The Best New Surf Gear, Gadgets & Gifts. Surfer's Updated Guide for 2026

The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.

There's a lot to choose from when it comes to picking gear to help you enjoy doing what you love most. Whether it's a daily driver like a new wetsuit, a dope collab, a new brand, or an accessory that's specific to certain needs, we'll be featuring a select curation of all the products that catch our eye and are worth sharing.

At the end of the day, surfing is a minimalist pursuit at it's core. Having all the gear doesn't mean anything if you don't put it to use. If there's one motto we strive to live by is this: take only what you need, give all that you can.

Finisterre Spindrift Boardshort

View this post on Instagram

When Dr. Cliff Kapono talks, we listen. He knows his stuff, it's as simple as that. So when the Hawaiian legend teamed up with the UK-based Finisterre, it was clear that some great things were in the works. His post on the new Spindrift Boardshorts, made with NetPlus material that is sourced from recycled fishing nets, is comical take on his scientific approach to a growing range of topics in the surf and ocean world. It's worth a watch for the laughs alone. Beyond that though, Cliff is no stranger to heavy water, like, Pe-ahi heavy.

Basically, if bruddah Cliff is backing something (even if there inherent bias as he's a Finisterre ambassador) you know it makes the grade. Check 'em out here and be sure to learn more about what Dr. Cliff is up to with his nonprofit The Mega Lab.

Vivi by Victoria Surfsuit

Finding the right swimwear fit for ladies who surf isn't as easy as picking a pair of boardshorts. Luckily for all the women out there, Victoria Vergara has applied her years of experience as a pro surfer to her new label vivi by victoria. The first drop, which just launched this summer, has multiple styles to appeal to a range of tastes. If finding something that will stay on regardless of what the waves are doing, then the Surfsuit is an easy winner. Check out the whole line at https://vivibyvictoria.com and read the full story below.

Related: Victoria Vergara Just Launched vivi by victoria. Her Brand Isn't Her Only Story.

Birdwell x Elwood Capsule Collection

There's a lot of collabs out there, no doubt. One brand that is always worth keeping an eye on is the ultimate California classic, Birdwell. This latest capsule with Elwood brings together two California originals with long memories and an eye towards timeless design.  Birdwell has been making board shorts since 1961. Elwood, founded in Malibu by childhood friends Justin Saul and Jackson Wirth, has been chasing a similar thread — clothes that reference the '80s and '90s without feeling like a gimmick.

“We tapped back into the 90s for this collaboration, when longer rails and longer inseams ruled the beach,” said Birdwell’s CEO and creative director, Eric Crane. “With renewed interest in fashion from the era, we first pulled the 312 long board short to jump from, and then built a collection of restored classics from there. It’s timeless beachwear for a new generation.”

The result: washed tees, striped zip hoodies, camo shorts, tailored swim trunks, canvas totes, straw hats, and sun-faded accessories built for days that move between the water, the road, and wherever else. Priced $50–$160. At birdwell.com and elwoodclothing.com.

Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Knit

The ideal shoe for summer temps and improved foot strength and mobility is the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Knit. The idea behind barefoot footwear is simple. As in, your foot already knows what to do, so the shoes should just get out of the way. Vivobarefoot's Primus Lite Knit is one of their best-selling shoe and it's easy to see (and feel) why. The 2mm sole actually lets you feel the ground and gives your feet precious feedback, paired with a recycled knit upper that allows for optimal airflow and moves with your foot rather than against it. For surfers, whose foot strength and proprioception are already more developed than most, it's a natural fit on land. Light enough to live in, structured enough for low-intensity training. From $170 at vivobarefoot.com.

For more on barefoot shoes and how they help you in a myriad of way, check the full story below.

Related: Barefoot Shoes: The Connection Between Your Head & Feet Is Key To Better Surfing

Gnarly Hydrate Electrolyte Powder

Whether you're in the US or Europe, it's been hot lately. Like, real hot. If you're spending lots of time outside, whether surfing or just cruising, chances are you're sweating and running the risk of dehydration. Hydration products have a tendency to overcomplicate things. Gnarly keeps it clean — a full-spectrum electrolyte blend of sodium, potassium, and magnesium, NSF Certified for Sport, with just 4g of sugar and none of the artificial flavors or colors that make most sports drinks hard to look at. Mix it with water, drink it before and during long sessions and fun days outdoors. The kind of product that does its job with lots of different flavors. Check them out at gognarly.com.

Free Fly x REEF ft. Evan Geiselman

Evan Geiselman surfs heavy barrels, fishes like a fiend, and apparently squeezes in nine holes at the local muni course when he gets the chance. That range is exactly what Free Fly and REEF tapped into for their new limited-edition collab. The collection spans surf and fishing apparel and footwear, anchored by a custom floral camo print Geiselman helped design himself. The pattern pulls from a life spent on the water, which in his case covers a lot of ground. It's the kind of collab that works because the person at the center of it actually lives the live. No bullshit. Limited run, so don't sleep on it. Find it at https://freeflyapparel.com/collections/free-fly-x-reef

Yucca Bodysurfing Fins

One of the best things you can do for your surfing is to strip it all down to the basics and go bodysurfing. Hell, you could literally strip down to your birthday suit and bodysurf at Blacks (highly recommend doing this at least once). Aside from being mindful of the law and wearing a swimsuit, the one piece of gear that will help you the most in the purist's pursuit is a solid pair of swim fins. In our opinion, Yucca holds it down with the best offering and build quality.

But don't just take our word for it, on any given day at The Wedge you'll notice that most of the local heavies are rocking Yuccas. They come in long and short blade options with several different flex categories: Ultra Soft, Super, Soft, and Standard. Whether you're signing up for your first summer of Junior Lifeguards, gearing up for the big days at The Wedge, or doing long-distance ocean swims, Yucca's got something for everyone. Check out the full line at https://yuccafins.com/ and be sure to check out their film below in case you need any further evidence.

Helinox Beach Chair (re) + Personal Shade

Helinox makes some of the best packable chairs on the market, and the Beach Chair (re) is their most surf-friendly design. Where most camp chairs sink into sand and tip over before you've finished your first beer, this one keeps you lounging tough all day long. The legs are designed to stay stable on soft ground, the high-back design supports your shoulders and upper back, and the all-mesh construction (bluesign-certified recycled nylon monofilament) keeps air moving so you're not peeling yourself off the seat after an hour in the sun. It packs into a mesh tote rather than a zip case, which doubles as a bag for your beach essentials. Pair it with the Personal Shade, a packable overhead canopy with UPF 50+ protection and adjustable sides that move with the sun, and you've got a legitimate all-day beach setup that fits in a bag. At helinox.com.

Related: Skin In The Game: The Best Sun Protection for Surfers