Toss the Thule Tailgate Pad over the 'gate of your short bed truck and get your six-foot (plus!) board down to the water without dinging it into oblivion. A sewn-in strap system slides easily around the bottom of your tailgate so you can secure this pad quickly without messing around for an hour in the garage. UV-resistant fabrics mean that even if you live somewhere that's sunny 366 days of the year, the pad won't fade out and turn brittle.

• * Board tie-down straps sold separately