The MF Little Marley is a really fun high-performance softboard that easily gets into waves and surfs very much like a fibreglass surfboard

MF Softboards Little Marley 5’6″
Reviewed by: Ryan
Dimensions: 5’6″ x 21 3/4″ x 2 1/2″ (35L)
Fins: Tri fins (with FCS Performance fins) noting the board is able to setup with quad fins too
What we like: Easy to catch waves, duck dive, paddle and is responsive, feels solid under feet much like a regular fibreglass shortboard
What we don’t: For now… not much!
Rating: 8/10

What does MF Softboards Say:
“Short, wide, fast and fun the Little Marley has a short rail line that fits perfectly into the smallest pocket. The small curvy outline helps in the weakest of beach breaks by decreasing drag and increasing speed which is the key to this little pocket rocket. A single to double concave allowing full control at speed, the subtle diamond tail provides multiple pivot points for turning in the most critical sections of dumpy little shore breaks.”
Key Features
- Wide diamond tail – The subtle diamond tail provides multiple pivot points for turning in the most critical sections of little shore breaks.
- Flat entry rocker – With an easy entry rocker the Little Marley is easy to paddle ensuring the highest wave count during every surf.
- Double concave – The Little Marley has a large double concave that provides gift and acceleration from the smallest waves giving you speed from the weakest waves
- FCS or Futures Fins – All MF Softboards are available with either FCS of Futures Fin boxes depending on your preference for fins.
- Refined performance shape – Much like a regular high performance fibreglass surfboard
- Hybrid carbon fibre spine – Mick Fanning Softboards use a hybrid carbon Fibre cloth which is recessed into the deck of the EPS core and acts in a similar way to a leaf spring providing storage of potential energy during bottom turns with a progressive release resulting in a smooth transition during top turns.
- Internal Shell – The EPS core is laminated with layers of high grade E-Cloth and Epoxy resin forming a strong internal shell. This is a feature which distinguishes high quality foamie surfboards from cheaper boards, providing added strength, more rigidity and better performance blurring the line between softboard and typical surfboard.

What do you like about the MF Softboards Little Marley?
I found the the board very easy to catch waves, to duck dive, paddle and found it really responsive.
It feels solid under the feet and doesn’t feel so different to a fibreglass shortboard. I really like its refined shape and visually it looks cool.
Compared to the Catch Surf Stump I found this a lot easier to get into waves, including really small waves. Interestingly enough they have almost the exact same volume, but the stump is a lot shorter (5’0″) which I think has something to do with it.

What don’t you like about it?
I can’t say anything too bad about it really… Would have to report back in terms of how it holds up in the longer term (specifically whether it gets damaged easily etc) but so far so good.

Experience in the Surf
I found it easy to paddle around with a decent amount of float.
In terms of catching waves, it easily got into small waves with not much push and also in slightly bigger waves.
It is easy to turn and super responsive due to the double concave and diamond tail.
What kind of waves is the board suited to?
I rode this in clean beach break waves over a couple of sessions up to a max of around 4 foot and it went really well in waves to that size. I think it could handle a bit more size under the foot of an experienced surfer.
In quality clean waves, particularly peak beach breaks, I’d say this really feels much like a conventional board with impressive performance ability.

What kind of surfer is this board best for?
I’d suggest this board is suited to at minimum an intermediate surfer, as it’s more of a performance soft board.
It would suit someone who is looking for a board that’s going to still work in smaller waves that they may struggle to get into with their regular shortboard, that still allows them to rip a little.

Does it compare to any other boards (soft tops or regular) that you have ridden?
I think the MF Softboards Little Marley is quite similar in many waves to a fibreglass Fish shape – it’s very responsive and easy to catch waves with good volume and floation making it easy to paddle.
Also as mentioned previously, the closest soft top that I have surfed to this is the Catch Surf Stump, but I have to say I prefer the MF Little Marley as I found it easier to catch waves (particularly smaller waves) due to the added length.
Wrapping it up….
For the MF Softboards Little Marley, I would give this an 8 out of 10!
This is a really fun board in good small to medium-sized surf.

If you’ve got a MF Softboards Little Marley yourself and have any comments to add we’d love you to hear your feedback below!