5 Best Surfboard Day Bags for 2024

Day bags are worth the extra cash for a few reasons. Aside from protecting your board from minor dings, scratches, and the sun, they also make it easy to carry your board and extra gear to and from the surf. We stock over 40 surfboard day bags, and after receiving input from both employees and customers, we've compiled a list of the 5 best options for 2024. These bags will keep your board safe, so you’re not stuck doing ding repairs when you could be surfing.

Surfboard Day Bags Reviewed

• Octopus - Daily Grinder Shortboard Bag - $80+
• Dakine - Daylight Surfboard Bag - $85+
• Pro-Lite - Recession Surfboard Bag - $86+
• FCS - Classic Surfboard Bag - $114+
• Pro-Lite - Session Surfboard Bag - $118+

What is a Surfboard Day Bag?

A day bag is a lightweight cover for your surfboard. For the most part, these bags offer more protection than a board sock but are usually not enough for flying. A day bag is ideal for someone to throw their board in or on their car to ensure it stays protected. If you need a bag to withstand the abuse of airline travel, check out our review of The 7 Best Travel Bags.

Boards come in all shapes and sizes, and many bags are available in different cuts to accommodate shortboard, fish/hybrid, and longboard shapes. These bags are listed with the simplest and lightest options first.

Octopus Daily Grinder Day Surfboard Bag - $80+

“The Perfect First Surfboard Bag”

For surfers on a budget looking for a streamlined, low-profile surfboard bag, the Daily Grinder from the folks at Octopus is the perfect choice. The bag comes equipped with a durable tarpaulin bag and is reinforced with 3mm padding. The thinner padding makes this bag perfect for those who want extra protection for maybe those secret surf spots that require a bit of a hike to reach.

The Octopus Daily Grinder bag comes in 4 different sizes and is suited more for performance shortboards. The max width on this bag is only 22”, so if you have a wider board, such as a fish or wide groveller, then you may want to consider some of our other great bags on this list!

Highlights and Features

• 3mm foam padding 
• Splash Proof Tarpaulin material
• Adjustable shoulder strap 
• Interior Fin Pocket
• Sizes: 5’8” - 6’8”

Shop By Model

Octopus Daily Grinder Shortboard Bag - $80+

Dakine Daylight Surfboard Bag - $85+

“The Most Protection”

The Dakine Daylight is definitely one of the plushest bags on this list. The strap, handle, and bag have more foam padding than your average day bag. Like many bags on this list, it has a wax/fin compartment and a reinforced nose area.

We like that Dakine made this bag in an all-white option (except for two small sections). White reflects more light than any other color and absorbs less solar heat, so the bag stays cooler. That makes sense, and I wonder why more bags aren’t white.

Dakine lists this bag at ¼” padding, which equals about 6mm of padding. The Daylight is the one bag on this list that, in a bind, you could probably fly with on a shorter trip to Hawaii or Mexico and be alright. The fit of this bag is a little more forgiving, and the shortboard version will fit most wider “hybrid-style” boards.

Highlights and Features

• 6mm foam padding
• Reinforced nose
• Stash pocket
• Removable shoulder strap
• Shortboard, Hybrid, Longboard
• Sizes: 6’0 - 11'0

Shop By Model

Dakine Daylight Thruster Day Surfboard Bag - $85+
Dakine Daylight Hybrid Day Surfboard Bag - $90+
Dakine Daylight Noserider Day Surfboard Bag - $125+

Pro-Lite Resession Surfboard Bag - $86

“For the Surfer on the Go”

The Pro-Lite Resession was created with the tightly budgeted surfer in mind. A common mistake for many new surfers is to purchase a new board but skimp out on getting a day bag. This can leave your equipment at greater risk of dings and other damage. With 3mm of padding and an ultralight design, you’ll be thankful for dishing out the extra bit of cash to keep your stick in good condition. 

The Resession has the features you need in a day bag and none that you don’t. With a reinforced nose and sturdy non-corrosive zippers, the Resession is durably built. Weighing in at 3 pounds, the Recession’s comfortable shoulder strap makes the trek to your favorite spot easier than ever. One of the best features of the bag is the velcro carry strap that tucks easily into the pouch on the bag alongside your wax, extra fins, or favorite snack. 

This day bag is available in shortboard, fish/hybrid, and longboard models ranging from 5’10 to 10’0 in length. While this is made for a single board, you won’t have any trouble fitting different models due to the hybrid shapes. Snag the Pro-Lite Resession for your next long trek.

Highlights and Features

• 3mm foam padding
• Ultra Lightweight
• Ergonomic shoulder strap
• Molded non-corrosive zippers
• Sizes: 5’10 - 10’0

Shop By Model

Pro-Lite Resession Shortboard Day Surfboard Bag - $86+
Pro-Lite Resession Fish/Hybrid/Big Short Day Surfboard Bag - $99+
Pro-Lite Resession Lite Longboard Day Surfboard Bag - $116+

FCS Classic Surfboard Bag - $114+

“Lightweight and Comfortable”

The FCS Classic Surfboard Cover protects your board from wear and tear and heat. This bag uses 5mm of high-density padding for protection against dings while transporting to and from your surf mission. In addition, the tarpee material reflects heat to keep your board cool. The FCS Classic Cover also comes with an ergonomic shoulder strap and is made of lightweight materials to keep your treks as comfortable as possible. 

The FCS Classic Surfboard Cover is great for day-to-day use when you throw your board in or on top of your car to get to your next session. We highly recommend this day bag for people in warmer climates, such as southern California or Florida.

Highlights and Features

• 5mm foam padding
• Heat reflective material
• Ergonomic shoulder strap
• Funboard and Longboard
• Sizes: 6'0 - 9’6

Shop By Model

FCS Classic Funboard Cover Day Surfboard Bag - $118+
FCS Classic Longboard Cover Day Surfboard Bag - $152+

Pro-Lite Session Surfboard Day Bag - $118+

“Best All-Around Bag”

The Session is Pro-Lite’s top day bag and the shop favorite. Starting with the padding, the Session has a thicker 5mm of foam around it with durable ripstop nylon on top. Day bags can have a long life but usually are retired after a series of rips, so the ripstop is a standout feature. There’s a shoulder strap for easy transporting and a stash pocket where you can store the strap, a bar or two of wax, and some extra fins.

Like all Pro-Lite bags, the zipper is sturdy and smooth. Reinforced padding around the zipper fixture protects the board’s rail from the zipper. The bottom of the bag has a vent and heat-resistant material to keep it cool and ensure the wax stays on your board.

These bags do last a long time, and it’s not uncommon for employees or customers to bring in Pro-Lite bags that have lasted well over a decade. The Session is available in shortboard, fish/hybrid, and longboard models.

Highlights and Features

• 5mm foam padding
• Removable shoulder strap
• Shortboard, Fish/Hybrid, Longboard
• Stash pocket
• Sizes: 5’10 - 11’0

Shop By Model

Pro-Lite Session Shortboard Day Surfboard Bag - $118+
Pro-Lite Session Fish/Hybrid/Big Short Day Surfboard Bag - $131+
Pro-Lite Session Longboard Day Surfboard Bag - $150+

Relevant Blogs We've Written

• How To Size A Surfboard Bag
• Best Fish and Hybrid Surfboard Bags of 2023
• The 7 Best Surfboard Travel Bags For 2024
• Best Shortboard Surfboard Bags of 2024
• Pro-Lite Smuggler Travel Bag Review
• Best Surfboard Car Racks, Pads, and Straps

Final Thoughts

All in all, surfboard day bags are an essential piece of equipment for every surfer to have. With the right gear and supplies, you'll be able to chase that perfect wave at any given time. Whether your needs require a budget-friendly option like the Octopus Daily Grinder or something more substantial like the Pro-Lite Session series, finding the technology and features that best suit your budget is possible and affordable. Your board is an investment that deserves protection from the elements, and these trusty bags will make sure of that. So what are you waiting for - what day bag suits your needs?

If our top 5 picks don’t fit your needs, check out all of Cleanline Surf’s current stock of bags through the link below. Or feel free to give our team a call at 888-546-6176, drop a comment below, or shoot us an email at support@cleanlinesurf.com