The Best Beach and Surf Gear: Towels, Totes, Coolers & More

Tops

Top pick

Sport fabrics have come a long way in the past decade. To shelter your skin from the sun, you no longer need to squeeze into a thin, skin-tight rash guard. We’ve tested shirts from five companies over five years, and nothing comes close to the quality, construction, or material design offered by Bluesmiths. The hydrophobic material repels water, which means the shirts dry out incredibly quickly, even when you’re sitting on a surfboard or stand-up paddle board. The dryer you are, the more comfortable you’ll be in the elements.

Unlike most surf shirts, the Kanaha Hydrophobic Shirts (men’s and women’s) are fitted with a pocket, key leash, and front loop for lacing through your boardshorts (keeping everything in place, even if you take a tumble). The shirts offer a UPF protection of 35 (wet or dry). They are also available in a short-sleeve design. So far in our testing, the Kanaha shirts have been far more durable and less prone to stretching out than our previous recommendations, which were made from looser polyester and elastane blends.

Top pick

If you want a shirt that provides optimal sun protection, with silky-smooth, quick-drying fabric and an extra back pocket, consider the Patagonia RØ (currently available only in men’s sizes). If you expect to surf in scorching heat, consider getting a lighter color. Like our other picks, this shirt provides 50+ UPF under intense sun. Patagonia’s RØ series is ultra-lightweight, feels virtually seamless, and offers surfers the most upper-body sun protection without compromising mobility (or vision).

The hood has a stiff built-in visor (which provides enough shade to give your eyes an appreciable break from the sun’s glare), and it holds steady during “duck dives” (when you’re diving underneath a breaking wave with your surfboard). And it stays out of your way, even when you have it pushed back around your neck (at which point it offers excellent sun protection for your neck). There’s also a zippered pouch on the back, which is sizable enough to store wax, sunscreen, reef booties, or even a small hydration pack (perfect for surf spots that require long paddles). Even with all of these bells and whistles, the RØ is skintight and fits snugly, with a connector that loops into the tie string on your board shorts and thumb loops to keep your shirttail and sleeves from riding up. It’s these little touches that set this shirt apart from O’Neill’s similar model (although we do very much like the waist-level drawstring on the O’Neill model).

Shorts

Top pick

There are few things worse when you’re surfing than trying to move or pop up on your board and having your legs restricted by your shorts, either as they catch on your leg or somehow refuse to move with you. The O’Neill Hyperfreak Boardshorts bypass that issue. They’re pliable in every direction, incredibly comfortable, and long-lasting. I’ve worn several pairs for over two years of very regular surfing—at least a couple of sessions a week—and only recently had to retire a pair when the side pocket zipper broke. The Hyperfreaks are held in place with a sturdy drawstring that passes through four gusseted holes, and they stay on securely, as long as they’re tied tightly.

A surfer’s guide to bikini shopping

Anyone who’s searched for a bikini knows there are innumerable swimwear brands in the world, all focused on various activities and styles and body shapes. It’s difficult to recommend a specific bikini shape or cut for most people, since the variety of choices and styles and fits are too individual for any single pick to be useful. That said, after years of trying out some 14 swimwear brands while surfing and swimming—and looking for bikini sets that will withstand the ravages of the sun and stay in place comfortably—my wife (the primary tester of these suits) keeps the following companies at the top of her list.

For a balance of high activity and style: Dos Gardenias

Dos Gardenias pays particular attention to sustainable production and inclusive sizing. For its collections, the company uses “100% regenerated nylon fiber made from pre- and post-consumer waste, like fishing nets, industrial plastic waste, and fabric scraps.” The look is defined by simple yet fashionable cuts and sturdy materials. Although its offerings are not specifically designed around sport, we’ve found the shapes and materials to be remarkably secure while surfing, swimming, and diving.

For more-casual days at the beach: Maaji and OneOne Swimwear

Maaji offers many more cuts and patterns than Dos Gardenias. Though not all of Maaji’s cuts are suited for strenuous activity, they’re made to similarly high standards and will last over time without stretching out in the sun. Maaji is also a registered B Corp.

OneOne Swimwear is a Colombian company, and its style leans toward offering a bit less coverage, which may or may not be to everyone’s taste. A couple of things stand out here. One is this company’s choice of materials, the sturdiest of all the materials from brands we’ve tested. Also, OneOne suits feature deep hem cuts—most of the tops, for instance, have inch-wide straps and banding, so they feel secure without biting. OneOne suits are what my wife reaches for the most, and they still hold up after almost daily use. OneOne isn’t as sustainably focused as the other companies mentioned here, but it makes all its suits on demand, which reduces waste, and it reports that 50% of the bikinis are made from recycled material.

We plan to test Patagonia and Jolyn swimwear next: Patagonia has a long record of making great gear for adventures, and Jolyn focuses on swimwear for competition and surf.