The 9 Best Surf Brands on the Planet

Legacy surf brands were once the backbone of the industry, offering multi-million dollar sponsorships for logos to adorn the noses of star athletes' boards and creating films that went far deeper than rip clips and vlogs. Not that there's anything wrong with that style of content—it's more that there was a time when brands aligned under the remit of just making cool stuff.

These days, that is still there, it's just less heralded and less special when social media double-taps outweigh the need to produce great, legacy and culturally resonant media. Surf brands are still here and will likely continue to survive as long as this great pastime exists. But how they engage with modern audiences and create fans has changed with the times. Some are pushing functional surf equipment and diving into R&D. Others are holding on to their legacy stake in the scene, riding on the goodwill of what they were 10 years ago, while others are introducing a more eco-conscious approach.

Here, we've compiled a list of surf brands that have made an impact over the years and continue to push beyond the remit.

Patagonia – The Mindful Surfer's Choice

Patagonia sits at the top of many "best surf brand" lists because it accomplishes many difficult things simultaneously; it creates gear that actually works in the elements, while also pushing for sustainability in a way others aspire to. Their wetsuits, t-shirts, fleeces and just about everything are all made from recycled and organic materials—and taken through the durability wringer before being popped out to the public. If you want to wear your values on your sleeve without sacrificing performance, Patagonia is the brand for you.

Vans – Roots in Skate and Surf

Vans has been part of surf culture since the 1970s, when surfers began wearing their iconic shoes to the beach. In 1974, Vans sponsored legendary skateboarder Tony Alva, who helped create the Era, the first skate shoe. Tony's a classic example of Vans' straddling of surf and skate, with this Dogtown and Z Boys star proficient on the tarmac as well as in the surf. But Vans holds cultural weight, probably more so than a few other brands on this list, sponsoring major events such as the US Open of Surfing and the Triple Crown. It is more than just a surf brand; they invest in people and the scene, and that legacy is still prevalent today. It's an essential surf lifestyle label.

Quiksilver – Taking Surfing to the Mainstream

If you ask someone outside of the surfing world which brand is synonymous with surfing, they'd likely answer Quiksilver. Savvy marketing decisions, made over the past five decades, propelled the brand into mainstream stardom. One of those brilliant decisions was holding onto Kelly Slater's contract for 23 years, which solidified Quik as one of the most trusted and best surf brands on the planet.

Even though the brand has undergone numerous shake-ups, including the closure of all stores, there is still an air of legacy about it. The shift to online retailer has been a long time coming, and new owners, Authentic Brands Group, have said they're now looking to blend Quik's heritage legacy with modern sophistication. How that looks is anyone's guess, but Quiksilver's legacy is undeniable; the brand is hugely invested in the progression of the sport, and that means something.

Billabong – Global Surf Heritage

Remember the opening of the 2003 film Billabong Odyssey? Mike Parsons, close up, towing an impossibly sized wave, and as the camera draws back, it's revealed to be Jaws—with the filmer shooting from a helicopter. It is absolutely mesmerising. Moments like this are so ingrained in memory and aligned with what Billabong was all about—just making great moments. Where Quiksilver might lean into a more classic feel, Billabong flirts with trend and color.

Underneath the logos are solid technical choices, such as stretch fabrics and modern seams. Their women’s range, in particular, has matured with excellent technical suits and surf-specific apparel that strike a balance between form and function. Like Quik, Billabong's legacy is solidified, and how the brand is handled right now (being in the same group as Quiksilver) is a sink-or-swim moment.

Florence Marine X – Master and Product

It just makes sense. The world's best surfer creates an apparel company dedicated to people who want to exist in extreme conditions. This is technical gear designed to get you out there, with the trusted values of John John Florence. They're also a company dedicated to transparency about how their products are made—something that's refreshing in the fast fashion industry. The gear is light and functional, and it is clear who's doing the testing: Oahu's golden trio of brothers, John, Nathan and Ivan Florence.

The brand's precision assembly aims to deliver top-tier gear, with a core mission to protect the ocean and land by using recycled materials. The brand was launched in 2020 with its first products live by 2021. Even in its short lifespan, Florence Marine X has left its own mark on the surfing world and is lauded as one of the most trusted brands globally.

Rip Curl – Reputation Through Wetsuits

Rip Curl's reputation was founded on its wetsuits, creating some of the best tech ever seen—like the Flashbomb lining, a wetsuit that can dry in 30 minutes? Yes, please! Their attention to neoprene, seam construction and flexible entry systems has made them the go-to for cold-water sessions. But their casual range has been built on the backbone of what surfers need—board shorts that stay put and t-shirts that withstand spin cycles without losing shape. Rip Curl’s in-depth level of understanding of wetsuit tech transitions into their clothing, so you get gear that’s designed by people who actually spend a lot of time in the water.

Outerknown – Slater's Answer to Apparel

When Outerknown launched, it was clear what Kelly Slater was trying to do: ask questions of existing brands and create a commitment to sustainability. Outerknown’s aesthetic is minimal and refined—the kind of clothes that feel like they've matured out of the surf industry. But what makes it one of the best? An unwavering commitment to quality. That is hard to find across any major brand these days, and Outerknown has it in droves. In August 2025, Outerknown committed to bringing Lisa Andersen on as a brand ambassador, and with plans to be fully circular by 2030, it's leading from the front.

RVCA – Balancing Cultures

RVCA was founded with deep ties to surf, skate and board culture and made a commitment to push authenticity as one of its core values. RVCA breaks out of the surf-brand mold by supporting artists and creatives as part of its Artist Network Program. Although the brand is in the same stable as Quiksilver, they're two brands positioned at opposite ends of the surf spectrum. In fact, their slogan is the "balance of opposites," which is represented by its V and A in the logo. This signifies the coexistence of contrasting elements, such as nature and industrialization, art and science, past and future. It's for these reasons that RVCA has become a favorite in the surfing world in terms of apparel and overall vibe.

O'Neill – OG Wetsuit Innovation

If there's one brand that's given so much to surfing, it's O'Neill. If by "best apparel brand," we're judging on increments of cultural significance, few can measure up to the designers of the modern wetsuit, which keeps surfers in the water for longer and opens up colder water opportunities for everyone.

The brand was founded in 1952 by Jack O'Neill and has been known for pushing wetsuit and surf wear technology forward, continually introducing new materials and construction methods that improve flexibility, warmth, durability and fit. Many surfers still choose O'Neill because of its performance-based gear—and you can understand why they do.