They were originally scorned, ridiculed, and mocked. Walking down to the beach with one under your arm was a surefire way to be branded a kook by all those in within eyesight. But now it’s 2016, baby! And they have just become latest cure for your small-wave summer blues.

Yep, we’re talking softboards. Those brightly coloured and oddly shaped things that are infesting your local lineup whenever the conditions are less than ideal (read: shit).

The softboard has become big business in 2016, and no longer do these boards look like they were spat out of the same machine that makes pool noodles and stubby holders.

Interchangeable fins, deck grips and hand crafted rails are just some of the features that have become common sight on softboards, making even the most stubborn of surf purists lean in for a closer look.

But what features perform and what are just money-grabbing gimmicks? What boards would make a handy addition to your quiver and what would be best left for the kiddie pool?

We enlisted the help of a couple Mad Hueys — Dean ‘Dingo’ Morrison and Brent ‘Brenno’ Dorrington — to find the answers to these burning questions.

2017 Soft Boards

Softech – Flash

Model name: Flash

Specs: 5’0”

Recommended retail price: $399

About Softech

An offshoot of FCS fins, Softech have been a big player in the softboard revolution and feature one of the largest ranges out of our test brands. We were given two of their ‘Performance Series’ boards, which featured some unique shapes, interchangeable FCS fins, track pads and an EPS foam core.

www.softechsoftboards.com

 

Softech – Mystery Box

Model name: Mystery Box

Specs: 5’2”

Recommended retail price: $479.95

About Softech

An offshoot of FCS fins, Softech have been a big player in the softboard revolution and feature one of the largest ranges out of our test brands. We were given two of their ‘Performance Series’ boards, which featured some unique shapes, interchangeable FCS fins, track pads and an EPS foam core.

Dingo’s comments

I liked the unique shape, which made it easier to do some fun things like get up and hang five as well as manoeuvre easily. I just felt like the fins provided were pretty flappy and made it hard to get speed on. The good thing is they are interchangeable with your regular FCS fins. If you switch them with stiffer fins it would go good.

www.softechsoftboards.com

 

MULLET – FAT CAT

Model name: Fat Cat

Specs: 4’8” x 21 ¾” x 2 ½” (35L)

Recommended retail price: $329.95

About Mullet Boards

Mullet Boards are a relative newcomer to the softboard world, but have quickly gained a following both in Australia and overseas on the back of their popular Mullet Pro contests at Sydney’s Tamarama Beach – a spot renowned for its enforceable ‘no fibreglass’ policy. Their range sticks to the simple formula of short, bright and bucketloads of fun.

www.MulletBoards.com

@mulletboards

 

MULLET – FISH FINGER

Model name: Fish Finger

Specs: 5’2” x 19 ½” x 2 ½” (32L)

Recommended retail price: $389.95

About Mullet Boards

Mullet Boards are a relative newcomer to the softboard world, but have quickly gained a following both in Australia and overseas on the back of their popular Mullet Pro contests at Sydney’s Tamarama Beach – a spot renowned for its enforceable ‘no fibreglass’ policy. Their range sticks to the simple formula of short, bright and bucketloads of fun.

Dingo’s comments

This was actually my favourite board of the test. It took a bit of time to get used to because the fins were so flexy, but it was actually really fun once you did. I liked that it was small and kind of stubby, which meant it generated speed easily and turned well in the pocket. I could definitely see myself riding this out at Snapper on a small summer’s day, or one of those breaks where you can only surf between flags. 

www.MulletBoards.com

@mulletboards

 

Redback – Revolution Quintet 6

Model name: Revolution Quintet 6

Specs: height 6’ x 19.5”

Recommended retail price: $399.95

About Redback Revolution Series

While tailored towards the beginner end of the softboard spectrum, the Redback ‘Revolution Series’ boards serve as a stepping stone from foam to fibreglass through their sharper rails and slightly stiffer deck. The boards feature laminated stringers and hand-shaped rails and tail.

www.redbacksurfaustralia.com

Redback – Revolution Fish

Model name: Revolution Fish 6’6”

Specs: height 6’6” x 22”

Recommended retail price: $299.95

About Redback Revolution Series

While tailored towards the beginner end of the softboard spectrum, the Redback ‘Revolution Series’ boards serve as a stepping stone from foam to fibreglass through their sharper rails and slightly stiffer deck. The boards feature laminated stringers and hand-shaped rails and tail.

Brenno’s comments

This board would make sense for a beginner stepping up the ladder from one of those big foamies. It has knifey rails on it, so you can still do carves on it compared to the big foamies. Kind of works as a hybrid between a foamie and moving on to a fibreglass board with the sharper rails. 

www.redbacksurfaustralia.com

Softlite – Chop Stick

Model name: Chop Stick 7’6

Specs: 7’6” x 22 ½” x 2 ¾”  

Recommended retail price: $449.95

About Softlite

While their range features boards of all sizes, the Softlite boards provided were the biggest of the bunch – but that’s not a bad thing, quite the opposite. The extra foam meant the boards could catch any wave you desired, while the shortboard inspired shape meant these boards weren’t just for bus riding straight to shore (but you can do that, too, if you want).

www.Softlite.com.au

@Softlitesurf

Softlite – Pop Stick

Model name: Pop Stick 6’6

Specs: 6’6” x 20” x 2 ¾”

Recommended retail price: $379.95

About Softlite

While their range features boards of all sizes, the Softlite boards provided were the biggest of the bunch – but that’s not a bad thing, quite the opposite. The extra foam meant the boards could catch any wave you desired, while the shortboard inspired shape meant these boards weren’t just for bus riding straight to shore (but you can do that, too, if you want).

Dingo’s comments

This board went a lot better than I thought it would. It had some speed and momentum to it! You can have fun on it and it feels like you could also take it out on good waves and still get tubed. It works all-round. You could ride it in four- to five-foot surf and you would get away with it for sure.

www.Softlite.com.au

@Softlitesurf

Odysea – Skipper

Model name: Skipper

Specs: 5’6″

Recommended retail price: $459.95

About Catch Surf and Odysea

The pioneers of the softboard revolution. Catch Surf was started nearly 10 years ago in California by George Arzante and Tom Morey – the same Tom Morey who invented the bodyboard. After releasing its finless ‘Beater’ board in 2009, the brand quickly grew in popularity when the boards were endorsed by the likes of Jamie O’Brien and Kalani Robb. These days, Catch Surf/Oddysea feature a formidable pro team, including the likes of O’Brien, Robb, Julian Wilson, the Moniz brothers and Chippa Wilson, to name a few.

https://catchsurf.com/

Odysea – The Stump

Model name: The Stump

Specs: 5’0″

Recommended retail price: $474.95

About Catch Surf and Odysea

The pioneers of the softboard revolution. Catch Surf was started nearly 10 years ago in California by George Arzante and Tom Morey – the same Tom Morey who invented the bodyboard. After releasing its finless ‘Beater’ board in 2009, the brand quickly grew in popularity when the boards were endorsed by the likes of Jamie O’Brien and Kalani Robb. These days, Catch Surf/Oddysea feature a formidable pro team, including the likes of O’Brien, Robb, Julian Wilson, the Moniz brothers and Chippa Wilson, to name a few.

Brenno’s comments

This is a fucking great little board! It was the easiest one to surf, and was the winner for me. Unfortunately, I didn’t get too many waves on it, but from what I did, I could tell it was heaps more manoeuvrable than the others. It was a mad all-rounder and I could see myself riding this in everything. Some of the others felt like they just wanted to go straight, but this one I could feel it turn a lot easier.

https://catchsurf.com/