2026 SURFER Awards: Best Sun Protection Of The Year

Perhaps the most important category of the 2026 SURFER Awards, when it comes to surfing more, sun protection is paramount. Whether it's a mineral-based, waterproof sunscreen, a surf hat or hooded rashguard in the water, the more you protect your skin the more it will love you back. Here are five musts for life under the sun:

Best Overall Sunscreen: Freaks Of Nature Peak Performance SPF50

If you're serious about surfing, sunscreen isn't optional, it's as essential as wax or a leash. Over the last year, I've been using Kelly Slater's Freaks of Nature Peak Performance SPF 50, and without question, it delivers.

The formula uses 100 percent mineral, non-nano zinc and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection, but unlike a lot of mineral sunscreens, it doesn't leave you looking like a ghost. It rubs in surprisingly well, stays put through long sessions thanks to its 80-minute water resistance, and doesn't sting your eyes once you start sweating or duck diving. Add in reef-safe ingredients, a fragrance-free formula, and skin-supporting ingredients like vegan squalane and red algae extract, and you've got a sunscreen that's built for performance as much as protection.

Good sunscreen should disappear from your mind once you paddle out, and that's the highest compliment I can give Peak Performance SPF 50. It's become one of the few products I trust for long days under the sun, earning it an easy spot among the standout products in the 2026 SURFER Awards.

Best Sun Hat: Florence Airtex Boonie Hat

You may love it. You may live for it. But the sun is not your friend. And when it comes to protecting yourself from its harmful rays, the Florence Marine X Airtex Boonie is a must. It’s lightweight, breathable, and built for the kind of all-day adventures where sun protection actually matters. The standout feature is Florence’s AIRTEX fabric, which uses over one million perforations to maximize airflow and keep your head cool when conditions get hot. The quick-drying, UPF-rated material, adjustable drawcord, and insulated EVA brim make it equally at home on a boat, a remote beach, or a long walk to a distant setup. The hidden interior pocket is a small but thoughtful detail that adds to the hat’s expedition-ready design. The Airtex Boonie is a modern take on a classic surf accessory, functional, comfortable, and designed for real time spent outdoors. For surfers looking for serious sun protection without sacrificing breathability or style, this one earns its place among the best gear of 2026.

Best Long-Sleeve Rashguard: Florence Long Sleeve Hooded Rashguard

It's not often we see a piece of surf gear ingratiate itself into the community quite like the Florence Marine X Long Sleeve Hooded Rashguard has. Until John John, Nathan, and Ivan Florence adopted it as essential gear for long days under the tropical sun, hooded rashguards weren't really a thing. They are now.

Designed by surfers who routinely spend marathon days in the water, the rashguard nails the balance between protection and performance. The compression-style fit stays put while paddling, the four-way stretch never feels restrictive, and the flatlock seams eliminate the chafing that can ruin long sessions. But the standout feature is the three-panel hood and soft integrated visor, which shield your ears, neck, and face from relentless tropical sun without flapping around in the wind. Add UPF 50+ protection and a boardshort tie loop, and you've got a piece of gear that's purpose-built for serious water time.

The best surf gear fades into the background, allowing you to focus on the waves instead of your equipment. That's exactly what the Florence Hooded Rashguard does. It's become the gold standard for warm-water surf missions, and after enough all-day sessions under an unforgiving sun, it's hard to imagine traveling without one. This is an easy choice for the 2026 SURFER Awards.

Best After-Sun Lotion: Dune Suncare The Lifeguard

No matter how diligent you are with sunscreen, every surfer eventually ends up a little overcooked. That's where DUNE Suncare's The Lifeguard earns its keep. Instead of the sticky, neon-green aloe gels we've all been throwing in our surf bags for decades, this is a modern take on post-sun recovery that actually feels as good as it works.

The lightweight gel-cream delivers an instant cooling sensation, absorbs quickly, and leaves behind zero sticky residue. Packed with aloe, antioxidant-rich botanical extracts, and hydrating ingredients, it helps calm sun-exposed skin while providing up to 72 hours of hydration. Better yet, it doubles as a daily moisturizer, so it won't collect dust between surf trips.

Every surfer has a story about getting scorched after one session too many. The Lifeguard won't erase those mistakes, but it makes recovering from them a whole lot more comfortable. Thoughtfully formulated, easy to use, and genuinely effective, it's the kind of product you'll start packing for every surf trip—and one that deserves a spot in the 2026 SURFER Awards.

Best Hair Product: Byrd Hairdo Products Texturizing Surfspray

The best surf hair is earned, not styled, but BYRD's Texturizing Surfspray gets surprisingly close. Created by surfers in Southern California, it delivers that just-out-of-the-ocean texture without leaving your hair stiff, crunchy, or dried out. Sea salt and coconut water create natural volume and definition, while quinoa protein, vitamin B5, and seabuckthorn extract help nourish and protect your hair from UV exposure and the elements. The signature salty coconut scent is an added bonus that somehow smells like a surf trip in a bottle. Whether you're heading to dinner after a sunset session or trying to revive second-day hair, this is one of those products that quietly becomes part of your daily routine. Effortless, functional, and undeniably surf-inspired, BYRD's Texturizing Surfspray is a worthy winner in the 2026 SURFER Awards.