12 Surf Brands You Should Know

Unlike what some may consider a seasonal hobby, the brands surrounding the sport of surfing are anything but. Here, we find a multimillion-dollar industry funding world tours, sponsoring professionals, and releasing more forms of media than we have time to keep up with. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner who’s been recently introduced to the sport, or a seasoned vet who only swears by that one neighborhood shaper for your entire quiver, some surf brands are impossible to hide from.

We, however, are not going to concern ourselves with these major players. Instead, what we have here are a handful of new and classic surf brands that manufacture high-quality gear, apparel and of course boards. And while the branding may be a bit different (minimal vs. garage vs. surf punk) the thought remains the same: that is, the embracement of a soul-seeking rebellion against contemporary status quo. Now that may sound like a mouthful but it’s a testament that fulfilled in various ways in multiples manners. Just have a look for yourself and see what we mean.

Almond Surfboards

Built for the surfer/craftsman, California-based Almond Surfboards prides itself on high-quality hand-built surfboards the carry somewhat of a vintage vibe. That’s why they, like most surfers, are more interested in investing time and committing to the process to ensure whatever’s on the docket (be it a new board, shirt collection or accessory) is done right. Everything from Almond is also made right here in the USA and continue each and every day to refine their process for the better.

Visit: Almond Surfboards

Mollusk Surf Shop

As an all encompassing brand that integrates surfing, art, craft, music, and film into their identity, Mollusk is more a cultural institution rather than a surf shop. And while they boast locations in San Francisco, Venice Beach, and Silver Lake in Los Angeles, their products are available to anyone who’s belief systems fall in line with this modern surf brand with a classic feel. From surf trunks to basic t-shirts to surfboards it’s all here and all of the taking.

Visit: Mollusk

Birdwell Beach Britches

What was once started back in 1961 by Carrie Birdwell Mann in her Southern California sewing room eventually took off and soon became a staple swimwear item for surfers of all size, shape, and age across the region. In fact, in the early days of the business, Carrie at one point even transformed her living room into a store – effectively owning one of the very first forms of the modern surf shop we recognize today. Now, from their staple boardshorts to jackets, towels, and hats, Birdwell remains as one of the best under-the-radar surf brands from yesteryear.

Visit: Birdwell

Tavik

Piggybacking on what they call Modern Beach Culture, this Newport Beach-based surf brand is taking a different, albeit just as appealing, route to surf apparel. Boasting modern style, high fashion principles, and a beach-like aesthetic this is the brand that will seamlessly take you from a day at the beach to a night on the town. Their prints are crisp and clean featuring a traditional color palette while Tavik’s monochromatic style is one that looks to resonate throughout the industry for years to come.

Visit: Tavik

Outerknown

After winning more World Titles than any other professional surfer to date, world renowned surfer and lifestyle enthusiast Kelly Slater decided to team up with acclaimed menswear designer John Moore to launch a surf brand unlike any other. That is, a brand that manufactures environmentally sustainable clothing that’s built to last and look damn good in the process. We’re talking organic cotton t-shirts, board shorts made from recycled plastic bottles, and clothing lines where 100% of the profits go towards Ocean Conservancy.

Visit: Outerknown

Pyzel Surfboards

It was over 20 years ago when Jon Pyzel was asked to shape a surfboard for Alex Florence’s son, John John. Little did he know at the time that the 5-year-old for whom he was building a board for would grow up to be one of the greatest and most innovative surfers to date. That’s the Pyzel story, so it’s no wonder the quality and reputation surrounding the brand continues to resonate across the industry today with operations on both the North Shore and Oceanside, CA. They specialize in high-performance surfboards, but also take custom orders as well so the possibilities are practically endless.

Visit: Pyzel

Rainbow Sandals

What’s a surfing lifestyle brand without sandals? That’s exactly what Jay “Sparky” Longley contemplated with he first experimented with making sandals in his Laguna Beach garage. He started the brand with only $200 to buy a sewing machine and some rubber. These days, Rainbow sandals are widely known as some of the most durable and comfortable flip-flops around – making about 2 million pairs a year for surfers and beach goers of all ages. Not a bad return on investment for old “Sparky.”

Visit: Rainbow

Saturday’s NYC

Typically when you think of New York City, the surf culture isn’t what immediately what comes to mind. Instead, images of congested yellow cab traffic jams, pizza by the slice, and densely populated neighborhoods and skyscrapers along the East River are incepted into our minds. Well, that’s probably why a high fashion surf-influenced brand like Saturday’s NYC exists – offering swimwear for the weekend and comfortable form-fitting clothing during the week.

Visit: Saturday's

The Critical Slide Society

It’s no secret that surfing and art go hand in hand. It’s why two friends from a sleepy seaside village along the Central Coast of NSW in Australia decided to start a surf brand from the ground up that was both authentic and creative while working with artists and surfers who share the same vision and inspiration. Today, they’re an international brand manufacturing everything from t-shirts to boardshorts and accessories – all inspired by the fusion of individual art and modern surfing counterculture.

Visit: TCSS

Vissla

When building a brand, creative freedom is always a commodity that’s invaluable. Because without the ability to put pen to paper so-to-speak, whatever message you’re attempting to convey gets watered down into a bland, almost indigestible product. This, however, isn’t the case with Vissla, a brand that embraces a forward-thinking philosophy in the construction of their apparel, wetsuits, and gear to the traveling surfer or local pro. They embrace a DIY attitude and work to never stop innovating in the construction of any number of their verticals.

Visit: Vissla

Insight 51

There’s one in every crowd. And if we’re to try and sum up Insight 51’s eclectic persona, it’s most definitely the surf and skate garage punk. Working to nurture this often misunderstood rebellious attitude, Insight 51 is led by a group of designers and artists that are both humble yet wild in their vision. It’s a bit of modern counterculture mixed with an 80’s retro feel to the brand that definitely adds a bit overall friction towards more contemporary aesthetics in the industry.

Visit: Insight 51

The Mad Hueys

If the Mad Hueys are anything it all it’s certainly not sane. This fishing and surfing lifestyle brand was started on the back of a couple of hard partying Australian friends who had no idea their philosophy of reckless abandonment in the name of surfing/fishing would catch on so quickly within the Gold Coast community. It’s also one of the few clothing brands out there that also recently launched their own beer; because that’s what you do when you’re the maddest Huey around.

Visit: The Mad Hueys