Why You Should Use Surfboard Socks

By Steven Johnson


Surfers, like any other serious hobbyist, know that you must protect your investment. When you leave your equipment lying around the beach or garage at home, you are putting it in a position that it could be easily damaged. Having surfboard socks and other types of protective devices will make sure you do not damage it in transit, keep it clean and sand free, and make sure it survives both short and long travel distances.

The sock is just one of the many designs available. Providing the basic level is fine for storage, but when traveling it is necessary to have better storage options. The bags and coffins available include padding that will keep it from being damaged in various circumstances. The sock will always be needed in order to have the very basic protection in all cases.

Socks are basic and provide the first level of protection. This is like putting on sunscreen. The first level of protection keeps it clean and is exactly how it should be stored. When on the beach it can also keep the sand from caking on to the underside wax build up. Though these can be used for nearby transport it is recommended that you have a second level of protection if the board is going to be sitting in the hot sun for hours.

The second level is the bag. This provides more padding and can protect the wax on the board from melting in the hot sun. The padding is adequate for traveling from home or hotel to the beach. It'll keep it from getting banged up when someone bumps into it or it is dropped. The extra padding will also keep whatever is inside cool when it sits in the sun for a while. This means the wax won't melt and leave a mess in the bag.

The largest and most protective type is the coffin. It's big and can hold several boards at once. This is why they call it the coffin. You still need to have each board covered in its own sock. The coffin has nice, thick padding that will help protect them from airport baggage handlers and situations where they could really get hit hard. Traveling long distance without this almost ensures it will arrive with dings and scratches.

Custom designing is available for those with their own logo. This is very popular for professional surfers who have sponsors for their events. You can customize the logos, colors, and even styles of the bags or socks. This also helps you find them easily when waiting for them to appear in an airport turnstile.

Self-designed sock styles are a great way to make your own statement. The shape is pretty basic, so you just need to pick the material. Those who make them usually choose Lycra since it is a durable and stretchy material. Plus, it doesn't have to be exact for it to be fitted over the end of the board.

Any investment in a hobby includes having all the right equipment. If you're just a local surfer, the sock is the most basic protection you need. If you're prone to traveling to several nearby beaches, you need to step up to the bag. Those that like to travel much farther to find the perfect waves at different times of the year need to invest in the coffin to make sure their board will survive the trip.




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