“I Cannot Express The Joy It Gave Me Watching My Talented Friends Lug Boards Like Peasants”

When my brother told me about this Db x Stab giveaway, I figured I could be a perfect reviewer. Not because I’m so intelligent, or take surf trips so frequently, but rather because I am so cheap. Rather than forking over hundreds of dollars that could be used toward the next trip, I’ve relied on the age-old trade of a 12 pack in exchange for borrowing a board bag from a friend for a week or two. That being said, I’ve used various brands, sizes, and designs over the years. Consider me an expert.

While I may be too cheap to buy my own coffin, apparently my friends aren’t all that much better. I’ve never had the luxury of a board bag on wheels… and let me tell you this is the greatest luxury of them all. I cannot express the joy it gave me as my far more talented friends walked through the CBX crossing lugging their boards like peasants and I strolled along like a king. The simple addition of perhaps the greatest invention in the history of mankind made the arduous task of traveling with surfboards a breeze. I’m afraid I may never be able to regress.

Sure the wheels made the job easy, but at the end of the day a board bag serves one primary purpose. Getting from point A to point B. None of which is worthwhile if your boards arrive in pieces. I am happy to say that my roundtrip travel with the infamous Volaris airlines experienced no damages. Perhaps this is due to the strategically placed handles, the interior straps to keep boards from shifting, the “rib” protection, or those little bags around the nose/tail which I stuffed my 3 pairs of trunks and t-shirts in (a very nice touch). Whatever it was, the package arrived safely.

I was happy with my boards arriving in one piece and transporting with ease, but there are plenty of brands that could’ve provided this experience. What was unique with the Db bag was after the boards were removed. It rolls up like an oversized sleeping bag and tucks away next to my nightstand. On a trip you’ll no longer trip over a 7’ piece of luggage in the middle of your cramped hotel room on the way to your midnight piss. Another luxury I didn’t realize I’d been without. 

One other bonus was the way this bag opens. It’s tough to describe but kinda like pulling the sheets off a well tucked-in hotel bed. This makes it easier to pack than any other board bag I’ve ever used. Perhaps too easy. Maxing out 4 boards + clothes, fins, wetsuit? Etc. Im sure the bag would result in additional fees at the ticket counter. But if you’re purchasing this bag, I guess a little extra at the ticket counter probably isn’t your biggest concern.  

And luxury is what comes to mind with this board bag. It’s all black sleek design consistently turned heads… but to be honest, I found myself wishing it had a reflective side to it like most other board bags on the market. I’d imagine most surf trips are as much about getting to warmer waters as it is about scoring perfect waves. I worried my boards would be cooking in this “cool” all black package sitting under the tropical heat. I would have loved to bring all 3 boards to the beach each day on this trip, but the risk/reward of backup boards melting the DB oven bag didn’t add up. So an old day bag did the trick for daily trips down dirt roads in the pickup. 

In my delirious excitement of arriving at our destination after a red-eye, I grabbed the first Db board bag on the baggage carousel. I had never seen one before, it had to be mine. I was wrong.  I realized this bag was missing those little dots, unique to the STAB collaboration.  Classic mixup that was thankfully resolved before leaving the airport with some weird surftech boards or whatever this other (assumingly rich) old guy was planning to surf. A nice albeit subtle touch from STAB.

Being the cheap bastard I am, this giveaway was a true gift. The board bag performed flawlessly. But, of course I will always find something to complain about. It wouldn’t be an honest review without at least one complaint right? Besides the lack of a reflective side to the bag, I was bummed to find the giveaway missing the “bonus” items. A board sock (but how much innovation can a board sock really have?) and the “surf tote”. This was strangely something I really looked forward to reviewing. For years my brothers and I have been religious proponents of the IKEA tarp bag.  Great for every use, particularly good for surf equipment.  I looked forward to seeing what kind of luxuries a higher end Scandinavian brand might add to the tried and true IKEA bag. I guess that’ll have to wait til this cheap ass ponies up for this $80 upgrade.  

*Not reviewed is the DB specific “hook-up” system.  I don’t have other DB luggage, but theoretically this system seems like another impressive convenience.  Ultimately, if you can swing it I can’t imagine anyone being bummed with this board bag. I’m certainly looking forward to continue putting it through the paces. – Taylor Langstaff