JS SubXero CarboTune Review. Are carbon fiber surfboards actually any good?

I've been asked by a few people for my thoughts on the new JS Sub Xero Carbotune, so I decided to make a surfboard review video about it. I have no affiliation with JS and I have not been paid or compensated for this video. I'm just an average joe who's sharing their thoughts on the board.
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[@christophecazaux6018]

Hey mate, the fact that you can't put a foot wrong on it is because it's JS. They make amazing board. I have a xero gravity, and so far, it's the best board I've ridden. It's super forgiving and very responsive. I surfed 8+ft with it yesterday, and even though it's not the board, you should ride in waves like that it held really well and got the job done. Thanks, JS. Good review, mate. I actually thought about getting a xero gravity carbon. I wish they would make the raging bull in carbon, too

[@joshtraceysurfing]

@@christophecazaux6018 you’re not the first person to tell me the xero gravity is the best board they’ve ridden. Maybe I should get one 🤔 Nice work on the bomb yesterday 😮 pretty big around here this weekend too! Cheers for the message 👍🏻

[@HoStevie]

Awesome review man 🙌🏽 I love the look of black boards, just as long as I don't forget to leave mine in the sun for more than five minutes!

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Thanks maaaate. Yeah they look killer, but heat up so quick! Lucky I’m a dawn patroller 🧛🏻‍♂️

[@surfwithsebchadwick]

Looks like a sick board and great practical review. Pricy but worth it if it’s more durable. FireWire helium boards are by far the strongest boards I have ever ridden but has that chatter in bigger surf. I’ve been on a toothpick sharpeye for the past year and it must be time for a change, might check out the Js Carbon Gravity. Welcome back brother!

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Hey Seb, thanks mate. Would encourage checking out for sure. My bud has the xero and said that it’s the best board he’s ridden! I absolutely love mine

[@jpotts1111]

I have a Firewire Alternator - what do you mean by chatter?

[@youdigsurf]

Yo josh ! I really like black board they are so nice, but one major issues with those color is delamination in sunny day. You should go full pad now this is the way ( i will put white pad to counteract the effect i mentioned earlier) 😅 ! Yewww🤙

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Yeah bud! I hear you, cant leave it in the sun or the car. That being said though, even living in Australia, I’ve not had any issues with the black board. Good idea with the white grip pads tho! Thanks brother!

[@JoaoPCavalcanti]

Cool vid! Surprised that your Hyfi version lasted only two months. I am smaller guy, but when I had a Hyfi Monstabox, the thing held up super nicely and still had plenty of life in it when I sold it, which I ultimately regretted. Anyway, I had a feel of the Carbotune Xero at the shop and it`s trippy, seems like an interesting construction, that`s for sure!

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Hey brother! Thanks for reaching out. Yeah maybe I was just unlucky with the hyfi compressing. Doesn’t take away from how good a board it is tho! Carbo on the other hand haha You understand what I mean when you pick it up it feels different!

[@watman_]

Compressions in boards are actually a good thing. You can get your feet groove in the board. Relating compressions to strength is a false narrative. High performance boards that have good flex are most likely to get compressions and feel way better under your feet. Also, you didn’t mention flex at all, you only spoke about “density” and kind of touched on specs. Flex is everything in a Surfboards’s and carbon boards usually don’t have flex although JS said he has worked on this. I would rather a board getting more compressions with good flex than have a stiff board that is “strong”. Just my opinion. Thanks for the review.

[@joshtraceysurfing]

@@watman_ thanks for your message mate. There is plenty of flex in the carbon, but not like the Hyfi. That being said the carbon does go better. My mate has the xero in carbon and his deck is compressed, to be fair though I do have a front traction pad so perhaps there is some compressions in mine that I just can’t see. They’ve just dropped hyfi 3 and that is carbon on the bottom and hyfi on top. I saw some reviews saying they have amazing flex and pop but I’ve not had the chance to ride one. I’ve been riding mine in the wave pool in Sydney and goes killer!

[@ETYSURF]

After getting an evo recently I absolutely love it. Now after riding your carbontune, I know I need the dark arts x evo.

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Hell yeah bud, thanks for the footage by the way, couldn’t have done it with out ya!

[@skater_scott]

Pretty sweet-looking board!

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Cheers Scott, super happy with it. Hope all is well with you!

[@wilsoto8414]

Ive been riding the board for a few months now and waooo! I have lots of boards to compare it to, firewire, sharpeye, Arakawa, Channel Islands etc and like you said, this has been the best board ive ever had (up to shoulder, maybe head high waves). I have to say I love my sharp eye inferno 72, but that board needs a good quality wave to shine, the Sub-xero just goes in anything. I was thinking about buying the same board in the HYFi material for my next board. Do you recommend it or should I go with the same carbotune Sub-xero again? Great review! Cheers from Puerto Rico!

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Yew! Thanks for watching the video! I couldn’t agree more. You know I was in the shop the other day and one of the guys there was raving about the Inferno dark arts. Mate I would hold off on the Hyfi right now. Just give it a couple of months and see if anything special gets released by JS. If you can’t wait haha I can’t really see a reason to buy the Hyfi 2 over the carbon other than price.

[@klaiejah]

I was tempted by the carbotune when I bought a hyfi… I had a blue-grey Hypto once and the colour was a major nuisance for heat absorption. I believe you can get the carbotune with a white coat on it - is that right? That aside, the hyfi Sub Xero I have, with the Fanning 2+1 (the H4 styled things) is such a blade! It just whips around with so much speed and drive - super sensitive, if you’re even slightly off balance on pop-up it will dart to the weighted side lol. Not the best tiny wave groveller I’ve ridden but any wave with a little bit of push and it’s sensational. It has me so pumped to surf all the time - the Sub Xero is a fantastic board 💪🏽👍🏼

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Mate couldn’t agree more, it’s fantastic. I don’t think there is a white version of the board. So far I haven’t found the colour to be an isssue as far as heat goes but I must say o generally surf very early. I think the 2+1 fin set up is the way to go and agree the board is super fast. I encourage you try to carbo and see the difference for yourself. Thanks for your message! ✌🏼👊🏻

[@klaiejah]

@@joshtraceysurfing I’m already encouraged, it’s my wife who needs convincing 😂😂😂

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Hahaha just promise it will save money in the long run hahaha

[@Jackedyogi9]

Have had the Xero G on day of release here on the Goldie and by far the best board I’ve ridden. Was strictly a HS fan and originally from Mosman, but have switched to Carbotune. Nothing compares. When Snapper is your home break and you have the chance to surf almost everyday, these boards are the best daily ever imo.

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Mate you’re the second person to tell me the xero carbon is the best board they’ve ridden! I tend to stick to the more groveller boards here in Sydney but might have to give the xero a crack! Check out the sub for your groveller, it’s a bloody great board too! Thanks for watching mate.

[@MH_347]

I know exactly where you're coming from in your description about the HY FI. The HY FI feels like riding an esky and sits way too high in the water. It also feels a bit too chattery. Just my thoughts.

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Yeah, it has its place for sure and I think the hyfi still goes off but the carbo is next level. Haha give it a crack if you can! Thanks for watching 👊🏻

[@Youngbeerschot]

hello very interesting video!! With what fin setup did you like the board more? thanks for the review! really awesome!

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Hey mate thanks! I’ve only ridden it with 2+1 fin set up. It works perfect for me

[@Youngbeerschot]

Okay amazing I was hesitating between buying a thruster or the MF 2+1. I will also be trying the 2+1 :)) cheers thanks man!

[@joshtraceysurfing]

@@Youngbeerschot good luck mate! 🤙🏻

[@justinteves8764]

Hey Josh, thanks for the review. I'm looking for a board to progress my surfing. I've been told that I'm a low-intermediate. Do you think this board would work for someone still working on takeoffs and turning?

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Hey fella, I think most boards will still be good for that. Was is it about this board this you like? My personal opinion, is that this is quite an expensive board at around $1600 so it’s expensive to learn on. In know JS have just released their Hifi 3 which is half carbon half epoxy. You’ll get similar pop and snap from the carbon but at a cheaper price. I’m really keen to see how these go and would possibly check out one of them so save some cash. All that being said, I’m still exclusively riding this board and absolutely love it still. At urbn surf it’s been so much fun.

[@justinteves8764]

@@joshtraceysurfing Hey mate, thanks for the reply. The main reason I was interested in this was 1) you did a great job selling it, 2) I love your feedback about different areas to put my feet because this is a part i'm struggling with 3) you mentioned it's pretty bullet proof so I'm hoping to invest in something good now that I can surf for the next 5 years or so. Thanks for the tip on the Hyfi 3.0. Will also check this out. Thanks heaps for taking the time to respond. I appreciate it.

[@middleagedshred]

That is a nice looking board..I,d mabey have to wait for a sale tho...)

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Get that @bobgnarly bloke to sponser you! Haha! Maybe a carbon version of Lazarus?

[@ETYSURF]

@@joshtraceysurfing😂

[@joshlittle2031]

Hey mate, how have you found the sizing and litres? Im presuming you had the hifi in a 5'8 too? Would you say its good at the same size with paddling etc seeing as you mentioned its sits in the water more? Whats your height and weight? Ive had a 5'8 hifi2.0, curious about sizing a carbotune. Felt lime i could have done with abit more volume at times. Im 5'7 80kg! Cheers

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Hey mate thanks for reaching out. Yeah I had the 5'8 in Hyfi too and found the same size good! What I mean by sits in the water more, is it doesn't sit on top of the water like the Hify when you're on the wave, it's difficult to explain, but I think if you ride one you'll get what I mean straight away. I'm 5'9 and about 77kg. but when I bought that board I was about 82kg so when I get another one I'll likely drop down a size again. It's still the only board I'm riding... but I'm quietly toying with the idea of getting the Xero too.

[@joshlittle2031]

Thanks alot, do you find it paddles just as good? Do you feel like it adds or feels like less litres when paddling?

[@joshsmith7999]

I like it, just not sure about looking even more like a seal while surfing in W.A with it being black.

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Must admit on the overcast grey mornings, that thought goes through my mind. It’s a killer board tho, it’s still the only one I’m riding. Nothing else gets a look in.

[@arrowpatrick8579]

Which construction is lighter in board weight...hyfi or the new carbo tune?

[@joshtraceysurfing]

They feel about the same to be honest, but they perform very differently in the water. 👍🏻

[@bobross5079]

I have one ,. If you wanna go 78mph on any wave ,... from 1 foot to 10 foot.. Get one .

[@joshtraceysurfing]

100% facts! Haha

[@chrro466]

Were you Josh Tracey surfboard reviews. I recognise your filming venue. I’ve been off shit KZbin for a while.

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Hey mate yeah, it used to be called Josh Tracey Surfing but I changed it a while back. Ive been the same mate, only just posted again recently.

[@chrro466]

@@joshtraceysurfing I’ll be sure to subscribe 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@joshtraceysurfing]

@@chrro466 legend!

[@joeblow1942]

I would replace those plastic fins with glass.

[@joshtraceysurfing]

Why? The fins work incredible. Do mean glassed in fins?

[@joeblow1942]

@@joshtraceysurfing Because unlike plastic, fiberglass fins pop out of turns which results in more speed / power.

[@joshtraceysurfing]

@@joeblow1942 I have the same fins in Neo Glass, is this what you mean or do you mean fins glassed into the board?

[@joeblow1942]

@@joshtraceysurfing No, not glassed on fins. Glassed on fins are nice because the fins won’t flex at the base but for me the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. I don’t know what Neo Glass is. I meant solid fiberglass or the lighter “honeycomb” fins in boxes. You’ll get a lot more squirt out of your turns with glass vs plastic because glass pops back much faster when flexed.