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PU or EPS: Which One Is Best?

When ordering your next board, you are going to have to make a decision between going with standard PU/PE (polyurethane blank, polyester resin), EPS/Epoxy (Expanded Polystyrene, otherwise known as Styrofoam), or XPS (Extruded Polystyrene Foam).

Brief History of Surfboard Blanks

In the late '50s, Hobie Alter began playing around with different PU formulas to make a blank that would be easier to shape and produce than the current standard of surfboard material: Balsa wood.

This became a turning point in surfboard manufacturing, as the foam was much easier to shape versus wood and more constant to work with. The boards' weight dropped, becoming literally pounds lighter, and the performance levels of surfing went through the roof.

Soon after that, Hobie had a full-blown factory pumping out PU blanks and had appointed Gordon Clark (of Clark Foam) to help with the endeavors. Eventually, Gordon would take over the blank manufacturing so Hobie could focus on building surfboards. As a result, Hobie Surfboards had become the first mass manufacturers of surfboards, paving the path for the surf industry as we see it today.

In 2005 Gordon Clark's Foam factory abruptly ceased operations due to increasing pressure from state and federal Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA). With no other dominant PU manufacturers to quickly fill the void and with long wait times testing through the issues of new PU foam formulas from emerging blank manufacturers, EPS made a jump forward as a viable option for board builders.

Although EPS had been used by some since around the 70's or earlier, it took this major blank disaster to get most board builders to start using the alternative.

Left (top): Gordon Clark in his Foam Factory, mid 70's. Right (Bottom): Clark Foam 2005 after the demolition.

However, in this day and age, EPS foam blanks have become a regular option for most surfboard industries. Though slightly different from PU, the performance attributes are just as notable.

Even top-level elite surfers will sometimes prefer to use EPS/Epoxy boards over PU/PE for certain waves or conditions.

They are both great options, but for us regular surfers who can't afford an endless quiver, we need to think about these differences and make an informed decision before ordering our next board.


PU / PE Boards

PU as a construction refers to a surfboard built from a Polyurethane blank with Polyester resin, whilst PE refers to a Polyurethane Blank with Epoxy resin.

These have long been the standard for most brands, and is the most widely and affordable options still out there. Due to the foams weight and density PU / PE boards sit a little lower in the water, helping to keep your rail under, giving you a nice “knifey” feel when slicing through the wave's face.

Being a touch heavier also helps them to handle choppy conditions better and are less prone to being bounced around. Sitting lower in the water also has its benefits to barrel riding, providing more hold in hollow waves.

PU / PE is cheaper

This is often the determining factor for most people. EPS constructions are more expensive for the manufacturers which results in them costing a little more than your standard PU.

Haydenshapes PE construction diagram
Diagram of the Haydenshapes PE Construction.

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EPS Boards

EPS is a popular option for many brands these days and for several good reasons. One of the most notable differences between EPS and PU is the weight.

EPS foam is much lighter than PU, making it a great option for surfers that love to take it to the air. Lighter boards are easier to whip around quickly; this extra sensitivity is the perfect construction for progressive surfing on waves that let you perform quick, snappy maneuvers.

They also have a more buoyant feel to them, as if they sit a little more on top of the wave.

This can be beneficial for building speed faster, also making it easier to glide through flat sections. The combination of these factors has made them an excellent option for small wave boards.

Not sure how to pump yet? Visit our latest guide, "How to Generate Speed on a Surfboard," for some advice, and keep in mind that EPS is speed's friend.

Want to see more EPS surfboards? View our selection of EPS Foam Surfboards to find one that suits you.

future flex haydenshapes EPS foam
Diagram of the Haydenshapes Future Flex Construction utilizing a stringless EPS blank and carbon fiber.

EPS is more environmentally friendly

Not only is EPS a stronger surfboard foam, but it is far less toxic and more environmentally friendly than the PU/PE counterparts. It all comes down to harmful "Volatile Organic Compounds" released into the air during the shaping process. During epoxy surfboard shaping, the number of VOCs is reduced by up to 75%, which is helpful for both the shaper's health and our planet.

Unlike PU, EPS is recycled, making it the obvious choice for sustainable surfboard manufacturers and surfers alike.

You will find this foam in the core of all eco-friendly surfboard constructions. It is often combined with bio-resin and fiberglass alternatives such as flax cloth to reduce the board's carbon footprint further. Who knows what shapers will do in the future to continue looking out for our planet, as some are even experimenting with algae surfboard blanks!

Epoxy resin is the only resin that can be used on EPS foam. It's a little stronger and also more flexible, allowing it to snap back into shape better than Polyester, which is a little more brittle and can lead to cracking.

For more eco-friendly alternatives, see our Sustainability Page.


Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Boards

XPS is produced using the same base materials (polystyrene) as EPS. However, the difference is that it uses 'extrusion' to fuse together small plastic beads of polystyrene. The molten base material and additives are then pressed and cooled to form sheets. Compared to EPS, XPS foams have a more closed cell structure which makes it stronger and ideal for high performance surfing.

Structurally, XPS foams have cell structures that are so densely packed that it greatly 'minimizes' and not totally eliminates the absorption of water. Both EPS and XPS are permeable by water molecules and not considered a vapor barrier.

EPS versus XPS Boards

XPS boards offer you all the advantages of EPS boards but come on top in terms of strength and water absorption resistance properties.

EPS has better structural integrity, protecting it against hard impacts and preventing dings to your surfboard compared to PU.

If there's one downside with EPS, it is the cost of producing these boards, which makes them the priciest of all surfboard options. However, it can very much be argued that this slight price increase is far worth the extended lifetime of the surfboard due to its additional strength.

Julian Wilson on his Air 17 JS Industries
Julian Wilson boosting on his JS - Air 17 in PU and Air 17 Hyfi (EPS Construction). Same board, different constructions.

Which One Is Best For You?

Now that you have a better idea of what attributes the different blanks possess, you should be able to make a better decision when ordering.

Overall, PU is still a great option for performance surfing on larger waves, especially barrels. Still, epoxy is taking the lead for beginner surfers and for progressive performance surfing on smaller-medium-sized waves.

Lucky for us, all brands have different Surfboard Construction types you can choose from.

Our goal is to help inform you to make the right decision for your next custom surfboard and make sure you are as stoked as possible.

There is a lot more to surfboard constructions than just the foam, so check out our related articles on Surfboard Bottom Contours and Surfboard Shapes, Tails, Tails, and Noses to further see how the material will affect your board's performance.

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1/1/2020 11:56 AM

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