The Inertia Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Surf

Winter surfing is a special time of year, provided you can stay warm enough. Photo: The Inertia.

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It’s that time of year again. The water is getting colder, the waves are getting bigger, and it’s just about time to dig those booties and hooded fullsuit out of the closet where they’ve been hibernating for the summer. In winter, surfing changes from a carefree sun-soaked activity to a ritualistic and gear-heavy affair, all in the name of staying warm.

As the holidays approach, and you start thinking about gifts for that special surfer in your life as they brave frozen digits and ice-cream headaches, we’ve compiled this list of warmth-oriented items to enhance the winter surfing experience. And because some of you frothers out there might be lucky enough to score a tropical vacation this holiday season, or simply live somewhere the water temperature doesn’t drop below springsuit-levels we’ve included some year-round surf essentials as well that would be welcome additions to anyone’s surf closet.

Editor’s Note: For more great gift ideas, check out our Holiday Gift Guide: Outdoors and our Holiday Gift Guide: Snow.

dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve

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Nothing kills a pre-session amp-up more than having to change in biting cold weather. Thankfully, you never have to experience that bone-chilling feeling again with dryrobe’s Advance Long Sleeve. Equipped with a durable waterproof outer and warm fleece inner, you can keep whipping winds and rain out while keeping the warmth in. Perfect for staying warm as you suit up or raising your core temp post-session. 

Rip Curl Fusion

The Rip Curl Fusion is here to keep you in the water for longer between the months of October and April. Rip Curl’s 96% stitch-free seams for the ultimate long-lasting watertight seal combined with their top-of-the-line E7 neoprene make this suit a wintertime no-brainer. And as for brain freeze? We’re glad you asked as Rip Curl has expanded the line to now include a 4/3 hooded option to keep your noggin warm. For more options check out our guide to 2024’s Best Wetsuits.

Vans Surf Boot V2 Hi 

From the world’s premiere skate (and original) skate shoe manufacturer comes the winter surf bootie of your dreams. Designed with an emphasis on board grip and feel, the Vans Surf Boot V2 Hi are packed with decades of skate shoe performance innovations while maintaining warmth. Thankfully the V2s are available in both 3mm and 5mm so you can stay dialed in both cold and extra cold conditions. For more options check out our Best Surf Booties For Cold Water Surfing.

KGUARD SoftCube 

For those lugging around soaked 5/4’s the KGUARD SoftCube is here for you. With an integrated changing mat at the bottom of the bag and 63 liters of cubic storage, this bag holds everything you could possibly need for a surf while keeping the rest of your car dry on your commute home. Bonus points for the interior zip pocket designed to keep small tech dry as well. For more options, check out our article on the Best Beach Bags.

Kanulocks Lockable Tie-Down Straps

Having to leave a board on top of your car for an extended period of time is always a heart-wrenching experience. The anxiety swells, only to subside when laying eyes on your stick, safe and sound on your return. With Kanulock’s Lockable Tie-Down Straps, a secure interior cable and locking cam buckle provide extra security for your board while you jaunt about town. Anxiety down, freedom up. For more board-securing options, check out our review of the Best Car Surf Racks.

Teva ReEmber Slip-Ons

Our extremities may be furthest from the heart, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve love too. With Teva’s ReEmber Slip-Ons, you can warm 10 of your 20 digits via the ReEmber’s sustainable construction and durable microfiber insulation. Invite warmth in while avoiding the trapping of dirt/sand that peskily sticks to standard plush liners and damp soles for post-surf warm-ups. For more awesome foot-insulating options, check out our guide to the Best Camping Slippers.

Bajillo Caballo

Winter glare. It sounds counterintuitive, but just because the sun is lower in the sky doesn’t mean that your eyes don’t need protection. Bajillo Caballo is outfitted with a water-specific tint in a variety of colors to save your ojos from squinting while looking at the lineup, perfect for late afternoon surf checks on any coast. For more check out our review of the Best Sunglasses.

Sun Bum Mineral Face Stick

Echoing our sentiments above, winter UV indexes may be lower but no one wants to be the guy explaining away their sunburn when it’s 40 below. Sun Bum’s Mineral Face Stick is the perfect applicator for hooded wetsuit coverage while enriching your skin with Vitamin E and antioxidants. Available in SPF 30 (clear) and SPF 50 (white) this is an essential item to keep in the glove box in case the waves turn on at a moment’s notice.

Nocs Zoom Tube

For lesser accessible surf spots, sometimes you don’t quite know how good (or bad) the waves are until you’re out there. While fun to drive around and check spots in summer, debilitating cold can make that process much less enjoyable. Nocs Zoom Tube is a handheld and easy-access way to scope the waves without all the hoopla. 

Vissla Twisted Long Sleeve Hoodie

Not all winter surfing is done in cold water. If you’re one of the lucky bunch that is heading south in search of warmer waters, the Vissla Twisted Long Sleeve Hoodie is the perfect travel buddy. Available in 4 colors, this loose-fitting hooded rashguard will help you avoid reef rash and sun, keeping your vacation sessions going for longer and helping you capitalize on those plane tickets. For more check out our Best Rash Guards. 

Dakine Daylight Surfboard Bag

Dakine’s Daylight Surfboard Bag is perfect for single-board exploring. Designed for longboards, Dakine eventually re-specced their popular model for shortboards with a ¼ inch of foam padding for ding protection, a cushioned shoulder strap, zippered fin pocket, and wax stash pouch. No matter what size you’re board you’re lugging, this bag is perfect for grab-n-go sessions and even has enough durability for light travel. For more check out our feature on the Best Surfboard Bags.

Patagonia Merganzer Surf Hat

Named after Merganser duck’s infamous head feathers, Patagonia’s Merganzer Surf Hat takes you from land to water with ease. Featuring a brim rope stowable chin strap and a durable water-repellent finish, this hat will stay on your noggin while keeping water out. As with many Patagonia products, the Merganzer is made in a fair trade factory with 96% post-consumer recycled material as well. Look good, feel good, and hopefully surf good! Check out more surf hats in our feature on Best Surfing Hats. 

Florence Marine X F1 Cordura Utility Short

Branded as Florence’s “most functional short ever” the F1 Cordura Utility Boardshort truly does it all. The 360 drawcord allows for wear with or without undershorts for in-and-out-of-the-water versatility while the zipper slash pockets provide immense utility and security while maintaining a low profile. With 4-way-stretch Cordura fabric and quick drying benefits, these shorts can stylishly take you through from session without a worry. For more options, including high-performance boardshorts and more laid-back elastic-waist boardies, check out our Best Board Shorts review. 

Editor’s Note: Thanks for reading! For more great gift ideas, check out our Holiday Gift Guide: Outdoors, and our Holiday Gift Guide: Snow. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.

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