10 Best Boogie Boards in 2022 (California Board Company, Goplus, and More)

You may not know what you should look for when you buy a boogie board. Because of this, we want to discuss the designs, dimensions, and features of boogie boards to help you find what you want.

Some boogie boards will vary in their designs, so you need to look at their cores and rails. Each of these features will play a major role in your boogie board's speed and comfort.

The core refers to the layer of material directly underneath the deck. It provides buoyancy and durability, and makes up most of the board. Expanded polystyrene, or EPS, cores are the most common you will come across for boogie boards.

You should prioritize products that use EPS cores since it provides those benefits while keeping the board lightweight. You also may come across boards with polyethylene foam cores, but they are more dense and tough, and not as comfortable to lie on.

Rails are the sides of the board. They have two numbers that let you know what the shape of their curve is. A 50/50 rail means the curve is evenly distributed from top to bottom and looks sort of like a sideways U. A 60/40 rail means the curve is 60 percent on the top of the board, and 40 percent on the bottom.

This means the rail's top portion has a flatter curve while the bottom part has a steeper one. You should stick with 60/40 rails when possible since they will be easier to grip. Your palms will rest on top of the rails while your fingers wrap around them, making a 60/40 rail more comfortable and natural to hold onto.

50/50 rails will give you a more balanced grasp but will be more difficult to rest your palms on. On the other hand, a 70/30 rail will provide more space for your palm, but you will have to bend your wrist inward, which may cause some strain.

Finding the right boogie board also involves picking one that works for your body type. Here are some points you should remember to help you find the best boogie board dimensions based on your size.

You will notice that boogie board manufacturers give recommendations on their product pages based on your weight and age. Weight is the more important recommendation to use when you want to find the right boogie board size.

Age is used as a general guideline, so you should only use it if the product doesn't mention a carrying capacity. If you have a toddler or smaller child that wants a boogie board, you could look into kickboards instead, since boogie boards are usually for those over two feet tall.

Since boogie boards vary in thickness, you want to find a sweet spot where it will be sturdy while avoiding drag in the water. You should consider boogie boards that are at least two inches thick, though you may want to avoid three inch boogie boards when possible.

Three-inch boards have more weight and drag. However, they will also have better durability. On the other hand, under two inches provides a faster board, but one that won't be as tough.

Boogie boards vary in their length and width since they're designed for people of different heights. Usually, the length and width are roughly the same ratio between boards, so you should focus more on length when you look into boogie boards.

Most boogie board manufacturers will include tables to let you know which boogie board you should get based on your height. For example, if you're under five and a half feet, a 37-inch board will probably be a good fit. On the other hand, someone over five and a half feet may do better with a 41-inch board.

33, 37, and 41 inches are the most common sizes, but you will also come across boogie boards that are longer. The length matters because you will have a harder time gripping and controlling the boogie board if you choose one that’s too big for you. Alternatively, you may struggle to balance on a boogie board that's too small for you.

While the design and material of the boogie board matters, you also should think about its features. Look for things that make boogie boards safer and more convenient to use.

A hauling cable is a small loop near the top of the board. As the name implies, the loop is there for you to grip and carry the boogie board without grabbing the sides. You use it to carry your boogie board to the water and back to shore. It's simple, but it's a convenient option you might have overlooked.

Wrist straps are a great way to keep your boogie board near you. Sometimes, large waves may crash over you and knock you off the boogie board, and the strap will ensure you don’t lose track of it.

Also, if the waves knock you underwater, you can follow the strap back to the boogie board to get your head above the water. A strap also helps you return to the shore with the boogie board since you don’t need to hold onto it. Keep in mind that the wrist strap usually attaches to the hauling cable, but you can remove it if you don’t need it.

A boogie board with bright colors stands out in the water, making it easier to find it if you lose it. This also makes it easier to spot your child if they go swimming with a boogie board. The bright colors will help you spot your boogie board during a busy beach day.

You should avoid boogie boards with shades of blue or dark colors since they will blend in the most with the water. Contrasting colors like orange or pink tend to stand out the most.

Boogie boards are great fun at the beach, but you should know about a few common complaints. If you don't leave them bottom side up on the beach, they can bubble. Also, they can split along the sides if you don't rinse them with clean water after each use. 

Keep these in mind while browsing our summaries of customer reviews. If properly cared for, boogie boards can be wonderful products, so let's look into your best options!

Do you have plans to go to the beach and have some fun? Look at these products to see what can make your trip more comfortable and convenient!

Author: Garrett Garcia

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