When travelling as a surfer, not only do you need a great surfboard bag, to carry your precious sleds to far-flung surf destinations around the world, but you’ll also need a backpack, that keeps all your important bits (wallet, keys, passport, and tech items) safe and accessible through a long flight. I’ve gone through my fair share of surf travel backpacks and have compiled this list of some of the best.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Good Surf Travel Backpack?
- Sections and compartments
- Breathability
- Tech friendly
- Surf orientated?
The Best Surf Travel Backpacks
The Dakine Mission 32L
Starting off with one of the best, the Dakine Mission is a solid seem seeled backpack ideal for the traveling surfer. With a breathable back mesh panel and plenty of compartments to stash all your surf accessories and technology bits and bobs. But, perhaps the best aspect of this bag is the water top/waterproof roll-top dry bag, epic for stashing a wet rashie or damp pair of boardies. Learn more about the Dakine Mission.
Oakley Blade 30L
This bag from Oakley is a sturdy rucksack with every compartment you need as a traveling surfer. The 30L edition of this bag (available in multiple sizes) is perfect as hand luggage on flights for any surf trip. 2 slip pockets 4 zip pockets and 4 x exteriors. Check out more about the Oakley Blade here.
TomToc Travel Backpack 40L
While not officially a surf travel backpack (who cares about the label anyway), the TomToc is a sleek-looking hand luggage backpack, perfect if you’re traveling with lots of tech items, such as a laptop, iPad, cameras, etc, (digital nomad equipment). I love how convenient and easy all the pockets are laid out here and definitely, a bag that’s ideal for the traveling surfer. Learn more here.
The Dakine Ranger 45L
Another sleek design from Dakine and this 45L pack are legal carry-on sizes for most airlines around the globe. With a padded laptop sleeve pocket, two external pockets, and a water bottle sleeve you’ll have easy access to the small stuff you need as you travel, while you can bulk t the bag with your clothes in the larger internal compartments. Learn more here.
Matein Tech Backpack
This is the backpack I use personally, and to be honest, It’s probably not suitable for most people. I travel full time and am a minimalist, meaning I basically travel with just a few changes of clothes, this bag is full of technology stuff I need for filming and creating surf travel content and a board bag. (Check out my breakdown of the best surfboard bags for air travel here). Buy the Matien Backpack here.
Final Words
While all of these backpacks can serve their purpose, whatever pack you choose, from this list or elsewhere, just make sure, it’s got heaps of compartments and sections to organize all your different stuff (e.g., your clothes from your tech items).
