The Top 5 Best Bodyboard Leashes

In the market for a bodyboard leash?

Well my dude or dudette, you are in luck. We cover the best ones to get. There are plenty of good leashes out there and ones that will do, but after years out in the water, trying just about every leash, there are certainly standouts and ones that are by far our favorites. These below will most likely be your best be, so check them out>> 

 

Comparison Table

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1. Creatures of Leisure Bicep Leash

Creatures of Leisure Ryan Hardy Medium Bicep leashThis is one hell of a leash and our top pick, numero uno, #1.

This leash made the cover image of this post, above, showing off one of their more radical color designs.

Function
This product is designed with function in mind. The metal swivel and connector (connecting the cord to the leash) makes it flexible and durable. It has a 360 degree movement, so while the bicep strap is pretty beefy you still have a ton of movement and flexibility. Many other leashes use plastic or are less flexible in the way the are made.

Another function is the bicep strap. It is well put together because it is made out of tough material yet it is very comfortable to wear and the large loop makes it easy and fast to take it on and off.

The coil is made of smaller circled coils that are bunched together, which makes it best to stay out of your way when you are riding. The whole leash is made from the best materials including rubber, metal and cloth that will last a long time and be dependable in big surf.

Beefy
This leash is a beefy beast master. The bicep strap material is wide and made of some strong material. This leash can take a beating. You can use it surf your typical surf break, of course, but you could take this thing to Pipeline or Teahupoo and have no problem. This is the leash that the pro’s will take to these very such heavy waves spots. I don’t think anyone makes a beefier leash that this. These are built to last and they use the highest quality materials.

Style points
These leashes look just cool and the colors look great as well.

Selection
There is a ton of selection with this product, with different sizes and colors. One size is definitely not fits all.

buy

RYAN-HARDY-BICEP-LEASH

 

 

 

>> CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR FAVORITE BODYBOARDS LEASHES! <<

 

 

2. Pride Bicep Leash

pride bodyboard-leash-jared-houstonThe Pride bicep bodyboarding leash is a extremely well put together and has many similar qualities to the the Creatures but it has a different design.

The bicep strap is thinner along the velcro while the inside cushiony part is wider. This leash is not the only one that has adopted this style.

With this subtle difference makes a big difference that you can feel. It feels much lighter and less noticeable. That is the good part, the only bad part is that it is not as tough and these are a bit easier to break compared to the indestructible Creatures.

All in all, an incredible leash.

buy

Pride Bicep Leash

Unlike many other leashes on the market, these Pride leashes stem from their bodyboard line as an accessory. Pride is a newer bodyboard many but they have accelerated in recent years and have managed to attract several world class riders on to their team, all of whom currently compete on the Bodyboard World Tour.

Why does this matter?

Because these leashes are backed by a trust worthy and high quality company that stands behind their products. Plus, world class pro riders would not join the team and use their products if they were not the down right bee’z knee’z.

So definitely consider a pride leash and check out their bodyboard line too!

 

 

3. XM Easy fit

Xm Power Ring Coil Core Bicept Bodyboard LeashThe XM EzFit by SurfMore XM is a personal favorite. The bicep strap is the more narrow, compared to #1 and #2 on the list. This makes it the most lightweight and less noticeable. It kind of feels like you are not wearing al leash sometimes.

Although this bicep leash is very narrow and uses less material, it actually packs a big punch and is pretty strong considering the facts. It is made of of high quality strong material and can hold its own in heavy surf or shore-break.

The coil is is made out of strong and flexible rubber and the connector from the coil to the bicep strap is a metal swivel, making it, again, strong yet flexible.

This is a bit of a longer leash though. The longer coil that is not very compact plus the velcro coil to plug connector make this a pretty long leash in length. I personally took off the volcro connector to make it shorter. I thing the only improvement on this leash could be to make the coil more compact and tighter to reduce the length.

It comes with a velcro strap that makes it easy to connect the leash to the bodyboard plug and string. This makes it easier than normally otherwise to connect the two because the plug string can get tightened and be hard to untie. Although, this makes the leash longer and many bodyboarders don’t use this feature so it can be easily removed.

 

buy

 

XM Easy Fit Bicep Bodyguard Leash

 

 

 

4. Creatures Wrist Leash

This is the same brand as the #1 on our list, Creatures of Leisure, this is the wrist version instead of the bicep. This leash has the same great quality parts and materials as the bicep, just made for your wrist.

It is a good contrast to the Gyroll wrist leash, reviewed above. It may not be a cult classic like the Gyroll but it has many practical features and benefits that make it worth considering. The benefits are that it is flexible and strong, unlike the Gyroll. It is a lot more dependable in terms of not breaking in big surf or shorebreak and the coils are made out of a rubber that is for flexible.

buy

Creatures of Leisure Coiled Bodyboard wrist Leash

 

 

 

5. Gyroll Wrist Leash

gyroll wrist leashIf you are a wrist leash kind of guy, you know what a Gyroll is. This is THE wrist leash of wrist leashes. You will not find any other leash made like this one, it is really in its own category.

This leash was made and designed by the bodyboard wizard himself, Mike Stewart, under Science Bodyboard brand that has everything from bodyboards to wetsuits and more.

This leash is somewhat of a cult classic among certain bodyboard groups. Many Australians, Californians, and others around the world wear these as well as Science Bodyboard brand lovers.

 

Pro’s
They come in a much of different colors and are really stylish and look good.

One of the biggest things about this leash is that it looks really cool and style points. It makes you feel like your in the 80’s or 90’s back in the OG bodyboard days with your Morey Mach 7 or something, it’s just cool.

The small coil is very compact when your hand is up by the nose and when your hand is on the rail the coil kind of pulls out and expands like a slinky.

 

Con’s
The plastic that they are made out of is very brittle and not very flexible either. This is the biggest con because they can break very easily and can break all the time in heavy shorebreak or large surf, making them not the go-to leash for these type of waves as it is not very dependable. Flexibility is the other factor, you are a bit restricted in overall movement.

The way the coil connects to the wrist strap is very inflexible because there is no swivel action. I love the Gyroll leash but it is more for style points and looking cool more than it is for function.

 

 

gyroll bodyboard leash mike stewart science

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How To Plug Your Bodyboard for a Leash

HOW TO PLUG YOUR BODYBOARD FOR A LEASHIf your getting ready to plug your bodyboard for a leash and trying to make sure you do it right regarding inserting the leash plug correctly and putting it in the right placement spot, we got your covered.

Side Note: If you are in the market for a leash, directly below is our comparison table. I cover what I believe to be the best bodyboard leashes. I personally have used all five of them and use the #1 Creatures bicep most of the time now.

Again, this isn’t some “fake review,” I have used these exact leashes (and more) below for many years, stretched, broken and in the process tested the hell out of these leashes in places like Pipeline, Hawaii (not to be tooting my own horn and sound like a prick though!). If you want more information on each leash, here is a break down.

The how-to instructions resume below the table and explain everything regarding plugging your board for a leash and exactly how to do it!

 

 

Bodyboard Leash Plug

Any bodyboarding plug will do, but some are better than others and because they only cost a few dollars, go for the best one.

The plug below is the bad example to not get. They are gimpy, small, weak and a worse design.

bad bodyboard leash plug

This one, pictured below is the kind to get. They are bigger and wider, stronger and better designed. The string goes through a loop internally in the head instead of looping around the back of it, letting in more water like the bad one above. This plug is also wider, making it just better to be plush with the board.

best bodyboard leash plug

Here is another picture below, the white and black are the best ones. The blue one is the least good option.

what bodyboard plug should I get?

 

Bodyboard Leash Placement

1. Areas You can Plug It


First, you need to know where you can and can not put the leash plug.

  • Avoid putting the plug near the stringer. A stringer is a plastic rod that is put in the middle of the bodyboards foam core when the board is created. Not all boards have a stringer, but if it does, the majority have one stringer but some larger boards have 2 stringers. Some boards you can hold it up to the light and see the stringer inside. Make sure the plug hole is a good inch or two away from the stringer. If not, water will get into the hole in the foam where the stringer is and it’s not fun having your board always have water wish-washing inside your board.
  • Keep the plug from being too close to the edge of the board, keep it at least a few inches from the sides and nose of the board. A good way to also tell if it is too close to the edge is to look at the bottom of the board and see where the bottom curves up to the nose. You want to plug the board where the bottom is flat and not uneven.

2. Areas You can Plug It

Second, determine your preference for the exact spot to put make the hole and put the plug.

  • Are you going to use the leash on your left arm or your right arm?
  • Is it a wrist or bicep leash?
  • Are you a prone or dropknee rider?

how to connect a leash to your bodyboardThese are important questions to ask yourself before taking the plunge and putting a hole in your board!

It comes down to personal preference, so as long as it is in a area that is okay to plug (covered in the first part of this section) plug it where ever you want. But for me, the decision is pretty simple. I plug it in the exact middle of the board and about 4.5 to 6 inches down (from the nose of the board). I like it lower around 6 inches (that’s what she said) just by personal preference I like it a bit lower but sometimes because of the stringer I cant go that low. That is where the leash plug is most comfortable to me, right in the middle and around 6 inches, and I think it looks really good there too and aesthetically pleasing.

Plug it wherever you want, but I find the center (and around 6 inches down) to be a good place to keep the leash out of the way, no matter if its on the left/right bicep or wrist. I prone by the way. What I do think makes a difference is if you dropknee because you’re putting one foot up by the nose of the board. I would shift the plug to either the right or left, to give your foot more room.

 

Plugging Your Bodyboard

Now that you know what plug to use and where to place it on the board, we are ready to put a hole in your board!

How To Plug Your Bodyboard for a Leash

phillips head screwdriver

You will need a phillips head screwdriver to make the hole, or an electric drill. Also, a quarter to tighten the plug.

Lay the board on a flat surface, get the screwdriver as straight as possible and then push it all the way through the board until it comes fully out the other side. It makes the most sense to start pushing from the top side of the board.

Take your plug and push each part into the board. The hole will be very small and so you will really have to push and widen the hole up to get the two plug parts in. Once the two parts are touching each other (while in the board) start twisting them together. Once you can’t do it by hand any more, use the quarter to tighten it.

You want the plug to be snug with the board, basically flush with the board or just slightly where the board material starts to turn in. Not too much, the material shouldn’t turn in too much to where the plug is very much below the the surface of the board.

Don’t worry about the water getting into the board. PP polypropylene and PE polyethylene cores do a pretty good job of keeping the water out with the way their cells are made.

 

FAQ

Bicep leash vs. wrist leash?

Most bodyboarders start off with a wrist leash because it becomes easy to pull your board back to you when the leash is on your wrist. However, the disadvantage of wearing a leash on your wrist is that it will drag the entire leash when you paddle, and the tendency is for your leash to get in your way when you ride. The bicep is then a better placement for your leash because it won’t drag when you paddle, and it’s out of your way the entire time. You still see some professional bodyboarders (and advanced amateurs) wearing a wrist leash but the vast majority wear a bicep leash.

 

How should a bodyboard leash fit?

Whether you plan to wear a wrist leash or a bicep leash, the important thing to do is to attach your leash snugly without over-tightening. You should be able to relax your arm, and the leash shouldn’t be biting into your skin.

 

How do I take good care of my bodyboard leash?

Always rinse your surf gear, including your bodyboard leash, after every surf session. It is always a good idea to wash out the salt water with some fresh water to preserve the material. Don’t leave your leash under direct sunlight for long periods of time. Store in a cool and dry place away from accidental snagging.

 

How do you put on a bicep and wrist leash?

Whichever type of leash you feel comfortable wearing, you should put them on with your arm slightly flexed at a right angle. This way, you’ll know how the leash feels when your arm is bent and when it is at ease. The leash should feel snug and comfortable both ways.

 

Do Bodyboard Leash Holes and Plugs Suck In Water?

Will My Bodyboard Leash Hole Suck In Water?“So I have to put a hole all the way through my perfectly good and brand new bodyboard just to add a leash to it?”

Answer: Yes.

“Well, will this bodyboard leash hole suck water into my board?”

Answer: Yes and no.

I know, we should probably come up with a better solution to adding leashes to bodyboards than just getting a screw driver and puncture a hole in your brand new board in order to plug your bodyboard for a leash!

But at the current state, that is where it is at.

Finally, The Answer To Your Question…
The good news in regard to whether or not the hole will suck in water is that it basically will NOT suck in water. That is because the bodyboard core (either polypro or PE dow) is made up of cells that water resistant. Water will get into the small space between where the hole is but it will stop there.

But the cores cells are not perfect or immortal. Eventually over time your board gets old and materials break down and loosen, allowing more water to get in, hence why my answer was two fold with a ” Yes and no.” response.

 

The Plug

A bodyboard leash plug.

what bodyboard plug should I get?

The best ones are the bigger ones with no holes in them, which would be the white and black ones from the picture above.

You want to fit the plug snug and firmly the the board but it will still let some water in but it’s not a big deal since the cores cells are waterproof But it does help to get the best plug for the job.