It’s a pretty exciting time to be taking up surfing. Bow rider surfboards have now started to come in a variety of shapes and sizes and with numerous straps and harnesses to choose from. One of the biggest developments has been the introduction of the foil …
A foil is basically a surfboard that uses a hydrofoil at the rear of the board to lift it out of the water and boost it forward like a plane. This means that you can surf in places that were once too shallow to paddle into or that could only be enjoyed with a big longboard. Foil surfboards are also very maneuverable meaning that you can surf in tighter areas and get to steeper waves much quicker without expending as much energy.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Innovations Formo F27 SUP/Surf foil kit | Best Overall |  |
| CLOUD IX SURFFOILS S24 Sabre Foil Set | Budget Pick |  |
| Slingshot Sports Hover Glide FSUP V3 SUP Foil | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Carbon Innovations Formo F27 SUP/Surf foil kit
Pros:
- Highly affordable option
- Easy to install and operate
- Comes with a travel bag
Here’s an affordable (as in really affordable) option for you to learn pretty quickly. You will have to learn how to foil safely before you take a hit, and practice will definitely pay off.
The forward-raked mast is low-profile and retracts down for travel. The 8 inches multi-blade foil is single-side carbon (running on one side of the board) for an inexpensive way to get used to this fun sport.
While there is no tracking fin, you are still able to keep and trim your line. The ultimate goal of surfing is to master drifting so you can maintain speed, direction and angle.
2. Cabrinha 2020 HI: Rise Varial Foil Kit
Pros:
- Full carbon fiber construction
- Unique daggerboard allows for better control and less wobbling
- It’s more affordable than several high-end foil boards
- Comes with a BIC lighter, which helps to store the actual foil
- Comes with a watertight backpack-style carrying bag
- Top of the line equipment, like the pump, jet pump, and air foils are 500 psi
- Cabrinha includes a powerful pump, which has a much smaller form factor than any of the standard pumps on the market
- Multiple accessories make this a very versatile board
Cons:
- The package comes with lots of attachments, which can be hard to keep track of
- Takes a lot of time to learn
- Refilling the pump with air is a little bit of a hassle
- The battery isn’t included in the price, which makes it more expensive than other higher-end brands
- Cabrinha needs to work on improving their customer service
Our top pick is the Cabrinha high-end foil, which stands out from competitors thanks to its lightweight construction that makes it easy to ride, even in windy conditions.
3. Carbon Fiber Kiteboarding hydrofoil Foils
Pros:
- Super easy to assemble
- The board glides very easily beneath the Hydrofoil
- You can attach some kind of cooler to the back of the board
- It comes with a 6-month warranty
- Newbie-friendly
Cons:
- Does not work with a 6″ SUP
- The fins don’t come with the packaging
- Doesn’t come with all the parts needed to make it road-worthy. You’ll have to buy some accessories separately to make the whole thing function
This Kite fishing foil kit comes with all the accessories you need to ride in the waves.
It is compatible with any type of SUP replacement board from 6 to 10 inches. You can easily attach the fins and the traction pad to keep yourself securely on the board and to minimize slipping.
The retractable fins allow you to raise and lower the board for different water conditions and to allow you to clean the bottom of the board.
4. Slingshot Sports Hover Glide FSUP V3 SUP Foil
Pros:
- Completely redesigned heavier mast and boom. This makes the glide far more rigid, especially when out of the water
- Lighter and easier to carry
- Completely redesigned lightweight deck pad material makes this board far lighter than its previous models
- A bit of weight saving measures, but these are largely aesthetic
- New deck padding is far better designed and feels more comfortable than the previous generation
- Comes with a travel bag, which is far lighter than the previous generation travel bag
- The battery life of this model is far better than its predecessors
Con:
The bottom line: perfect for flat water paddling
5. CLOUD IX SURFFOILS S24 Sabre Foil Set
The Cloud IX Surf Foil S24's are a high-quality system that provides a very easy to use and reliable system for gliding in the water.
This system comes in seven foot, nine foot, and ten foot sizes. The four-line control system reduces the chances of the system being pushed into the water without your knowledge.
You can convert from a glider to a foil with this system and it comes with a great instructional video to support you during installation. A training board is also included that will allow you to position yourself and the board in the correct area for comfort.
Conclusion
If you wanted to get away from the crowd and experience something a little more private, the trip to the beach may be your best bet this weekend. But if you want to get the best wind surfing experience without leaving the mainland, then you should definitely consider getting your own standup paddleboard.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Innovations Formo F27 SUP/Surf foil kit | Best Overall | |
| CLOUD IX SURFFOILS S24 Sabre Foil Set | Budget Pick | |
| Slingshot Sports Hover Glide FSUP V3 SUP Foil | Upgrade Pick | |