Surfing Reviews
Expert analysis of the latest surfboards, wetsuits, and gear.
Surfboards
Wavestorm 8ft Classic
Wavestorm 8ft Classic review: why the most debated foam board in the lineup is a wave-catching machine, despite the social media hate.
Catch Surf Beater Original 54
The Beater is a 54-inch slab of near-indestructible fun for shorebreak, closeouts and mushy days. It is short, flat and has a steep learning curve, but it is hard to break and asks very little of the surf. Here is who gets the most out of it.
Wetsuits
Xcel Drylock 4/3
Xcel Drylock 4/3 review from an owner of four generations of the suit: why its warmth and front zip suit cold Central California water.
O Neill Hyperfreak 4/3 Chest Zip
O'Neill Hyperfreak 4/3 review: how its Technobutter stretch compares with winter rivals for warmth and flexibility in cold water.
Rip Curl Flashbomb 4/3 Chest Zip
The Flashbomb is Rip Curl's warmth-first wetsuit, built around a fuzzy Flash Lining that dries fast and holds heat. The 4/3 chest zip is a stretchy, warm winter suit for water down to the low 50s Fahrenheit. It is a strong performer, but owners disagree on how long it lasts and whether it beats the cheaper E-Bomb.
Billabong Absolute 4/3 Back Zip
The Billabong Absolute 4/3 is a step-up suit that puts easy entry and a stretchy feel ahead of tank-like toughness. It will not pass for a top-tier suit, but it covers the cold-water basics well. The real question is how long it lasts.
Buell RB1 Accelerator 4/3
The Buell RB1 Accelerator 4/3 was a lean, flexible cold-water suit that owners loved for its price, feel and fit. The catch is the brand: Buell has shut down, so warranty and availability are no longer something you can count on. Read this one as a used-market and leftover-stock review.
O Neill Reactor II 3/2
The Reactor II is O'Neill's entry-level surf suit: simple, easy to get into, and priced for people who are not sure surfing will stick. It does the job in mild water and shows its budget in the seams. Here is where it works, where it leaks and how long owners say it lasts.
Fins
FCS II AM PC Tri
The Al Merrick template is one of the most copied shapes in surfing, and the FCS II version with Performance Core is the baseline everyone measures against. Big raked side fins give you drive, a smaller trailer keeps the tail loose. It is a high-performance set that rewards a surfer who wants to push the board.
Futures AM2 Blackstix Tri
The AM2 is one of the most popular large templates in Futures, and the Blackstix version is the stiff, reactive end of the range. It drives hard off the bottom and releases easily, but it is a lot of fin for average surf. Here is who it suits and who should look at a softer flex.
Surf Wax
FU Wax Surf Wax
Every FU Wax bar in one guide: Cold, Cool, Warm, Tropical and Base Coat, with the official ranges. The stickiest top coat you can buy, at two to three times the price. Best at the cold and hot ends of the range.
Bubble Gum Surf Wax
Every Bubble Gum Original bar in one guide: Cold, Cool, Warm, Tropical and Basecoat. Each bar has its temperature range, feel and a rating. The Warm bar is the standout, and the whole range smells like a candy shop.
Mrs Palmers Surf Wax
Every Mrs Palmers Ultra Sticky bar in one guide: Cool, Warm, Tropical and Base Coat. Australian wax that spreads easily, builds springy bumps and is kind to bare skin. The Cool bar is the standout.
Sticky Bumps Surf Wax
Every Sticky Bumps bar in one guide: Original Cold, Cool, Warm, Tropical and Basecoat, plus the two Super Sticky bars. Cheap, everywhere and good when matched to the water. Super Sticky Warm/Tropical is the standout.
Sex Wax Surf Wax
Every Sex Wax bar I have surfed, from the purple 2X Quick Humps for cold water to the strawberry Original Tropical, in one guide. Each bar has its temperature range, hardness, scent and a rating. Match the bar to the water and Sex Wax is the safe choice it has always been.
Surf Organic Surf Wax
Surf Organic soy wax in one guide: the Cool bar tested, plus the Cold, Warm and Tropical/Base ranges. A neutral-scented, biodegradable alternative to petroleum wax that trades a little tack for a cleaner conscience.
Famous Surf Wax
Famous Warm and Tropical in one guide, with the official ranges for the whole line. Firm, predictable grip that holds its bumps. The Warm six-bar kit with comb is the pick for surfers who go through a lot of wax.
Top Rated surf Gear
What are the best surfboards?
Based on our 2 surfboards reviews, the top rated are the Wavestorm 8ft Classic (4.1/5), the Catch Surf Beater Original 54 (3.6/5).
What are the best surf wetsuits?
Based on our 6 surf wetsuits reviews, the top rated are the Xcel Drylock 4/3 (4.5/5), the O Neill Hyperfreak 4/3 Chest Zip (4.1/5), the Rip Curl Flashbomb 4/3 Chest Zip (3.8/5).
What are the best surf fins?
Based on our 2 surf fins reviews, the top rated are the FCS II AM PC Tri (4.2/5), the Futures AM2 Blackstix Tri (3.7/5).
What are the best surf surf wax?
Based on our 8 surf surf wax reviews, the top rated are the FU Wax Surf Wax (4.1/5), the Bubble Gum Surf Wax (4.0/5), the Mrs Palmers Surf Wax (4.0/5).