The 9 Best Surfboards of 2022
By: Stew Langner: Surf Buyer | June 2, 2022
Surfing is one of the oldest action sports in the world, and on the surface, the gear hasn’t changed too much since the first Hawaiians paddled into their first sets. But, while the general idea remains much the same, incremental improvements in surfboard technology and design have made a big impact on how surfers approach waves. The right board for your style and the waves you’re surfing makes all the difference, but it can be hard to figure out what the right board even looks like. Luckily, we’ve put together this group of the best surfboards around right now. Every board on this list is excellent, but each one is suited to a slightly different surf and wave style. So there’s sure to be a board on this list that works for your experience level and location.
New This Year:
The key is figuring out what you’re even looking for when choosing a surfboard before you drop some cash on a new one. Do you want something quick and playful? Or maybe a more mellow, stable board? Regardless of what you’re looking for from your next board, there’s a ride on this list that will put a grin on your face. It’s just up to you to grab it, get that first wax on, and go catch some waves!
Lib Tech x Lost Hydra Surfboard
Hungry for small waves, the Lib Tech x Lost Hydra Surfboard is a grovel machine. With more than 25 years of experience developing small wave fish and hybrid boards, Matt Biolos defies hydrodynamics with this minuscule wave masher. Whether you are coming off a longboard or looking to make the most out of summer mush, a split diamond tail combined with a unique double concave Hydra Hull will give you little doubt about the capabilities of this board in middling conditions. Forget chasing barrels, the Lib Tech x Lost Hydra Surfboard makes any wave a dream wave. This is the ideal board for making the most of whatever surf conditions a day throws your way.
| Shape | Fin Layout | Original Price |
| Fish | FOC II Fin Box (5 Fin) | $849.99 |
Solid Surf Co King Pin Surfboard
The Sold Surf Co King Pin Surfboard has a tapered outline packed with a bit more volume for great performance in a wide range of conditions. Whether you're headed out in mushy knee-high "waves" or double overhead monsters, this fast and forgiving shape will shine. This board is just plain easy to get along with, it’s so forgiving you’ll feel like a superhero regardless of the conditions.
| Shape | Fin Layout | Original Price |
| Pintail | 4+1 | $875 |
Catch Surf Odysea 8'0" Log x Jamie O'Brien Surfboard
Start hoggin' waves with total ease. The Catch Surf Odysea 8'0" Log x Jamie O'Brien Surfboard offers tons of float, making it perfect for beginners, pros, and everyone in between. Everybody needs a soft top in their quiver as it makes even the sloppiest of summer waves as fun as any. The ultimate shore break board! This board is a great intro to surfing, it’s easy to catch any wave with, and very stable.
| Shape | Fin Layout | Original Price |
| Squash | Tri | $474.99 |
Lib Tech Pickup Stick Surfboard
Aptly named, the Lib Tech Pickup Stick Surfboard is the plank you'll find yourself reaching for more often than not as you head out the door. Built to fill the gap between shortboard and longboard, this "mid-size" shape works in all conditions and catches waves like nobody's business! Whether you're a beginner looking for something easy to progress on, a weekend warrior looking for maximum wave time, or an OG who's looking to walk the plank and hang 5 on a small wave day, this board is tough to beat. Oh yeah, and speaking of tough, the Pickup Stick Surfboard is made with Lib Tech's legendary construction that's virtually indestructible. So yeah, there's that too! The Pickup Stick is the best of both worlds, always ready for a good time regardless of your wave size or location.
| Shape | Fin Layout | Original Price |
| Pintail | FOC II Fin Box (5 Fin) | $849.99 |
Modern Falcon PU Surfboard
For beginner and intermediate riders ready to step their game up, we give you the Modern Falcon PU Surfboard. This super stable funboard strikes the perfect balance between easy riding and fast progression, allowing you to continue unlocking more potential as your skills improve.maintaining toasty toes.
| Shape | Fin Layout | Original Price |
| Egg | 3 Fin | $535 - $720 |
Lib Tech Terrapin Surfboard
Lib Tech Terrapin Surfboard is Alex Lopez's go-to deck for all conditions surfing. It's engineered for maximum glide, with the widest point shifted forwards and a long rail line for smooth cutbacks. With Lib Tech's eco-friendly practices and "dang difficult to ding" construction, this is a board you can be proud to rep for years to come. This is a very versatile board, perfect for beginners and experienced surfers alike.
| Shape | Fin Box | Original Price |
| Pintail | Futures Single Fin Box | $949.99 |
Surftech Channel Islands Average Joe Tuflite V-Tech Shortboard
It's time to make surfing fun again. The Surftech Channel Islands Average Joe Tuflite V-Tech Shortboard is super light, paddles like a dream, and offers fantastic buoyancy to help you make the most of every single wave. And with a five-fin layout, you can easily tweak your setup to accommodate different waves and conditions. This durable, playful board will put a smile on just about any surfer’s face.
| Shape | Fin Layout | Original Price |
| Square | 5 Fin | $800 |
Solid Surf Co Bento Box Surfboard
Taking the best parts of the smaller series boards in the Solid Surf lineup, the Solid Surf Co Bento Box Surfboard is a crafty little mini that's ideal for making the most out of mid-summer sets. Despite the high volume, larger width, and massive buoyancy, this board features a mellow concave and low rails that mask any bulkiness under a responsive and nimble ride that's tons of fun. Topped with SSC's exclusive BIOflex Hemp, this board's superior construction is durable and good for the ocean. This is a fun, playful surfboard that helps make every wave your playground.
| Shape | Fin Layout | Original Price |
| Fish/Swallow | Quad | $695 |
Catch Surf Odysea Skipper Quad-Fin x Jamie O'Brien Pro Surfboard
Catch more waves, expend less effort paddling out, and experience the soft top revolution with the Catch Surf Odysea Skipper Quad-Fin x Jamie O'Brien Pro Surfboard. With an extremely buoyant construction and the versatile, easy-to-ride Odysea shape that's been sweeping breaks worldwide, the Skipper Quad-Fin Surfboard is now equipped with Catch Surf's hi-performance fin system for more drive in steep waves and better speed down the line. Get shacked every time you shred with the Catch Surf Skipper Quad-Fin x Jamie O'Brien Pro Surfboard. This playful board makes every surf session an absolute blast.
| Shape | Fin Layout | Original Price |
| Fish/Swallow | Quad | $399.99 |
Learn More With Our Other Surf Guides:
- Surfboards - How to Choose a Surfboard
- Surf Fins - How to Choose
- Surf Leashes - How to Choose
- Surf Traction Pads - How to Apply
- Wetsuits - Thickness Guide & Temperature Chart
- Wetsuits - How to Put On
- Wetsuits - Repair and Care Guide
Check Out Our Favorite Surf Gear
The Selection Process:
Our surf buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things surfing stemming from years of experience in the surf industry in tandem with their countless hours out in the water catching waves around the world. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
