The Best Beach and Surf Gear: Umbrellas, Chairs, Beginner Surfboards, and More
By Wirecutter
Sun Ninja 4 Person Tent
"Our pick: Wide footprint, lots of shade"
Shibumi Shade
"Our pick: Best in steady wind"
Lightspeed Outdoors Bahia Quick Sun Shelter
"Our pick: Easy pop-up shelter"
L.L.Bean Seaside Beach Towel
"Our pick: A classic beach towel"
Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Towel
"Our pick: A quick-drying towel"
Sandy Bumz Beach Mat
"Our pick: A sand barrier for infants"
Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair
"Our pick: A traditional beach chair"
Renetto Original “Relax” Canopy Chair 3.0
"Our pick: A chair with a canopy"
L.L.Bean Boat and Tote
"Our pick: Great in the sand"
Patagonia Planing Roll Top Pack
"Our pick: For carrying stuff on your back"
Mac Sports Wagon
"Our pick: For dragging stuff across the sand"
Goodr The OGs
"Our pick: Wayfarer-style sunglasses for everyone"
Ombraz Classics Sunglasses
"Our pick: A unique design, best for heavy activities"
Indosole ESSNTLS Flip Flops (Women’s)
"Our pick: Good quality, discreet looks"
Indosole ESSNTLS Flip Flops (Men’s)
"Our pick: Good quality, discreet looks"
Havaianas Top Flip Flop (Men’s)
"Our pick: The least-expensive option"
Havaianas Top Flip Flop (Women’s)
"Our pick: The least-expensive option"
Brooklyn Surf Straw Hat
"Our pick: A wide straw hat for surviving the sun"
Billabong Tides Print Straw Lifeguard Hat
"Our pick: An alternative, with a little more color"
Thinksport SPF 50+ Sunscreen
"Our pick: The best reef-friendly sunscreen"
Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50
"Our pick: Best for your face"
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30+
"Our pick: A classic mineral formula (it can appear chalky)"
OtterBox Trooper LT 30 Cooler
"Our pick: Heavy-duty backpack cooler"
Coleman 70 Quart Coastal Xtreme Marine Cooler
"Our pick: Best for larger families and get-togethers"
Nikon Coolpix W300
"Our pick: Best waterproof camera for most people"
Casio W-800H
"Our pick: Cheap and waterproof"
Rip Curl Search GPS 2
"Our pick: Track every wave"
Billabong Roto Loose Fit Long Sleeve Surf Shirt
"Our pick: Best shirt for all conditions"
Patagonia RO Hoody
"Our pick: Sun protection with a hood"
O’Neill Hyperfreak Boardshorts
"Our pick: Best shorts in the water"
O’Neill Hybrid Shorts
"Our pick: For the beach—and around town"
Seea Swami’s Playsuit
"Our pick: A secure fit in all conditions"
Costco Wavestorm
"Our pick: For a family to play on"
Catch Surf Lost RNF
"Our pick: For the grom to rip on"
Sticky Bumps
"Our pick: Wax with the right mix of grip and adhesion"
Nemo Helio Pressure Shower
"Our pick: For showering on the go"
GoofBoard Classic Log
"Our pick: Maintain balance when the waves aren’t firing"
Coolibar Intego Beach Umbrella
"Our pick: A classic beach umbrella"
AugHog Augbrella Beach Umbrella Anchor
"Our pick: To anchor your umbrella"
Coppertone Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70
"Our pick: Best chemical sunscreen"
Drunk Elephant Umbra Physical Daily Defense SPF 30
"Our pick: A mineral option for the face that’s not at all sticky"
Billabong Unity Loose Fit Long Sleeve Surf Shirt
"Our pick: Best shirt for all conditions"
Sport-Brella
"Our pick: An umbrella with tent flaps"
Coolibar Titanium Beach Umbrella
"Our pick: A standard umbrella"
Lightspeed Outdoors Seaside Pop-Up Shelter Tent
"Our pick: Our pick"
AugHog Augbrella
"Our pick: Our pick"
Coyuchi Mediterranean Beach Towel
"Our pick: The step-up"
Renetto Original Beach Bum Canopy Chair
"Our pick: Our pick"
Tommy Bahama Backpack Cooler Chair
"Our pick: For leaning back and chilling"
Saltwater Canvas Whale Bag
"Our pick: For wet/dirty items"
Polar Bear 24-Pack Nylon Cooler
"Our pick: Soft but durable"
Chaco Ecotread
"Our pick: For water use (women)"
J+S Premium
"Our pick: Comfortable construction, with a one-year warranty"
Sungait Vintage Round Sunglasses
"Our pick: Affordable round sunglasses, with a lifetime warranty"
Chums
"Our pick: Our pick"
Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat
"Our pick: Most coverage"
Columbia Bora Bora II Booney
"Our pick: Flap-free (if that’s how you like to be)"