There’s something about soft tops that brings surfing back to its roots. It’s not about performance numbers, or how deep you can push a rail — it’s about pure, uncomplicated stoke. A soft-top is the board you grab when the waves aren’t perfect, when you don’t want to worry about dings, crowds, or your best board snapping in the shorebreak.

It’s the board that lets you paddle out with friends who are learning, trade waves with kids, or sneak in a few fun slides before work without overthinking the session. It’s the board that reminds you surfing doesn’t need to be serious to be good.

That’s the essence of a soft-top: freedom. Freedom from pressure, from perfection, and from the idea that every surf has to “count.”

And now, with modern construction and refined shapes, soft tops aren’t just for beginners. They’re real tools for real surfers — the kind you can throw in the car, wax up in seconds, and ride anywhere from crumbly beach breaks to fast shoulder-high walls.

Below, we’ve rounded up the best soft top brands and models that combine durability, design, and that carefree spirit only foam can deliver.