When it comes to surf products, we’re the place to visit for round-ups and reviews. Since 2003 we’ve been testing and reviewing gear that improves the surfing experience. It’s not surprising that we are often asked, “Which products do you recommend for everyday surfers?”
This article is the answer. Bear in mind, that we’ve selected our favourite, essential products that we use everyday. There are thousands of other products that could have made the list. But this is what we use and love right now. We purchase many of the products that we test and review on Surfd.com ourselves. We are also happy to receive many product samples from brands around the world. Being passionate about surfing has its perks!
In this review, I present what I use on a typical day with small-ish waves. You can watch the video or scroll down this page to explore each product, along with links to where you can get them.
What do you think of our list? What have we missed out? Be sure to comment below. But first, here’s more detail about each of our essential surf gear items.
Table of Contents
Surfline
Surfline has been the surf world’s go-to for wave forecasting and surf reports since 1985, helping millions of surfers score better waves, more often. Use the Surfline app to know before you go anytime, anywhere.
We love the simplicity, visualisations and accuracy.
Keep track of current surf conditions.
- View live surf cams at 800+ breaks around the world.
- Get daily surf reports from our team of experts.
- View wave height, live wind, weather, water temperature, and tide.
- Choose to get notified when your favorite spots are the perfect conditions for you with Surf Alerts.
Windy.App
Windy.app is a professional weather app, created for water and wind sports: sailing, surfing, fishing, and etc. Get detailed weather forecast, live world wind map, and local weather reports.
We love the granularity and “live” visualisations.
Features
- Detailed wind and wave forecast for surfing, kiting or any other activity.
- Animated wind tracker: weather radar for sailing, yachting and kiting in light wind
- Local forecast: weather data for the next 10 days with 1 or 3 hours step in knots / beaufort / mps. Nearby weather stations with observed forecast.
- Wind alerts: get notified and catch the best wind at your favourite spots.
- Weather models: NAM, GFS, NOAA, ICMWF, ICON
- Metric, imperial or custom units: m/s, mph, kph, kt, bft, C, F, K, hPa, inHg, mmHg, km, mile, nautical miles, meters, feet
- Tides, wind and swell (for seas and oceans) at a glance on one screen.
- Spots: more than 30 000 spots. Customizable list of favourite spots
- Chats on spots: share info about weather conditions and wind direction in the chat from a kite spot.
- Second Hand: you can easily buy or send different stuff from people on your spot.
O’Neill Hyperfreak 4/3 + Steamer Chest Zip Wetsuit
Feels like freedom, the most comfortable, flexible wetsuits I’ve ever worn. Featherlight pre-stretched TB3-X neoprene, combined with hydrophobic super stretch TB3 neoprene. This exclusive technology allows you to perform at the highest level with construction so light, you’d swear you were surfing naked. Featuring minimal seam design, unfinished cuffs, and durable Krypto Knee Padz, the lightweight, quality construction and attention to detail make this another team inspired favorite. For 2021, our TB3X taping is fully recycled.
Technobutter sounds like something best left in a German nightclub, but we swear by this super comfy, flexy and WARM technology.
Features
- TB3-X / TB3 Neoprene
- TB3X Fully Taped Seams
- XS.S.M.MS.MT.L.LS.XL.XLS.XXL
- Minimal Seam Design
- Chest Zip
- Aqua Alpha Glue
- Double Seal Collar
- 4/3+ = 4mm in body, 3mm arms/legs
Outerknown Apex Trunks by Kelly Slater
Developed and tested by 11x World Champion Kelly Slater on the best waves around the world. This is the most high-performance trunk out there. They will last for years if not decades.
We love these boardshorts so much that they’re used for running, hot yoga, everyday wandering around and, oh yeah, surfing…
Features
- Ultralight 4-way stretch recycled polyester for maximum mobility.
- Stitch-free welded seams and smooth inside fly to eliminate chafe.
- Double bonded butt seam for added strength.
- Quick Dry for minimal water absorption.
- Laser cut details at the side seam and back pocket offer weightless drainage and ventilation.
- Bonded back pocket features an Aquaguard™ zipper and internal bungee key loop.
- Packs easily into its back pocket.
- 86% recycled polyester, 8% recycled spandex, 6% spandex with Quick Dry.
Kaiola Surf Hat
Designed by surfers for surfers and water sports enthusiasts. Kaiola surf hat is designed to protect you from the blazing hot sun, blinding glares and spray blurring your vision so you can surf better and longer.
Without a doubt, THE BEST surf hat ever designed.
Feature
- Duck-dive and wipe-out proof
- UPF 80 providing excellent UV protection
- Anti-glare to protect your vision
- Two sizes. Both with seamlessly adjustable straps
- Lightweight, quick-dry, breathable and comfortable to wear
- Peak/Visor is bendable yet strong. Foam interior means always jumps back into shape
- Signature chin-strap: nearly invisible, yet super strong. Non chafing
- “water to land” concept: interior tuck-away chinstrap function
- Folds easily so you can stash it anywhere
- Floats, should you ever drop it in the water
- Peak/Visor flips up for better paddling vision
- Super soft and padded internal head band
We are Fell Good Sunscreen and Zinc
We Are Feel Good Inc product is Australian made and owned – tested to hold up in the toughest of climates. We Are Feel Good Inc are paraben, oxybenzone, octinoxate and PABA free, their sunscreens are enriched with vitamin E and aloe vera, chosen for their antioxidant, hydration and nourishing properties.
Having tested hundreds of sunscreens, we’re happy to have found “the one”.
Firewire Twice Baked Surfboard
The Twice Baked is a small wave surfboard designed by master shaper, Dan Mann. It features Firewire’s Timbertek technology, which is better for the environment than conventional polyurethane surfboard technology, while offering robust construction and lively performance.
The board is a great option for:
- Intermediate to advanced surfers who want to have fun in small waves.
- Novice surfers seeking a bouyant single board quiver.
- Travellers going to places where the waves are not generally very good, but who want to bring along a compact and light surfboard just in case.
I’d qualify myself as an intermediate surfer who lives in a place where excellent waves are relatively infrequent. We mostly enjoy smallish waves that support a thriving longboard community. I’m not quite ready for a longboard, so started looking for an alternative. My requirements were:
- Needs plenty of volume for easy paddling
- Must perform like a shortboard when the opportunity presents
| Suitable for | Beginner to advanced surfers |
| Ideal waves | 1 – 4 ft / small to medium waves |
| Fin setup | Five options – ride as a quad or thruster |
RSPro HexaTraction
HexaTraction is a surf wax alternative. Avoid the mess of wax with this translucent and minimally abrasive traction. We like it a lot.
Features
- The real HexaTraction™️. Often imitated, never duplicated.
- Temperature independent grip and traction alternative to wax and pads.
- Light, thin, and doesn’t absorb water.
- No melting, no hassle, no residues, no contamination.
- Super-easy to install modular configuration.
- Clear, translucent, so it doesn’t cover your board graphics.
- Works everywhere: epoxy, polyester and soft boards.
- UV protection and waterproofing for your board deck.
- Automotive, RSPro® quality.
- Design&manufacturing in Barcelona.
RYD Wetsuit Changing Mat & Bag
The RYD Wetsuit Changing Mat & Bag is the perfect surf accessory to store your wetsuit and other surf gear in your car after your surf.
The waterproof bag keeps the excess salt water out of your car and seals it within the bag. Stand on the bag when changing out of your wetsuit to keep it clean then simply use the quick drawstring closure to seal the bag.
Features
- Durable & tough waterproof material.
- Quick release drawstring.
- Keeps wetsuit and surf gear clean.
KanuLock Lockable Straps
KanuLocks are the easiest way to tie-down and lock your boards and kayaks to your roof-rack. Simply tie-down your boards or kayak with the KanuLock straps, if leaving unattended, lock the buckles with the key. It is that simple! With regular tie-downs anyone can walk up to your car and take your board within 10 seconds, without any tools and without attracting any attention. With KanuLock straps, your board can’t be slid out, the straps are reinforced with stainless steel and can’t be cut with a knife. They make less wind noise and are very easy to use. Lock any board or kayak to any roof-rack. How do they work? Simple to use, they work the same way as a regular set of tie-downs, however they have the added benefits of key lockable buckles and reinforced straps that cannot be cut by knife. Can they be cut? Reinforced with 2 x 2.4mm Stainless Steel cables, KanuLock straps cannot be cut with a blade or knife.
Features
- Locked with a key
- Work exactly like regular tie down strap, but more secure.
- Comes in 4 sizes: 8ft, 11ft, 13ft, and 18ft
- Includes 2 straps and 2 keys
Surf Logic Car Seat Cover
Ultimate protection for your car seat. We love the Surf Logic range.
Features
- Tough and water resistant material (600D polyester)
- Protects car seats from sand, dirt, water, food, etc
- Fits most individual front car and van seats
- Velcro access for armrests
- Easy to install and remove
- Not designed for individual back seats (for individual back seats, use our model “universal”)
Surflogic Key Safe
Designed to keep your keys safe.
Features
- Secure metal construction and water resistant
- Foam backing and coated shackle to protect car surface
- Easy to secure anywhere
- 4 digit code: (10.000 combinations) with LED light
- Includes battery
- Protective cover
- Includes a key fob blocking pouch
- Colour: black
Dragon Baile Sunglasses
These are the ultimate sunnies for the surfer who lives on the edge. You may jump on a boat to some secret reef, followed by a few drinks at the pub. They’re lightweight, protective and good looking.
The dawning of Mick’s 25th anniversary with Dragon saw the introduction of a new, unique limited-edition Baile. Featuring LUMALENS Silver Ion Lenses to celebrate the milestone, custom internal arm printing, and Mick’s signature etched into the lens – this is one not to be missed. The Baile is a testament to Dragon and Mick’s heritage, diving deep into the storied roots of traditional surf folklore through timeless design and an everlasting friendship spanning the better half of a lifetime—25 years. Three World Titles, 436 heat wins, iconic video parts, and more time spent on rail than almost any surfer alive and by his side through all of it—Dragon. An alliance bound by Mick’s signature sunglass, the Baile.
Features
- They Float – H2O Floatable Technology
- Mick Fanning Inspired Design
- Performance Polarised Lenses
- Cam Hinges
- LUMALENS® Colour Optimised Lenses
- 100% UV Protection
- Medium Fit