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The Best Beach and Surf Gear: Towels, Totes, Coolers, and More

Updated Dec 11, 2022

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There are always two beaches—the one you imagine and the one you end up on. Somehow the sun is always hotter, the sand more persistent, and the towels less inviting than you remember them being. But with a little preparation, you can close that gap between fantasy and reality. We’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and testing the best towels, chairs, sunscreen, and other gear to make your next trip to the water as fun and relaxing as possible.

L.L.Bean Seaside Beach Towel, a classic beach towel

L.L.Bean Seaside Beach Towel

A classic beach towel

The L.L.Bean Seaside towel is comfortable, absorbent, and durable, and it repels sand with ease. Plus, it's stylish and big enough to sprawl out on.

We recommend

Brooklinen Beach Towel, a premium towel

Brooklinen Beach Towel

A premium towel

If you want a more luxurious-feeling beach towel, one that’s heavier than our classic pick, the Brooklinen is for you—with maxed-out softness and absorbency. After a year of testing it out on Oahu’s beaches, this is the towel we grab first.

We recommend

Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Towel, a quick-drying towel

Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Towel

A quick-drying towel

If you want the best of the best and are willing to pay more for it, the Coyuchi towels are made of organic Turkish cotton and dry faster than other towels. However, colors will fade with prolonged sun exposure.

We recommend

Sandy Bumz Beach Mat, a sand barrier for infants

Sandy Bumz Beach Mat

A sand barrier for infants

If you have a young infant or toddler, the lightweight Sandy Bumz is easy to deploy. And the semi-rigid sides help create a decent sand barrier, without being so stiff that someone might fall on them and get hurt.

We recommend

Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair, a traditional beach chair

Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair

A traditional beach chair

The Tommy Bahama chair has straps for carrying it, plus a great build quality and a cooler to keep your drinks out of the heat. You’ll need to bring your own shade, though.

We recommend

L.L.Bean Boat and Tote, great in the sand

L.L.Bean Boat and Tote

Great in the sand

This bag, with its simple and durable design, will last a lifetime. And the lack of smaller pockets means you can easily shake out sand.

We recommend

Yeti Camino 35 Carryall, great for wet gear and lots of stuff

Yeti Camino 35 Carryall

Great for wet gear and lots of stuff

This waterproof, tough-as-nails carryall is ideal for wet gear, like rash guards and snorkel equipment. Its puncture-resistant shell will withstand abuse from most metal gear and tough plastic toys, which can tear other bags apart.

We recommend

MacSports All-Terrain Beach Wagon, for dragging stuff across the sand

MacSports All-Terrain Beach Wagon

For dragging stuff across the sand

This is a heavy-duty cart with wheels that are wide enough to trundle your beach supplies across dirt and sand.

We recommend

Coleman 70-Quart Xtreme 5 Marine Hard Ice Chest Cooler, best for larger families and get-togethers

Coleman 70-Quart Xtreme 5 Marine Hard Ice Chest Cooler

Best for larger families and get-togethers

Better insulated and less expensive than the competition, the Coleman keeps ice frozen for a week, and its well-designed drain port makes it easy to clean.

We recommend

Yeti Tundra Haul Hard Cooler, if you need wheels on that cooler

Yeti Tundra Haul Hard Cooler

If you need wheels on that cooler

Adding wheels to a cooler isn’t as easy as it seems—at least not according to our testing. The Yeti is the only wheeled cooler we’ve come across with a handle and wheels sturdy enough that they won’t bend, strain, or break at the worst moment.

We recommend

Goodr The OGs, wayfarer-style sunglasses for everyone

Goodr The OGs

Wayfarer-style sunglasses for everyone

These Wayfarer knockoffs look good on just about everyone, and they’re comfortable. Their sturdy hinges are better than those on many more expensive glasses. And at this price, if they get lost, there’s a chance you won’t be heartbroken.

We recommend

Ombraz Classics Sunglasses, a unique design, best for heavy activities

Ombraz Classics Sunglasses

A unique design, best for heavy activities

The Ombraz glasses are secured around your head by two sliding ropes. This unusual design keeps them in place while also keeping you in style.

We recommend

Indosole ESSNTLS Flip Flops (women’s), good quality, discreet looks

Indosole ESSNTLS Flip Flops (women’s)

Good quality, discreet looks

These stylish beach sandals come in a wide range of colors. Careful, though: Indosole sizes tend to run a little small.

We recommend

Indosole ESSNTLS Flip Flops (men’s), good quality, discreet looks

Indosole ESSNTLS Flip Flops (men’s)

Good quality, discreet looks

These are the same as the women’s version but cut a bit wider; we still think they run a little smaller than regular shoe sizes.

We recommend

Rainbow Single Layer Premier Leather Sandals (men’s), a classic, for long-lasting wear

Rainbow Single Layer Premier Leather Sandals (men’s)

A classic, for long-lasting wear

If you wear sandals all summer (or all year), consider this pair, which will go the distance with you and then some.

We recommend

Rainbow Single Layer Luxury Leather Sandals (women’s), a classic, for long-lasting wear

Rainbow Single Layer Luxury Leather Sandals (women’s)

A classic, for long-lasting wear

If you wear sandals all summer (or all year), consider this pair, which will go the distance with you and then some. The women’s version has a variety of strap sizes to pick from.

We recommend

Havaianas Top Flip Flop (men’s), the least-expensive option

Havaianas Top Flip Flop (men’s)

The least-expensive option

These sandals are durable, grippy, and squeak-free when wet.

We recommend

Havaianas Top Flip Flop (women’s), the least-expensive option

Havaianas Top Flip Flop (women’s)

The least-expensive option

This is the same Havaianas sandal, but in women’s sizes.

We recommend

Brooklyn Athletics Surf Straw Hat, a wide straw hat for surviving the sun

Brooklyn Athletics Surf Straw Hat

A wide straw hat for surviving the sun

With its wide brim, soft inner band, and thick cord, this hat will help protect you from the sun.

We recommend

Billabong Tides Print Straw Lifeguard Hat , an alternative, with a little more color

Billabong Tides Print Straw Lifeguard Hat

An alternative, with a little more color

Unlike our other pick, this straw hat has a brightly colored pattern under the brim, if you prefer that look.

We recommend

Thinksport Sunscreen SPF 50+, the best reef-friendly sunscreen

Thinksport Sunscreen SPF 50+

The best reef-friendly sunscreen

This sunscreen uses ingredients that are thought to be the safest for reefs. It costs less than the competition, plus it rubs in easily and feels nice on skin.

We recommend

Raw Elements Face + Body SPF 30, reef-safe and easy to recycle

Raw Elements Face + Body SPF 30

Reef-safe and easy to recycle

A bit more expensive per ounce than the Thinksport, this reef-safe sunscreen also carries a lower SPF rating. However, it comes in an easy-to-recycle aluminum can, and it fits great in hip pockets for impromptu reapplications out on the water.

We recommend

Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50, best for your face

Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50

Best for your face

This chemical formula is designed for face and body. It rubs in easily and appears nearly transparent once applied. It has a light, pleasant scent and comes in three sizes, including an 18-ounce jug that’s very affordable on a per-ounce basis.

We recommend

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30+, a classic mineral formula (it can appear chalky)

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30+

A classic mineral formula (it can appear chalky)

This bright-white sunscreen spreads well and is less expensive than other mineral-based facial sunscreens we tested. It would be best for people who spend their time sweating in the sun or swimming in the ocean and don’t mind a slight white cast.

We recommend

Olympus Tough TG-6, best waterproof camera for most people

Olympus Tough TG-6

Best waterproof camera for most people

In our tests, the Tough TG-6 offered the best image quality, as well as excellent 4K video, and it’s simple to use.

We recommend

Casio W-800H, cheap and waterproof

Casio W-800H

Cheap and waterproof

Fashion aside, a cheap waterproof watch is a must-have water accessory. It’s useful for knowing how much time you have before you need to meet someone.

We recommend

Rip Curl Search GPS 2, track every wave

Rip Curl Search GPS 2

Track every wave

If you want a record of every wave, the Rip Curl Search is your best option. But few people—even hopelessly addicted surfers—need to spend this much for the extra session data.

We recommend

Bluesmiths Kanahana Hydrophobic Shirt (men’s), best shirt for all conditions

Bluesmiths Kanahana Hydrophobic Shirt (men’s)

Best shirt for all conditions

Avoid board rash by wearing this just-loose-enough shirt, which also guards against UV rays.

We recommend

Bluesmiths Kanahana Hydrophobic Shirt (women’s), best shirt for all conditions

Bluesmiths Kanahana Hydrophobic Shirt (women’s)

Best shirt for all conditions

Avoid board rash by wearing this just-loose-enough shirt, which also guards against UV rays.

We recommend

Patagonia RO Hoody, sun protection with a hood

Patagonia RO Hoody

Sun protection with a hood

This shirt has a hood with a visor, for protecting your neck and head. Unlike similar shirts, it has a pocket on the back and thumb loops. And the material hugs the body closely.

We recommend

O’Neill Hyperfreak Boardshorts, great in the water

O’Neill Hyperfreak Boardshorts

Great in the water

The Hyperfreak shorts are ridiculously named. But they’re stretchy and comfortable, and they offer freedom of movement that’s unparalleled in the water, no matter how contorted your position.

We recommend

O’Neill Reserve Heather Hybrid Shorts, great on the beach—and around town

O’Neill Reserve Heather Hybrid Shorts

Great on the beach—and around town

These shorts work well in the water, and they provide great protection from chafe and sun. But they’re also designed to be worn around town—with front and rear pockets and belt loops.

We recommend

Seea Swami’s Playsuit, a secure fit in all conditions

Seea Swami’s Playsuit

A secure fit in all conditions

This suit will stay in place no matter what, so you can spend plenty of time in the water.

We recommend

Wavestorm, for a family to play on

Wavestorm

For a family to play on

This all-foam board is a steal for surfers looking to catch their first wave.

We recommend

Catch Surf Lost RNF, for the grom to rip on

Catch Surf Lost RNF

For the grom to rip on

This smaller, soft-top board is an excellent choice for kids or for those who want to progress to something a little more maneuverable.

We recommend

Sticky Bumps, wax with the right mix of grip and adhesion

Sticky Bumps

Wax with the right mix of grip and adhesion

Sticky Bumps is a classic wax for the best grip, but it’s unfortunately made with petroleum-based paraffin.

We recommend

Nemo Helio Pressure Shower, for showering on the go

Nemo Helio Pressure Shower

For showering on the go

The Helio provides a pressurized water source wherever you are, and it can be filled from any source—even a stream. It has a built-in foot pump for adding pressure, and it rolls up to the size of a can of Folgers.

We recommend

GoofBoard Classic Log, maintain balance when the waves aren’t firing

GoofBoard Classic Log

Maintain balance when the waves aren’t firing

This model is longer and taller than most balance boards, and it has better side-to-side training ability, for the most surf-like experience.

We recommend

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