The Liquid Shredder Fish Foam Surfboard is our best shortboard and this foamie foam board surf board shortboard measures 5 feet and 10 inches in its total height. The thickness of this shortboard surfing board is at 2.8 inches and this high quality shredder shortboard surf board has a fish foam design so it is very good in sliding through the water and cutting through the waves. The total width of this surfing board shortboard is at 21 inches across and there is also a plug for the leash which has been included in this surfing board shortboard. The tail of this shortboard measures a total width of 11 inches.
Our step-up pick is the Hosanna 5’7″ Foam Soft Performance Surfboard and the total volume of this surf board shortboard is at 38.3 liters all in all. The total length or height of the surf board shortboard is at 5 feet and 7 inches all in all and you can also choose from various design schemes for this surf board shortboard. This awesome step-up pick for the best shortboard surfing board is a very good and friendly shortboard for beginners. The bottom part of this surf board shortboard has been reinforced and has a material made from HDPE which is of high quality and there is also a leash that is of high end that is included in this shortboard surf board which measures 6 feet in its total length.
The budget pick is the Rock-It 5’8″ ALBERT Surfboard and this shortboard surf board has a total length of 5 feet and 8 inches in its total height. The twin fin design adds the total style and adds to the total speed of the surf board shortboard which also makes it float better than most surf boards out there. The foam material that has been made with EPS material is what makes up the very strong and durable core part of this shortboard surfing board and durability is also very good for this budget pick surf board shortboard because of the two stringers that reinforce the surfing board shortboard in its build. It is very stiff for durability so it will not snap in two at all.
A Little Background
Shortboards have a total length of 5 feet up to 7 feet. Compared to longboards or longboard surfers, they are typically and obviously shorter and more challenging for surfers due to their size. The fact that shortboards are shorter also makes them more compact to bring with you to the ocean or beach without the bulky feeling of a longboard surfboard and is usually seen among expert surfers out there.
They also have a wide point in the middle which makes them similar to bodyboards. The wide point is what compensates for the short nature and design of the board which also makes it look like a bodyboard or a boogie board. They are also more challenging and are for skilled surfers because of the very fact that they are smaller than the average surf board. This is the reason why you will not really find beginners with shortboards because of the dangers it may pose if te surfer is not very experienced yet.
They are also harder to catch the wave with due to its construction. This is why only experts in surfing would be able to use a shortboard more properly. Shortboard variants include fish types, funboards, hybrids and gun types. These various types of shortboards also vary when it comes down to the features, price and many other aspects of the shortboard.
How We Picked
When it comes down in choosimg the best shortboard, there are some criteria that we considered in our decision. For instance, they are the following:
Dimensions – the size of the shortboard is typically between 5 feet and 7 feet which make them quite different from regular surf boards or longboard surfboards.
Grip – because shortboards can be dangerous when it comes to grip and stability due to its size, it is highly important that you should get a shortboard with a lot of safety features that provide the user or the surfer with great traction overall for safety without sacrificing or halting performance on demand.
Durability – this refers to how much the material of the board can withstand the upcoming waves of the ocean and its stability on the water. The light weight of the shortboard must not compromise the performance of the surfer and the shortboard itself.
Our Pick
Liquid Shredder Fish Foam Surfboard
Our best shortboard is the Liquid Shredder Fish Foam Surfboard and this high quality shredder shortboard surf board has a fish foam design so it is very good in sliding through the water and cutting through the waves. A wide variety of designs are there for you to choose from for your personalization needs. The thickness of this shortboard surfing board is at 2.8 inches and the deck composition of this surf board shortboard is made from comfortable and high density EPE material which enables you to shred through the waters without much problem.
This foamie foam board surf board shortboard measures 5 feet and 10 inches in its total height and the forgiving material is due to the soft composition of the EPE deck material. The riding ability of this surfing board shortboard is very easy and it is also due to its wide space and the board shape that is very friendly towards beginners and also very comfortable for the experts and the strength of the surf board shortboard overall is powered by the stringers which have been made from wood which have superior quality in their construction and stiffness which will prevent the shredder surf board shortboard from bending, snapping or cracking during hours, days or years of use or even for months.
The total width of this surfing board shortboard is at 21 inches across and the tail of this shortboard measures a total width of 11 inches. At the nose part of this shortboard, there is a measurement of 15 inches in its width. There is also a plug for the leash which has been included in this surfing board shortboard and the construction is fully heat laminated so you do not have to worry about glue that will probably come off when it is in the water.
The twin fins are very convenient to set up and are also removable at your own will if you feel like you can handle the waves or for professional uses while the fish tail design will be loved by a lot of surfers out there. The nose part has a retro round design that a lot of surfers will also love and it is also a good shortboard surfing board for kids. If you are around 200 pounds more or less then it is okay to ride on this shortboard surfing board due to its high durability and capability to float without question. It is backed by a warranty of 90 days.
Flaws but Not Dealbrakers
There are a couple of things to know about the Liquid Shredder Fish Foam Surfboard as our best shortboard because it has a few flaws and cons but they are not very major and are not deal breakers at all. Some of these include the fact that it only includes a leash plug so you have to provide your own leash, but this is seen as an advantage for expert surfers who want their own leash with a higher quality so that they can fully customize the shortboard’s leash plug capabilities.
Step-up Pick
Hosanna 5’7″ Foam Soft Performance Surfboard
This awesome step-up pick for the best shortboard surfing board, the Hosanna 5’7″ Foam Soft Performance Surfboard is a very good and friendly shortboard for beginners to use due to its wide design and wide space for the beginner to feel more confident with their lessons in surfing. The total length or height of the surf board shortboard is at 5 feet and 7 inches all in all and you can also choose from various design schemes for this surf board shortboard.
The foam construction of this surf board shortboard is also very friendly towards the surfer whether they are beginners or experts while the total width of the surf board shortboard is at 21.9 inches. Also, the total volume of this surf board shortboard is at 38.3 liters all in all and the total thickness of this surf board shortboard is at 3 inches. There are a total of two small fins for the side which are both in 3 inches in measurement and there are also three fins for thrusters and all of them measure 4 inches.
The bottom part of this surf board shortboard has been reinforced and has a material made from HDPE which is of high quality while the core is made from high density epoxy internally. The five fin set up of this shortboard soft board is very helpful for any person who wants to surf on it and there is also a leash that is of high end that is included in this shortboard surf board which measures 6 feet in its total length.
The construction of the core of this surfing shortboard is made from high density EPS material which has been constructed in a closed cell foam material for durability that is unmatched and the deck is super light weight and is made from a great quality of IXPE for its material and density.
Budget Pick
Rock-It 5’8″ ALBERT Surfboard
Our budget pick is the Rock-It 5’8″ ALBERT Surfboard and this shortboard surf board has a total length of 5 feet and 8 inches in its total height. The volume of this surf board shortboard measures 35.4 liters all in all and the total width of this surfing board shortboard is at 20 1/2 inches in its measurement. The cloth that is beneath the top of the surf board shortboard that is very soft is made from a high quality fiberglass material that is at 6 ounces in weight and durability is also very good for this budget pick surf board shortboard because of the two stringers that reinforce the surfing board shortboard in its build.
The foam material that has been made with EPS material is what makes up the very strong and durable core part of this shortboard surfing board while the twin fin design adds the total style and adds to the total speed of the surf board shortboard which also makes it float better than most surf boards out there. It is also a great starting surf board shortboard due to its user friendly design and it is applicable for people who are up to 175 pounds of weight for both adults and kids. It is very stiff for durability so it will not snap in two at all and it is very competitive and will last for a lot of heavy conditions while surfing.
Best Handmade Shortboard
Aloha Classic Mini Surfboard 20″ 8.5″
Our best handmade shortboard is the Aloha Classic Mini Surfboard 20″ 8.5″ and this high quality mini surf board shortboard has a total length of 20 inches so it is quite long for a surf board shortboard. It has a total width of 8.5 inches due to being a mini shortboard in its design and it is also handmade because it is very authentic in its design as a true Hawaiian heritage surf board shortboard. Its classic design is both a tourist attraction and a great surfboard to use.
Moreover, it has also been painted on both sides so it definitely looks attractive as a mini shortboard surfing board. In fact, a lot of exotic woods have been used on this classic and authentic traditional mini surfing board shortboard in its design and durability and classic feel. Because of the very fact that it is finished with a unique formula that is resistant to weathering, you can be assured that the surf board shortboard will greatly resist the UV rays of the sun which can damage it.
This surf board also has a swallow tail in its design and it also has a single bump in its design and it can also be used for decoration as well as for various events other than being a surfing board shortboard that can be ridden on. True enough, this shortboard surfing board is more than just a decoration because of the very fact that its durability is excellent and you can ride on it without problems.
It is super light weight at only around 1 to 2 pounds so you can also carry it anywhere and if you are a absolute lover of the Hawaiian heritage then you definitely need to buy this surf board shortboard due to its classic and authentic design. Likewise, it is also very beautiful in its appeal and its overall design as a shortboard surf board. The fact that it is also handmade makes it very cool in its visual appeal and its durability as a shortboard surfboard.
Ideal Shortboard with a Hybrid Design and Structure
Liquid Shredder 5-Feet Element Soft Surfboard
The Liquid Shredder 5-Feet Element Soft Surfboard is a great hybrid surfboard to consider and this high quality surf board shortboard measures a total length of 5 feet so it is a true shortboard to consider in its design. Moreover, this high quality surf board shortboard measures a total of 20 inches in its width so it is quite good for a shortboard.
The stringer system is unlike the other market competitors out there due to the very fact that it has been made from high quality dual aluminum material that has been patented for superior strength as well as keeping up the rigidity of the material and the surf board shortboard itself.
The surf board shortboard is also made to be in high quality for the medium surfers out there and the total thickness of this awesome surf board shortboard is at 2.4 inches. The total gross weight of this surf board shortboard is at 7 pounds as a bare board and riders who are at least 60 pounds or more can definitely ride on this surf board shortboard due to its durability.
The thruster system has a total of three fins and all of them can be removed at your own pace for personalization and there is also a mechanism for protecting the tail part as well as for protecting the nose part of the surf board shortboard. The material of the outer part of the skin is very soft and is also not laminated so you have no problems when it comes down to de-laminating because of the high quality vinyl material of the outer skin part.
What’s more, there is also a convenient and usable foot leash for safety and durability as well and the unit is backed by a warranty of 1 year for non commercial use. It is also an ideal surf board shortboard for kids due to its ample amount of size that is just right for children and overall, it is a very helpful shortboard surfing board for teaching kids on how to surf properly and for the first time as well due to its user friendly design and beginner friendly features.
Ideal Shortboard with Variable Sizes to Choose From
Surftech ThumbDrive HD-E Surfboard
If you want a simple ye effective shortboard with varying sizes then go for the Surftech ThumbDrive HD-E Surfboard as this high quality surf board shortboard which varies its length from 5 feet and 10 inches up to 6 feet and 4 inches so you can choose the variety of lengths that you want for yoru personalization and for your size and frame and whoever will use this specific surf board shortboard for practice or for professional purposes or for hobbyists.
It is an ideal surf board shortboard that is meant for advanced users due to its sophisticated design which allows you to perform tricks over the water and it is very ideal for surfing on medium sized waves as well as in smaller waves. It is very capable of producing great speed in any part of the wave due to its high performance capabilities. Moreover, the width of this surfing board shortboard spans from 20.2 inches up to 20.9 inches depending on the length that you choose and the thickness of the surfing board shortboard spans from 2 1/2 inches up to 2.6 inches depending on the surf board’s length overall. Its volume is also depending on the total length of the model you choose, ranging from 33.7 liters up to 39.4 liters.
Unique Shortboard with a Customizable Feature using Sticker
Catch Surf Twin Fin 54″ Beater-Board
The Catch Surf Twin Fin 54″ Beater-Board is a high quality surf board shortboard which is very customizable such that you can put in the kinds of stickers that you want because they are included along with the purchase so you can customize your board better to your liking. The total height or length of the surf board shortboard is at 54 inches and it also has a twin fin design so it is very helpful in catching the waves and also boosting your speed while keeping you balanced on the surf board shortboard. Moreover, the rails have also been designed to be tapered so that you stay put and you stay stable while you are surfing.
The slop has a knee high design so it is very comfortable for a lot of surfers out there and you can easily carve the lip as well as make slashes due to its ingenious design. The bottom has a slick design so you can definitely add more control to your surf board shortboard and it is also a great foam board shortboard surfing board which is highly applicable for use on smaller waves for surfing.
The top is very soft, forgiving and accommodating for all levels for giving you the best kind of comfort possible for any shortboard surf board and there are also twin channels in the design of this surf board shortboard due to its unique and user friendly and safe design. Overall, this particular shortboard surf board is very applicable for beginners despite being a shortboard in its design.
Ideal Shortboard with a Triple Fin System
BIC Sport G-Board EVO Soft Surfboard
The BIC Sport G-Board EVO Soft Surfboard is very soft in its construction yet it is very durable so it will not compromise your safety and performance and will also make you feel at ease with the surf board shortboard experience and the deck is design to have no wax on the top so it is very soft to the touch and the feel. In fact, you can choose between the triple fin systems or the twin fin system depending on your liking and your preferences and you can choose from a model of 6 feet, a model of 8 feet and a bigger model of 9 feet.
A width of 19.4 inches is given for the 6-foot model of this surf board shortboard while a width of 23 inches is given for the model of 8 feet for this shortboard surfboard and the 9-foot model of this shortboard surfboard has a total width of 23 3/4 inches. Moreover, durability is very good for this surf board shortboard due to its stringers which have been made with reinforced composite material for making it very sturdy. The overall performance is not sacrificed because you get a lot of stiffness from this surf board shortboard so it will not snap easily.
There are a total of 2 stringers inside the surf board shortboard system for durability and the triple fin system has a thruster mechanism which enables you to speed up on any course and in any situation for surfing. The fins used are G-Board soft fins for added safety and glide.
Ideal Shortboard for Women
BIC Sport DURA-TEC Wahine Surfboard
If you know a girl who loves to surf or you are one who loves surfing then this BIC Sport DURA-TEC Wahine Surfboard is a great women’s surf board shortboard to consider. The durability of this surf board is excellent thanks to the DURA-TEC surf board shortboard that is patented by BIC for its awesome stability and the board is also resistant to wear and tear and is very strong so you will have more value for your money.
A traction pad that is in 3D is also included in this surf board shortboard and the damage resistance is very strong due to its bullet proof construction. You can configure the surf board’s fins for thrusters as a triple fin system or as a quad fin system depending on your preferences. Even if you are a beginner at surfing or whether you are an intermediate surfer then there is no question since this is a great surf board shortboard to consider for the price, the size and the features and the level of control, performance and safety that you can achieve in this surf board shortboard. You can use this surf board shortboard for a wide range of sizes of waves due to its versatility and it comes with the fins but you will have to provide your own leash for this surfboard shortboard which is not really a problem at all.
Unique Shortboard with a Fish Design
Beluga 5’10” Quad Fin Fish Surfboard
The Beluga 5’10” Quad Fin Fish Surfboar is very unique due to its fish surf board design which is very awesome and the tail spans at a total measurement of 17 inches for the surf board shortboard. The EPS material for the blank core makes it stand up to wave crashes all the time and the epoxy construction of this surfing board shortboard keep it very sturdy in the water. There are also keels included in the surf board shortboard such as the ones that measure 2 inches each and the ones that measure 5 inches by 8 inches. Moreover, there are also quad fins that are removable and customizable to your liking for added convenience.
The thickness of this surf board shortboard is 3 inches so it can stand up to any challenge and the width of this awesome surf board shortboard is at 22 inches. The total height of the shortboard surfboard is at 5 feet and 10 inches and the bottom part has a weight of 6 ounces plus 4 ounces while the deck part has a weight of 6 ounces plus another 6 ounces for convenient durability. The quad fins are also color coded and matches each other and the unique fish fin and round nose design of this surf board shortboard makes it a crowd favorite among the designs and types of surf boards out there with a shortboard design and size.
The Competition
Other shortboards that did not make it to our list were not very competitive when it comes to their design and features and therefore are not worth buying. It is important to uphold safety as well and also the durability of the shortboard surfing board for surfing for a long time in harsh conditions.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the advantages of shortboards?
A: According to Surf Science , shortboards are very good for higher waves that cannot be used with heavier and bigger boards because of the very fact that shortboards are faster to maneuver than longboards. Most people also use shortboards to challenge themselves and they also appeal to advanced surfers out there.
Q: How significant are bottom shapes on a shortboard?
A: According to Surf Line , shortboards have different bottom shapes, such as concave, channels, flat, vee, double concave and the like and these can vary the surfing feel and you also get various accelerations, speeds, maneuverability and the like.
Wrapping It Up
To summarize, the Liquid Shredder Fish Foam Surfboard is our best shortboard for use in various situations and for gaining more speed in the water compared to longboards that can be quite bulky in size and in structure.
Jen Miller is a former electrical engineer and product specialist with more than 20 years of product design and testing experience. She has designed more than 200 products for Fortune 500 companies, in fields ranging from home appliances to sports gear and outdoor equipment. She founded Jen Reviews to share her knowledge and critical eye for what makes consumers tick, and adopts a strict no-BS approach to help the reader filter through the maze of products and marketing hype out there. She writes regularly and has been featured on Forbes, Fast Company, The Muse, The Huffington Post, Tiny Buddha and MindBodyGreen.