Surf Buyer’s Guide
Whether you’re gearing up for a season at your backyard break or prepping for a surf trip of a lifetime, you’re in the right place. In this buyer’s guide, you’ll find our recommendations for surf essentials like boardshorts, wetsuits, and surfboards, as well as accessories like surfboard bags, sandals, and more. No matter if you’re a beginner or a barrel hound, you’re sure to find some saliva-inducing surf gear below.
Read on and remember: whenever you shop for gear with Active Junky, you earn cash back. With every gear purchase you make, you’re stashing money in the bank—we suggest you put those savings towards the surf trip of your dreams. Either that or maybe it’s time to add a new board to the quiver… the choice is yours.
Lib-Tech Funnelator Surfboard
Lib-Tech’s primarily known as a snowboard company, and for good reason, too—their award-winning snowboards are consistently mind-blowing, innovative, and damn fun to ride. However, the same can be said about their durable, eco-friendly surfboards.
It's been seven years since Lib-Tech cannonballed into the surf world, and at this point, their lineup is full of gems. They’ve partnered with Matt “Mayhem” Biolos of Lost Surfboards fame to offer several of his coveted models in Lib-Tech’s sustainable “ECO IMPACTO” construction, including the Quiver Killer (our favorite do-it-all deck), the Round Nose Fish, and the Short Round, among others. Lib’s in-house shapers have also refined a handful of noteworthy models. The Pick Up Stick, for instance, is a performance fun-board that’s available in a 6’6”, 7’, and 7’6”. While this board is a riot for intermediates, we highly recommend the 7’6” for beginners looking to size down from yacht-like foamies and longboards. The Pick Up Stick supplies float, stability, and paddle power while still offering the opportunity to progress and paddle into bigger waves. The Nude Bowl is another one of our preferred Lib-Tech shapes—check out this review we drummed up a couple of years ago after hauling the board on an extended surf trip through the tropics.
This time around, though, we’re shining the spotlight on their latest in-house design, the Funnelator, which the brand dubs an “ultra-high-performance groveler.” The fat, wide Funnelator sports a double-V bottom contour, which essentially shoots water through the back of the deck and adds surprising speed in mushy surf. A thick, high-volume build means that you’ll catch plenty of waves, while straight rail lines will help you speed through softer sections and a thin half-moon tail will enable you to execute more aggressive turns if a set swings through.
Tester Quote: “As a perpetual traveler, I’m always stoked on the durability of Lib's boards—I don't even worry about them on airplanes. And the fact that they’re made using eco-friendly materials is a huge bonus, too.”
Best for: Surfing in smaller waves, relying on the Funnelator as a versatile, durable groveler on a surf trip.
Xcel Infiniti Wetsuit 3/2
First off, we’ve got to say that Xcel’s top-of-the-line Drylock series is our go-to for frigid temperatures—the 5/4 hooded option will keep you toasty in all but the most boreal of conditions. That said, we’ve had the chance to try the Infiniti as well, which is a tier down from the flush-proof Drylock. It's undoubtedly a well-built wetsuit for those surfers who a) don’t surf during midwinter cold snaps, b) overheat easily, even in cold water, or c) can’t stomach spending $500+ on a new wetsuit.
New Infiniti suits utilize the same diagonal front chest zip entry and snug, engineered fit that Xcel enthusiasts have come to know and love, but the Hawaiian wetsuit manufacturer’s updated the materials. “Radiant Rebound” technology lines the Japanese Limestone neoprene suit with a metallic layer, which both retains body heat and blocks cold. A hydrophobic “Channel Flex” Exterior is broken up into a grid, allowing for natural, unconstrained movement. Stay warm and surf loose? Count us in.
Infiniti wetsuits are available in both men’s and women’s versions, ranging from 3/2s to hooded 5/4s. Xcel also offers Infiniti tech in tops, booties, gloves, and hoods.
On Sale: New and improved Infiniti wetsuits just launched for Fall ’19, but keep in mind that you can snag last year’s Drylock for under $400, and last year’s Infiniti for under $200 on backcountry.com at the time this article was written.
Tester Quote: “This suit is comfortable—size it well and it won’t bunch at all. Water never flushed into it, and despite the fabric feeling thin and flexible, I stayed warm. Also, the zipper system makes it easy to get in and out of quickly.”
Best for: Surfing in cold breaks without breaking the bank
Patagonia Stretch Planing Boardshorts
We’re big fans of Patagonia’s entire line of boardshorts, having rocked them in warm water from Mexico to Indonesia and back again. The sharp-looking Stretch Planing Boardshort is remarkably durable, making this pair of quick-drying boardies both tough and tough to beat. The stretchy recycled polyester blend is lightweight and soft against the skin yet hard-wearing—wax, reef, sand, and rock have all tried (and failed) to mar the fabric during our extensive testing. An impenetrable zippered pocket with a key loop ensures that your valuables aren't sacrificed to Poseidon, no matter what he throws at you. Still—forget the style, forget the function. Our favorite aspect of these boardshorts? The fact that the fabric is bluesign-approved and every stitch is Fair Trade Certified.
Tester Quote: “These Patagonia boardies are so comfortable, I don’t think twice about rocking them in or out of the water. They fit like a second skin.”
Best for: Sweltering surf trips and life in general.
OluKai Ohana Sandals
On a surf trip, sandals are everyday attire. They’re obligatory—an integral part of the surfer’s uniform. And hands down, the OluKai Ohanas are the best sandals we’ve ever tested. We straight up lived in these flip flops on a surf road trip from Canada to Mexico—and have since rocked them in the deserts of Utah and the high alpine of Colorado. While more affordable than some of OluKai’s premium leather offerings, the Ohana is brilliantly designed and built to last. The rubber outsole offers the grip needed to scramble up seaside cliffs, while the compression-molded, pillowy EVA midsole cradles and cushions the foot for all-day comfort. The broad, stylish synthetic straps are supremely comfortable against the top of the foot. Best of all, we’ve been relentlessly wearing these for months on end, and the outsole shows little sign of wear. If anything, these sandals have gotten better with age as they’ve formed to our feet. In Hawaiian culture, “Ohana” means “family,” but in a far-reaching sense—it can refer to immediate kin as well as friends, neighbors, etc. The name fits for these sandals, seeing as how the Ohanas have brought us into the OluKai family for life.
Tester Quote: “I love these sandals. Comfort, style, and function are all on point. I’m sold on OluKai. If/when these ever wear out, I’m probably going to replace them with the same model.”
Best for: Comfortable, casual, and continued use, from the beach to the mountains and back again.
Helinox Beach Chair
Say adios to bulky, uncomfortable beach chairs and hello to your new portable relaxation station. Helinox’s Beach Chair is as lightweight as it is comfortable—it weighs just over 3 lbs., packs to the size of a chubby dachshund, and comes in a mesh zippered case with an easy-to-grab handle. Set up is a cinch—the metal skeleton snaps together in a matter of seconds. The only hassle is yanking the fabric over the poles (particularly the bottom two), but it’s not too tricky and the subsequent tension keeps the chair taut and supportive. The case can be secured to the headrest and used as a pillow, although we feel that’s not entirely necessary—the existing high-backed headrest is ridiculously comfortable as is. While many lawn chairs sink into the sand like the Titanic did into the Atlantic, the Beach Chair’s splayed feet are optimized for the beach and offer a secure and stable platform. Our advice? Order a Beach Chair. When it arrives, head to the beach, set it up, kick back, and take a snooze. You can thank us when you wake up.
Tester Quote: “We’ve got two of these chairs, and every time we go camping or to the beach with friends, they try ‘em out and comment on how freakin’ comfortable they are. They’re easy enough to set up, and they’re portable, too. Perfect for a day—or a week—at the beach.”
Best for: Beach life, camping, kids’ soccer games, picnics, tailgating, etc.
Patagonia Bottom Turn Bikini Top
The Patagonia Bottom Turn Bikini Top fits like a cross between a traditional bikini and a supportive sports bra. The result is a stylish bikini top that can stand up to unruly surf and meet the needs of badass, adventurous women. As we’ve tested the Bottom Turn, we’ve relied on it both in and out of the water—it hasn’t just proved itself surfing, we’ve also taken it on hikes, too. The racerback style keeps straps from interfering with paddle strokes and pop-ups, while the removable cups and snug fit supply ample support. The recycled polyester and spandex blend is stretchy, comfortable, and quick-drying, and the stitching has, at least after three countries and counting, proved indestructible.
Tester Quote: “I’m never worried about inadvertently flashing someone while wearing this bikini. It fits super well and gives me the support I need.”
Best for: Surfing, cliff-jumping, and any sort of amphibious adventure.
OR Helios Sun Hat
When blue skies prevail, a wide-brimmed sun hat like Outdoor Research’s Helios will help protect you from brutal UV rays. We’re stoked on the Helios due to the lightweight, breathable UPF-50+ fabric, the sweat-wicking headband, and the adjustable, removable chin cord. What’s more, should a gust of offshore wind rip the Helios off of your head and hurl it into the sea, the brim is crafted from a flexible, floating foam material.
Tester Quote: “I dig the Helios, it’s comfy, lightweight, and perfect for surf travel. It doesn’t squeeze your head, but it still stays snug. When it’s windy, I cinch up the cord, and it never flies off.”
Best for: Chilling under the sun in between surf sessions, trips to the tropics
Xcel ThreadX Rashguard
For surfers who aren’t hyped on skin-tight rash guards, Xcel’s ThreadX line is a dream come true. It’s easy to love these loose-fitting surf shirts because they don’t look like they’re designed for use in the ocean at all. The ThreadX’s stretchy, anti-microbial fabric wears like a light wool blend on land, remains lightweight in the water, and provides significant UPF protection in either situation. And as far as style goes, this crew cut t-shirt is nautical miles beyond skin-tight rash guards, that’s for sure.
Tester Quote: “This t-shirt is actually in my everyday rotation—I’ll wear it even when I know I’m not getting into the surf. It just looks like a normal t-shirt. And when I am on a surf trip and living out of a backpack, I love that I can wear this in and out of the water. Honestly, I don’t miss the skin-tight spandex styles at all.”
Best for: Surf trips, everyday use in and out of the waves
Dakine Recon Surfboard Bag
When traveling, it seems like turbulence, baggage handlers, and taxi drivers are all hell-bent on damaging your beloved surfboards. Protect your travel quiver with the Dakine Recon Surfboard Bag. The Recon can fit two boards, which are separated by a 5mm closed foam divider. That divider helps hide one board from view, so if a greedy airline happens to charge per board, you can quickly unzip your bag, show the ticketing agent a single board, and save a little cash for a round of margaritas upon your arrival. A heat-reflecting layer mitigates melting wax and warping decks. Dual pockets and a removable shoulder strap solidify the Recon as a smart choice for the wayward surfer, although those traveling with a full-size quiver will want to step up to Dakine’s World Traveler coffin.
Tester Quote: “I’ve had this bag lashed to my scooter in Indo, tossed onto boats in the Maldives, and thoroughly abused by baggage handlers on several continents. So far, I’ve had no serious problems while using the Recon, aside from a fist-sized pressure dent that appeared after a flight to Sri Lanka. All things considered, I’ve been pretty lucky and happy to have had this bag by my side.”
Best for: Traveling confidently with one or two boards.
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