I have some good news for you: from now on, our offer includes FBC, which stands for Foil Board Company. The company produces accessories specifically for wing foiling, such as board bags, hip belts, and leashes. It must be admitted that there is currently a limited range of such products on the market, and they rarely meet the riders' requirements. I'm referring, for example, to board bags that fit smaller boards but don't offer anything special like additional straps/handles for transportation or extra accessory pockets. Usually, they are just ordinary bags, so there is a wide field to show a specific wing foil board bag.
 

You probably haven't heard of FBC at all, and that doesn't surprise me: it's a very young company, and the first information about their products could be found on social media at the end of 2022. The design and testing of FBC products were undertaken by wing foilers, including the legendary Balz Müller. The main goal of the designers was to create a range of products that would be significantly better than what is currently available, from appearance and practicality to ergonomics and proper construction. It sounds like we are about to receive a product from the future, so let's take a closer look at what they have to offer.

 

Day Bag
 

This is the standard FBC board bag, although the word "standard" is inadequate for what it offers. The bottom part is made of 600D nylon, which is commonly used in board bags production due to its abrasion resistance. It can withstand rocks, cobblestones, and asphalt. On the top, a waterproof material called "Hex-tech" is used, which resembles ripstop fabric and has similar properties.

 

What catches the eye are the adjustable straps that allow you to carry the board bag like a backpack. It's a rare feature, and I must admit it's a great invention. Wing boards are small and lightweight, so carrying them on your back is not a problem, and thanks to this solution, we have our hands free. If we have exceptionally wide shoulders, we can adjust the straps to be wider apart. We also have the option to attach a carrying strap to the "loops" along the rail, so we can move around with the board hanging on our shoulder. Additionally, the Day Bag features four built-in comfortable handles for carrying: on the rail, in the middle from the deck side, on the nose, and on the tail. FBC's proprietary carabiners are easy to detach and fasten, so depending on our needs, we can easily customize the board bag and carry the board the way we like.

Constant exposure to water, sand, dirt, and dust can damage many zippers, especially when we frequently ride in saltwater. Fortunately, FBC board bags use large and robust YKK zippers. I probably don't need to add that they glide smoothly and don't get stuck. Right below the zipper, there is a sewn-in material along the entire length, measuring 4 cm in width, which prevents the board from scratching the zipper. It may seem like a small thing, but it's satisfying, especially when we have a new board and pay attention to every scratch. At the bottom, there is a longitudinal velcro-closed opening, allowing us to pack the board with the foil attached. If you transport the board together with the foil, you will certainly appreciate the ability to carry the entire set on your back. The use of velcro for closure eliminates the chance of scratching the foil.

Additional features worth mentioning include a mesh pocket with a Velcro closure. It is spacious enough to hold all your neoprene accessories or a thin/medium-sized wetsuit. There is also a smaller, elongated pocket where you can pack additional smaller items such as keys or screwdrivers for the board.

At the bottom of the bag, you will find a ventilation hole that allows moisture to evaporate and provides light airflow. It is located near the nose and works best when the board bag is hung from the stern, and thanks to the mentioned handle, you can easily hang it in this way.

The Day Bag is available in 4 sizes:

There are two color options to choose from: black and the colorful Rad Series. The color scheme for the latter was created by Balz Müller and is just as wild as his water stunts. One thing is certain: you will stand out on the beach even before you enter the water.

 

This is a true game changer. How about packing your entire setup in ONE convenient and spacious board bag? By setup, I mean the board, three to four wings, a complete foil with alternative front and back wings, as well as all screws, nuts, and keys. Riders who travel a lot will definitely appreciate it.

 

Nylon 680D is used on the sides, bottom, and stern, while the top features the waterproof Hex-Tech material, the same as in the Day Bag. The interior is filled with 10 mm protective foam. This solution, known from surfboard bags works great for transportation. Your gear will be well-protected, even if it falls into the hands of exceptionally clumsy baggage handlers at the airport. The combination of these materials not only guarantees protection but also ensures a lightweight design: the smallest quiver weighs 3.7 kg, and the largest is just under 5 kg. Considering that we need to pack the entire wing foil setup inside, every gram counts.

One particularly impressive feature is the removable sheet with pockets for individual foil components. Here, you will find pockets for two front wings, three stabilizers, the mast, and fuselage. There is also a mesh pocket for all screws and smaller accessories. Each pocket is secured with Velcro, so when removing the sheet from the bag you can be sure that nothing will fall out. And of course, you have free hands because you don't have to carry a separate bag for the foil. The board and the foil sheet are secured with internal tightening straps to prevent them from moving during transport. When placed on top, they provide additional protection for the board against damage.
 

It resembles the hip leash for the wing described above, with the difference that it is wider (60 mm) and fastened with Velcro. A large loop at the end of the Velcro makes it easy to fasten and unfasten, and thanks to a special safeguard, it won't accidentally come undone. The belt is equipped with two Dyneema buckles (for larger and smaller riders). The additional buckle can also be used to attach the wing leash.

On the back side, we have a permanently attached 8' (250 cm) leash, which is connected to the board. The leash itself is 7mm thick and has the form of a twisted rope, as we know from standard board leashes. Of course, we also have two swivels here. As I mentioned before, we have the option to attach the leash to the wing (both to the additional buckle mentioned earlier and to the Dyneema loop located on the side of the belt). Having one belt for two leashes is a very convenient solution, and anyone who uses it is unlikely to switch back to the old system.

• S/M (22''-36'' = 56-91cm)
• L/XL (34''-44'' = 86-112cm)

I would just like to add that I miss having a hook at the front of it to have the option of hooking the wing to a harness line/rope. This is especially useful on longer reaches when we want to take a break.

 

Wing wrist leash
 

Even in a traditional leash, improvements can be made. In the case of the FBC leash, we have a durable 40 mm wrist strap. The strap is sewn with a comfortable 60 mm neoprene padding, so it certainly won't dig into our wrist. The leash is fastened with a Velcro strap, equipped with a sturdy and lightweight Dyneema buckle and a Quick Release system. The loop for fastening and unfastening the strap is really large and wide, allowing us to insert our fingers even when wearing gloves. The designers at FBC have even introduced a system to prevent accidental unbuckling.

The leash takes the form of a Dyneema rope with a flexible core and the ability to attach it to the wing in two places. From this perspective, it is the same leash that we find in the hip belt for the wing, which I described earlier.