Ordinarily, I would have insisted on getting an FCS bag since I've been a loyal FCS guy a long time now. I personally believe FCS invests in innovation, pays close attention to detail, and it seems as though all products are tailored to the premium end of the market.
I've never had any issues or problems with any of their gear.
FCS
FCS reminds me of a snowboard company called Burton. I discovered Burton when I was working as a snowboard instructor in the US, in the early 2000s, at a resort called Stowe Mountain Resort in the north eastern state of Vermont.
Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe Mountain Resort satellite photo
Burton was the first brand I ever truly admired and dreamt of modelling. These guys care about everything they put their name to and there is no compromise with quality - ever!
Burton
I haven't snowboarded for a long time now so I've lost touch with where Burton is today. Either way, FCS is the only surf brand that has ever reminded me of them.
Ocean & Earth has been around for quite some time now. When I was a grom I used to have some of their gear. I gradually stopped buying it over time however, since it seemed to me to be at the lower end of the quality spectrum.
How things have changed!
I couldn't buy an FCS board cover for my new board, because the FCS model available was too narrow - hence I had to consider other options. The bloke in the shop recommended I buy the Ocean & Earth one instead. I was reluctant at first, but after looking at the construction quality and features, I was pleasantly surprised.
Ocean & Earth: board covers
The board cover I got, from the 'Global Travel Series' range, is as tough as any bag I've ever had.
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| Everything looks pretty standard on the surface... |
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| Zippable gussets make for neat transportation with or without fins. |
Amongst some of the features, there are zips on the gusset that allow for the bag to be zipped up and compressed nicely for long distance and international travel if required. Or, the gusset can be opened up for when you're using the bag for everyday local trips.
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| Discrete yet generous air vents allow your gear to dry quickly. |
I think breathing holes are important for any board cover. Air-flow encourages speedier drying of equipment. This means board wax takes longer to deteriorate, there is less opportunity for leg rope swivel corrosion, and things are much less likely to get smelly. The breathing hole on the Ocean & Earth board cover is big and is placed in the perfect spot to ensure it, nor the board can easily get damaged.
As yet, I cannot see any negatives with the board cover as it is. Maybe with time, some will be exposed. In the mean time, I highly endorse it as a board bag worth considering if you are in the market.
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