No matter how experienced you are on a longboard, there are moments when a leash is a necessary accessory.
On days when the waves are head high or the inside is filled with rocks sticking out above the surface, a leash can save you from a painful swim to shore to reclaim your surfboard.
In this article, we will show you a perfectly tailored shopping list of leashes for your longboard. Follow along to help improve your next session!
Why Wear a Leash While Longboarding?
As you begin your surfing journey on a longboard, a leash is your best friend. It saves you from a long swim to shore every time you fall and saves the rest of the crowd from dodging your board as it floats into shore.
That being said, it shouldn’t be used as a reason to let go and ditch your board in the whitewash. It is a safety tool that is meant to make your session easier.
Earlier, we mentioned that leashes are used in all stages of your surf journey, and that is entirely true! While experienced longboarders tend to wear leashes less, because of their confidence in holding onto their board, a leash still allows them to go out on larger days and charge waves they wouldn’t usually go for.
What to Look For in Longboard Leashes
Length/ Sizes
The main difference between leashes for longboarding and shortboarding is the length of leash and where you choose to place it.
When you’re shopping for your leash, it is essential that you look at the length of your boards at home.
If the board you ride most often is 9’6”, the leash you purchase needs to be at least 9’6”, if not more.
A long leash allows you to walk to and from the nose of your board without running out of cord. Many longboards also opt to attach their leash directly under their knee cap instead of at the ankle, to help avoid tangling as they walk.
This difference often means that the cuff of the leash needs to be larger.
Reliability
The next detail you need to look out for while shopping is the reliability of the leash. After all, what good is having a leash if it snaps in half when you need it the most.
One way you can see if the leash is reliable is by seeing what material it is made out of, analyzing the swivel, and reading reviews.
Style
If you spend lots of money picking the color of your surfboard, and this leash will be attached to your board every time you surf, you want to make sure you like the style of leash you’re picking. Browse the prototype that you feel is most suited to your surfing and pick a color that compliments your board best!
The Best Longboard Leashes for Surfing
1.FCS Freedom Helix Leash - Longboard $64.00-$68.00
With a new design, the FCS Freedom Helix Leash was made for those of you who don’t like the feeling of wearing a leash. This leash is made with a lighter material and helix cord design that absorbs shock when the leash is needed. Since this leash is lighter, it won’t drag as much as other leashes. This means you'll have the best chance of forgetting it’s attached to you until you need it. When purchasing the helix leash, you’ll have a choice between one that cuffs at the ankle or one that cuffs at your calf. The one downside to this leash is that it only comes in 9’, so it isn’t suited for those of you with 9’+ longboards.
2. FCS Longboard Ankle Essential Leash $46.00
The FCS Longboard Ankle Essential Leash is a great universal leash. If you are just starting surfing and aren’t sure of specific features that you want in a leash, this leash will be best for you all around.
This cord is slightly thicker than the Helix Leash, improving its durability for all conditions and wave sizes, but still maintaining its lightweight feature.
You’ll have the choice between a 9’ and 10’ leash while purchasing as well as 6 different color options. One downside to this leash is that it only comes with the option for an ankle cuff.
3. Dakine Longboard Surf Leash $30.00-$42.00
Dakine designed this leash specifically for longboarders who enjoy nose riding and walking up and down their board.
With this in mind, the leash features a cuff that is only meant to be attached to your calf.
When you take a closer look at the cuff you’ll see ridges that will help the cuff sit comfortably and resist slipping down your leg during yoursession.
Plus, the leash is made out of urethane Dura-Cord, a tough material meant to resist wear and tear for years of use. While making your final decision, note that the Dakine Leash comes in two lengths, 9’ and 10’, with an additional four colorways to choose from .
4. Reliance Longboard Ankle 9 Leash $48.00
The Reliance Longboard Ankle Leash is another lightweight leash that is still proven to be incredibly durabile. The design of the swivel, which features DNA Flex Mould, has been tested and stretched 33’ without snapping.
Knowing this, you can be confident while surfing that a small fall and impact from a wave won’t snap your leash and leave you swimming to the shore.
This 9’ leash also comes in the most color options out of our pics, so choose the design that best matches your surfboard!
This is the leash with the widest range of sizes, perfect for those of you with a 10’+ longboard in your quiver. Your choice in sizes will be 9’, 10’, and 11’.
One additional feature that stuck out to us was the key pocket on their leash.
This pocket can fit and secure any singular key so that you don’t have to worry about hiding your key while you surf.
This design showed us that this product was designed by a surfer who wanted to create and test a leash that fit all their needs that may have been unmet by other products on the market.
The Bottom Line: Longboard Leashes
Being a longboarder, you may be used to running away from using a leash, but these leashes will leave you coming back for more.
All designed for maximum comfort, strength, and maneuverability, any of these choices will leave you satisfied.
So, take a look at your longboard and pick the best leash according to length, style, and features that best suit you!
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