What is the one thing that every surfer should have in their quiver of surf tools? The answer may differ with each particular surfer you speak to regarding this hot topic, but hands down the surf accessory that every surfer should own is a simple and indispensable box that protects and holds whatever your mode of transportation to the surf break may be. With the advent of microchip embedded keys, all-in-one security keys, switchblade designs, and the latest ‘keyless’ keys … more and more surfers can no longer take their keys into the water, rendering leash key holders, surf key pockets, and bikini-tying a useless form of key management. (cue the music, and it’s sung to the them song from TV’s Beverly Hillbillies).

Here’s a little story about a surfer named Jed, the poor surfer boy lost his car key surfing Diamond Head. And on that day he was running late for school … and stumbled into class like a bumbling fool. Late for a test, that is. Locked himself out … had to get a ride.

Everyone we surveyed knew someone directly, or have seen someone before or after a surf session, that has paddled in from surfing and realized that they have lost their mode of transportation key – car/motorcycle/bicycle you name it! It is one of those unfortunate events that we as surfers all dread … losing a key, or keys. Almost as if going through the classic stages of grief, a surfer can go from shock & denial (No way I lost my keys! I can’t believe I lost my keys!) … pain & guilt (It’s going to cost so much to get a new key / I knew I was going to lose that key one of these days) … and even anger & bargaining (@#$*% hell! Please, please, please, let it be here somewhere!).

All it took was one time … one seven-stages-of-grief-ridden-time … and the solution was a search engine away to never ever ever EVER losing my keys again during a surf session. There are many options to stashing your keys, anywhere from the wheel well of the car, a well chosen bush or rock (or so you think!), the key pocket in your leash, or in your fancy surf shorts’ pocket, or tied to your surf bikini. All of these are options to choose from … but none as reliable or one that brings peace of mind during a surf session as an honest to goodness lock box.

With great durability and security, the three lock boxes we ranked as most “surfer-worthy” range from budget-minded surfers to all out splurge on the ‘made for the surf industry’ model. All in all, these three models do the job well, and protect your key(s) with great gusto … with minor variations between the models ranging from rubber coated bodies and hooks, 4 to 6 digit lock codes, single-unibody design versus removable lock faces. The determining factor as to which one you choose should greatly rely on one thing first: the type of key you will be protecting inside!

We experimented with many different lock boxes based on the various truck, car, motorcycle, scooter, and bicycle models we used for surfing here at iJS. What we quickly found was that the lock box a surfer will use depends greatly on the type of vehicle key they own! In order to get a better feel for which lock box may be appropriate for you, check the gallery below! (click for semi-larger versions)

Overall, the iJS favorite was the Masterlock 5400D model. This mid-range and appropriately priced lock box provided a great unibody design with a coated lock body, protecting the hinged front face that holds anywhere from one to four keys OR one microchip key OR a small switchblade type key. If you have a modern key and cannot bring the key with you into the water, THIS lock box is your best option.

Unlike the standard lock box which sports a removable face that often slipped out of the mold as you are preparing to lock everything up (resulting in having to re-key your code again to lock the face), the 5400D sported a hinged locking face that allowed you to prep your keys using one hand. The higher end “Surf Lock” also sported a hinged face, and an extra roomy compartment which explained the much larger overall dimensions and lengthy look of the lock box.

The “Surf Lock” was a great lock box overall, but iJS staffers felt strongly about being able to leave their lock boxes on the truck/car/motorcycle when not in use … and the lengthy design of the “Surf Lock” often resulted in it being dragged when left on the hitch or the bumper hook! On a motorcycle and a scooter – which has less room to stow accessories in – the slim profile of the standard lock box was the most desireable.

It doesn’t matter which one you end up getting, but make sure it fits your vehicle key’s overall needs … plus some room for an extra key or another piece of important surf accessory like after-surf snack money! The point is get one, and save yourself some serious heart ache and headache moments, and surf with less worry about where your key might be, and who may have taken it!

Oh, an added bonus use for the lock boxes is keeping a spare car/house keys in there … although moments arose where I might have been locked out of the car or house, I always had the trusty lock box to come to the rescue!

Aloha and Good Surfing People!

[originally published under the 12 Days of X-Mas feature]