Airport ready with the Pro-Lite Smuggler Series Travel Bag. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Traveling with a surfboard is a mission. First, you must research the airline’s surfboard policy. Then, it’s time to securely pack your board in hopes that it won’t get damaged in transit. Hundreds of dollars and hours of travel later, it’s the moment of truth. Did your board make it? Is it damaged?
Born and raised in California, my surf travels have taken me to Hawaii, Australia, Fiji, Mexico, and the Maldives. Sometimes I rent a board once I arrive at my destination, and other times I travel with my own boards. Every time I step up to the ticket counter with my board bag, my heart rate spikes. But I recently got my hands on the Pro-Lite Smuggler Series 2+1 Travel Bag ($345), and I’m beginning to change my tune.
Bottom Line: Through our guide to the Best Surfboard Bags, I’ve tested lots of bags, and the Pro-Lite Smuggler one is easily one of my favorites. I flew from Oahu to California with two boards, and this bad boy made the transfer flawlessly. If you like to travel with multiple boards safely, read on to learn why the Pro-Lite Smuggler is quickly becoming my go-to surfboard bag.
| Pros | Cons |
| A false bottom allows you to discreetly pack a third board | No wheels |
| Spacious enough for high-volume boards | Zippers only run partway down the bag |
| Durable materials and reliable padding |
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Related: Best Surfboard Bags | Best Beginner Surfboards | More Surf Gear
The Pro-Lite Smuggler Series Travel Bag. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Get to Know the Pro-Lite Smuggler Board Bag
Available Sizes: 6’6″, 7’2″
Tested Size: 7’2″
Width: 26.5″
Bag Weight: 13 lbs
Material: 600 Denier Poly
Insulation: 10 mm AIR-LITE foam
The Smuggler is advertised as a surfboard bag for fish/hybrid/mid-lengths, which is the board size I typically ride and travel with. This bag comes in 6’6” and 7’2”, and I opted for the 7’2” so I could fit my biggest mid-lengths as well as some shorter boards.
The Smuggler can fit three boards, but should you have fewer, you can cinch the bag tighter. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
This surfboard bag is unique because it’s designed to fit three boards. However, most airlines only allow you to fly with two. And it seems like the folks at Pro-Lite were well aware of this rule. So, the aptly named Smuggler was designed with a false bottom in order to hide one board away. That way, when it’s checked by the airline, only two boards are visible. The design seemed genius, if a touch devious, and I was curious if it would work as well as it was described in the online product description.
In our Best Surfboard Bags review, we awarded the Db Djärv Surfboard Coffin our most protective bag. Upon first glance, the Smuggler seems to offer similar protection and is significantly cheaper than the Coffin. The only major difference I could spot out of the gates is that the Coffin has wheels, whereas the Smuggler lacks them. On the other hand, the Smuggler comes in multiple sizes, whereas the Coffin only comes in a 6’6″ option.
In transit from Oahu to California. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Testing the Pro-Lite Smuggler on an Overseas Flight
I live on Oahu, so most of my travels involve overseas flights. My husband recently had some changes at work, and we found out that his job would require us to spend half of the year in California and the other half on Oahu. Not a bad setup, but a bit tricky when it comes to transferring our boards back and forth. It proved to be the perfect opportunity to put the Pro-Lite Smuggler to the test.
The Smuggler is made from rugged, durable materials. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Reliable Materials
Typically, when I fly with surfboards, it’s a lengthy packing process of adhering pool noodles to the nose and tail and wrapping the board in bubble wrap before packing it into a board bag. Luckily, the Smuggler is made from a 600 Denier Poly material paired with 10mm AIR-LITE foam. Unless you’re in design, that probably doesn’t mean a lot to you, but I can attest that the material is thick and durable, and the bag is lined with a reliably squishy foam that inspired me to ditch the pool noodles this time around.
Other protective measures include a reinforced nose for enhanced protection, as well as a rail guard around the zipper to further protect your board. The bag also has a vent to allow airflow to help keep your boards cool and in tip-top shape. Another solid design feature is a molded rubber handle that’s insanely durable.
The Smuggler is spacious enough to hold high volume mid-lengths. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Size
The first noteworthy thing about the Pro-Lite Smuggler is that it’s spacious. My mid-lengths are high volume, so I feared I wouldn’t truly but able to fit three in the bag, but you definitely can, even if it’s a bit of a tight squeeze. My largest board I packed was a 7’2″, and it easily fit in the bag — you could probably fit up to a 7’4″ if you wanted. My second board that I packed was a high-volume 6’9″ fish.
For this trip, I only needed two boards, but I experimented with a third before finalizing my packing; you’d never know it was in there. Because I only packed two boards, I had some extra space, so I threw in my changing robe and a few towels. If you find yourself with a lot of extra space, the bag has velcro along the sides so you can easily cinch it together to prevent shifting and keep everything nice and compact.
The Smuggler has pockets galore. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Pockets
With the Smuggler, Pro-Lite really thought of the little details that make a difference. The bag has a larger exterior pocket that is great for storing a wetsuit, towel, or leash. There is also another, smaller pocket on the outside of the bag that is the perfect size for storing wax, wax combs, and fin keys. On the inside of the bag is yet another storage pocket for any additional accessories you may need to stash. Finally, the Smuggler has a small strap pocket where you can stow the strap during travel to ensure it doesn’t snag on anything.
The Good and the Bad
The False Bottom: Genius
One of the best and most unique features of the Smuggler is the false bottom. Because most airlines only allow you to fly with two boards, Pro-Lite strategically designed the Smuggler to, well, allow you to secretly smuggle an additional board. I was initially skeptical that the bag wouldn’t truly hide the extra board, but the design is incredible, and it does its job perfectly.
There’s a second board under there, and you’d never know. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
When packing your boards in, there are two separate compartments to choose from. Well, technically three, but the third is the secret one. Pro-Lite recommends loading the largest board first and placing it tail-first into the bottom of the nose section, which I did. After that, you load the second two boards nose-first into the two openings in the tail section. Once everything is zippered and secured, it convincingly looks like there is only one board in this compartment. Genius.
Three Boards Are Heavy
For the most part, I am in awe of the Smuggler’s design. My only real complaint is the lack of wheels. When you have three boards, a wetsuit, and some accessories packed in the bag, it quickly gets heavy. If you’re flying solo and have additional luggage, it can be a challenge to get it all to the ticket counter. It would be an awesome addition if the Smuggler offered an option with wheels, but that would obviously add some weight. In an ideal world, the Smuggler would be available in a wheeled option and a non-wheeled option. Here’s to hoping.
The Smuggler may not have wheels, but it has a padded shoulder strap and an assortment of handles. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Although the Smuggler lacks wheels, it does come with plenty of straps and carrying handles. The removable shoulder strap is padded and is extremely helpful for carrying the bag. Additionally, the bag has a reinforced center handle as well as handles on the nose and tail, which are a great option for carrying it with a buddy.
Zippers
The zipper situation on the Smuggler is both a pro and a con. First of all, I love that there are zippers on both sides of the bag so you can insert boards from each end. The zippers are heavy-duty and reliably strong, which is important when they’ll regularly encounter salt water and rough handlers in the airport.
The Smuggler has strong, durable zippers. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
The only downside of the zipper design is that they don’t run the entire length of the bag. Maybe that’s not possible with zippers on both ends, but I wish the zippers ran a little further down the board so it was easier to really get in there if you plan to add in additional gear or padding.
Other Great Surfboard Bags
If you’re someone who prefers an eco-friendly bag, the Wave Tribe Hurricane Chaser Travel Bag is sustainably made, comes in lots of size options, and has wheels to boot. Or, if you prefer to ride shortboards, the Creatures of Leisure Adventure-Ready Shortboard Double is an incredible option that comes in shorter sizes. Certainly different vibes than the Pro-Lite, but good bags nonetheless.
Final Thoughts
The Pro-Lite Smuggler Series 2+1 Travel Bag is unlike any surfboard bag I’ve ever tested. Designed with airline travel in mind, it has a false bottom so it appears like it’s only holding two boards when in reality, there are three. It’s made from durable materials, has reliable insulation, and after a trek from Oahu to California, I can personally attest that I encountered no issues with the airlines and all of my boards arrived unscathed. If you’re someone who likes to fly with multiple mid-lengths, the Smuggler should be right up your alley.
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Related: Best Surfboard Bags | Best Beginner Surfboards | More Surf Gear
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