Photo: JS Industries Blak Box III product page

JS Industries

JS Industries · Small-wave performance shortboard

JS Industries Blak Box 3 Review

8.7/ 10 Estimated score

8.7

Estimated from 3 independent sources (no numeric scores published)

Average price$1,099Range $1,099–$1,099 across 1 retailersSee sources

The Blak Box 3 is the third generation of the JS small-wave box, shaped by Jason Stevenson and sold as a squash or swallow tail. It is the model JS points riders to when the surf drops below chest high but they still want a shortboard rather than a groveler outline.

View on JS Industries

Quick specs

Type: Small-wave performance shortboard
Shaper: Jason Stevenson (JS Industries)
Tail options: Squash or swallow
Fin setup: FCS II or Futures thruster
Constructions: PU, plus HYFI on selected runs
Reviewed dimensions: 5'7" x 19 1/4" x 2 1/4", 26.1 L (Surf Station)

JS built the Blak Box family around one problem: average waves. The Blak Box 3 keeps a shortboard outline and a low to medium rail rather than adding width everywhere, which is what separates it from the wide grovelers in the same price bracket. Surf Station's review of two stock 5'7" boards, one squash and one swallow, describes it as a good paddler with quick get-up-and-go speed that projects through manoeuvres and drives off the bottom into big rail turns.

Carve Magazine's JS range notes place it clearly in the lineup by describing the Monsta Box 2020 as having more rocker and a narrower outline than the Blak Box 3. That makes the Blak Box the flatter, wider and looser of the two, and the Monsta Box the one to pick when the surf has more push. If you are cross-shopping across the JS catalogue, the shortboard index on Surfex lists every model currently covered.

Pros & cons

Surf Station rate it for upper-beginner through expert surfers in 1 ft to 5 ft surf
Quick get-up-and-go speed and strong projection through turns
Low to medium rail profile makes it easy to get on rail
Two tail shapes from the same outline, so the feel can be tuned at order time

HYFI construction felt heavy underfoot in 1 ft to 2 ft surf during the Surf Station test
Less pop turn to turn than a light stringerless EPS board in the smallest waves
Narrower outline than a dedicated groveler, so it still wants a rider who can generate speed

How it surfs

Construction matters here. Surf Station found the HYFI version felt heavy underfoot in 1 ft to 2 ft surf and lacked the pop between turns of a light stringerless EPS board, while the same weight was an advantage in 3 ft to 5 ft where the board tracked cleanly without chatter. Their suggested fix was a custom order in HYFI with a lighter glass job rather than switching model.

Tail choice is the other order-time decision. The squash and swallow share the same outline, so the difference is release off the tail rather than a different board. Both were ridden at identical dimensions in the Surf Station test, which is a useful reference point if you are trying to decide before ordering. For sizing, work from litres rather than length using the volume guide on Surfex.

Volume & sizing chart

Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.

Size	Volume	Rider weight	Best for
5'5"	Check current stock chart	Under 65 kg	Intermediate+
5'7"	26.1 L as reviewed	65–72 kg	Intermediate+
5'9"	Check current stock chart	72–80 kg	All levels
5'11"	Check current stock chart	80–88 kg	All levels
6'1"	Check current stock chart	88 kg+	All levels

How it compares

Board	Best at	Wave range	Aggregate score
JS Monsta Box 2020	More rocker and a narrower outline than the Blak Box 3	Chest to overhead	8.8
JS Xero Gravity	Pro-level all-rounder	Waist to overhead	9.3
JS Monsta 10	Flagship performance shortboard	Chest to double-overhead	9.1

Recommended fin setups

FCS II thruster set — JS lists the stock model in both FCS II and Futures boxes, so match the set to the box you order.
Medium template — Surf Station rode the 5'7" at 26.1 L as a thruster in 1 ft to 5 ft surf.

Verdict

The Blak Box 3 is the JS answer to average surf that still surfs like a shortboard. Published feedback points to easy paddling, fast get-up-and-go and real drive off the bottom, with construction weight the main thing to think about before ordering.

Estimated score: 8.7 / 10

Estimated from 3 independent sources — see full list below.

What reviewers around the web are saying

Surfex does not test gear directly. Below are independent retailer and editorial sources. When a source publishes a numeric score, it is normalized to a five-point scale; otherwise the source is listed without a score.

Estimated score

8.7/ 10

8.7

3 sources, none scored

Source	Score	Summary
Surf Station Store — JS Blak Box 3 review	No numeric score	"The JS Blak Box 3 is very easy to surf and I highly recommend it for upper end Beginner/ Intermediate / and Expert level surfers for 1-5' surf. The BB3 checks all the boxes for a small wave performance board."
Carve Magazine — JS Boards range notes	No numeric score	"The new Monsta Box 2020 has more rocker and a narrower outline than the Blak Box 3, while it's fuller and flatter than the Monsta 2020."
JS Industries official product page	No numeric score	"The manufacturer listing confirms the current Blak Box III in PU with FCS II or Futures boxes at $1,099 USD."

Where to buy & average price

Listed prices come from verified retailer pages. The average price below is an unweighted mean of verified retailer prices — converted to USD (≈) when retailers list in different currencies. Click any retailer to verify the native-currency price.

Average price

$1,099

$1,099–$1,099 · 1 retailers

Retailer	Price	vs. average
JS Industries (PU, FCS II)	$1,099	—	Visit

Frequently asked questions

What is the JS Blak Box 3 good for?+

Small to average surf. Surf Station's review recommends it in 1 ft to 5 ft for upper-beginner through expert surfers, and describes it as checking the boxes for a small-wave performance board.

How does the Blak Box 3 compare to the Monsta Box 2020?+

Carve Magazine describes the Monsta Box 2020 as having more rocker and a narrower outline than the Blak Box 3, so the Blak Box is the flatter, looser small-wave option and the Monsta Box handles more push.

Should I order the Blak Box 3 in squash or swallow?+

Both tails share the same outline. Surf Station rode two stock 5'7" boards at identical dimensions, one of each, so the choice comes down to how much release you want off the tail.

Is HYFI construction worth it on the Blak Box 3?+

Surf Station found HYFI felt heavy underfoot in 1 ft to 2 ft surf but tracked cleanly with no chatter in 3 ft to 5 ft. They suggested a custom HYFI order with a lighter glass job for smaller days.

How much does a JS Blak Box 3 cost?+

JS Industries lists the PU model at $1,099 USD with a choice of FCS II or Futures fin boxes.

What size Blak Box 3 should I ride?+

Surf Station reviewed a 5'7" at 26.1 L. Most riders size close to their everyday shortboard volume, so choose by litres and check the current JS stock chart before ordering.