Molly Lockwood
Molly Lockwood is a writer, photographer, and founder of women's surf magazine Sea Maven. Her work has also been featured in The Inertia, among other publications.
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No surfer’s quiver is complete without a soft top—or foamie, as the catch-all genre of foam boards are often called. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or a beginner setting foot in sea for the first time, there’s something about a soft top surfboard that lends itself to creativity, inspiration, and pure stoke.
The wide array of riding styles espoused by soft top enthusiasts has led to an explosion of options on the market, with a growing trend of premium soft tops making the case that foamies are in fact fun for everyone.
To dive into the question of who makes the best soft top surfboard we tapped surf journalist Molly Lockwood, along with a number of other lifelong surfers in the Field Mag fam. So grab your favorite board shorts, swimsuit or bikini, and read on for a proper guide to soft top surfboards, including our top 7 picks for the best foam surfboards for any and skill levels. (Sorry SUP bros, no paddle boards here btw.)
Why Get a Foam Surfboard?
Because foamies are all about fun and catching waves, waves, waves. They’re an invitation to not take yourself so seriously—and a great way to turn small waves into so much more.
On a soft top, you’ve got more buoyancy, improved paddling speed, less risk of damage or injury, and more freedom to go over the falls once in a while. They float like boats and increase your wave-catching power. Less precision, more experimentation. Less paddling, more waves. Less pressure, more fun. Isn’t that what surfing is all about?
Construction Types: Foamie vs. Soft Top
All foamies are soft tops, but not all soft tops are foamies. Both are typically made from expanded polystyrene (EPS foam), a lighter, more buoyant material than the polyurethane (PU) foam used in most traditional surfboards. Like hard fiberglass surfboards, soft tops often feature a wood stringer at the core for greater structural strength. The outer layer is where the distinctions begin.
Foamies, the gentle, cushiony surfboards evolved from boogie boards, are topped with an additional layer of foam material. As soft top technology has evolved, a new class of hybrid-style boards have emerged that replace the mushy foam deck with a thin layer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or epoxy resin. This allows for more advanced design and maneuverability without sacrificing the easygoing, fun-forward characteristics of the soft top.
Which Surfboard Is Right For You?
Foamies are typically favored for beginners thanks to the safety factor, stability, simplicity, and durability, while surfers looking to level up their technique or experiment with new styles will generally prefer the hybrid soft top models.
Maintenance and Repair
The ability of soft tops to take a beating is part of their appeal. Soft tops don’t need to be babied like traditional boards, but taking care to wipe off sand and dirt, giving them a fresh water rinse after use, and keeping them out of direct sunlight will extend their lifespan (yes, that means not leaving them in your car!).
If you’re surfing your soft top to its fullest potential—or just unlucky—damage is inevitable. Be warned that most ding repair kits aren’t made for soft foam material, so first and foremost, follow the manufacturer’s instructions when your soft top needs a tuneup. Stay away from products like Solarez and Spongerez as these are laden with chemicals that can destroy your foam. A tube of Gorilla Glue or a hot glue gun are soft-top-safe options that can work wonders. If you’re really in a pinch, seal the cracks with some surf wax or duct tape and get back out there.
To Wax or Not to Wax?
Whether or not you wax your soft top often comes down to personal preference and your board’s deck material, as some boards are specifically designed to be used without wax. Check the specs first. For me, applying a little fresh wax before paddling out is a ritual that borders on superstition. I rarely go wax-free. If you’re on the fence, it doesn’t hurt to stick a sliver of wax in your wetsuit or boardies just in case.
The 7 Best Soft Top Surfboards Available Right Now
Best Soft Top Surfboard: Wavestorm 8ft Classic
No soft top guide is complete without a nod to the original, the classic, the board nearly every surfer has history with: the venerable Wavestorm. Though some argue the Costco-exclusive Gerry Lopez Soft Surfboard—designed by Mr. Pipeline himself—is the best budget board these days, the Wavestorm's broad availability and storied history keep it top of the list for us. This board is a great all-around soft top for any conditions and all ability levels. It’s stable and buoyant without being unmanageably large. Though it may lack the advanced features of some higher-tier boards and won’t be quite as long-lasting, you really can’t go wrong with one of these if you’re looking for a low-cost entry point to surfing.
Price: $235
Construction: True foamie
Available Lengths: 8’
Fin Setup: Screw-through thruster
Best For Beginners: Liquid Shredder EZ-Slider
We searched far and wide to find the ultimate beginner surfboard, and one stood out from all the rest: the humble yet excellent Liquid Shredder (as seen atop this article as ridden by Benny's Club co-founder Momo Otani-Hudes). Designed with the beginner experience in mind, this foamie is exceedingly even-keeled and forgiving. It catches waves with ease and provides a stable platform for learning to get to your feet. With safe, flexible screw-through fins and an included leash, it’s the full package. This is a first board you can be proud of and keep in your quiver for years to come.
Price: $299
Construction: True Foamie
Available Lengths: 7’, 8’, 9’
Fin Setup: Screw-through thruster
Most Sustainable & Best Soft Top Upgrade: Almond R-Series
Pushing the definition of a “soft top” is Almond, the hip, Costa Mesa, CA-based maker of attractive custom surfboards that in 2018 introduced surfing’s first recyclable, USA-made foamie in the R-Series—and helped change the understanding of what a soft top surfboard could be and do. Now driving the burgeoning trend of premium soft tops with five distinct shapes/sizes ranging from a 9’2 log to a 5’4 fun board, the R-Series claims “low maintenance, high-performance” with rugged (and strikingly black) high density closed-cell foam construction, “real” rounded rails, universal fin boxes, and a textured deck pad that doesn’t require wax.
Price: $399 - $699
Construction: High density closed-cell foam with traction no wax-deck pad
Available Lengths: 5’4, 6’4, 8’0, 9’2
Fin Setup: Universal single fin, thruster, and quad
Best Foam Shortboard: Catch Surf Bandit
The Jamie O'Brien designed Odysea line has long been a favorite of mine—and I'm not alone. For their innovative designs Catch Surf has inspired a cult following of surfers loyal to the foam. Field Mag Founder Graham Hiemstra rocks a Blank Series thruster at Rockaway Beach in NYC, whereas my go-to in SoCal is the fish tail Bandit. With ample volume and a sleek design, it’s a stable and versatile option perfect for those looking to transition to a shorter board.
Price: $333
Construction: True foamie
Available Lengths: 5’6, 6’0, 6’6
Fin Setup: Screw-through thruster or quad
Best Foam Midlength: INT Classic
The Oceanside, CA-made INT 7’ Classic surfboard is midlength perfection. It hits the subtle sweet spot between easy paddling and high shredability that advanced surfers covet and beginners can use to fast-track their learning. With an emphasis on high grade materials and quality construction, this board is a strong contender for the best overall softop. Go for the upgraded version with Futures fin boxes instead of the included plastic fins for a customizable experience. And if you’re just getting started or a midlength doesn’t suit your fancy, opt for one of the larger sizes.
Price: $484-504
Construction: True foamie
Available Lengths: 7’, 8’, 9’
Fin Setup: Futures fin boxes or standard plastic fins
Best Soft Top Longboard: Crime Involvement Single Fin
Known for quality craftsmanship that’s built to last, Crime surfboards are on par with traditional boards performance-wise while maintaining the creativity of soft top culture. The unique design combines high-grade, epoxy-glassed materials with a textured foam top layer that eliminates the need for wax. Throw in conventional fins and you’re in for a soft top experience unlike any other. The Involvement Single Fin is a gorgeous old-school log with a modern twist. Whether you’re posting up on the nose, throwing sweeping cutbacks, or just learning the ropes, this is a compelling choice at a competitive price point for true longboards.
Price: $850
Construction: Hybrid epoxy glass with foam skin
Available Lengths: 9’1, 9’4, 9’8
Fin Setup: Standard single fin
Favorite of The Cool Kids: 88 Surfboards
With Hollywood celebs and surf industry hotshots backing 88, it’s easily the most buzzy board brand on the list. The elusive Australian brand encourages riders to do a lot more than just stand on its boards: lie, kneel, sit, spin, downward dog—maybe even go finless and slide around willy-nilly. They don’t have a website, but their Vimeo channel is fully stocked and endlessly entertaining. But finding one isn’t easy—without a network of dealers, one must slide into the DMs of @88surfboards on Instagram to source a board.
Price: $400-600
Construction: True foamie
Available Lengths: Inquire with dealer
Fin Setup: Inquire with dealer
Soft Top Pros and Cons
Accessibility
My first board was a Wavestorm that I shared (reluctantly) with my brother. We braved Northern California’s frigid waters sans wetsuits and took turns paddling out for a wave, each shouting at the other in vain to come in when their time was up. It cost us a grand total of $150 and a tank of gas to get into surfing. No instructors, no tropical vacations, no current-season gear, no pro model accessories or wave pools—just a couple of teenagers and an empty, blown-out beach break, as nature intended.
Soft tops are easy to come by, affordable, and user-friendly. They show beginners the joy of surfing, and that is a beautiful thing.
Etiquette
With great paddle power comes great responsibility. Thanks to your run-of-the-mill superstore stocking cheap soft tops left and right, more people than ever before are empowered to take up surfing, and thus opting into the responsibilities all surfers share: most importantly, respecting the ocean and one another. Regardless of what kind of board you're on, the same rules apply to all. (i.e. Don't drop-in on someone who has the right of way. And if you get in someone's path, apologize and keep it moving.)
New surfers should always do their research, and salty veterans would do well to offer a kind word of advice to those running afoul of lineup rules. It's important to go out with someone who possessed knowledge of the local breaks, or at the least the ocean in general. Among the many reasons to support your local surf shop, employees should be able to point beginners in the right direction on which rental to get, what to wear, and where to go. And if you're beyond renting and looking to buy, we highly recommend finding a quality retailer or going second-hand whenever investing in a new board, foam or otherwise.
Finally, when it comes to deciding where to surf your soft top, go where the other soft toppers are. And always remember, foamies may be fun but the ocean is a terrifying place, so keep your wits about you, use the buddy system, and don’t push your luck in conditions beyond your skill level.
Sustainability
Like most surfboards, soft tops have a significant environmental impact. Toxic chemicals, emissions, and non-biodegradable waste are all byproducts of the manufacturing process. Alternatives to non-renewable materials are few and far between (though a few companies, like Almond, do offer an in-house recycling program for their soft tops).
One way to mitigate your ecological footprint is to consider the complete product lifecycle. Buying used is a good place to start, and options are abundant: sites like Craigslist, OfferUp, and Facebook Marketplace flood with barely-used soft tops every summer and fall.
Pick a new or used soft top that lasts and treat it well. Splurging a bit on quality can save you money in the long run while preventing another cheap, waterlogged foamie from heading to the landfill. And when you’re ready to move on, donating your once-loved soft top to a community organization like Laru Beya, Benny's Club, STOKED, or Ebony Beach Club is a great way to give your board a new life while contributing to a more diverse surf culture.
What is a soft top surfboard?
A soft top surfboard is perfect for beginners and casual surfers. It features a foam deck that provides extra buoyancy and a forgiving surface, making it safer and easier to ride. Unlike traditional hard-top boards (made of hardened fiberglass and resin coating a foam core), soft tops are more durable and less prone to damage, ideal for learning and generally safer for the lineup (taking a foamie to the head or body after bailing a wave is considerably less dangerous).
How to wax a soft top surfboard:
1. Choose the Right Wax: Select a wax suitable for the water temperature you'll be surfing in. The right wax will get more tacky and sticky in the right water temp.2. Clean the Board: Ensure the board is clean and dry before applying wax.Apply a Base Coat: On a soft top I apply with in initial crosshatch pattern on the majority of the top including an outline on the rails. Using a circular motion I fill in the base coat especially paying attention where my hands and feet will be placed.3. Apply a Top Coat: Apply a top coat of wax over the base coat, using the same circular motion for even coverage.4. Check and Reapply: Check the wax regularly and reapply as needed to maintain grip. I often do a few stripes or swirls of wax before each surf.
How to remove wax from soft top surfboard:
Warm the Wax: Leave the board in the sun or use a hairdryer to soften the wax. If using a hairdryer be careful to only use "Warm" setting and not focus the heat in any one spot for too long—keep it moving in circular motions to avoid overheating and accidentally separating the foam board's lamination. Scrape Off Wax: Use a plastic scraper, an old credit card, or even a rough rag to gently remove the softened wax. Always be gentle to avoid damaging the foam surface.Clean Residue: Wipe the board with a rag and a bit of surfboard cleaner or warm water with mild soap.Rinse and Dry: Rinse with water and let the foam surface dry completely.
