It's the holiday season, which means two things: there's going to be waves fueled by cold fronts, and you're going to be looking for new gear for yourself and your loved ones. But with so much surf and beach gear out there, where do you start? In the old days, catalogs used to arrive in your mail to inspire you with the year's latest and greatest gifts, and today, these catalogs take the form of digital gift guides. From shoes to clothes, sunglasses, towels, protein bars (we'

If you've ever been out in the water for hours on end or on a surf trip and didn’t bring a wetsuit top or rashguard, I’m sure you regretted it in the end. Not only do rashguards prevent rashes on the upper body, but they also provide an extra layer of protection from the sun. In this list, I have ranked the best rashguards on the market, considering both affordability and utility. The Best Men's Rashguards Option 1: Florence Marine X: Long Sleeve Utility Pocket Hooded Rashgua

Besides a board , fins, trunks , wetsuit , or leash , wax is one of the most important things for surfboards. If you want to hit a couple of air sections, knife down the line, or do a powerful wrapping cutback, wax is essential to all surfers . If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be around, as surf culture tends to be more minimalistic aside from the equipment needed. Don’t be that guy who blows your dream barrel just because you slip off your board. The 10 Best Surf Wax Ranked for 202

As spring comes to an end and the summer season approaches, surfers will be looking for the perfect pair of shoes for checking spots, leisurely walks, or just for straight-up style. There are many options littering the digital marketplace, making it hard to know where to look. There is no need to fear, as we got you covered with an in-depth list of our favorite footwear.  What Characteristics to Look for in Men's Shoes for Surfers?  When starting your search for the perfect p

Everything was going great — until the cold set in.  Surfing at an undisclosed East Coast location in cold temperatures, the waves were firing. The early morning sun rising over the horizon revealed exactly what I had road-tripped north for: a long beach break with empty and glassy A-frames peeling on a shallow sandbar.  Can you really enjoy waves like this in a damp wetsuit? I couldn’t paddle out fast enough. With such an empty crowd, I tried to take every bump that morphed

Want to wear flip flops, but you haven't found a pair that is comfortable or durable enough? Founders Jeremy and Lila Stewart have a solution: the Hari Mari difference. Photo courtesy Hari Mari Now that temperatures are getting warmer — and summer is just around the corner — its officially flip flop season. Do you dread the "break in period" for a new pair of flip flops, which is not only uncomfortable, and not only creates blisters; it can even draw blood? Or worse, you may

With so many E-bikes to choose from today, how can you make the best choice? Photo courtesy ASM There’s no doubt about it: E-bikes have taken over the surfing world. From Southern California’s Lowers  or Huntington Beach  to Florida’s New Smyrna Beach , you’re bound to see an army of e-bikes zooming around with surfboards in tow.  And it makes sense why: they’re easy to park, fun to use, and it’s good for the environment.  So if you haven’t already joined the E-bike movement

Beach speakers get soaked with salt water, clogged with sand, dropped on rocks, and covered in sunscreen— doing it all to bring epic tunes to a sunny beach day.  Not just any speaker can endure such a life, so finding a beach speaker that is resilient and can still bring sound quality is absolutely essential for all frequent beach-goers. What to Look For in a Beach Speaker    So what makes a good speaker a good  beach  speaker? It comes down to a few key elements.  Durability

As a parent, you want your kids to enjoy surfing and other ocean activities. An essential piece of beach equipment to help make that happen is a kid's wetsuit. In this article, we'll break down today's best wetsuits for kids, including options, costs, and more. The Best Kid's Wetsuits Buell Youth RBZ Stealth Mode 4/3 Back Zip Kid's Wetsuit The Youth RBZ Stealth Mode 4/3 Back Zip Wetsuit is one of Buell’s most affordable wetsuits that still offers cutting-edge features. With t

When surfing shallow reefs or a beach break, one of the biggest dangers is lurking just beneath the surface. If you fall headfirst, the result can be head trauma — or worse. That's where surf helmets come in. But do surf helmets actually work? How much do surf helmets cost? Do they make you look like a kook? We'll answer all these questions, and more, in this surf helmet guide. What is a Surf Helmet? A surf helmet is a piece of protective headgear gear that can protect you fr

If you’re looking for your next pair of boardshorts, we’ve got you covered!  There are endless factors to consider when shopping for boardshorts, but the main goal should be to interfere with your surfing as little as possible.  The last thing you want is a rough pair of boardshorts chafing you in the lineup. On the other hand, you don’t want to fork over all your money for a brand new pair of boardshorts.  In this article, we’ll break down the best boardshorts for you today,

Inflatable paddleboards are a fun, convenient option for water sports and adventure. What is an Inflatable Paddleboard? Inflatable paddleboards are actually paddle boards that are able to be inflated, deflated, and then rolled up so that traveling with them is easy and hassle-free. Inflatable Paddleboards vs Traditional Paddleboards: What's the Difference? A real paddleboard is a very large, heavier board that you are able to do all sorts of activities on including wave ridin

Many people visit the beach to escape the stress of their everyday hustle and bustle. While a beach towel is great for laying out on the sand, it doesn’t always provide the optimal comfort or head support that we are looking for. I know that I personally have tried to build up a pile of sand under my towel to try and combat this problem. That's where a beach pillow comes in. A beach pillow can be a great solution to ensure you get that relaxing nap on the beach that you’ve be

The temperatures are warmer, and it's officially summer. If you're going to spend the summer months like us — at or near the beach — you’ll need some gear to enhance and protect your experience, from suits to sunscreen, sunglasses, chairs and more. Those of us here at American Surf Magazine have tested summer products, and below you'll find our recommendations for the ladies, for the men, and accessories for all. Marlowe- No. 128 Facial Lotion, SPF 50 The Marlowe Daily Face L

Trust us, you need a surf watch. With all the advancements in the surf industry over the years, how can we be expected to tell the time in the water by the sun’s place in the sky? And with all the advancements in the basic surf watch, the thought of actually counting your own waves per session, not knowing the length of each one of your rides in both time and distance, not being able to call for emergency assistance, and not being able to foresee tide changes, weather, and GP

I was halfway to a Hawaiian waterfall when SNAP — one of my sandals broke — and that was the last straw.  Hawaii is an outdoor...

I got out of the lineup about 30 minutes ago, and had an epiphany.  Just as there are eras for the surf industry and surfers alike, there...

Attention to detail and artisan craftmanship are two core pillars of the Ombraz brand, founded by Jensen Brehm and Nikolai Paloni. Photo...

All women who surf are far too familiar with the struggle to find a suit that actually stays on while surfing, let alone one that’s also...

Photo courtesy XtraTuf Andrew “Cotty” Cotton spends most of his time in extreme environments. The blonde-haired 42-year-old big wave...