The 7 Best Surfboard Travel Bags for 2025

Our Take: If you had to own 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 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.

The Rhino has 10mm of protective padding and an extra reinforced nose, typically found only on bags twice its price. It effortlessly fits two boards and has enough space to pack some clothes in for extra padding. Even with the shortboard-specific Rhino bag, we could stuff a few wider hybrid-style boards 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 a bigger log overseas.

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Pro-Lite Rhino Shortboard Travel Surfboard Bag - $230+
Pro-Lite Rhino Fish/Hybrid/Big Short Travel Surfboard Bag - $234+
Pro-Lite Rhino Longboard Travel Surfboard Bag - $270+

Dakine Regulator - $350.00+

"Latest construction & colorway"

Our Take: For surfers who need maximum protection for multiple boards, the Dakine Regulator Triple Travel Surfboard Bag is a top-tier choice. Designed to carry up to three surfboards, this bag features 10mm of closed-cell foam padding throughout and 14mm of padding on the ends, ensuring your boards stay safe from dings and pressure damage during travel. The durable 600D polyester material and heat-reflective energy field bottom add extra resilience against wear and tear, while the reinforced nose and tail provide additional impact protection. Two padded board dividers are included as well. 

Equipped with heavy-duty YKK zippers, padded carrying handles, and a removable shoulder strap, the Regulator is built for durability and ease of transport. The internal compression straps keep your boards secure and prevent shifting during transit. Whether you're packing for a long-haul surf trip or a weekend getaway, the Dakine Regulator Triple is a reliable and well-padded option that will keep your gear safe.

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Dakine Regulator Triple Travel Surfboard Bag - $350.00+

VEIA 3/2 Convertible - $289.95+

"Best specialized option"

Our Take: John John Florence’s new line of VEIA products has become a quick hit, specifically his 3/2 Convertible Travel bag, which is quickly climbing the ranks as one of our best-selling options. The bag is chock full of thoughtful features made from high-quality materials. As the name suggests, it’s made to safely carry 2-3 surfboards.

Something to note is the Multiband Outer Loop, which has multiple handles for grabbing. JJF even made the top grab handles red so they were obvious to baggage handlers. Another unique selling point is the rockered shape, which is only found in VEIA bags. This shape better accommodates boards than competitor bags by reducing the pressure points on the nose of the board. 

The 3/2 Convertible also includes the industry standards of a padded shoulder strap and durable YKK zippers. In addition, the end caps are reinforced with extra padding and plastic. The inside mesh pocket is perfect for that pair of wet board shorts or rashguard, while the zippered pocket on the outside is home for your fins, wax, and other smaller surf accessories. Interested in a VEIA travel bag that holds 4 surfboards? Check out the 4 Board Travel Surfboard Bag.

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VEIA 3/2 Convertible Travel Surfboard Bag - $259.95+

FCS Travel Series - $274.00+

"Heavy duty construction"

Our Take: 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. They make excellent double and triple bags called Travel 2 and Travel 3. Both are nearly identical except for the fact that they hold only 2 and 3 boards, respectively, and have 10mm of padding with 5mm extra in the nose.

The FCS Travel bags are built to last because they are 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. 

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FCS Travel 2 All Purpose Cover Travel Surfboard Bag - $274+
FCS Travel 2 Funboard Travel Surfboard Bag - $286.00+
FCS Travel 3 All-Purpose Travel Surfboard Bag - $360.00

Channel Islands Traveler - $230.00+

"Best secure, slim fit"

Our Take: Designed for surfers who demand premium protection and functionality, the Channel Islands Traveler Travel Surfboard Bag is built to keep your boards safe no matter the destination. This bag comfortably holds two to three surfboards, depending on the model. 10mm of closed-cell foam padding throughout shields against dings, pressure dents, and airline handling.

The Traveler bag features padded dividers to keep boards separated, internal compression straps to minimize movement, and an expandable gusset for extra storage when needed. Heavy-duty YKK zippers and reinforced nose and tail panels add to its durability, while the ergonomic shoulder strap and grab handles make carrying a breeze. Whether you're jetting off on a surf trip or road-tripping to your next session, the Channel Islands Traveler is a top-tier choice for surfers who need a reliable, high-quality travel bag.

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Channel Islands Traveler Single/Double Shortboard Travel Surfboard Bag - $230.00
Channel Islands Traveler Single/Double Hybrid Travel Surfboard Bag - $300.00
Channel Islands Traveler Tripple Travel Surfboard Bag - $330.00

Pro-Lite Finless Coffin - $320.00+

"Best full zip option"

Our Take: 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. 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 open it fully. 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 double and triple/quad models; the only difference is that the triple version has a separate light day bag.

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Pro-Lite Finless Coffin Double Travel Surfboard Bag - $320.00+
Pro-Lite Finless Coffin Triple Travel Surfboard Bag - $352.00+

Db Surf Pro 3-4 Coffin - $499.00+

"Best variety of features"

Our Take: Working directly with professional surfer Jordy Smith, the DB team created the Surf Pro bag that not only guarantees the protection of your gear but also takes into account the other elements of travel, such as storage and mobility. This 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 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 its patented hook system, which 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. 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 Surf Pro is an absolute luxury in the world of surf and travel. 

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DB Surf Pro 3-4 Coffin Travel Surfboard Bag - $499.00
DB Surf Pro 3-4 Coffin Mid-Length Travel Surfboard Bag - $549.00

Honorable Mentions

Pro-Lite Smuggler $270.00+: The Pro-Lite Smuggler is a great option for short boarders who want strong protection and high-end features like the sneaky hidden third board slot. If you’re looking for a board bag with a strong reputation, the Smuggler is a great choice.

ROAM Tech Double Slim $175.00+: This is another board bag worth mentioning due to its bang-for-buck quality. It has 10mm of high-density padding and a reinforced nose/tail section. With these features alone, you’re getting your money's worth.

Surfboard Travel Bag Comparison

Surfboard Travel Bag FAQ 

How big should my surfboard travel bag be? 

Picking the right surfboard travel bag is key to having a fun trip. It is important to get something with a balance of fit and storage. If your bag is too big, it defeats the purpose of protecting your board. If the bag is too small, you won’t have any room to store accessories or add extra padding.

How to pack a surfboard for travel? 

Pack your surfboard in the bag and remove any sharp objects that could damage it. If necessary, add extra padding, such as Flexi-Hex, around the surfboard. Make sure the extra space is filled with a towel or some swim gear so there is no additional open space, which makes a weak point. Make sure the tip and tail of your board have added protection.  

What is the travel bag size limit?

Travel bags are built for any type of board, ranging from Shortboards to Longboards. It is best to size slightly up when choosing a bag. That way, you have a little extra space for additional padding and accessories. It is key to check with the Airline you will be flying with before purchasing a bag. Most airlines only allow surfboards in the 115 linear inch range (width+height+length). So, in reality, traveling with a 7-foot board is pushing the limits.

Relevant Blogs We've Written

• Introducing Flexi-Hex. Flexi-Hex is a game changer when it comes to shipping or traveling with a surfboard safely. We use Flexi-Hex on our surfboard shipments.

• Pro-Lite Smuggler Series Travel Bag -The Pro-Lite Smuggler is a top seller at Cleanline and has some really unique features.

• How to Size a Surfboard Bag - Offers detailed advice on sizing a surfboard bag by brand.

• What to pack? Surf Trip Essentials - The surf trip realm offers everything, including many innovative products.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right surfboard travel bag is essential for keeping your boards safe and making your trips hassle-free. Whether you need the heavy-duty protection of the Dakine Regulator Triple, the lightweight durability of the Channel Islands Traveler, or the versatile storage of the DB Surf Pro Coffin, there’s a perfect option for every type of surfer.

Each bag is designed to protect your quiver from dings, heat damage, and rough handling, ensuring you arrive at your destination ready to surf. No matter where your next surf trip takes you, investing in a high-quality surfboard travel bag will give you peace of mind and let you focus on what really matters—scoring epic waves.

If you have any questions about a specific surfboard bag, you can always call us at 1-888-546-6176, drop a comment below, or send an email to support@cleanlinesurf.com

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