As simple as surfing might seem—plank goes in water, you ride plank on water—there’s a staggering amount of shapes, technologies, disciplines, styles, and science that goes into board design. We’re here to help you find the best board that best suits your needs, and this article highlighting the best of the best is an ideal place to drop in.

These status quo-bucking boards edge out the competition thanks to their fresh, groundbreaking, and creative approaches to surf design. Experimental designs keep the fun in surfing while also progressing what’s possible.

When shaping the original Micks Tape for STAB’s 2022 Electric Acid Surfboard Test—a competition exploring alternative surfboard design—Lib Tech had to keep the length under 5ft 3in and ensure it could handle a wide variety of waves. So, the shapers created a compact ride that matches performance volume with maximum motor and ended up winning the whole thing.

Lucky for you, Lib Tech decided to offer this experimental shape up to everyday surfers who want a touch more volume with bigger size options (5ft 4in, 5ft 6in, 5ft 8in, 5ft 10in, and 6ft) and a symmetrical shape that is not stance-specific. This results in a ride that’s a bit easier to tame without losing its ability to rail through proper arcs, hang in tight pockets, and stay fast and loose through both flat faces and power sections.

We all have to start somewhere, and for our money, it should be on a board that’s tailored towards having fun and progressing quickly in the waves. With a focus on easing the learning curve, this selection of boards is here to ensure you get bitten by the surfing bug. Just know that once it gets you, there is no cure, and it is quite contagious.

Wide and incredibly stable, the Retro PU Longboard is a modern take on an old school design. Thanks to its long parallel rails that create a huge stable platform, this board is an ideal option for those who struggle to stand up on the wave. The long, single concave under the nose boosts lift to prevent torpedoing, and the moderately flat entry rocker results in fast paddling and flowy speed down the line. The 60/40 rails soften the learning curve by confidently gripping the face of the wave and offering smooth off-the-tail turning. For surfers of all sizes and skill levels who value just getting out and gliding along in any conditions, the Retro is hard to beat.

Your favorite surfer’s favorite surfer would agree with these picks. Tried and true, these boards are the cream of the crop when it comes to high-quality craftsmanship and daily-driver versatility. They’re lauded for their gimmick-free focus on more killer and less filler, holding a firm line to surfing’s purist obsession with simply catching the perfect wave every time you paddle out.

Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to the Shuttle. Solid Surf created this quiver-killer board to paddle out as confidently into large breaks as it does into small, mushy waves. This is a great option for those days when you’re not sure what the surf conditions are going to be but are determined to have a blast in whatever waves are on the menu. The do-it-all prowess of the Shuttle comes from its pointed nose and squash tail maintaining speed down the line, while the stable platform and added volume help keep you in the driver’s seat through power sections.

Rocker: The curvature of the bottom of the surfboard from nose to tail. This curvature is meant to mimic the curve of the wave, and the degree to which it’s rockered affects speed, paddling, and responsiveness.

Fins: Hydrofoils at the tail of the surfboard to improve stability and control. Configurations can come as a single, twin, thruster (3 fins), quad (4 fins), or the rarely seen Bonzer (5 fin).

Rails: The outside edge of the surfboard. Fuller rails offer more buoyancy and forgiveness on the wave’s face while tapered rails provide better grip and response for turning. Boards can have rails that vary in thickness from nose to tail for hybrid performance.

Concave: A subtle channel on the bottom of the surfboard that creates a flow of water to increase the board's speed and maneuverability.

Foil: The distribution of thickness and volume in a surfboard. Surfboards are foiled nose to tail and rail to rail.

Volume: The amount of space occupied by the surfboard. It is measured in cubic liters and is determined by width (rail to rail), length (nose to tail), and thickness.

Longboard: Surfboards that are generally over eight feet in length, with wider, rounder noses and a lot more volume. Also known as a “log." Usually the best board for beginner surfers.

Softboard: Surfboards made from a soft foam material with more stability and buoyancy than epoxy surfboards.

Fish: A short, thick, wide board that works well in slow and weak waves.

Groveller: A high-volume shortboard designed to ride very small, weak waves.

Epoxy: A plastic resin used to create surfboards. Its properties create a lightweight, durable, and buoyant design.

Shaper: Someone who creates, designs, and repairs surfboards.

Futures/FCS: A type of fin that is fully removable from the surfboard. FCS stands for “Fin Control System.”

Selecting the right surfboard is essential to progressing your skills and having fun out in the waves. 
The most important factors to consider are your body type, skill level, and wave conditions. We’ll explain how these elements can affect your experience to help guide you in the right direction and get you on your way to catching the perfect wave.

Body type factors such as height, weight, and fitness are crucial aspects to consider when making your decision, especially as it pertains to what volume board to ride. A surfboard’s volume is a measurement calculated by its length, width, and thickness and indicates how buoyant it is—too much volume for lighter body types is difficult to control while too little for heavier types will lead to constant sinking.

Larger riders will generally need a longer board with more volume to support their weight and offer enough stability, while smaller riders can opt for a smaller board with greater maneuverability. Fitness can also play a big role in choosing the right board. If you have more strength, stamina, and flexibility, then it may be easier to paddle out on a smaller and more responsive low-volume board. Conversely, those who lack such fitness might seek out a stable, higher-volume board that’s easier to paddle with better balance and control to help conserve your energy.

For beginners, we recommend starting with a larger and more buoyant board that provides stability and forgiveness. Higher volume boards are easier to paddle and offer more float and stability, making them well-suited for beginners and surfers who don’t have lots of upper body strength. Smaller, lower-volume boards turn faster and with less effort, however they’re not as stable and require more effort to catch waves, making them better for fitter and more experienced surfers. As your ability evolves and you get more experience, you can gradually move on to trying smaller, more maneuverable boards that suit your progressing skills.

Finding the right board also depends on what type of waves you’re going to be surfing. High-volume longboards, grovellers, or fun shapes are best in small, weak, and slow-rolling waves. Mushy medium-sized waves are fun for some longboards, mid-lengths, or fish shapes that let you pump and slash with ease without losing drive. More aggressive and steeper medium- to large-sized waves require a performance or hybrid shortboard that can generate the proper amount of power, speed, and control you need in fast, hollow breaks. Shapes with wider tail areas will perform significantly better in weaker, small waves, while a narrow-tailed board will perform far better in powerful swells.

If you’d like check out these boards in person or get some expert input from our Gearheads to narrow down your choices, we invite you to visit us at any of our Backcountry retail stores. Find the one nearest to you here.

Q: I read the article, but I’m still not sure how to pick the right board for me.

A: It’s very important to have the right kind of surfboard for your body type, ability, and wave conditions. Always keep an eye on the wave report and weather forecast to determine what board to bring, and for first-time surfers, we recommend a board that is softer, longer, and thicker. The extra depth, large platform, and buoyancy of a foam longboard provides more stability and forgiveness than thinner, shorter epoxy boards.

Q: Do I need a wetsuit to surf?

A: If you’re surfing in colder temps or are someone who gets chilly easily, it can be a good idea to wear one. The warmth of a wetsuit is in part determined by the thickness of its neoprene, with suits usually ranging from 0.5 to 6/7 millimeters. To determine what type of wetsuit you might need, the most important factor is the water temperature.

For summer days surfing in warm waters at around 75°F or warmer, you probably don’t need one but could opt for a UV shirt or rashguard. For waters in the 72–75°F range, you’d be comfortable wearing a 0.5–2/1mm neoprene top or shorty. For mild conditions with waters in the 63–68°F range, we recommend a 2mm springsuit or 3/2mm full suit. For nippy spring or fall conditions with 58–63°F temps, you may want a 3/2mm–4/3mm full wetsuit with boots. In cold conditions with 50–57°F temps, you’ll need a 4/3mm–5/4/3mm full wetsuit with boots, gloves, and a hood. And if you’re brave enough to surf conditions like those found on the Great Lakes in the dead of winter with temps 42°F and below, it is strongly recommended you bring a 6/5mm–7mm hooded wetsuit with 7mm+ boots and gloves.

In addition to water temp, it is important to consider air temperature, wind speed, and how much energy you’ll be exerting to determine what type of wetsuit you might need. Every surfer is different, and recommendations vary based on personal preference, so find out what works for you and what additional wetsuit technology might benefit your experience.

Q: What is basic surfing etiquette?

A: Share the wave, respect others in the line-up, and try not to snake or drop-in on someone already surfing a wave. If you’re still unsure, watch and learn from the locals. In most cases, if you ask nicely, they should be happy to help teach a beginner proper surf etiquette. And don’t forget, having fun is priority number one!

Q: How do I determine what fin configuration to use?

A: Check out the bottom of your board and count the number of fin boxes. They will range from 1–5, with the most common configurations being single, twin, thruster, and quad. A single fin offers fast, straight surfing with extra stability and predictability, making it ideal for most beginner boards. Twin or dual fin setups are best used in small-to-medium waves and provide more stability, maneuverability, and speed than single fins. Thruster fin setups are best used in average- to large-sized waves and balance extreme maneuverability with stability for those working on high-performance tricks. A 2+1 setup is similar to a thruster, but instead of using 3 equal-sized fins, the 2+1 uses 2 smaller fins on either side of the center fin. This setup enhances lift, control, and stability and is typically found on longboards. Quad setups are ideal for big, hollow waves, generating high speeds and lightning-fast turns thanks to the lack of a center fin, while also maintaining a better hold on steep faces.