Vew-Do is well known in the world of board-riding sports, they’ve been making balance boards since 1990. The company’s original focus was snowboarders but the Surf 33 is made particularly with surfers in mind. This board is not only extremely high quality but made with the intention to challenge surfers during land training via the extended beam design. Vew-Do claims this design allows for farther rail travel and more closely replicates larger weight shifts that we experience out on the water that make it ideal for anyone working on their skills for water-board sports. Overall, we agree. This board is a great pick for those of you looking to up your skills when the waves aren’t pumping. Vew-do makes multiple rollers for different levels but this particular setup comes with their advanced wooden roller. This makes for a challenging ride but it’s ideal for improving cutback, carve, and snap skills. If the included roller isn’t a good match for your current skill set they do have a ton of other roller options worth checking out.
On top of the high-quality craftsmanship and thoughtful design, this board is also handcrafted in Salt Lake City and made of sustainably sourced North American maple! Not only that but 93% of Vew-Do’s materials are sourced in the USA and they are constantly working towards reaching 100% – making this board local, ethical, and our top pick!
If you’re looking for a tool to truly level up your land training routine and challenge yourself, the Surf 33 is the board for you.
25% Zinc Oxide, SPF 50, 1oz, $9.99
Last but certainly not least on our list is All Good Sun Butter. All Good has become a household brand in the US and we love what they stand for. Founded by a woman in the 90’s and expanded over the past 20+ years this brand is tried and true. We know we can rely on them to protect us, and the 50 SPF in this Sun Butter proves that. We love the addition of calendula flower extract and jojoba oil in this formula, for skin protection and recovery at the same time.
SPF 30,25% Zinc Oxide,$16.99 1oz
We absolutely love the Raw Elements face stick. As we mention time and time again, we love a brand that gives back and takes care of our beautiful ocean. Not only is this product full of skin nourishing ingredients, but 10% of proceeds are given to Save The Turtles International, an amazing non profit focusing on making a positive effect for the international community and sea life. The packaging is biodegradable, and though it is at a higher price point per oz compared to most of the options on our list, we think the botanical ingredients featured in this product such as chamomile and calendula make it worth the price point.
SPF 50, 25% Zinc Oxide, $26, 2oz, $13/oz
This epic product can protect both your skin and hair from harmful UV rays. EIR NYC Surf Mud is made of all natural and organic food safe ingredients. It’s reef safe, super waterproof, and simple! The cocoa butter in EIR NYC Surf Mud helps to seal in moisture and keep your skin nourished no matter how long you’re in the water. This zinc also contains cocoa powder which they claim acts as a natural sun barrier and repairs dead skin cells with its high levels of antioxidants. Overall we love this zinc, and all of its ingredients. It also comes at a slightly lower price point per oz than the other options on our list while still nourishing and protecting simultaneously.
SPF 50, 20% Zinc Oxide, $28, 1.8oz, $19.84/oz
Manda’s Sun Paste has a unique ingredient that we were so happy to see on the label. If you’ve taken a journey over to south east asia, particularly Myanmar and Northern Thailand you may have noticed a white paste on many people’s skin during the daytime, particularly children. This is Thanaka, a powder from the Thanaka tree, and they use it in this zinc to make it even more protective! The formula is rich in antioxidants, deeply moisturizing and stays put during those long surf sessions. It’s the priciest option on our list, but also packs a whopping 50 SPF, and an ingredient list that makes splurging worth it.
Overall this is our #1 pick for epic quality and an amazing Zinc that we can rely on in the water.
Contains Coconut Oil
23% Nano Zinc Oxide, 30SPF, 2oz, $28.99 ($14.50/oz)
When it comes to products that go above and beyond, we just adore SurfDurt and everything they do. Not only is this zinc totally reef safe and non toxic but they also produce it in San Diego, CA using solar power! SurfDurt has a slightly longer ingredient list, with the intention of nourishing the skin as it protects. It even contains carrot and raspberry seed oils which are thought to contain natural SPF. Overall this is an epic option in our zinc lineup. It’s a slightly smaller container than WaxHead, and comes in at a higher price point per oz but we feel it’s worth it for the benefits that come along with their thoughtful and vitamin packed ingredient list!
Contains Coconut Oil
25% Zinc Oxide, 30SPF, 3.7oz $33.99 ($9.19/oz)
This zinc stick is one of the cleanest and simplest we’ve seen on the market. With just 4 ingredients, and approved by all marine parks nationally, less truly is more. It comes in both tinted and white options and a convenient push up stick applicator so you don’t need to worry about getting zinc stuck under your nails while digging it out of the tin. This is as simple as it gets, and because of its simple formula it isn’t the most moisturizing option on our list. If you prefer tin rather than a stick applicator they have the same formula in different packaging available here.
Contains coconut oil
We love highlighting the underdogs, and Ho Stevie is a brand that gets us psyched! A small surf shop based in San Diego, creating thoughtfully made gear.
Design
Ho Stevie takes their poncho design seriously and we love that about them! This small business makes one of the longest ponchos on the market for ultimate privacy during your next parking lot changing session. The poncho also features a fabric loop to hang it from a hook for simple storage.
Material
Their ponchos come in both microfiber and cotton that claim to be thicker than the competition, while also being nearly half the price of options like Ripcurl or slow tide.
Sustainability
Their new addition of cotton is noted to be more sustainable than the microfiber option, however we couldn’t find any more information about material sourcing or certifications.
Overall this is a great pick for all of you tall surfers who don’t wanna expose yourself while completing the difficult task of removing a wetsuit in public. It’s budget friendly, and dare I say, super cozy!
For those of you in warmer climates, who prefer something lightweight, this Avvexa turkish towel poncho may be your favorite option on our list!
Design
This design is simple and straightforward with no extra bells and whistles. It features a front pocket and deep hood. We did notice however that the side slits on this poncho are a bit higher than others, so it could be a privacy issue for changing if you’re on the taller side.
Material
Something we love about turkish towels is their ability to keep sand off with ease. With some of the heavier cotton poncho’s, sand can stick and be a bit more work to clean. Turkish towel material shakes out fast! This poncho is lightweight cotton and packable as well.
Style
We love the unique patterns and colors that Avvexa offers.
Sustainability
This poncho is made of OEKO-TEX certified cotton, so it’s both sustainable and practical while also being the most budget friendly on the list.
This is a great pick for surfers in warmer climates that need a packable, light and quick dry poncho option. It’s super budget friendly in comparison to our first 2 options while still being sustainable.
When it comes to Slow Tide we couldn’t just pick one poncho. Their options are endless, and they even make kids sizing for the groms in your life.
Design
The buttons and drawstring make it easy to protect yourself from the wind when wrapped up in this poncho. The pocket has internal access for easy changing, and all of the material options are extremely absorbent.
Material
These ponchos come in assorted materials to meet everyone’s needs, from thick cotton terry, to lighter weight turkish towels, waterproof options, and packable quick dry ponchos too!
Style
We can’t find a single con here, this poncho is out #1 pick. We love all the variants from the Turkish towel to the kids versions. We also find they have more pattern options than any other poncho on the market. There is truly something for everyone.
Sustainability
Slow Tide’s Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certification is music to our ears! Their cotton ponchos use sustainability sourced cotton, and their quick dry options use post consumer waste and hold 4x their weight in water. While still being super packable for those tropical surf trips you’re planning!
Overall, we’re a bit obsessed with this Poncho and want one in every material they offer! It hits every nail on the head and we love having it in our poncho line up.
