Most surfers tend to avoid leashes. They think it’s uncool, symbolizing a lack of confidence, dumb, and so on. However, despite all that stigma, surfboard leashes are truly an absolute accessory – no matter whether you’re a beginner or an elite rider. It could actually save your life, keeping you afloat in case something unexpected happens. The kook cords will also prevent your speed-egg from hitting and injuring other surfers. So, it’s very important to use high-quality cords during your wave riding session. And that’s the exact reason why you should join us here. Shortly, we’re about to unveil some of the best surfboard leashes in the market!
How to Choose Best Surfboard Leashes
Leashes, or leg rope if you want to call it that way, is a practical piece that’ll save a lot of effort when you fall off the board. Since the blade is attached to your foot, you don’t have to bother swimming around looking for it in open water. The kook cords will also prevent your speed egg from transforming into a dangerous armament, bringing any harm to other surfers or even yourself. Furthermore, when choosing the best surfboard leashes there are at least four factors that you must consider. They’re the thickness, length, experience, and type.
Thickness
The smaller the waves, the smaller the leash you need. 5-6mm cords will be more than enough for less-draggy and easy-to-catch kahunas. As for the larger bomboras, you may want to pick leg ropes around 7-9mm thick. They’ll be less likely to snap when it comes to taking poundings in more intense waves.
Length
Surfboard leashes are generally between 5 and 12ft long. The general consensus is that you should pick the cord based on the length of the board. Make sure it’s the same as or slightly longer than your speed-egg. For example, if you have a 5ft long blade, choose a 5ft long leash. For a 6.6ft board, you can use a 7ft long rope leg. Especially for beginners, you might want to get a leash that’s moderately long. This will help keep you a little further from the board when taking beatings.
Experience
A longer leash is highly recommended for beginners. It’ll prevent the board from rebounding quickly and hitting you when you fall. But make sure it’s not too long, as that’ll increase the radius for your blade to hurt other people. On another perspective, elite riders tend to pick a shorter rope as it allows less drag and a faster pace. Again, always choose leash based on need, ability, and experience.
Type
Most surfers are divided between the ankle and calf/knee. The first type is the most common and comfortable when you’ve to pull your board back after you fall over. However, this type of rope tends to tangle easily. On the other hand, calf/knee rope offers less drag and fewer twists. But they’re unfortunately not very comfortable to wear and make it difficult when you have to drag your speed eggs. So choose wisely, consider which one is the most suitable for your character and needs.
Santa Barbara Surfing 8ft Soft Top Leash
13
When it comes to price and quality, nothing can beat Santa Barbara Surfing 8ft Soft Top Leash. This cord is quite basic, but you’ll find it works quite well. Especially compared to other affordable alternatives on the market. Some report that these ropes are easily tangled, but it depends on how you manage them and adjust it to the length of the board. A few tips for avoiding that condition: you probably don’t want to dry out the leash when it’s wrapped tightly around the board.
Santa Barbara Surfing 8ft Top Leash will be an excellent replacement for your regular cord. The Velcro stick is better than most products, so you don’t need to make extra effort to swim and get your speed eggs from the reef. The cuff design also deserves appreciation. It feels great to wear and allows you to move around freely without affecting performance too much.
However, this doesn’t mean that this product has no flaws at all. It doesn’t have a rail-saver, which means you’ll get a rough wipeout. In other words, a leash can be jerked against the rear edge of the board and do damage to the rails or tails. With that being said, SBS is still an excellent rope and one of the best surfboard leashes available on the market today.
What We Love
A basic cord that works just fine.
Pros:
- Great leash replacement
- Ideal length
- Easy to install
- Affordable alternative
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a rail saver
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WOOWAVE Surfboard Leash
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One thing we love about WOOWAVE Surfboard Leash is the packaging. It looks so cool and professional. Furthermore, the build quality didn’t disappoint at all. Many elite riders report that this cord is capable of gobbling up the larger waves without any problems at all. Some say the ‘hook’ part of the velcro is a bit unique compared to similar products, but we found this not a problem. It still works just as well as most of the so-called premium lashes.
WOOWAVE provides leashes in a variety of sizes. You may pick based on your needs. Whether it’s for a shortboard, longboard, funboard, fishes, or something else, they’ll be ready to get you covered. Using a flexible and lightweight thermoplastic polyurethane material, they promise that these leg ropes won’t snap easily. The build is also quite durable, with the cord connector made of premium TPU. It should be comfortable for your ankle because WOOWAVE uses high-density neoprene – a material specifically designed to prevent irritation after a long day in the water.
Being one of the best surfboard leashes on the market doesn’t mean WOOWAVE doesn’t have anything to criticize. There are quite a lot of riders who claim to be disappointed with the ‘unique’ Velcro system. Many reports it doesn’t secure well and reduces their performance significantly. However, we found that this issue was actually quite easy to handle. All you need to do is put extra pressure when using it. Do it for five seconds and you will find this leash totally fine!
What We Love
Amazing cord, available in a variety of sizes and cool designs.
Pros:
- Made of strong urethane cord
- Comfortable and adjustable
- Available in different sizes
- Lifetime quality warranty
Cons:
- The ‘unique’ velcro system
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AQUARM Surfboard Leash
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AQUARM Surfboard Leash is mostly recommended for beginners. Apart from being affordable, this cord also works like a charm! It’s an excellent product that’s suitable for almost all types of boards. Many riders say AQUARM works well with their wakeboards, surfboards, and paddleboards. It also has a great fitting, giving you great maneuverability without making you less secure when out in open water.
When it comes to materials, AQUARM is practically everything you’d expect from a standard leg rope. It’s made from a 7mm urethane cord that has long been known to be strong to handle boards of various sizes. Precision molded-in double stainless steel swivels prevent the cord from tangling easily. And for additional protection, they use a triple wrap rail saver.
Just like most of the best surfboard leashes on the market, AQUARM also comes with a great cuff. It’s comfortable to use and highly adjustable. Thanks to high-density neoprene, you won’t experience irritation or other severe conditions even if you spend hours in the water. We’re also glad to find that this product is made using marine-grade stainless steel, which makes it super resistant to corrosion. Overall, this is an excellent leash. Make sure to check it out while you can.
What We Love
A simple leg rope but works like a charm. Highly recommended for beginners.
Pros:
- Marine-grade stainless steel
- High-density neoprene
- Strong 7mm urethane cord
- Quality warranty
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with any freebies
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ANNTU Surfboard Leash (CU)
10
ANTTU Surfboard Leash has many reasons why you should choose them over other similar products on the market. First, they only use the best materials available. The tear-resistant TPU is built to keep going for years. It also supposes to devour bigger waves and wipeouts without any problem at all. Get a world-class experience with a significant boost to performance in each of your wave riding sessions!
Second, ANTTU Surfboard Leash uses a brilliant double swivel joints system. If you look closely, the cuff dan rail saver of this rope has two 360-degree swivel joints. This fantastic feature will allow you to perform nimble maneuvers or apply insane tricks without sacrificing a secure connection with the board. Get maximum freedom while you’re on the top of your faithful blade!
Lastly, ANTTU also prepares some appealing extras, just like most of the best surfboard leashes on the market. In this product, you’ll find a smartly designed small pocket. While some might judge this to add absolutely nothing to performance, we found it very useful for storing keys, coins, or small objects. To conclude, ANNTU manages to deliver a leash that is arguably modest but works just fine. Priced at around 10 bucks, you might want to consider this if you’re a little tight on the budget.
What We Love
A moderate kook cords packed with standard-working features.
Pros:
- High-quality TPU Cord
- Double swivel connection
- Small pocket design
- Durable nylon fabric and velcro
Cons:
- There’s no information regarding the refund or quality guarantee
SEAPLUS Surfboard Leash (CU)
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If you’re looking for the best surfboard leashes with a high degree of versatility, this is it. SEAPLUS Surfboard Leash is crafted really well to become suitable with both regular and inflatable SUP (stand up paddleboards). The soft sponge in the loop allows you to have hours of excitement on the water with great freedom. We also love the fact that this leg cord comes with a small pocket. It’s brilliantly designed, giving you extra space to store the keys and screws for your SUP fins.
SEAPLUS didn’t specify what materials they used to make the cords. However, they claim it has a pulling force of up to 600 pounds. They also added stainless fasteners to the joint to ensure extra reliability and safety. Furthermore, we also found that the coil design is quite impressive. It’s flexible enough, perfect for preventing interruptions to your performance when out on the water.
Not much different from most of the best surfboard leashes on the market, SEAPLUS also promises super easy and fast installation. Their ‘magic’ adhesive sticker is said to be able to be used more than 10,000 times. While we can only take it for granted, we didn’t find any problems regarding a secure connection during the three times we used it. So if you haven’t decided which leash to choose, considering SEAPLUS isn’t a bad idea.
What We Love
A safe and reliable leg rope, with extra handy little pockets.
Pros:
- Comfortable and adjustable
- Compatible with regular and inflatable paddleboards
- Super-strong adhesive sticker
- More than 600 pounds of pulling force
Cons:
- No quality warranty
BPS Storm Surfboard and SUP Leash
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Most surfers will describe BPS Storm Surfboard and SUP Leash as okay-ish, but don’t let that put you down. This leg rope doesn’t have double swivels indeed, but it works well in almost any regular scenario. What’s more, you’ll get a cord at a great price and awesome build quality. Whether you choose the 7.2mm or 8mm variant, you’ll have amazing ropes made with sturdy thermoplastic polyurethane material.
Say goodbye to blistering or chafing, because the BPS Storm Surfboard and SUP Leash cuff uses super soft neoprene. The strap is also highly adjustable, covered with a sizable amount of velcro to ensure a superb fit. You’ll also find a few welcome extras like the quick-release tab and hidden key pocket. Furthermore, BPS also guarantees a less stressful wave riding session. They use a long-wide triple rail saver to prevent unwanted damage to your blade. Additionally, there are double stainless swivels to prevent annoying tangling.
Just like most of the best surfboard leashes around, BPS also comes in a variety of sizes and colors. Pick one according to your needs and style. A few tips from us, a thicker leash will be ideal for bigger waves and great for a wipeout. But for more tame kahunas, you may want to consider taking a thinner leash for greater flexibility.
What We Love
An ultra comfort and snaggy leash. It’s also safe and secure thanks to the double stainless steel swivels system.
Pros:
- Max-strength double stainless steel swivels
- 100 percent money-back guarantee
- Precision molded fitting
- Made of sturdy thermoplastic polyurethane
Cons:
- Some riders report the main cord is snapped too easily
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Ho Stevie! Premium Surf Leash
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One of the problems riders often complain about a leg rope is that it twists around so easily. They’re forced to sacrifice their precious seconds for an underwater readjustment, moments before the next bomb arrives. But don’t worry, because there’s Ho Stevie! Premium Surf Leash comes to the rescue! This incredible cord will slide around your ankle without the infuriating interior clumping. Each time a riding session is over, all you have to do is twist it back into place and you’re good to go.
One other thing we love about Stevie Ho! Premium Surf Leash is the release tab placement. On most leg ropes, many surfers find it difficult to locate this feature quickly enough. This can be quite frustrating, especially when you’re on one of those tricky exits with waves crashing against the rocks. But with Ho Stevie! Premium Leash, you can kiss goodbye to the trouble. The release tab on this product is effortless to find, even underwater. The leash will come off immediately, whenever you want it.
Just like most of the best surfboard leashes on the market, Stevie Ho! Premium Surf Leash promises ultimate comfort and safety. Their leash is made of a 7mm polyurethane cord to keep you tethered to the board while minimizing drag in the water. They also added a leash rail saver to protect your tail board from the massive pressure of wipeout. If you still don’t have an idea of which leash to pick, this one is highly recommended. After all, it has a really cool name!
What We Love
A premium surfboard leash that promises great durability and strength.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Tangle free
- Key storage in the cuff
- Made of strong polyurethane cord
Cons:
- Some find this a little less comfortable to wear
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Wave Tribe ECO Surfboard Leash
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When choosing a surfboard leash, we always look for double swivels. Such features will allow you to maneuver effortlessly and not get stuck during rapid action. That’s why we were excited to learn that Wave Tribe ECO Surfboard Leash comes with that attribute.
In addition, the Wave Tribe ECO Surfboard Leash is also designed for minimal environmental impact. Almost all of its components are made from recycled plastic. But there’s no need to push the panic button yet because that doesn’t necessarily mean that this rope is less sturdy than its competitors. With the certified melding surf leash technology, you’ll have a stable and enjoyable wave riding session, more than ever!
Wave Tribe also includes what they call Superman Velcro. This guarantees a tight and secure connection. You won’t need to put extra effort into getting your blade back in open water. And just like most of the best surfboard leashes on the market, this leg rope also comes with a useful little pocket. It’s got a pretty cool graphic and you can use it to store coins, keys, or other small objects. Finally, there’s an excellent one year guarantee. In case you aren’t satisfied with the Wave Tribe product, send it back and you’ll get a full refund. Great!
What We Love
A pretty impressive cord, with pretty cool graphics.
Pros:
- Double swivel technology
- Made of recycled plastic
- Superman velcro
- Small pocket to store keys, coins, etc
Cons:
- The pocket isn’t big enough for the larger keys
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Abahub Premium Surfboard Leash
5
Most reviews say this leash is a must buy. Well, we ourselves can’t recommend this enough. Abahub Premium Surfboard Leash provides an excellent alternative to similar products that are priced at over 30 bucks. This leg rope is convenient on the ankle and we can immediately tell that the material for which it is made isn’t arbitrary. You’ll get multi-layered velcro that prevents loops in your blade from cutting through the board. Some might find this leash tangle easily, which is something you expect from an affordable product. However, a proper loop length installation will solve this kind of problem quite easily.
Constructed with 7mm polyurethane cord and molded-in double stainless steel swivels, the Abahub Premium Surfboard is ideal for dealing with moderate waves. The double wrap-around velcro cuff provides extra muscle and safety for your wave riding leisure. Meanwhile, the premium neoprene ankle cuff will let you surf or paddle for hours without any irritation or blistering. One more thing we like is that this leash has a hidden key pocket within the ankle strap. This cool extra will come in handy for storing small items. Best of all, it closes immediately as soon as you strap up the velcro. Awesome!
Unfortunately, unlike most of the best surfboard leashes on the market, Abahub doesn’t provide any explanation regarding warranty or refund policies. So unless you’re quite gutsy or adventurous, we recommend considering another product. However, if the reviews on their product page mean anything, you’re guaranteed an affordable leg rope that bears a lot in common with the more premium and more expensive products out there.
What We Love
An affordable cord with tons of premium features.
Pros:
- Available in a variety of colors and sizes
- Made of strong 7mm polyurethane cord
- Adjustable and comfortable
- High-density neoprene ankle cuff
Cons:
- There’s no information regarding warranty or refund
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Frienda Sup Leash Coiled (CU)
4
Ride all those waves in style, as Frienda Sup Leash Coiled comes in bright-exciting colors. Form-wise, this leg rope is admirably crafted. All of its components are well-polished. We also found that the tight coils were great for padding on both lakes and rivers. It allows you to dodge any submerge objects effortlessly.
The Frienda Sup Leash Coiled is also easy to attach to a paddleboard or SUP. Meanwhile, the ankle strap is highly adjustable and still feels comfortable after hours of use. The TPU elastic polyurethane material they use feels soft and snuggly. Furthermore, we can also say that their velcro system works extremely well. Slipping is the last thing we think about when using this exceptional leash. Moreover, some may find the cords too short, but we recommend that you measure the length of your boards well before making a purchase.
There aren’t many best surfboard leashes out there that include freebies. That’s why we were quite excited to know that the Frienda Sup Leash Coiled came with two waterproof cases. From closer inspection, both of them seemed quite watertight. Both are made of transparent PVC material that’s able to prevent leaking. You should be able to use it to safely store your phone, keys, or wallet while surfing or paddling.
What We Love
Great leash with the bonus of a quite useful waterproof case.
Pros:
- Safe and sturdy
- Made of elastic TPU polyurethane material
- Highly adjustable and comfortable
- Includes two waterproof case
Cons:
- May not suitable for longer boards
A ALPENFLOW Premium Surfboard Leash (CU)
3
Surfboards leashes are a crucial part of an excellent surfing experience. That’s why it’s so important to only use top quality gear, exactly like A ALPENFLOW Premium Surfboard Leash! This leg rope offers the utmost durability. They use a 7mm polyurethane cord for optimum strength and double stainless steel swivels to reduce tangling. What’s more, there’s a nylon triple-wrap rail saver to protect your board from scratches and minor impacts.
Ride those waves with the highest freedom, as A ALPENFLOW promises comfort and lightness. Say goodbye to blisters and irritants after hours of surfing. All thanks to the padded neoprene ankle cuff that provides extra comfort for the skin. Meanwhile, the supreme TPU material is guaranteed to provide a high degree of flexibility. Slice those kahunas effortlessly, dive straight into all of the rapid action, and get yourself a leisure surf session like no other!
Just like most of the best surfboard leashes on the market, A ALPENFLOW does an excellent job of delivering a user-friendly experience. The tab is very easy to pull out for a quick release. There’s a small handy pocket for storing keys or small items. And finally, there won’t be any of those irritating leash drag thanks to the coiled cord. Overall, this product is quite satisfying. Form-wise, it’s small enough to fit into most of our recommended 13 best foldable travel bags. You should really consider purchasing A ALPENFLOW for your next surf adventure.
What We Love
A compact and light surfboard leash. Perfect to carry around when traveling.
Pros:
- 7mm cord for maximum strength
- Coiled leash to prevent drag
- Easily pull tab
- Neoprene ankle cuff
Cons:
- No mention about warranty or refund policy
BESTA Surfboard Leash
2
BESTA Surfboard Leash assures an excellent surf spell with a rigid line. Its main construction is made of a flexible but sturdy 7mm polyurethane rope. This will grant you an incredible amount of control and drive. Cut those waves with ease and transform yourself into an elite rider!
Apart from superb performance, BESTA also ensures you can sit on those kahunas with the highest safety and comfort. They use premium ankle cuffs with comfort padding. It’ll guarantee hours of enjoyable use, no matter whether you’re surfing or paddling. For a secure connection, BESTA offers heavy-duty velcro with high adhesiveness. For extra convenience, there’s a hidden key pocket for storing fin screws or other smaller items. Oh, and did you know that this premium leash has stainless steel swivels on both ends? This will ensure that the rope won’t tangle or kinked. You can completely focus on the water before the next bomb arrives!
Just like most of the best surfboard leashes available on the market, BESTA offers a 100 percent guarantee on all of their products. This means that if you’re not satisfied with the leash you received or get a defective unit, just send it back. Within a matter of days, you’ll get a full refund or replacement unit! But overall, we’re pleased with BESTA Surfboard Leash. At 6ft long, this will make a great replacement leash for your next vacation.
What We Love
A premium leg rope with secure grip and high-grade material.
Pros:
- Premium ankle cuff
- 7mm thick cord
- Secure velcro strip
- Hidden pocket for keys and screws
Cons:
- It’s not available in variety of colors and sizes
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FCS Freedom Surfboard Leash (CU)
1
For those who don’t mind spending a handsome amount of wealth, FCS Freedom Surfboard Leash is one of the best surfboard leashes that must be included in your surf gear collection. This incredible product features a revolutionary cord, which isn’t only lighter but stronger – especially when compared to other similar stuff. It’s made of high tensile over-braided nylon, promising limited overstretch and drastically reducing the chance of tangling and dragging.
FCS Freedom Leash is a thing of beauty. It’s designed with high precision, packed in an elegant and convincing form. Silicone Grip Pints are used to reduce slipping around the ankle. There’s 3MM neoprene padding that feels light and comfortable to use. Finally, there’s a low profile molded velcro that ensures extra stability and reliability.
Furthermore, FCS Freedom Leash guarantees unparalleled performance. That’s because this product is designed in collaboration with the most notable figures in the world of extreme sports. This is something you rarely find among the best surfboard leashes. And that’s exactly why FCS manages to deliver several innovations, such as a lightweight molded pull tab for an ergonomic quick release and a foam-filled horn for light shock absorption. For those of you looking for an exceptional surfing experience, this product is highly recommended.
What We Love
A superb leash, packed with tons of awesome innovations.
Pros:
- 3MM Neoprene Padding
- Ergonomic pull tab for quick release
- Streamlines rail saver
- High tensile over-braided nylon cord
Cons:
- Some report that the ankle strap is barely noticeable
