They come in all sorts of shapes and designs. The most common models and their areas of application are presented on this page. Which bag is right for whom depends on the requirements.

surfboard socks

Essentially, these are nylon stockings for the surfboard. The material is stretchy so the width of the board isn't as important as the length. The area of application is clearly to be found in everyday needs. They provide protection from the sun's UV rays and pollution. They offer little protection against physical influences. The surf socks are mainly used to ensure that no sand gets on the board or, conversely, that the board does not leave any dirt when stored. This makes sense especially for rental cars, because otherwise you have to scrape wax and sand out of the car. So if you're surfing somewhere where board shorts will suffice, try wearing your surf sock to prevent sand from getting stuck on the wax. Otherwise you are forced to remove and reapply the wax every day.

Advantages: space-saving, very cheap, protection against dirt and sun. Material is stretchy so the same sock fits over different boards (although length should be reasonably correct).

Disadvantages: offers little protection against mechanical influences. No carrying device.

Daybags / Surfboard Bag for everyday use

These are the most commonly used Boadbags. Like the Brett socks, they protect against dirt and sun, but at the same time they also offer a certain protection against physical influences. Often one side of the bag also reflects the sunlight, so that the wax is also protected from the heat. They are the optimal solution for daily trips with the surfboard, the bags have carrying straps, shoulder straps, some fin pockets, address pockets, etc. Depending on the manufacturer, the bags are padded 2-5mm and are closed with a zipper. The bags are therefore ideal for short transports.

Advantages: In addition to protection from dirt and sun, they also offer a certain amount of protection from impact and dents, practical in daily use, inexpensive.

Disadvantages: take up more space than a surf sock, do not completely protect against damage to the board, most bags are only intended for one board.

Travel Bags / Surfboard Bag for traveling

These bags are designed for surfers on the go. The padding is about 5-10mm thick and is made of denser foam than the dayrunners, giving the surfboards more protection. The bags are often designed to carry multiple boards, so only one bag needs to be checked in. Such bags often have integrated clamping sets and partitions so that the wax does not stick to the underside of the neighboring board. Some models even have wheels. From triple bags and up one speaks of surfboard cases (or coffins).

Advantages: optimal protection, easy transport of several boards.

Disadvantages: more expensive and bulky. While the Dayrunners can still be folded, the travel bag may have elements of a hard-shell case and therefore cannot be stowed away to save space.

Properties of a board bag

• Extra protection on the nose/tail/edges: some bags offer additional protection on exposed areas.
• Carrying belts: they are padded and unpadded. A filled boardbag - often you also put your wet wetsuit in it, it can quickly weigh 10kg. A padded carrying belt can be an advantage.
• Thickness of the padding: the boundaries between day bags and travel bags are fluid. The thickness and type of padding are therefore crucial. The thicker and harder the foam, the more protection the bag offers.
• Fin/wax bag: some bags have practical pockets in which you can store wax and fins. You can save yourself a lot of suffering because you can be sure that the surfing equipment is always complete.
• Zippers: most bags have zippers that allow you to open the whole side. However, the zipper is often the weakest link in the chain and it is therefore important that it is of high quality and rustproof. Greasing after each trip is recommended.