Gear & Equipment
Surf gear that earns its place in your bag.
What to buy, what to rent at camp and what to leave at home — boards, wetsuits, leashes and packing lists for the trips we cover.
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Best Gear for Beginners
The whole first setup on one page, with a link to every deep-dive.
Best Beginner Surfboards 2026: Soft-Tops Worth Buying
The right first board is big, soft and boring. Here are the soft-tops worth your money, what size to get, and when to move to a hard board.
November 15, 2026
Best Wetsuits for Beginners & Intermediate Surfers (With Thickness Guide)
Five wetsuits that make sense for your first few years of surfing, plus a thickness chart so you buy the right one for the water you will actually surf.
November 15, 2026
Best Surfboard Leashes: Straight vs Coiled, and What Length to Buy
A leash is cheap and it is the only thing connecting you to your board. Here is which type to buy, what length you need and when to replace it.
November 15, 2026
Best Surf Wax & Accessories: The Small Stuff That Matters
Wax, a comb, sun protection and a ding repair kit. A short list of cheap accessories that make a real difference, and the ones you can skip.
November 15, 2026
What Surf Gear to Pack for Portugal
Portugal's water is colder than its weather suggests. Here is exactly what to pack by season, what your camp will provide and what to leave at home.
November 15, 2026
What Surf Gear to Pack for Bali
No wetsuit, but plenty of sun and reef. A realistic packing list for a Bali surf trip, including what is cheaper to buy when you land.
November 15, 2026
What Surf Gear to Pack for Morocco
Warm days, cool water and rocky point breaks. What to pack for Taghazout and Imsouane, and what to wear out of the water.
November 15, 2026
Beginner Surf Setup Checklist: Board, Wetsuit, Leash, Wax & Extras
Everything a new surfer needs in one list, in the order you should buy it, with a clear line between essential and nice to have.
November 15, 2026
Best Rash Guards and Water Shoes for Surfing
For warm-water trips a rash guard replaces the wetsuit, and reef booties save your feet. Here are the ones worth packing and how to choose between them.
November 15, 2026
How to Choose Your First Surfboard: Volume, Size, Soft-Top vs Hard
Volume, length, width and construction explained in plain language, so you can walk into a shop knowing exactly what to ask for.
November 15, 2026
Wetsuit Thickness Guide: What to Wear in Every Water Temperature
3/2 or 4/3? Booties or not? This no-nonsense wetsuit thickness chart matches every water temperature to the right rubber, plus fit tips that matter more than brand.
May 31, 2026
Gear sorted?
Now pick where to use it.
Most camps include a board and wetsuit, so check what your camp provides before you buy anything.
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The best destination for every month, plus a beginner packing checklist by water temperature.