Updated January 4, 2023
Bodyboarding is a great sport for people of all ages that isn’t quite as challenging as standard surfing on a longer board but can rival it in thrills, especially due to the close proximity to the water. At its most extreme it is kind of like body surfing on steroids.
It has really developed in recent years as a serious sport with board design following suit. In addition, it is an attractive option because bodyboards are cheaper than surfboards, easier to maintain and repair, and worlds easier to transport.
To get you up to speed with the bodyboards on the market, some of the best are reviewed below with photos and videos, followed by a comparison table and a simple buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know in the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For more reviews of board sports gear, please check out these popular posts:
Boogie Boards for Kids Beginner Surfboards Soft Top Surfboards Surfboards Surfboard Car Racks Surf Booties Surfing Wetsuits Surfboard Travel Bags Men’s Rash Guards Women’s Rash Guards Wakesurf Boards Skimboards Stand Up Paddleboards Bodyboard Fins
Best Bodyboard Review
- Morey Mach 7 Bodyboard
- BPS Storm Bodyboard
- THURSO SURF Duoslider Bodyboard
- Mike Stewart Science Loaded Bodyboard
- Lucky Bums Bodyboard
- GYN Trade Legendary Pro X Bodyboard
- Custom X Titan XPE Bodyboard
- THURSO SURF Lightning Bodyboard Package
- Hubboards Hubb PP HD CT Bodyboard
- Own the Wave Beach Attack Pack Bodyboard
It’s a high-performance board that will be most appreciated by intermediate to advanced riders.
A leash and other accessories will need to be purchased separately but this model comes at a moderate price.
- Closed-cell polyethylene core
- HDPE polyethylene bottom
- TC8 polyethylene top deck skin
- Power rod stringer for reinforcement
- Channels to maintain contact
- Crescent tail
- No accessories included
- Length: 42 inches
- Recommended Weight: 160-180 pounds
- Price: $$
Available in a dozen color schemes and three sizes, there is something suitable for all members of the family including small children.
Pricing is very reasonable but if you are not satisfied there is a 1-year money-back guarantee.
- EPS core
- HDPE polyethylene bottom
- Rear channels to maintain contact
- Crescent tail
- Accessories: coiled leash, 2 fin tethers
- 12 color designs available
- Length: 33, 37, and 41 inches
- Recommended Weight: 33 inches – <65 pounds, 37 inches – 60 to 120 pounds, 41 inches – 120 to 188 pounds
- 1-year money-back guarantee
- Price: $
THURSO SURF Duoslider Bodyboard
The THURSO SURF Duoslider is designed with a soft 4mm IXPE contoured deck and dual handles to make it easy for an adult and small child to ride together giving the youngster confidence.
It is a high-performance model with a channeled bottom and crescent tail, comes with two leashes, and has a very reasonable price.
- 4mm high-density IXPE deck
- HDPE polyethylene bottom
- Integrated dual handles
- Contoured deck
- Rear bottom channels
- Crescent tail
- 2 body leashes
- Length: 45 inches
- Recommended Weight: to more than 180 pounds
- Price: $$
Mike Stewart Science Loaded Bodyboard
If you’re looking for the top performer, this is the one but the pricing is on the high side.
- 13-pound PP core
- Wavecushion PE deck
- HDPE bottom with slick mesh for shock absorption
- 1 stringer for reinforcement
- MS Channels for smooth entry and drag reduction
- 55/45 double rails for speed and control
- Crescent tail
- Nose bulbs or finger grips for carrying
- No accessories included
- Length: 40, 42, or 43 inches
- Recommended Weight: 120-180 pounds
- Price: $$$$
View More From Mike Stewart Science
Available in three lengths with something suitable for the whole family, it’s lightweight, rigid, stable, and durable. 60/40 rails provide control and the smooth HDPE bottom makes it speedy.
Available in four colors, the leash is included. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty for defects and workmanship.
- EPS core
- 8-pound PE deck
- HDPE high-density polyethylene bottom
- 60/40 rails for speed and control
- Rear channels
- Crescent tail
- Leash included
- Choice of orange, blue, pink, or green
- Length: 33, 37, or 41 inches
- Recommended Weight: 65-190 pounds
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Price: $
GYN Trade Legendary Pro X Bodyboard
There are a variety of colors and designs available and the wrist leash is included.
Beginners, as well as experienced riders, will find something to like in this low-priced sturdy board.
- EPS core
- Sturdy heat-sealed lamination
- Slick hard bottom
- Crescent tail
- Wrist leash included
- Choice of 11 color schemes
- Length: 33, 37, 41, 42, or 45 inches
- Recommended Weight: up to 220 pounds
- Price: $
With the template of premium performance features and excellent buoyancy, riders can achieve superior control from the standard position or when riding on a dropped knee.
Pricing is quite reasonable considering the quality and performance.
- Polyethylene core
- Surlyn slick bottom
- Crescent tail
- 60/40 double rails for tracking
- Single or double stringer (depending on the length of the model) for reinforcement
- Bottom channels
- Choice of black, blue, red, or yellow
- Length: 41, 42, 43, 45, or 45 inches
- Recommended Weight: 120-240 pounds
- Price: $$$
THURSO SURF Lightning Bodyboard Package
The durable construction includes a PE core with heat lamination to secure the IXPE deck and polyethylene bottom.
Two stringers aid in rigidity for this stable model best used for basic surfing.
It’s a great board for beginners that should prove to be durable and long-lasting.
- PE core
- High-density heat laminated IXPE deck
- High-density polyethylene slick heat-laminated bottom
- Crescent tail
- 2 FRP stringers for reinforcement
- Double stainless steel swivel leash and LUX carry bag included
- Choice of azure or tangerine
- Length: 42 inches
- Recommended Weight: 150-200 pounds
- Price: $$
Hubboards Hubb PP HD CT Bodyboard
It has a lightweight PP core, speedy slick bottom, and double stringer for rigidity.
The concave bottom provides speed, control, and responsiveness with strong traction without sacrificing maneuverability. Graduated channels are designed to give you the freedom to launch, spin, and carve around the pocket easily.
Check out the video below for a closer look at Jeff Hubbard in action on a Hubboards bodyboard.
- PP core
- 8 lb PE Hubb contour deck
- HDPE Hubb tail
- Double stringer
- Concave bottom
- Graduated channels
- Accessories sold separately
- Length: 41.5, or 42.5 inches
- Recommended Weight: 120-180 pounds
- Price: $$$$
Own the Wave Beach Attack Pack Bodyboard
With a lightweight core, speedy slick bottom, 60/40 rails, and rear bottom channels, it has the features for solid all-around performance.
The size range includes models for smaller people and children, as well.
It’s quite a bargain.
- Lightweight EPS core
- HDPE slick bottom
- 60/40 rails for maneuverability
- Rear bottom channels
- Crescent tail
- Coiled leash and fin tethers included
- Choice of 9 colors
- Length: 33, 37 or 41 inches
- Recommended Weight: less than 65 to 188 pounds
- Low-priced
- Price: $
Best Bodyboard Comparison Table
| Picture | Bodyboard | Length | Weight Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Morey Mach 7 Bodyboard | 42" | 160 to 180 lbs | $$ |
  | BPS Storm Bodyboard | 33", 37", 41" | less than 65 to 188 lbs | $ |
 | THURSO SURF Duoslider Bodyboard | 45" | 210 lbs | $$ |
  | Mike Stewart Science Loaded Bodyboard | 40", 42", 43" | 120 to 180 lbs | $$$$ |
  | Lucky Bums Bodyboard | 33", 37", 41" | 65 to 190 lbs | $ |
  | GYN Trade Legendary Pro X Bodyboard | 33", 37", 41", 42", 45" | up to 220 lbs | $ |
  | Custom X Titan XPE Bodyboard | 41", 42", 43", 44", 45" | 120 to 240 lbs | $$$ |
  | THURSO SURF Lightning Bodyboard Package | 42" | 150 to 200 lbs | $$ |
  | Hubboards Hubb PP HD CT Bodyboard | 41.5", 42.5 | 120 to 180 lbs | $$$$ |
  | Own the Wave Beach Attack Pack Bodyboard | 33", 37", 41" | less than 65 to 188 lbs | $ |
| Picture | Bodyboard | Length | Weight Capacity | Price |
Bodyboard Buying Guide
Size
The board should fit your body size to work effectively. If it is too large, it can be difficult to gain speed, and if too small it may be hard to stay in position on top and maintain control.
A simple sizing method is to measure the distance from the ground to your belly button. That should be the length of the bodyboard.
Additionally, the boards have differing buoyancy and manufacturers provide weight capacities to consider, as well.
Use
There are bodyboards available that are clearly not designed for serious use in waves and are really just suitable for fun on the beach in the foam or at the pool with very little durability. Fortunately, there are models available at very low prices that are pretty sturdy with fairly significant performance capabilities like many of the models here in the $30-$50 range. Check them out to see the level of features they have.
If you are planning to take the sport to a new level you will see that once you pass $100 or so, the boards start to have advanced capabilities for the serious rider.
Prone Versus Drop-knee Riding
Prone riding is the standard position lying on your belly. Drop-knee riding involves positioning one knee and one foot simultaneously on the board. It is a sort of hybrid compromise between surfing and bodyboarding that is best attempted by more advanced riders. Once mastered, it provides an opportunity for better maneuverability.
Core (inside of the board)
Three commonly used materials for the core are polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and expanded polystyrene (EPS). PP is a newer material and is lighter and stronger. PP is more flexible and performs well in cold water. EPS is very buoyant and often used on beginner and less expensive boards. Some companies use these materials in combination.
Tail (back end of the board)
The two most common shapes available are crescent tail and bat tail. A crescent tail fits comfortably on the waist and is more stable in rough conditions. A bat tail isn’t as comfortable but allows more control for experienced riders. It is also a matter of preference though most boards, especially for beginners, have a crescent tail.
Stringer
This is material built into the core that runs along the length of the board. It increases the durability and rigidity of the structure. Models can come with single, double, or even triple stringers.
Rails
This term concerns the sides of the board often expressed as a ratio like 60/40 or 50/50. The numerator refers to the percentage of the bottom rail in direct contact with the water and the denominator refers to the percentage of the top of the rail that connects to the deck. This is really a technical term most applicable to expert riders. A 50/50 ratio would be indicative of more speed capability whereas with a 60/40 ratio you may experience better control. Check here for a more detailed explanation.
Channels
These are grooves or elongated indentations on the bottom of the board that aid in directional control by helping the board maintain contact with the water for traction rather than sliding away.
Slick or Skin
This is the material on the bottom or underside of the board. If it is very smooth and slippery it will make the board faster.
For more information on all of the above and more, please check this article: Buying a Bodyboard
For more reviews of board sports gear, please check out these popular posts:
Boogie Boards for Kids Beginner Surfboards Soft Top Surfboards Surfboards Surfboard Car Racks Surf Booties Surfing Wetsuits Surfboard Travel Bags Men’s Rash Guards Women’s Rash Guards Wakesurf Boards Skimboards Stand Up Paddleboards Bodyboard Fins
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