Best Surfing Gear - r/Surfing Picks
Surfboards, wetsuits, and essential accessories recommended by the r/Surfing community. From your first foam board to performance shortboards, plus the wetsuits and accessories you actually need.
Best Beginner Surfboards
Wavestorm 8ft Classic
The legendary Costco foam board. Soft top, forgiving, and cheap enough to not worry about dings. Universally recommended as THE beginner board on r/Surfing. No exceptions.
Catch Surf Odysea Log 8'0"
Step up from the Wavestorm with better construction and performance. Soft top with real surfboard shaping. Fun even for experienced surfers on small days.
South Bay Board Co. 8'8" Heritage
Foam longboard with leash plug and center fin. Budget-friendly alternative to the Wavestorm with decent wave-catching ability. Available on Amazon.
NSP Elements Funboard 7'6"
Epoxy construction funboard for beginners graduating from foam. More responsive than soft tops while still being stable and forgiving.
Best Intermediate & Advanced Boards
Pyzel Ghost 5'10"
High-performance shortboard designed with John John Florence. Fast, responsive, and handles powerful waves. The aspirational r/Surfing shortboard pick.
Lost RNF 96
Matt Biolos design with wide tail and rounded nose. Generates speed in weak waves while handling bigger days. Versatile performance board.
Firewire Seaside
Rob Machado design in Firewire's durable LFT construction. Small wave performance machine with a grovelly outline. Community favorite for everyday conditions.
Channel Islands Mid-Length 7'0"
Al Merrick mid-length for surfers wanting more wave count without going full longboard. Paddles well, turns well, and works in a wide range of conditions.
Best Wetsuits
Rip Curl E-Bomb 3/2mm
E-Stitch construction with minimal water entry. Industry-leading flexibility and warmth for its thickness. The most recommended 3/2 on r/Surfing.
Xcel Comp X 3/2mm
Lightweight competition suit with excellent stretch and thermal lining. Japanese neoprene construction. Premium option for warm-water surfers.
O'Neill Hyperfreak 4/3mm
TechnoButter neoprene with excellent stretch-to-warmth ratio. Good value at its price point. Solid cold-water option recommended for fall/winter sessions.
Vissla 7 Seas 3/2mm
Eco-friendly construction using recycled neoprene and plant-based materials. Good performance with a sustainability angle. Growing community following.
Essential Accessories
FCS II Essential Leash 6ft
Standard comp leash for shortboards. Swivel on both ends to prevent tangling. Never surf without a leash — the community will let you know.
Futures F4 Thermotech Thruster Set
Medium-template fins for versatile performance. Good baseline fin set for most shortboards. Community advice: stock fins are fine until you know what you want.
Mr. Zog's Sex Wax
The iconic surfboard wax since 1972. Temperature-specific formulas for cold, cool, warm, and tropical water. Smells like the beach. Accept no substitutes.
Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen
Reef-friendly, water-resistant sunscreen trusted by surfers. Stays on through sessions. Protect your skin — the community preaches sun safety relentlessly.
Creatures of Leisure Boardbag
Padded day bag for transporting your board. Reflective material to prevent heat damage. Essential for any surfer who drives to the beach.