A leash is cheap and it is the only thing connecting you to your board. Here is which type to buy, what length you need and when to replace it.
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Most beginners use whatever leash came with the board until it snaps. That usually happens on the biggest day of the trip. A decent leash costs less than a surf lesson, so it is worth getting right.
TL;DR: For surfing, buy a straight leash about the same length as your board, in regular thickness. Coiled leashes are for paddleboards and flat water.
| Straight leash | Coiled leash | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Surfing breaking waves | Stand-up paddle, flat water, bodyboarding (wrist or bicep) |
| In a wipeout | Lets the board travel away from you | Can spring the board back toward you |
| Drag | Trails in the water | Sits on the deck, no drag |
| Our advice | Use this for surfing | Skip it unless you paddleboard |
In breaking waves you want the board to get away from you when you fall. A coiled cord works like a spring and can pull the board back toward your head. Keep coiled leashes for stand-up paddling, where the benefit is that nothing drags behind you.
Match the leash to the board, or go one size longer. Too short and the board recoils into you. Too long and it tangles around your legs.
| Board length | Leash length | Cord thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 6'6" | 6' | Regular (about 7mm) |
| 6'6" to 7'6" | 7' | Regular |
| 7'6" to 8'6" | 8' | Regular or heavy |
| 9'0" and longer | 9' to 10' | Heavy, ankle or knee cuff |
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| Product | Best for | Lengths | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FCS All Round Essential Leash | Everyday straight leash | 6' to 9' | Straight | View on Amazon |
| Dakine Kainui Team Leash | Premium straight leash | 6' and up | Straight | View on Amazon |
| Creatures of Leisure Reliance Leash | Tough option for bigger boards | 6' to 9' | Straight | View on Amazon |
| Ocean & Earth 9' Longboard Leash | Longboards and 9' soft-tops | 9' to 10' | Straight | View on Amazon |
| Dakine Coiled SUP Leash 10' | Coiled, for SUP and flat water only | 10' | Coiled | View on Amazon |
How we picked: we compared construction, sizing range, availability and long-term owner feedback. We have not tested these side by side, so treat this as a researched shortlist rather than a lab ranking. Model names and specs change each season, so check the current listing before you buy.
A standard-thickness straight leash with double swivels. Does the job on anything from a mid-length to a soft-top.
Built with a thicker cord, which is what you want when a heavy 8-foot foamie is pulling on your ankle.
If you ride an 8-foot beginner soft-top, a thicker cord is worth it. Big foam boards put far more load on a leash than a shortboard does.
A well-regarded cord and cuff that many surfers keep for years. Check you are buying the regular rather than the thin competition version.
A 9-foot cord with the choice of ankle or knee cuff. Knee cuffs keep the cord out of the way if you start cross-stepping.
Coiled leashes stay on the deck instead of dragging in the water. That is useful on a paddleboard and a bad idea in breaking waves.
Our tested pick
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Check the cord for nicks and the swivels for rust before every trip. Replace it after any big stretch, or about once a year if you surf regularly. Long, mellow points such as the bay at Imsouane are a very long swim without one.
Next: sort your wax and accessories, or see the full beginner setup checklist.
Maya Torres
Founder & Surf Travel Editor
Maya has surfed in 34 countries over 15 years, reviewed 60+ surf camps in person, and now leads the Surfstore.com editorial team. Her mission: zero bad surf trips.
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