bag to cover everything from day-to-day use to weeks abroad, we’d go with the Rhino Travel Bag by Pro-Lite. The Rhino is a 1-2 board bag that is suited for the week-long trip, the sketchy hike-in spot, and trips abroad. It’s a pretty slim and light bag, making it very easy to travel with and store when you’re home. But this doesn’t mean it can’t hang with some of the heftier board bags.

This bag has 10mm of protective padding and an extra reinforced nose, typically only found on bags twice its price. It fits two shortboards effortlessly and has enough space to pack some clothes in for extra padding. Even with the shortboard-specific Rhino bag, we could stuff a few different wider hybrid-style boards in with no problems. This bag also includes a sturdy non-corrosive zipper, a large accessory pocket, a burly handle, and a vent to air the bag out in summer heat.

If you’re packing a wide-shaped board, I recommend the Rhino Fish/Hybrid/Big Short Travel Bag. Check out the Rhino Longboard Travel Bag for those looking to take their log.

Features and Highlights:

Holds 1-2 boards
Collapsible gusset
Padded shoulder strap
10mm foam
Reinforced nose
Available in 6’0 - 10’6
Shortboard, Fish/Hybrid, and Longboard models

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Pro-Lite Rhino Shortboard Travel Surfboard Bag - $214.00+
Pro-Lite Rhino Fish/Hybrid/Big Short Travel Surfboard Bag - $218.00+
Pro-Lite Rhino Longboard Travel Surfboard Bag - $254.00+

Channel Islands Travel Light Coffin Surfboard Bag - $160.00+

“Lightweight and Excellent Choice for 90% of Trips”

We think this is a great all-around light bag that’s perfect for most trips. It features 10mm of padding throughout the bag and additional padding on the nose and tail. The nose, especially, is where many boards get thrashed during travel, so it’s nice to have all the help you can get.

We really like how this bag is super light and slim in shape. This reduced light-weight profile makes the CX series of bags easy to travel with and pays off when your bag is getting weighed and measured at the airport. A few of our team riders have used the CX2 as a sleeping bag, so that’s worth considering as well.

For the quick trip, Channel Islands now offers the lighter CX1 that fits 1-2 boards. While technically a double bag, the CX2 can fit a third board if you fly with standard shortboards. We tried throwing some wider boards in, and it can definitely accommodate wider groveler and fish style boards (sub-21" width); however, I would only ration out enough space for two.

The CX3 is a 3-4 board travel bag option that's the bigger, thicker brother of the CX2. We really like that CI bumped up the padding on the rails, which now are cushioned by an ample 20mm of foam. The CX3 and CX4 also have wide internal straps to hold your boards securely against each other. Besides that, it’s pretty much identical in features to the CX2.

Features and Highlights:

CX1 and CX2: 10mm padding
CX3 and CX4: 20mm padding
Expandable fin compartment
Internal padded dividers
Available in 6’0 - 7’0

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Channel Islands Travel Light CX1 Coffin Surfboard Bag - $160.00+
Channel Islands Travel Light CX2 Coffin Surfboard Bag - $250.00+
Channel Islands Travel Light CX3 Coffin Surfboard Bag - $300.00+
Channel Islands Travel Light CX4 Coffin Surfboard Bag - $350.00+

Pro-Lite Smuggler Shortboard Series Travel Surfboard Bag - $260.00+

“Pays For Itself After One Trip”

We think this is easily one of the most ingenious designs ever for a board bag, especially for the traveler who is getting crushed by “per board” airline fees. If you’re flying thousands of miles to surf, the last thing you want to do is spend a huge chunk of change before you even touch down. The Smuggler bag doesn’t make it free, but it helps in a big way.

Using a false bottom, the bag appears to hold only two boards when you have three packed in, no matter which side you look at it from. This illusion allows a free third board to be stored out of sight. Aside from its magic trick, the Smuggler bag is well-built and has a bunch of quality features you come to expect from Pro-Lite. A reinforced nose, extra rail protection, and a heavy-duty handle help this bag feel ready for the abuses of travel. We also really appreciate the strong, non-corrosive zippers on Pro-Lite bags. If you’ve ever had a zipper seize up or break, you know it’s usually at the least convenient time.

The Smuggler is also a pretty wide bag (24” wide), so you don’t have to worry if your groveler or fish will be able to sneak in. Overall, we’re all very stoked about the Smuggler bag here at Cleanline, and the more you travel with it, the quicker it pays for itself.

Features and Highlights:

Fits up to 3 shortboards
False bottom hides 3rd board
10mm AIR-LITE foam
Padded shoulder strap
Large exterior pocket
Available in 6’0 - 6’10

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Pro-Lite Smuggler Series Shortboard Travel Surfboard Bag - $260.00+

FCS Travel Series Surfboard Bag - $160.00+

“Protect is its Middle Name”

The FCS Travel series has been a fan favorite of our team riders for many years. If you’re in need of ultimate protection for your dream surf trip, these are the bags for you.

FCS is a staple in the surf industry, and its board bags have also become a popular choice for travelers. They make excellent single and double bags called Travel 1 and Travel 2. Both are nearly identical except for the fact that they hold only 1 and 2 boards, respectively, and have 10mm of padding with 5mm extra in the nose.

The Travel 3 is equipped with 12mm of foam body protection. An extra 2mm plastic plate is placed where it really counts on the nose and tail of the bag for added assurance during transit. The FCS Travel 3 bag is meant to last because it is designed with a heavy-duty nylon material that not only resists rips but also repels moisture. That means storing your bag in between trips will be worry-free from the threat of mold. It is also built with a PK Derlin Zipper that can withstand salt and sand during your travels to elongate the life of your bag. The FCS Travel 3 bag can fit up to 3 standard shortboards, so you won’t have to leave behind your favorite stick during your travels.

Features and Highlights:

10-12mm high-density padding
Expandable fin wing
Padded rail
Internal strap
Available in 5'9 - 9'6
Available in Travel 1, 2, and 3 models

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FCS Travel 1 Shortboard Cover Surfboard Bag - $160.00+
FCS Travel 1 Funboard Cover Surfboard Bag - $170.00+
FCS Travel 1 Longboard Cover Surfboard Bag - $220.00+
FCS Travel 2 All Purpose Cover Surfboard Bag - $274.00+
FCS Travel 2 Funboard Cover Surfboard Bag - $280.00+
FCS Travel 3 All Purpose Cover Surfboard Bag - $360.00+

Pro-Lite Finless Coffin Travel Surfboard Bag - $274.00+

“Well Designed and Built To Last”

For total peace of mind that your travel bag is going to withstand any long trip, I’d go with the Pro-Lite Finless Coffin Bag. The Finless Coffin is lighter but definitely still as road-worthy as Pro-Lite’s Wheeled Coffin bag.

Inside the Finless Coffin, your boards can be separated by an internal divider and held together snugly by interior “seat belt” straps. While on the outside, there are four compression straps to pack the bag down nice and tight. Pro-Lite also reinforced the stitching at stress areas and box-stitched the handles. This is worth noting because if you’ve ever had a handle rip out, you know how much of a bummer it is.

The coffin design of this bag works well as it allows you to fully open up the bag. This feature ensures that your boards are protected from all angles when you’re cramming in board shorts and tees. Some other features of the Finless Coffin are two external pockets for accessories and convenient tie-down loops. The Finless Coffin is available in a double; the only difference is that the triple/quad version has a separate light day bag.

Features and Highlights:

10mm foam
One internal divider
Interior belt straps
Non-corrosive zippers
Available in 6’6 - 7’6
Available in Double and Triple/Quad models

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Pro-Lite Finless Coffin Double Travel Surfboard Bag - $274.00+
Pro-Lite Finless Coffin Triple Travel Surfboard Bag - $336.00+

Db The Djarv 3-4 Coffin Travel Surfboard Bag - $449.00

“The Future of Surf Luggage”

Db is a luggage company that prides itself on premium quality bags that makes traveling easier. Working directly with professional surfer Jordy Smith, the Db team created two surfboard bags that not only guarantee the protection of your gear but also take into account the other elements of travel, such as storage and mobility. The Djarv bag is the bag you need if you’re going on a month-long mission and need to bring 3-4 boards out of your quiver. When reviewing all the features of this travel bag, you can tell a ton of thought about the entire travel experience was put into the design.

Using 100% recycled fabric, the bag has a patented Ribcage technology that ensures the safety of your boards and allows the bag to adjust to the size needed (up to 6’6). This design also comes with board separators to prevent wax from spreading to places it shouldn’t. It could even double as a changing mat if you’re really in a pinch. The Djarv bag is built with wheels and adjustable straps throughout the exterior of the bag to accommodate the awkward structure of a surfboard bag.

For folks who have had to navigate airports with a surfboard bag and all their other luggage, it is not the most graceful experience. Db has changed that with their patented hook system that allows you to layer other Db luggage on top of one another for easy transportation. No more balancing your board bag on a trolly with your suitcase and backpack. This hook system prevents the hassle and makes getting through the airport much more enjoyable. Not to mention, storing these board bags is a piece of cake with Db’s rolling system. Simply empty out your gear and roll up the bags along the seams, and you’ll have a compressed, easy-to-store board bag that does not take up your entire hotel room.

The Djarv is an absolute luxury in the world of surf and travel. Read more about Db in our in-depth review here.

Features and Highlights:

Holds 3-4 boards up to 6'6
Wheel housing
Internal board dividers
Compressible for easy storage
Includes Db’s hook-up system

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Db The Djarv 3-4 Coffin Travel Surfboard Bag - $449.00

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Final Thoughts

Having the perfect surf travel bag is essential for anyone looking to take a surf trip in 2023. From the durable Db Djarv to the cost-saving Pro-Lite Smuggler, there are so many options and styles to choose from. Whether you're heading on a long weekend getaway or chasing waves around the world, one of these seven reviewed travel bags will have your back. Make sure you do your research and pick a model that's best suited for your needs; after all, the right bag can make all the difference on a surf trip. So think it through and consider all the factors before making a purchase. That way, you'll be ready when that perfect swell rolls in—so what's the best bag for your next trip?

If you have any questions about a specific surfboard bag, you can always give us a call toll-free at 1-888-546-6176, drop a comment below, or reach us via email at support@cleanlinesurf.com

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