best surf brands

The 44 Best Surf Brands in 2022

Down here you’ll find a wide variety of the best surf brands you must know as a surfer!

Unbiased – In alphabetical order.

 

Apparel / Accessories / Wetsuits         →         Surfboards         →         Technical Surf Gear         →         Surf Shops


 

Best Surf Apparel/Wetsuit Brands

 


 

 

billabong brand logo
Founded in 1973 – Gold Coast Australia

BILLABONG

Life’s better in boardshorts

Main focus: Surf and Snow gear & clothing

Billabong is a surf company, primarily a clothing retailer that also produces accessories, like watches and backpacks and skateboard and snowboard products under other brand names. Billabong also owns the skating brand Element, Von Zipper and the list goes on. There’s a great and exciting read about the brand’s history on WIKIPEDIA. Billabong refers to a creek that runs only during the rainy season.

PRODUCT LINE

  • Wetsuits – Billabong FURNACE
  • Clothing
  • Clothing accessories
  • Bags
  • Luggage
  • Accessories

 

 

Catch Surf usa brand logo
Founded in 2007 – USA

CATCH SURF

Founder – George Arsenate

One of the latest surf brands that have blended into their niché rather quickly. Their production line is inspired by the 80s surf culture while using the latest technology: CAD and 3-axis foam shapers.

PRODUCT LINE

  • Surfboards
    – Funboards
    – Beater boards
    – Soft top
  • Merch – Clothing for men, women, and kids’
  • Wetsuits
    – Tops
    – Shorty Johns
  • Awesome set of beach gear
    – Towels
    – Beach Umbrellas
    – Beach Chairs

 

 

deus ex machina brand logo
Founded in 2006 – Australia

DEUS EX MACHINA

God from the machine

Main Focus: Custom motorcycles, Custom bicycles, Wetsuit tops, Custom-made surfboards, Cafe shops, Records
Deus surfboard shapers: Mason Dyer, Mike Minchinton, Forrest Minchinton, Neal Purchase Jr., Joel Fitzgerald, Takuya Yoshikawa, Ryan Burch, Jeff Mccallum, Bob Mctavish, Thomas Bexon, Rich Pavel, Chris Garrett, Ryan Lovelace, Josh Hall, Tyler Warren

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Store Locations


 

 

hurley brand logo
Founded in 1979

HURLEY

Headquarters – Costa Mesa, California
Type – Subsidiary of Nike
CEO – Bob Hurley

Hurley designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells surf apparel and accessories worldwide.
On May 12, 2004, the company was sold to Nike, Inc. for an undisclosed amount.

PRODUCT LINE

  • Wetsuits
  • Swimwear
  • Apparel
  • Sportswear
  • Bags & backpacks

 

 

nixon brand logo
Founded in 1997

NIXON

Surf, skate, snow

Headquarters – Encinitas, United States
Main focus – Wristwatches, Accessories, Apparel, Portable Speakers

Currently sold in 80 countries worldwide, Nixon maintains stand-alone retail stores in:

  • Berkeley, US
  • California, US
  • Bondi, Australia
  • Melbourne, Australia
  • Kuta, Bali

PRODUCT LINE


 

 

oakley brand logo
Founded in 1975

OAKLEY

FounderJames Jannard
Headquarters – Foothill Ranch, California
Main Focus – Sunglasses, Clothing, Sports equipment, Accessories

PRODUCT LINE

  • Performance sports equipment
  • Sunglasses
  • Sports visors
  • Ski/snowboard goggles
  • Watches
  • Apparel
  • Backpacks
  • Shoes
  • Optical frames, and much more

 

 

oneill company logo
Founded in 1952

O’NEILL

It’s always summer on the inside

FounderJack O’Neill
Headquarters – Santa Cruz, California
Main Focus – Surf wetsuits, Apparel

Jack O’Neill is credited to have invented the wetsuit, his son Pat the leash on the surfboard.

PRODUCT LINE


 

patagonia logo

Founded in 1973

PATAGONIA

Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis

Founder – Yvon Chouinard
Main Focus – Producing sustainable gear for silent sports such as climbing, surfing, trail running, skiing, snowboarding, fly fishing, etc.

Product line

  • Technical clothing
  • Bags, packs, and backpacks
  • Gear care items
  • Accessories
  • Workwear
  • Wetsuits

 

 

quiksilver brand logo
Founded in 1969 – Torquay Australia

QUIKSILVER

Stay High

Main Focus – Surf & Snow

Quiksilver is an American-Australian retail sporting company, founded in Torquay, Australia, but now based in Huntington Beach, California. It is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of surfwear and other boardsport-related equipment.

Boardriders’ favorite brand. As their logo – A Mountain and a Wave, specializes in the world of free riders. They always have the most relaxed styles and trends.

PRODUCT LINE


 

 

rip curl brand logo
Founded in 1969 – Torquay, Australia

RIP CURL

The search

Main Focus – Surf & snow gear, clothing

By far the coolest slogan for a surf brand. Rip Curl specializes in boardshorts, wetsuit, surf gear, and apparel. Every surfer must have or have had some Rip Curl item in their “gear stock”.

Rip Curl is considered a successful member of the “Big Three,” of the surf industry alongside Quiksilver and Billabong.

PRODUCT LINE


 

 

roxy brand logo

Founded in 1990

ROXY

Main focus – Surf and Snow Product line for Women and Girls

The name Roxy was chosen for the brand because it sounded like a punk band or club. No surprises if you know the girls who are into freeriding, in any sport. Roxy makes cool and individualistic clothing and gear for women and girls. Roxy, as you can probably tell by the logo – is from the sub-division of Quiksilver.

PRODUCT LINE

  • Wetsuits
  • Clothing
  • Accessories
  • Sportswear
  • Bikinis
  • Swimwear
  • Luggage
  • Watches
  • Sunglasses

 

 

rvca logo
Founded in 1999

RVCA

The balance of opposites

  • Founders – Pat Tenore and Conan Hayes
  • Based in – Costa Mesa, California
  • Billabong purchased RVCA in 2010
  • Pronounced – REW-KA

Action sports apparel. RVCA sponsors a skateboard and surf team, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitors, and prominent MMA fighters.

Because of its art focus, RVCA is also associated with the street graffiti subculture. RVCA is involved with various contemporary art galleries such as KNOWN Gallery.

PRODUCT LINE

  • Apparel
  • Swimwear
  • Accessories

 

 

Stüssy brand logo
Founded in 1980 – Orange County, California

STÜSSY

Founder – Shawn Stussy
Number of locations – 60

Stüssy as a brand was born out of the surf culture in the 80s and early 90s. The story is far too interesting to sum it up in a few sentences, so take a look at their: History Of Stussy page.


 

 

vans brand logo
Founded in 1966 – California

VANS

Off the wall

  • Founder – Paul Van Doren
  • Main Focus – Surf/Snow/Skate+ clothing, fashion, accessories

Vans is an American manufacturer of skateboarding shoes and related apparel, based in Santa Ana, California. Vans also sponsor surf, snowboarding, BMX, and motocross teams. I recommend reading Paul Van Doren’s life story as well, it’s rather interesting!

PRODUCT LINE

  • Shoes
  • Clothing & accessories
  • Bags
  • Sunglasses

 

 

vissla brand logo
Founded in 2013

VISSLA

Creators and Innovators

“Vissla is a brand that represents creative freedom, a forward-thinking philosophy, and a generation of creators and innovators. We embrace the modern do-it-yourself attitude within surf culture, performance surfing, and craftsmanship. We constantly strive to minimize our environmental impact and protect the oceans and waves that raised us. This is a surf-everything and ride-anything mentality.”

Creator – Paul Naude – Ex-Head of Billabong’s US Operations.
Main Focus – Surf gear product line for Men and Boys

PRODUCT LINE

  • Wetsuits
  • Clothing
  • Accessories
  • Bags

 

 

volcom brand logo
Founded in 1991 – Australia

VOLCOM

True to This
Let the Kids Ride Free

  • CEO: Todd Hymel
  • Offices in Western Australia, The Gold Coast, France, and California
  • Testing ground: Yallingup, Western Australia

Volcom is a lifestyle brand that designs, markets, and distributes board sports-oriented products. The brand sponsors many talented board sports riders from all around the world.

Main focus: Snow/Skate/Surf/Hike/Golf/MTB/Swim

PRODUCT LINE

  • Snow outerwear
  • Clothing & accessories
  • Bags
  • Rashguards/Bikinis/Boardshorts

 

xcel wetsuits brand logo
in 1982, Hawaii

XCEL WETSUITS

Xcel’s reputation for exceptional product quality is a clear result of an unwavering dedication to research, development, and design innovation. With tropical to cold-water products for men, women, and youth, the brand stresses performance: maximum stretch and durability, sealed-seam construction, and a fit that feels custom-made every time.

  • Founder – Ed D’Ascol
  • Main Focus – Wetsuits for Surfing, diving, freediving, UV protection shirts, paddle, wake, and military wetsuits.

D’Ascoli laid the foundation that would revolutionize the industry and push the cutting edge of material and design development. Xcel has been voted Surf Industry Manufacturer’s Association (SIMA) “Wetsuit of the Year” by its industry peers three times (2007, 2008, 2010, and 2020).

PRODUCT LINE

  • Wetsuits
  • Clothing

 

Best Surfboard Brands

 


 

 

Album Surf brand logo
Founded in 2001 – San Clemente, CA

ALBUM SURFBOARDS

FounderMatt Parker

  • Surfcraft
  • Surf accessories
  • Apparel

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Asymmetrical surfboards
  • Fish
  • Shortboards
  • Hybrid
  • Soft tops

 

 

Almond Surfboards & Designs
Founded in 2007

ALMOND SURFBOARDS

Founder – David Allee

Almond Surfboards are represented in the USA, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and in the UK.

PRODUCT LINE

  • Surfboards
  • Fins & Accessories
  • Wall Art
  • Wetsuits
  • Merch

SURFBOARDS

  • Longboards
  • Shortboards
  • Fish
  • Hybrid
  • Mal

 

 

Bing Surfboards
Established in 1959

BING SURFBOARDS

Founder – Bing Copeland

PRODUCT LINE

  • Surfboards
  • Wetsuits
  • Apparel
  • Fins & Leashes
  • Boardbags
  • Accessories

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Shortboards
  • Midlength + Eggs
  • Longboards

 

 

channel island brand logo
Founded in 1969 – California

CHANNEL ISLAND SURFBOARDS

Channel Island continues to evolve with the highest standard of surfing

Founders Al and Terry Merrick
Shaper – Al Merrick
Located in Santa Barbara

Born in New Jersey, The Channel Islands shaper Al Merrick moved with his parents to Florida, and eventually to California. He started surfing by the age of ten and utilized his years of experience to build the channel islands surfboards. Today he has a full line of channel islands surfboards, which are considered as popular as they come. Most of the world’s top surfers utilize Merrick’s boards.

PRODUCT LINE

  • Surfboards
  • Accessories

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Shortboards
  • Hybrids
  • Step down/Groveler
  • Step-up
  • Grom

 

 

chilli surfboards brand logo
Founded in 1995

CHILLI SURFBOARDS

The founding owner of Chilli Surfboards, Jamie Cheal, did his first top turn on a surfboard at Greenmount on the Gold Coast at the age of 13 and he’s been surfing most days since. Today, Chilli Surfboards are also manufactured and distributed in Japan, North & South America, Europe & Taiwan. Chilli makes a great variety of performance surfboards that are ridden by the best surfers in the world.

SURFBOARDS RANGE:

  • Grom
  • Groveller
  • All Rounder
  • Premium Performance
  • Step-Up
  • Volume +
  • Classic
  • Custom

 

 

DHD Surfboards logo
Founded in 1984

DHD SURFBOARDS

Founded by Australian Darren Handley, who had a passion and love for surfing, beginning at the young age of 12. Today DHD surfboards are seen ridden by one of the best surfers in the world. Another pearl from Australia.

Product line

  • Surfboards
  • Deck Grips
  • Fins
  • Leg ropes
  • Board bags
  • Apparel

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Pro series
  • Core series
  • Travel series
  • EPS Epoxy
  • Twin fins
  • Custom

 

 

firewire surfboards logo

Founded in 1981 – Western Australia

FIREWIRE

Founder – Nev Hyman

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • High Performance (+ Slater Designs)
  • Performance Hybrids
  • Hybrids
  • Grom
  • Kiteboards
  • Longboards

 

 

Harbour Surfboards brand logo
Founded in 1959 – Seal Beach, California

HARBOUR SURFBOARDS

329 Main Street, Seal Beach Calif.

Founder – Rich Harbour.

Main focus: Surfboards & Apparel

By 2020 Harbour Surfboards had manufactured over 32,000 surfboards.

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Longboards – Cruisers, Classics, Performance
  • Mid-Range / Transitional
  • Shortboards
  • Fish
  • Egg
  • Customs

 

 

haydenshapes surfboard logo
Founded in 1997 – Sydney, Australia

HAYDENSHAPES

Founder – by Hayden Cox

Haydenshapes premium surfboards are sold worldwide in 70 countries and are well known for their clean/simple aesthetic design.

Product line

  • Surfboards
  • Wetsuits
  • Fins
  • Traction pads
  • Leashes
  • Books, magazines
  • Wax and surfboard cleaning accessories

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Performance shortboards
  • Hybrids
  • Step-down
  • Step-up
  • Fins / tailpads

 

 

JS Industries brand logo
Founded in – 1999

JS INDUSTRIES

JS Surfboards was started by Australian shaper Jason Stephenson and has grown to become one of the most influential surfboard manufacturers. Jason first surfed when he was at the young age of 5, and shaped his first surfboard at the age of 25. With many years of experience in the surf world, Jason set himself for success when launching JS Industries in Australia.

JS has a great variety of performance boards that are also shaped by many ex-pro surfers.

PRODUCT LINE

  • Surfboards
  • Fins
  • Grips
  • Leg ropes
  • Apparel

 

 

Kona surf brand logo
Founded in the mid-1970s

KONA

Kona Surf Co

Shaper – Mike Sciarra

Kona makes really good and affordable surfboards and accessories. There’s a wide variety of nice-looking surfboards and all kinds of types at the best possible value!

PRODUCT LINE

  • Surf
  • SUP
  • Skate
  • Apparel
  • Custom apparel
  • Custom surfboards

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Longboards
  • Shortboards
  • Hybrids
  • Fish surfboards
  • Midlength
  • Grovelers
  • Groms
  • Softboards
  • Bodyboards

 

 

lost surfboards logo
Founded in 1985 – Irvine, California

LOST SURFBOARDS

Mayhem

Shaper – Matt “Mayhem” Biolos
Main Focus – Shortboards

Lost Surfboards is the largest manufacturer of surfboards in the United States.

The company’s story is rather interesting as they’ve specialized in one certain niche while having the best board riding background. Read more from Wikipedia

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Performance shortboard
  • Fish
  • Gun
  • Mid-lengths

 

 

nsp surfboards brand logo
Founded in 2001 – Hawaii

NSP

New Surf Project

Aesthetic value with durability and utility are the main keywords describing the NSP surfboards.

NSP stands for New Surf Project and this surfboard company has experienced rapid growth from their earlier years to what they are today as one of the leading shapers of high-quality epoxy surfboards in North America today. The NSP surfboard brand has also come to be synonymous with surfing schools and instructors as they go to beginner surfboard brands.

Product line

  • Surfboards
  • Accessories
  • Apparel

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Longboards
  • Hybrids
  • Fish
  • Funboards
  • SUP
  • Race
  • Airwing
  • Foil
  • Grom
  • Shortboards

 

 

Catch Surf® USA

ODYSEA SURFBOARDS

A.k.a Catch Surf is a new kid on the block who has taken the market by storm. The brand has released a bunch of soft-top surfboards for the fun-loving surfers out there.

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Beater boards
  • Soft Top – Hybrids, Fish, Mal, Longboard, Shortboard

 

 

pyzel surfboards logo
Founded in 1995

PYZEL SURFBOARDS

Head Shaper: Jon Pyzel
Main focus: Surfboards
Factories in North Shore and Oceanside, California

Pyzel surfboards have licensees available in 7 countries: Australia, Europe, Brazil, Japan, Indonesia, South America, and California. Pyzel sponsors a ton of professional surfers.

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • High Performance
  • Daily Drivers
  • Fun
  • Performance
  • Guns
  • Grom
  • Custom

 

 

pukas surfboards logo
Founded in 1973 – Basque, Spain

PUKAS

Surf Eskola

Pukas is a family-run company that is known in the surf industry for making high-performance surfboards and custom bikinis.

Product line

  • Custom performance shortboards
  • Bikinis

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Easy performance
  • High performance
  • Barrels & Good Waves
  • Big Wave – Guns
  • Mid-lengths
  • Longboards
  • Kids
  • Softboards

 

 

Rusty Logo
Founded in 1985, San Diego

RUSTY

We give a nod to those who came before us, who laid the groundwork 35 years ago for our fundamental being. To chase the fire, to push the limits to the brink of chaos, to come out challenged and victorious
#ourkind”

FounderRusty Preisendorfer
Shapers – Rusty Preisendorfer, Mike Russo, Rick Hamon, Hoy Runnel, Pedro Battaglin
Main focus – Surfboards, Apparel, Accessories

Rusty is an alternative surf lifestyle brand that draws inspiration directly from indie music, contemporary art & cutting-edge fashion. The surf brand is also known to sponsors many pros, amateurs, and many more like-minded surfers.

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Performance shortboards
  • Hybrid / Funboards
  • Step-up surfboards
  • Step-down surfboards

 

 

roberts surfboards logo
Founded in 1994, Ventura, California

ROBERTS SURFBOARDS

Shaper Robert Weiner

Robert Weiner of Roberts Surfboards has been awarded the “Shaper of the Year” for 2011 by Surfing Magazine.

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • High-performance shortboards
  • Step-ups
  • Guns
  • Shortboards
  • All-rounders
  • InBetweeners
  • Diamonds & Derivatives
  • Grovelers
  • Modern Classics

 

 

Sharp Eye Surfboards Inc
Founded in 1992

SHARPEYE SURFBOARDS

FounderMarcio Zouvi

Main focus: Performance Shortboards

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Pro
  • Shortboards
  • Fish & Small wave
  • Hybrid
  • Step-ups

 

 

steward surfboard brand logo
Founded in: 1978, San Clemente / Laguna Beach

STEWART SURFBOARDS

Founder – Bill Stewart

MAIN FOCUS

  • Surfboards
  • Accessories – Fins, bags, pads, leashes, etc.
  • Wetsuits
  • Apparel

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Shortboards
  • Longboards
  • Midlengths
  • Custom
  • Surftech

 

 

Torq Surfboards Logo
Founded in 2012

TORQ SURFBOARDS

Torq manufacturers a range of innovative Epoxy Surfboards, some of the most known technologies being used:

ACT – Advanced Composite Technology
TEC – Torq Epoxy Composite
X-Lite
TET – Torq Epoxy Technology
Soft Deck

SURFBOARDS RANGE

  • Shortboard
  • Fish
  • Funboard
  • Midlength
  • Longboard

Best Technical Surf Gear Brands

 


 

 

creatures of leisure brand logo
Founded in – 1987

CREATURES OF LEISURE

Creatures of Leisure makes a wide range of surfing gear. Quite many figures as brand ambassadors to trust the brand:

Creatures Of Leisure sponsors the following athletes: MICK FANNING, GRIFFIN COLAPINTO, STEPHANIE GILMORE, JACK FREESTONE, ETHAN EWING, JOAN DURU, MITCH COLEBORN, NAT YOUNG, FINN MCGILL

PRODUCT LINE

  • Auto accessories
  • Leashes
  • Fins
  • Grom range
  • Traction pads
  • Earplugs
  • Surfboard covers
  • Bodyboards
  • Surf essentials, and much more.

 

 

dakine logo
Founded in 1979

DAKINE

  • Founder – Rob Kaplan
  • Based in – Hood River, Oregon
  • Main focus – Surf/Snow/Wind/Bike

American outdoor clothing company specializing in sportswear and sports equipment for alternative sports. Dakine also sponsors athletes from the lifestyle and sporting fields of skiing, biking, windsurfing, kiting, snowboarding, surfing, and skateboarding.

PRODUCT LINE

  • Bags & Luggage
  • Surfboard accessories
  • Travel accessories
  • Racks
  • Apparel

 

fcs brand logo
Founded in 1995, Gold Coast, Australia.

FCS

Main Focus: Sporting equipment & FINS

PRODUCT LINE

FINS & Finbox range for

  • Surf
  • Longboard
  • Kite
  • SUP

Other products:

  • Leashes
  • Covers
  • Traction pads
  • Bags & packs
  • Auto accessories
  • Travel accessories
  • Accessories

 

 

Futures Fins logo
Founded in 1996, California

FUTURES FINS

Main focus: Surfboard fins, Fin boxes, Traction pads, Shaper tools, Apparel, Accessories

FINS SELECTION:

  • Single
  • Twin
  • 2 + 1
  • Thruster
  • Quad
  • Quad rear
  • 5 Fin
  • Big wave
  • PAddle

 

Best Surf Shops

 


 

 

jacks surfboards brand logo
Founded in 1957, Huntington Beach

JACK’S SURFBOARDS

FounderJack Hokanson

“Across from the Huntington Beach Pier”

Surf / Skate store. Men’s, Women’s, Youth’s, Kids’ gear

SHOP SELECTION:

  • Apparel
  • Wetsuits
  • Accessories
  • Surfboards
  • Sun Protection

 

Ron Jon Surf ShopRon Jon Surf Shop

ron jon brand logo

Founded in 1959, Ship Bottom, New Jersey

RON JON SURF SHOP

FounderRon DiMenna
Specializes in surfing & bodyboarding + surf & skatewear and gear. Everything for men, women, youth, and kids’.

Ron Jon’s Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach, Florida Surf Shop is currently the world’s largest surf shop!

IN-STORE

  • Surfboards
  • Apparel
  • Accessories

 

Best Surf Companies

Billabong, Catch Surf, Channel Island Surfboards, Chilli Surfboards, Creatures Of Leisure, Deus, Dakine, DHD Surfboards, FCS Futures Fins, Firewire Surfboards, Haydenshapes Surfboards, Hurley, JS Industries Surfboards, KONA,  LOST Surfboards, NSP Surfboards, Nixon, Oakley, O‘Neil,l Patagonia, Pyzel Surfboards, Pukas Surfboards Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Roberts Surfboards Roxy, Rusty, RVCA, Stüssy, VANS, VISSLA, Volcom, XCEL.

 

HISTORY TIMELINE

1952 – O’Neill
1957 – Jack’s
1959 – Bing, Harbour, Ron Jon

1966 – Vans
1969 – Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Channel Islands

1970s – Kona
1973 – Billabong, Patagonia
1975 – Oakley
1978 – Steward,
1979 – Hurley, Dakine

1980 – Stüssy
1981 – Firewire
1982 – Xcel
1984 – DHD,
1985 – Lost, Rusty
1987 – Creatures of Leisure

1990 – Roxy
1991 – Volcom
1992 – Sharpeye
1994 – Roberts
1995 – Chilli, Pyzel, FCS
1996 – Futures
1973 – Pukas
1997 – Nixon, Haydenshapes
1999 – RVCA, JS

2001 – Album, NSP
2006 – Deux Ex Machina
2007 – Catch Surf, Almond
2012 – Torq
2013 – Vissla


 

 

 

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I created Nulltuul to share my experience, research and analysis with other surf enthusiasts out there. If I'm not surfing on my travels - I like to photograph waves, surfers, and the surf lifestyle in general.

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