Soft tops have come a long way. What used to mean a basic foam learner board now covers a broad range of designs — from genuine beginner boards built for stability and forgiveness, to high-performance hybrids that experienced surfers reach for when the waves are fun but not quite firing.
The appeal is straightforward: soft tops are more forgiving on impact (yours and others'), easier to handle in the shore break, and often more fun in smaller, messier surf than a performance shortboard that wants clean, punchy waves to work properly. They're also a better choice for families, as the soft rails and deck remove a lot of the hazard from close-quarters surfing.
The SIC Darkhorse is the standout in this collection and isn't your typical foam board. SIC's Vortex construction uses a fiberglass-wrapped EPS core with a full-length wooden I-beam stringer and dual composite rail stringers — a level of engineering more associated with composite boards than soft tops. The result is a board with genuine stiffness and pop underfoot, FCS-compatible glassed-in fin boxes, and high-density EVA rails that keep the soft, safe feel without sacrificing shape precision. It works well for beginners, but it's just as at home under an intermediate or advanced surfer looking for a fun board on a smaller day.
If you're looking for a composite surfboard instead, see our composite surfboards collection.
Free UK delivery on orders over £100.
