Comparing Soft Top Vs. Hard Top Surfboard
What Are the Differences Between a Soft Top Surfboard Vs. Hard Top Surfboard?
Surfing is a popular sport that has captivated thrill seekers and nature lovers alike. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced surfer, choosing the right board can be the difference between an enjoyable ride and a wipeout. When comparing between a soft top vs. hard top surfboard, understanding the pros and cons of each type is essential to finding the best fit for your individual needs.
For those looking to take their surfing to the next level, this article will provide an overview of both types of boards, as well as insight into what materials are used, and why each should be considered. So let’s dive in and explore how soft top and hard top surfboards differ – and which one could be just right for you!
Overview of Soft Top Surfboard
Soft top surfboards are an excellent choice for beginners, as they provide a greater degree of safety and stability than their hard top counterparts. Although they may not be quite as fast or responsive as hard top models, soft top boards can provide an ideal entry point into surfing for those just starting out.
Advantages of Soft Top Surfboards
Soft top surfboards offer a number of advantages to novice surfers. Perhaps the most significant benefit is the added safety and stability they provide compared to hard top models.
The foam material used in their construction is often covered with a rubber surface, providing extra grip and cushioning should you wipe out. As well as this, these boards are generally more buoyant than hard tops, making them easier to paddle and helping to prevent fatigue.
They are also less likely to cause injury if contact is made with another surfer or object, reducing the risk of serious injury during a crash. Additionally, soft top boards tend to be more affordable than their hard top counterparts, making them an ideal choice for those on a budget who still want to enjoy the thrill of surfing.
Disadvantages of Soft Top Surfboards
Soft top surfboards can be an excellent choice for novice surfers, but they come with a few drawbacks. Firstly, soft tops tend to lack the durability of hard top models; the foam construction can be easily damaged by rocks, coral, or other sharp objects in the water.
As well as this, due to their more buoyant nature, soft top boards require more energy when paddling and can lack speed. Additionally, as these boards are normally quite wide and thick, maneuverability is often reduced compared to hard top models.
Finally, if you’re looking for a board that will perform well in small waves or during aerial maneuvers such as airs and floaters then a hard top board may be preferable.
Materials Used in Soft Top Surfboards
Soft top surfboards are constructed from a foam core, usually made from either expanded polystyrene (EPS) or extruded polystyrene (XPS). The foam core is then covered with a textured soft material such as EVA or Diamond-Grip which provides grip and traction for the surfer.
EPS boards tend to be lighter weight than XPS boards and offer more buoyancy, making them great for novice surfers. On the other hand, XPS boards offer superior durability and strength compared to their EPS counterparts.
The deck of the board is then finished with a waterproof coating to help repel water and increase the lifespan of the board. Soft top surfboards provide excellent value when compared to their hard top counterparts and can be an ideal option for those just starting out in surfing.
Reasons to Get a Soft Top Surfboard
Getting a soft top surfboard is a great choice for beginners and intermediate surfers who want to have fun in the water without sacrificing safety. Unlike traditional fiberglass boards, soft top surfboards are made with a foam core that provides a more forgiving ride, reducing the risk of injury when falling. They are also more buoyant, making it easier to catch waves and learn new moves.
Additionally, soft top surfboards are typically more affordable than their traditional counterparts, making them a great option for anyone looking to get into surfing without breaking the bank. Overall, if you want to have a blast in the water while staying safe and saving money, getting a soft top surfboard is definitely worth considering.
Overview of Hard Top Surfboards
A hard top surfboard is a traditional surfboard with a solid, rigid deck. This type of board has been around for decades and is the most common type of surfboard in use today.
They tend to be much faster than soft top boards making them ideal for advanced surfers looking to take on higher level waves. A hard top surfboard is the perfect choice for anyone looking to take their surfing skills to the next level.
Advantages of Hard Top Surfboards
Hard top surfboards have become an increasingly popular choice among experienced and novice surfers alike due to their superior performance in the water. With their high-performance materials, such as fiberglass, polyester resin, polyurethane foam, or epoxy resin, hard top boards are designed for tight turns and quick response time when riding waves.
Not only do they offer better protection against sun, wind, and saltwater exposure than soft top boards, making them more durable and reliable, but hard tops also provide maximum durability and performance for advanced techniques such as airs and carves. In addition to this, hard top surfboards are less likely to succumb to damage from impact with rocks or other objects while surfing.
So if you’re looking to take your surfing skills to the next level with a board that won’t let you down even in the most challenging conditions, then a hard top surfboard is definitely the way to go!
Disadvantages of Hard Top Surfboards
Hard top surfboards may boast superior performance and maximum durability, but they also come with a few drawbacks for the surfer. One of the main disadvantages of hard top boards is their weight. Made from heavy-duty materials such as fiberglass, polyester resin, polyurethane foam, or epoxy resin, these boards are much heavier than soft top boards, making them more difficult to transport and maneuver in the water.
Additionally, hard tops can be harder on your body due to their rigid construction. The lack of flex in these boards means that you’ll feel every bump and wave more intensely than with a softer board, which can lead to aches and pains after a long day of surfing.
Finally, hard top boards tend to be much more expensive than soft tops due to their advanced materials and construction methods – something to consider if you’re shopping for a new board on a budget.
All things considered, while hard tops do offer excellent performance capabilities for experienced surfers, there are some definite drawbacks to consider before investing in one of these boards.
Materials Used in Hard Top Surfboards
Hard top surfboards are typically made with a variety of high-performance materials for durability, performance, and aesthetics. The most common materials used in hard top construction include fiberglass, polyester resin, polyurethane foam, and epoxy resin.
Fiberglass is the most popular choice due to its strength and lighter weight, allowing for better maneuverability in the water. Polyester resin is used for lamination and as a bonding agent between layers of fiberglass. Polyurethane foam acts as an insulator inside the board while epoxy resin provides a strong waterproof sealant between the layers of fiberglass.
Each material has its own unique properties which help contribute to the overall performance of the board when in use.
Reasons to Get a Hard Top Surfboard
A hard top surfboard is a great investment for anyone who loves surfing. They are made of durable materials which ensures that they last for a long time. Unlike the soft top surfboards, hard top surfboards come with better build quality which makes it easier for surfers to enjoy the waves.
They also provide better support, stability, and maneuverability which makes them suitable for surfing in all types of conditions. Additionally, they are more responsive which allows surfers to catch waves with less effort. So, if you are an avid surfer, it is highly recommended that you invest in a hard top surfboard to enhance your surfing experience.
Take Your Surfing To The Next Level
Surfing is an exhilarating and rewarding activity that can provide a sense of freedom, challenge, and connection with the ocean. But to get the most out of your surfing experience, you need the right equipment and guidance.
The decision between a soft top and a hard top surfboard depends on your skill level, surf conditions, and personal preference. Each type of surfboard has its advantages and disadvantages. Whether you go for a soft top or hard top surfboard, what’s most important is that you enjoy the thrill of surfing and have fun out on the water.
Here at Pacific Surf School in San Diego, we are dedicated to helping surfers enhance their skills out on the water. We offer everything from private, semi-private, and group surf lessons, to surf camps and skate camps. Surf rentals are also available to those who need gear!
Choose from a variety of picturesque locations along the west coast in San Diego, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, Huntington Beach, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and Santa Cruz. No matter where you choose to surf, our team will be ready to help you catch more waves.
Contact us today to book your surf lesson and come surf with us! We look forward to seeing you out on the waves!
So it’s decided – today’s the day – you’re going to start surfing. Go you! Now all that’s left to do is work out which surfboard to choose. As you already know, there are lots of different shapes and sizes – and even big differences in construction, like whether the surfboard is a soft top (made out of foam) or a hard top (which can be made out of a few different materials).
In this article we’ll break down the pros and cons of each surfboard type, and give you some pointers and tips on choosing the right hard or soft surfboard for you.
Soft Top Surfboards
Softboards – sometimes affectionately known as ‘foamies’ – are as the name implies; soft and made out of foam. If you’ve tried surfing before, chances are it was a foamie as these are the most common type of beginner’s surfboard.
Why Choose a Softboard?
There are a number of reasons you may want a soft surfboard to be your first purchase. In our experience there are three main pros to factor into your decision-making:
1. Volume & Buoyancy
You probably know that surfboard volume and buoyancy are important factors in finding the right surfboard for you. You can read more about this topic in another article we wrote: How To Calculate My Surfboard’s Volume. Basically, a soft surfboard’s large volume plays an important part in helping beginner surfers learn to balance on the board. The foam material adds extra buoyancy which can make it easier for beginner surfers to paddle and ultimately catch a wave.
2. Less Chance of Getting Hurt
It’s no surprise that being hit in the face with your surfboard after being rolled by a wave can hurt. A lot. With a foam surfboard, your risk of injury is lower as the board is softer. This means when you collide with the board the hits are padded so you won’t get hurt as much compared with a hard surfboard. This will also benefit the surfers around you (especially as you learn surf etiquette).
3. The Cost
As foamies are mostly used by beginner surfers and are usually a ‘gateway board’ to your life in surfing, soft surfboards are generally affordably priced. It would be unusual to find a softboard priced higher than performance shortboards, for example. Click here to see a range of softboards and their prices.
The Cons of Buying a Soft Top Surfboard
With every upside, there are of course downsides – and that’s also true of buying soft surfboards. Here are some of the reasons a soft top might not be the best choice for you:
1. Softboards are Big.. Can You Lift Them?
A softboard is one of the heaviest surfboards out of all the boards you buy so you’ll have to consider if you are capable of carrying the board on your own and where you will store it when you’re out of the water. The best thing to do is find your nearest surf shop and see for yourself. All surfboard shops will be happy to let you try and lift a surfboard before you buy it.
2. How Will You Transport Your Foamie?
Beyond being heavy, softboards are pretty darn bulky too. If you’re not in walking distance to your favourite beach and have a smaller car, you may need to invest in a roof rack to be able to transport your foam surfboard. It will be a tight squeeze trying to fit one of these in hatchback sized cars and even some saloons.
Hard Top Surfboards
We’ve evaluated why buying a soft top surfboard may be your best option when beginning your surfing journey, now let’s have a look at hard surfboards.
Different Types of Hard Surfboards
1. Polyester Surfboards
This is the most common type of hard surfboard construction. Polyester surfboards have a core made of polyurethane foam, or PU, with a wooden stinger in the middle. The core is covered by fiberglass and impregnated with polyester resin.
The manufacturing process of polyester surfboards is very manual and – although larger factories use a machine to perform the first stage of the shaping process – everything else is usually done by hand. This means there can be great differences in quality and finish between one workshop or shaper and another.
Polyester surfboards are fairly easy to carry as they’re quite light, however, these boards can turn slightly yellow after spending lots of time in the sun and they can ding or break if not looked after properly.
Pros of Polyester Surfboards
Polyester surfboards are lighter than epoxy surfboards and have more flex. They are also less rigid, adding comfort for the surfer.
2. Epoxy Surfboards
Epoxy surfboards have a polystyrene foam core, also known as EPS. This is laminated with fiberglass and epoxy resin. The surfboard is coated with many layers of paint and can sometimes have a last layer of protection.
EPS is a foam with less density than PU and is therefore softer, however, extra layers of fiberglass and epoxy resin helps to compensate for this difference.
Pros of Epoxy Surfboards
Epoxy surfboards are harder and more robust and offer better buoyancy, whilst polyester surfboards are lighter and more comfortable to surf.
Is One Better Than The Other?
If you are a beginner or intermediate surfer and your heart is set on buying a hard surfboard, most surf shops would recommend you buy an epoxy surfboard. When you start surfing you tend to put your knees on the board as a half-way step to standing and epoxy surfboards tend to be better built and more durable to support this specific position.
For intermediate to advanced surfers, polyester surfboards are the most common choice for the performance they offer in the water.
In Conclusion
There are of course no ‘correct’ recommendations when it comes to choosing the best surfboard for you. The perfect board will always be a cocktail of ingredients: its size and volume, your weight and fitness, your skill level, your preference, what’s practical, and whether it’s within your budget.
If you would like a more personalized recommendation on what type of board is best for you just give us a call or come by the shop, we’re happy to help.