Best Softboards in Australia Compared
Looking for your first softboard? Here's how the main softboard brands sold in Australia compare on price, float and what comes in the box. That includes MF Softboards, Ocean & Earth, Softech, Catch Surf and our own Summer vibes boards.
The short answer: most branded 8'0 softboards in Australia sell for about $560 to $690. They're all built from a similar recipe: a foam core, wooden or bamboo stringers, a soft deck and a slick bottom. The biggest differences for a beginner are volume (float), what's included and price. Pick the most float you can carry, and make sure fins come with it.
8'0 softboards compared
An 8'0 is the size most adult beginners learn on.
| Brand & model | Price (AUD) | Size & volume | Construction | Fins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer vibes Mini Mal 8'0 | $559.99 | 8'0 x 23½ x 3½, 83L | Hybrid composite core, laminated wood stringers, reinforced coextruded soft deck | Included, FCS Compatible boxes |
| MF Softboards Beastie Super Soft 8'0 | $560–$625 | 8'0 x 22⅝ x 2⅞, 61.5L | Recycled EPS core, stringer, very soft deck skin | Included, MF soft flex fins |
| Ocean & Earth Ezi-Rider 2.0 8'0 | $625 RRP | 8'0 x 22¾ x 3¾, 80L, 5.87kg | EPS core, 3 stringers, PE deck, HDPE slick bottom | 3 x 4.5" fins included |
| Softech Roller 8'0 | $579.99 | 8'0, 94L | EPS core, single timber stringer, slick bottom | Tri fins included, FCS boxes |
| Catch Surf Odysea Log 8'0 | $689.99 | 8'0 x 23 x 3⅜, 86L | Dual composite core, 3 wood stringers, PE deck, HDPE slick bottom | Tri fin set included |
Prices and specs were taken from the brand's own website or Australian surf retailers in October 2026. Retailer prices change often, so check the current price before you buy. Brand names belong to their owners. This guide is our own comparison and isn't endorsed by any brand listed.
Find your size
The 8'0 is the fairest head-to-head, but it isn't right for everyone. Here's where to start in the Summer vibes range.
| Who's riding | Start with |
|---|---|
| Kids and groms | Grom 4' |
| Most adult beginners | Mini Mal 7'0 or 8'0 (the 8'0 is 83L) |
| Heavier beginners | Longboard 9' (105L) or Wider Rider (up to 119L) |
| Ready to progress | A Hard Core softboard, then a Summer vibes EPS surfboard |
Brand by brand
Summer vibes
Our Mini Mal comes in 6'6, 7'0 and 8'0, and our Longboard comes in 9'0 (105L). Fins are included and the boxes are FCS Compatible. Every board is part of a colour-matched range, so your leash, fins and traction can match your board, and buying a board with a few accessories gets you our setup deal.
Summer vibes is the only brand here that makes softboards, hard surfboards and every accessory you need, so you can get your whole setup in one place, and keep coming back as you progress.
Why we cost less: there are no paid team riders or big marketing teams built into our prices. Summer vibes is run by one person, so the savings go straight to you.
MF Softboards
Mick Fanning's softboard brand, and one of the best-known in Australia. The Beastie Super Soft and the Sugar Glider (designed with Laura Enever) are the popular beginner models. The Beastie has a very soft deck skin that can be fragile. Volumes are on the lower side for their length. For example, the 8'0 Beastie is 61.5L, which suits lighter or progressing surfers more than heavier first-timers.
Ocean & Earth
An Australian surf brand whose Ezi-Rider is a long-running learner board in sizes from 5'6 to 9'0. It has a three-stringer build, fins in the box and a published 12-month warranty.
Worth knowing: MF Softboards, Ocean & Earth and Summer vibes softboards all come from the same manufacturer. The difference is in the shapes, the specs and the price.
Softech
The Roller is Softech's entry-level board and has a lot of volume for its length: 94L at 8'0. Fins are included but a leash isn't.
Catch Surf
The Odysea Log is a premium, lifestyle-focused softboard with a three-stringer build. It's at the top of the price range.
Fun Day Surf and Surftech
You may see Jamie O'Brien's Fun Day Surf boards and Surftech's Softop range online. We couldn't find either sold through Australian retailers, so buying one usually means importing it from the US.
How to choose your first softboard
Get enough float
More litres means easier paddling and catching waves. Most adult beginners do best on 70–90L, usually a 7'0 to 8'0. Heavier beginners should look at a 9'0.
Check what's included
Fins should come with the board. A leash is essential too, and many brands sell it separately.
Think about the next board
Once you've got the basics, step up to a Hard Core softboard or a Summer vibes EPS surfboard for more speed and response.
Not sure which size? Read our board guide, or see delivery costs to your state.
Softboard comparison FAQs
What's the best softboard for a beginner in Australia?
For most adults, an 8'0 softboard with 75–90L of volume and fins included. That includes the Summer vibes Mini Mal 8'0 (83L), Ocean & Earth Ezi-Rider 8'0 (80L) and Softech Roller 8'0 (94L).
How much should I pay for a beginner softboard?
Branded 8'0 softboards in Australia mostly sell for $560 to $690. Budget boards from big-box stores can be cheaper, but check the volume, the build and whether fins and a leash are included.
Do softboards come with fins and a leash?
Most come with fins, but many don't include a leash. Summer vibes boards include fins, and you can add a colour-matched leash at checkout.
Are MF Softboards worth it?
MF boards are well built and popular. Their beginner models run lower in volume than some rivals, so heavier beginners may want a bigger size or a higher-volume board.
Where are Summer vibes softboards made?
Summer vibes boards are designed and developed on the Gold Coast and made by the same manufacturer as MF Softboards and Ocean & Earth.
Shop Summer vibes softboards · Leashes · Fins · Custom boards
Designed & developed on the Gold Coast, QLD.
