Impressive mid length softboard which combines best of longboard cruising and high performance factor
Softech Bomber Review by: Ant
Dimensions: 6’10” x 21.5 x 3 (60L volume)
Fins: FCS II – Tri fin set up
What we like: paddles very well, very easy to get into waves, super stable, maneuverable
What we don’t: Not too much…can’t duck dive (too buoyant)!
Rating: 8.5 / 10
Softech positions the Bomber as part of their Performance Series: “its tapered tail shape with a longboard outline up front, make this board the ultimate cruiser that will flow down the line and turn on a dime”. They make it in 3 variants being 5’10” (44L), 6’4″ (56L) and 6’10” (60L).
The Bomber is the highest volume model in the Performance Series range by a mile but there’s a reason they included it in their high performance range: it can move!
I’d classify the 6’10” which I tested as a mid length board but from first impressions can say the above description is right – this board can cruise and turn on a dime which makes for best of both worlds between the flow and trim of a longboard with the performance features of a shorter board. On with the Softech Bomber Review….
Key Features
- Tapered tail shape with a longboard outline out front, domed deck providing extra volume (super buoyant at 60L). As such it is very forgiving and stable.
- Fairly flat rocker throughout with a little lift in tail and nose.
- Defined rails.
- Double stringer so it’s strong and rigid.
- FCS II tri fin setup & comes with softflex fins. These fins performed well in my opinion but I’ve seen feedback of improved performance with hard fins in bigger surf
- 100% Waterproof X-Density EPS Foam Core
Well defined rails 
FCS II Fin system – included softflex fins
Experience in the surf
I first surfed this in short period and wind effected swell, so it wasn’t ideal. However straight away found it so easy to get into waves with barely any effort at all.
Initially it felt way too bouyant but I have to admit that once I got the feel of it i changed my tune. It is so stable, it almost felt as stable as my 9’8 traditional longboard.
It paddles into anything and picks up speed really quickly, trims like a longboard but with the pulled in tail it is very easy to move it around exactly as it is intended.
I surfed it again in small clean waves and had a much better experience, surrounded only by longboards I was getting as many waves as anyone else. I’m yet to get this into a really decent lined up wave (will update when I do) but I am confident it will go really well in shoulder to head high surf.
What kind of waves is the Bomber suited to?
Lined up point break or beach break with a bit of a wall to it. This will handle some size but I think due to its fairly flat rocker it going to have a bit of trouble when the waves get too pitchy.
I was grovelling in windblown messy surf and managed to get the most out of it so in summary it is a good all rounder. Riding this finless looks awesome too by the way ——–>>>>
What kind of surfer would this board suit?
I think this board could appeal to a variety of different surfers:
- Shortboarder looking for something a little different for small or not so perfect conditions but who may not want to go to a standard longboard (I’d suggest the smaller 5’10” or 6’4” version of this board) and still wants to be able to move the board around
- Longboarder looking to jump on to a shorter board but with some similar feel
- Less experienced surfer looking for a shorter board that is still really stable and forgiving
You could ride these boards much shorter depending on your preference – The 5’10” (44L) or 6’4” (56L) will definitely do the trick for more experienced surfers or those that like a shorter board generally because they have so much volume. I personally like length in boards – paddling is easier, getting into waves is easier. The only real down fall is difficult in duck diving when the waves get bigger (I imagine the 6’4″ is pretty impossible to duck dive too!).
In terms of size/weight of surfer the 6’4 & 6’10” will suit any surfers with weight up to approx 95-100 kg. For reference I am 75 kg and was testing the 6’10” but could justifiably ride the 5’10” or 6’4″ without issue.
Does it compare to any other boards you’ve ridden?
Several years ago I had a Takayama scorpion 7’4” and this is basically a replica of that shape. This board does seem to surf very similar to that board but it’s more buoyant and doesn’t have the box centre fin of the scorpion so potentially is a bit easier to throw it around with the tri-fin setup (I used to ride the scorpion mostly as a single fin).
Conclusion
All in all this is a solid fun board! I would strongly recommend if you are looking for something in the hybrid mid-length/high performance space. You will definitely paddle with ease, catch a tonne of waves and be able to mix it up in a variety of waves from tiny, sloppy waves to lined up decent walls. MY RATING 8.5/10.
What are others saying about the Bomber?
(source – Softech).
“An awesome board for summer conditions. Performs well in 1ft-3ft surf. The best thing about the board is that it surfs through fat sections easily and when the wave reforms you can pick it up again. Buy it, you won’t regret it” (surfer is 6’2″ height and 80kg)”
“Easy to to paddle into waves and to turn. Only problem I found was after first surf some creases on nose. Board not as tough as I would have liked but all in all great for someone looking to progress to a more performance board.”
“Heaps of volume in the nose which make it really easy to paddle & glide into even the smallest of waves. The camo style print on the slick looks sweet.”
“Have surfed this in everything from 1ft through to 4ft and it goes really well with a smooth cruiser style of surfing. The stiffer fibreglass fins from FCS make a noticeable improvement to how the board turns in the bigger conditions.”
“Great board if you’re transitioning from a long board to short. Easy to get into waves, stable but with allot of mobility.”
Hope you enjoyed the Softech Bomber review. If you’ve got one yourself and have any additional feedback please drop a comment below.
Get Foamie will be reviewing more boards from Softech so stay tuned!
Hey, thanks for a great review here.
Wondering if you’d share your opinion; I surf in Portugal in waves up to about 2m, reef breaks, I’m 5’11 and 75kg, and I’m looking at this Bomber (the 6’10 or maybe the 6’4) and torn between the 7’2 Crowd Killer https://catchsurf.com/collections/lost/products/lost-crowd-killer and the 6’5 RNF https://catchsurf.com/products/lost-rnf.
I’d love something that will help me catch as many waves as possible but still be maneuverable enough to help me progress. I usually surf a 36L 5’8 fish. I can do slow cut backs. Any thoughts you could share? It would be much apreciated, thanks 🙂
Hey Jim – Sorry for the delayed response on this one!
Those 3 boards are pretty varied and can’t say I have any experience or any direct feedback on those two Catch Surf models. You could definitely get away with the 6’4″ Bomber – it’s probably more suited to slightly smaller waves than you mentioned, if you plan on surfing it say 6ft surf. I think the Crowd Killer might be a bit more versatile across wave size range, will definitely get you into a lot of waves and probably more maneuverable.
The RNF has pretty awesome user feedback – it’s definitely the more high performance board of the the 3, if you are confidently surfing on your 5’8″ fish but just want a similar board that’s going to get you into more waves with a bit more size and volume – the RNF is a winner. If you’re looking for something a little different, and maybe something that will be more versatile in smaller waves – the other two could be better.
All pretty good choices in their own right I feel! Good luck, if you could review whatever board you end up getting for us – that would sweet!
Hey thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. The beaches are still closed here so I haven’t bought a board yet. Happy to do a review when I do though 🙂
That would be great Jim. Hope we can all get back in the water ASAP! Take it easy
Hello, thanks for the review. Im a completele beginner in suef but I have practice bodyboard all my life. I am 5.9′ and 95kg. Do you think it is a good first board to learn?
Thanks for all.
Hi Sebastian, If you feel more comfortable with a mid length board of this size it will be good. Generally I think longer boards around 8-9 ft are better for complete beginners but you probably have a good feeling for waves and the water with your bodyboarding experience so it should be ok. Good luck!
How would you compare the bomber to a 7”0 catch surf log for a reasonable surfer who doesn’t want to go too short?
Hi Rob, The Catch Surf Log in 7’0″ although just a touch longer is wider and thicker – so overall more volume (72L). They’re pretty popular the Logs but I can’t speak from first hand experience how they go – personally with that added volume I’d prefer a bit longer board as I imagine it must feel like a tanker. The Bomber at 60L already feels super buoyant.
Hi again,
I wanted to let you know I got the Bomber 6’4, I’m 5’11, 75kg. Your review was bang on.
It arrived yesterday on the day that surf was made legal again. I had a blast this morning, easy to catch waves, it turns good considering how thick and buoyant it is. Thanks for you help! Legend.
Awesome to hear man! Sounds like perfect timing too being able to surf again. Have fun!!
Hi i am interested in buying the 6’4 or 6’11 bomber, I am a Relatively new (beginner) to surfing, I have hired a few boards in the past and had no trouble in standing up on the bigger foam boards. I am only 65kg and I was looking to buy a board i can learn and progress on. Would this be suitable? Thanks
Hi Andy,
Sorry for the slow response. I think the 6’4″ will be fine for you considering your size and you’ll be able to learn and then get more out of it as you progress. All the best!
Great review! I’ve had the 6’4” model for a few years now and it’s one of my favorite boards in my quiver. Still love my hard boards but this one is the foamy to have. It’s surprisingly fast and is not hard at all to whip it around with better fins than the stock soft fins. It will feel super boaty at first but I was able to get past that quick once I learned how the board worked. You definitely need to be more forward on it than you think when paddling in. Once you get that right she zooms and is sooooo much fun. It’s a shame there aren’t more links and vids on the web about this boards. IMHO Softech killed it on these boards. Sooo much fun and you can rip on them. Now I want a Scorpion to have a hard board version of this shape. Fwiw I surf it in beach breaks from North to Central Florida on the east coast knee to chest.
Btw…if you angle the take off, hit full send and lean forward big time, she’ll even do some steep takeoffs. You wouldn’t think it can but it absolutely can. It’s fun as hell too. Steep shore break smashing. 😉
Thanks for the feedback Daniel! Sounds like you’re pretty stoked on the Softech Bomber.