Our Fall Gear Guide: Warm Clothes & Accessories You Need This Year
Updated: 3 hours ago
Fall is arguably the best time of year to surf...
Hurricane and storm swells pick up, the water isn’t unbearably cold yet, and the summer crowds have mostly cleared out.
With bigger waves and cooler temperatures, it might be time to restock on some fall surf essentials.
Whether you're sticking to your local lineup or heading to the snow-filled mountains, we’ve got you covered both in and out of the water with some of our favorite surf accessories, gadgets, clothing, and more.
Photo courtesy dryrobe
There’s nothing worse than getting out of the water after a chilly surf session, peeling off your wetsuit, and having nothing but a raggedy beach towel to dry off and change under.
The dryrobe Advance is an absolute game changer: it ensures you don’t have to sacrifice warmth or space while changing after a session. The oversized unisex robe gives you enough room to pull your arms inside and wrestle your way out of a wetsuit, and its fleece lining will dry you off and warm you back up quickly.
The waterproof and windproof outer shell adds some much-needed protection when the beach or parking lot is nearly as wet and cold as the lineup.
We especially love that the long-sleeve version also has adjustable cuffs, a fleece-lined hood, and pockets for warming up your hands or keeping your phone and keys safe.
And if you're whole family going out for a surf...
Dryrobe also makes a kids' Advance, with the same oversized design, waterproof and windproof exterior, and quick-drying fleece lining as the adult version.
Photo courtesy The Stoke Life
Take it from us: it's the best gift you could get your little one, because it keeps them (and their mood) warm.
It's available in sizes for ages 5–9 and 10–13, it gives the little ones their own space to warm up and change out of wet gear.
Because of how good dryrobe's Advances and their other products are, they've become part of the surf gear checklist: wax, surfboard, swimsuit, and your dryrobe. Check out more of their Fall gear on their site.
Carve Designs
We can’t limit fall gear just to what you wear in the water. Another one of our favorites is Carve Designs.
They have a few pieces perfect for chilly mornings, post-surf coffee runs, and everything else that happens outside of the ocean this fall.
The Taylor Tunic is a chic easy layer to throw on after a session, with a button-up design that accounts for style and convenience.
Photo courtesy Carve Designs
Something else we love: the wide-leg Tia Kindsilk Pants for a comfy, sleek outfit that gives the illusion of being put together even if you came out of the ocean ten minutes ago. If you're looking for something comfy, this is your go to.
Photo courtesy Carve Designs
For colder mornings, the Scout Fleece Pullover is the clear winner. It's a warm layer you can wear all day, perfect for cooler weather, changing out of your suit, traveling in, or even sitting around a fire.
These pieces hit the sweet spot between surf clothes and everyday fall style, with the laid-back coastal feel we’ve come to expect from Carve.
Photo courtesy Carve Designs
Free Fly Apparel
Free Fly is on an absolute heater with their gear. Just when it seems that every new collection is not only their best but also industry leading, they drop another new line, and we've got to talk about their latest Fall collection.
For men, the Gallatin Overshirt is the perfect throw-on for chilly early surf checks or post-session bundle ups.
Photo courtesy Free Fly
The Folly Twill Chore coat is the perfect mix of style, warmth and utility. Oh, and blending in with nature if that's your thing.
Photo courtesy Free Fly
For women, the Bamboo Lightweight Fleece Hoodie offers a soft and cozy, light-weight layer for moderate mornings and everyday wear, while the Ashridge Fleece Half Zip provides more warmth when fall days melt into winter.
Photo courtesy Free Fly
Their Coldvale Insulated Vest adds an extra layer of warmth without the bulk of a full jacket. When temperatures really start to drop, the Coldvale Insulated Jacket is the heavier-duty option for windy days and colder days spent along the coast. Both the vest and jacket also come in women’s styles.
Photo courtesy Free Fly
Let's be honest about the season we're in: The best fall surf days sometimes go through all four seasons in the span of 24 hours.
Morning can feel like winter, a sunny mid-morning can land you right back in summer, the afternoon wind or rain might bring a spring feel, and by dusk it might as well be winter.
Free Fly's fall lineup has options for just about every stage of the day, with men's and women's pieces that can be layered as temperatures change. And they look pretty stylish, too...
Photo courtesy Free Fly
Whether you're layering up before dawn patrol or warming back up after braving some cold, Free Fly has the kinds of pieces you’ll be reaching for all season long. That's why we recommend these items, and everything else from their site.
Xtratuf Boots
For many surfers, fall can also mean fishing or hiking, so a good pair of waterproof boots will save your feet this season.
Photo courtesy Xtratuf
Xtratuf’s Cold Weather Ankle Deck Boots are slip resistant and non-marking, making them perfect for wet or rocky, or snowy terrain. Added warmth from a faux shearling lining means your feet stay warm whether you're on a once in a lifetime snow adventure, fishing on a cold day, setting up a campsite, or even just taking an early morning walk.
Looking for a more heavy-duty boot? The 15” Insulated Legacy Deck Boot, an Alaskan staple in the commercial fishing industry, will give you flexible, all-day comfort with the best protection against cold, wet conditions.
This insulated version comes in unisex sizing, a built-in Polymeric Foam insulation to keep your feet warm even when it is -10F/-23C.
Photo courtesy Xtratuf
Your phone can take a beating from a surf day, just like the rest of your gear. It gets tossed into sandy beach bags, dropped in the sand, and pulled out with cold, wet hands to check the forecast or film a wave.
YETI's new LoadOut Phone Case can help your phone withstand wherever you throw it.
Photo courtesy Yeti
The case uses extra cushioning in high-impact areas and raised rubber edges for added drop protection, and features tie-down slots where you can attach a wrist strap or lanyard, which can be super handy on or near the ocean.
Think about it this way: the same durability that Yeti's drinkwear has is now in a phone case. That was enough to seal the deal for us, and we're big fans.
It's currently available for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, with compatibility extending to the 18 Pro models.
Whether you're heading to work after dawn patrol or spending the day bouncing between breaks, the YETI Palo 26L backpack will keep your things organized and within reach.
At 26 liters, there's enough room for the essentials you need for a long surf day (so you can pack plenty of the items on this list), and the pack's design allows you to keep work and everyday gear separated.
It's a solid option for the surfer who needs a backpack of all trades, whether that be the beach, the office, the airport, or a hike.
Getting dressed after a chilly fall session usually means reaching for whatever is warm, comfortable, and easiest to pull on.
Allover's overalls are a simple, functional post-surf uniform, equally perfect for fishing, hiking, or another outdoor adventure. For the men, they're called Argos, and for the women, they're called Lookout 2.0.
Take it from us: these are the most comfy, warm and stylish pair of overalls, whether you're on the beach, in the woods, or traveling. That's why we absolutely recommend you get a pair.
Photo courtesy Allover
They are are made from a lightweight, stretchy fabric that's breathable, moisture-wicking and quick-drying.
Both versions have adjustable straps, a side zipper for easy changing, and seven pockets for stashing everything you need outdoors.
Primarily ski socks, Gordini socks are built for days spent outside in the elements, which also makes them perfect for warming up after a cold surf session. Merino wool blends and moisture-wicking fibers keep feet warm and dry, ensuring surfers getting in and out of cold lineups recover from the chill quickly.
If you're both a surf and winter sport enthusiast, now is the perfect time to stock up on some high-quality socks to keep your feet toasty from the oceans to the mountains.
There’s nothing better than a shower after a good surf session, which can be difficult when you’re surfing remote breaks or just far from home. Luckily, RinseKit’s Pro portable shower makes it possible to shower off from anywhere.
The 3.5 Gallon RinseKit PRO is a battery-pressurized portable shower promising consistent, high-pressure spray, perfect for rinsing off sand and salt.
To use it, just add water, hit the power button, and start spraying. Yeah, it's that simple.
This PRO model offers more capacity and stronger, more consistent performance, ensuring your post-surf rinse gets the job done.
Photo courtesy Nomadix
With better waves, thicker wetsuits and cooler temperatures, a perpetually damp driver's seat can be a real pain.
Nomadix's self-proclaimed most requested towel ever, the Car Seat Cover Towel, is the answer to avoiding wet, sandy, car seats. And we totally see why it's so popular...
A slip-resistant pocket hooks over the headrest, ensuring the towel actually stays in place while protecting the seat from wet bathing suits, boardshorts, wetsuits, and sand.
The 30-by-62.5-inch MicroTerry towel dries four times faster than cotton, shakes off sand and packs down small enough to keep in the center console or surf bag. And because it still functions as a regular towel, it's an easy piece of gear to leave in the car all season. We highly recommend you make it your next purchase, because at a price point of less than $50, its a no brainer.
Photo courtesy Sharkbanz
There wasn’t always an option to reduce the risk of shark attacks for surfers -- other than getting out/staying out of the water -- but thanks to Sharkbanz, now there is. The FCS x Sharkbanz POD is the most discreet and most convenient shark repellent product for surfers, designed specifically to attach to your leash.
The lightweight pod can be strapped to any leash cuff, doesn't require a battery or charger, and is waterproof up to 330 ft.
Using science-backed magnetic technology, Sharkbanz’s tried and true shark deterrent paired with FCS’s craftsmanship and precise design makes for the perfect extra layer of safety in the surf.
Fall surfing can mean chasing swell, checking a couple of breaks for the best conditions, and sometimes, spending more time looking at the ocean from afar than actually surfing it. The Nocs Zero Tube 8x25 makes the search a little easier.
It's something that was an absolute game changer on the beach, in the woods, and everywhere in between.
Photo courtesy Nocs
The compact and waterproof monocular gives you 8x magnification for checking distant peaks, crowds, and conditions before deciding to paddle out, and easily fits into a surfbag, backpack, or center console.
Ideal for being out in the elements, it's waterproof and nitrogen-filled to prevent internal fogging. In addition to checking out the surf, the Zero Tube is great for wildlife sightings and plenty of other adventurous outdoor activities.
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