THE BOARDCOVER
The Ocean & Earth Apex boardcover has just won its 3rd ASI award in a row. Billed as ‘protection for a lifetime of travel’, it’s the elite offering from one of the world’s most core surf hardware brands. Given it’s won both an innovation award and ‘best surf accessory’ twice, we thought we’d put it through its paces.
We dragged the 3-board version on multiple flights and a lengthy road trip to see if the hype matches the hefty price tag.
Internal Protection System
To cradle and protect your boards.
Extra Protection System
Multi-layer padding and bumpers throughout.
Lifetime Warranty
Ya kidding!!!
WHAT IT’S GOOD FOR
This is a purpose-built weapon for serious, long-haul air travel.
If you're just planning a two-week road trip, this probably isn't your bag. We’re not huge fans of wheeled covers for roadies—they're a nightmare to jam into car trunks, a bitch to get on roof racks without scratching the duco, and they're just generally heavier.
But for zipping through airports? The wheels are an absolute dream. This cover is for the surfer heading to Indo, Hawaii, or Fiji, who wants to roll up to the check-in counter like a boss, knowing their boards are pretty much bomb-proof.
THE IMPORTANT STUFF
CAPACITY vs WEIGHT
Some ‘triple’ covers on the market are really just roomy coffins you can jam four, or even five, boards into if you get creative.
This ain’t it.
The Apex is a true 3-board cover. That moulded casing and the bulky internal padding mean there’s very little ‘give’. You’re not squeezing in a fourth ‘just-in-case’ board. But that’s the trade-off, isn’t it? You’re paying for premium protection. It fits three shortboards comfortably, which is, ultimately, what is says on the tag. There’s also great attention to detail with things like an airtag pouch to track your cover, and heaps of handy stash pockets for fins, wax, and more.
Rating: 8/10
DURABILITY
This is where the Apex shines. The thing just feels premium. It’s finished beautifully, and the moulded-style casing on the top and bottom gives off serious ‘don’t-mess-with-me’ vibes to baggage chuckers. After multiple flights, the boards inside were pristine.
My one gripe in this department is the drag plate on the bottom. After a bit of abuse, it’s already showing heavy scuffing and starting to peel back at the edges. For a cover this burly (and pricey), I’d expect that high-wear area to be reinforced like a bloody bunker. Still, in terms of protecting what’s inside, it’s top-tier.
Rating: 9/10
EASE OF USE
This is a two-part story. In an airport, this is a 10/10. The heavy-duty wheels are buttery smooth, and it’s a dream to pull through a terminal. The handles are all in the right spots.
On a road trip, it’s a 7/10 for the reasons mentioned above. But since this is clearly an air travel bag, we’ll score it for its intended purpose. The internal compression straps are solid, and the anti-shock shoulder strap is a nice touch (though you’ll probably never use it with wheels this good). There’s also a super cool bonus of having a pull out hook at the top, so you can hang it up in the shed while not in use. Neat.
Rating: 9/10
HOW TO GET ONE
This level of protection doesn’t come cheap. Starting at $565.00 AUD, the Apex is definitely at the top end of the market. You can grab them directly from the Ocean & Earth website or at most core surf shops.
It’s a serious investment, but when you’re talking $1000+ per board and a once-in-a-lifetime trip, it starts to look like a pretty solid insurance policy.
Ocean & Earth Online Store
Ocean & Earth Stockists List
VERDICT
The O&E Apex is the business-class-ticket of boardcovers. It’s a premium, over-engineered fortress for your quiver.
While it’s not the bag we’d grab for a local roadie, it’s our new go-to for any serious flight. The protection is top-tier, and the wheels make airport missions almost… pleasant. That peeling drag plate is a bit of a let-down on an otherwise flawless build, and you need to accept you’re trading flexible packing for rigid protection. But if you want to roll your boards through hell and back without a single worry, this is probably the best money can buy.
Durability & Protection 9/10
Capacity vs Bulk 8/10
Ease of Use 9/10
Overall Rating 9/10
