Gifts for the Surfer: 15 Ideas for Every Budget
Gear and gift guide · For the surfer
Gear that survives salt, sand and a wet car seat, sorted by budget.
15 picks · 4 min read
The best gifts for surfers are the things that make the hours around the session better: getting changed in a cold parking lot, keeping a phone dry, a warmer wetsuit for dawn patrol. Here are our picks for the person who checks the surf report before the weather.
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Our top three
dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve Changing Robe
A warm, windproof robe they can change under in a parking lot. Cold-water mornings get a lot more fun.
Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag (20L)
Keys, phone and a dry layer stay dry on the boat, the board or the beach.
GoPro HERO13 Black
Waterproof without a case and mounts to a board, so they can finally see that wave.
Quick compare
| Pick | Best for | Good to know | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve Changing Robe | Cold-water mornings | Fleece-lined, fits over a wetsuit | $200 |
| Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag (20L) | Boat days, paddling | Roll-top, comes in several sizes | $40 |
| GoPro HERO13 Black | Filming the session | Waterproof to 33 ft | $400 |
Under $50
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Face Stick
Reef-friendly mineral sunscreen in a stick that fits in a wetsuit key pocket. Easy to reapply between sets.
Sticky Bumps Surf Wax + Wax Comb
Every surfer runs out. A few bars in their water temp plus a comb is a stocking stuffer they will use every week.
Dock & Bay Quick Dry Beach Towel
Sand shakes right off and it dries fast, so it doesn't sit wet in the car all afternoon.
JOTO Universal Waterproof Phone Pouch
A clear, sealed pouch on a lanyard for photos from the lineup or a boat.
$50 to $150
Hydro Flask 40 oz Wide Mouth Bottle
Cold water after a long session, or hot coffee for a dawn patrol. Holds up to being tossed in the truck bed.
Patagonia Baggies Shorts
The classic quick-dry short they can wear from the water to lunch.
Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket
A packable, water-resistant blanket for sunset sessions and bonfires after.
RTIC 20 Can Soft Pack Cooler
A leakproof soft cooler that carries lunch and drinks down to the beach.
Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Jacket
We love this one. It's the cozy layer we pull on after a cold session, and it looks good enough for dinner after.
The splurge
O'Neill Hyperfreak 4/3 Chest-Zip Wetsuit
A stretchy, warm full suit for colder water. A good wetsuit means more time in the water.
Wavestorm 8' Classic Soft-Top Surfboard
The friendly foam board that gets beginners standing up, and a fun small-day board for everyone else.
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
A tough GPS watch with tide info and surf tracking, so they can count waves and check the tide without their phone.
How we pick: we choose things that hold up to real trips, salt and sand included, and we never take paid placements. More on how we pick
Rather give a day than a thing?
Surf lessons, sunset sails and food tours they'll remember longer than anything wrapped.
See the experiences guide