The Best Apparel For Winter Surfing 2019/20

Surf wear has come to mean much down the years. Once, its principal function was merely to instantly identify you as a surfer, a person on the inside of the wave riding tribe, at 50 paces.

It was a bold yet casual uniform, designed to separate us, from them.

They had shell suits and polo shirts, possibly. We had flannels with hoods. As if to further remind ourselves of just how very unique we were as humans, our clothes said stuff like “Only a surfer knows the feeling” on the label, and at times, on the front and the back, too.

These days, while the performative still governs almost every aspect of our existence, most notably our incessant quest for peer affirmation of our meals, holidays, beach cleans and surf checks on Instagram, performance has come ever to the fore, too.

We eat high performance salad bowls. We learn to breathe more efficiently. We train – no, shred – our bodies at the gym, probably under the tutelage of a man with beard, big arms and sad eyes. We are ever-conscious of the utmost importance of being #mindful.

But quinoa, kettle weights and ohm are merely sideline distractions, are but life’s background noise.

None of them match up, in terms of significance to your winter stoke vibe, to a great, great coat.

“There’s no such thing as bad weather” goes the popular cliché,  “only the wrong clothing.” There is such a thing as bad weather of course, as well as bad clothing. In fact, both are abundant at our latitude.

A 6am sleeting gale, comes to mind. Freezing fog at lunchtime, could be another candidate. Any wind over 25mph on land, perhaps. That tipping point where the offshore is so strong it makes the few seconds after kicking out perilous.

“There is such a thing as bad weather of course, as well as bad clothing”

And much as Babylon requires Jah for its existence, if there’s such a thing as the wrong clothing, there must also be the right clothing, too.

Excellent, great looking gear, crafted with quality, sustainability, form and function ever in mind.

Welcome to Wavelength’s Winter 19/20 Apparel Guide.

Here you’ll find clothing that keeps you warm, happy, but also maintains standards of aesthetics, build quality and function.

Maybe you’re hiking in to a spot, maybe you’re just getting in and out of the car. Maybe it’s the need to throw something substantial over your rig immediately after surfing that governs your decision-making, but that’ll also suit in a post-surf pub pints situation. Maybe the use of sustainable materials is what settles it for you, or the marriage of contemporary performance with timeless styling. Maybe it’s all of the above.

Above all, you want something that lasts. Sure, you could go out and find cheaper attire, but it might end up in landfill before it’s had time to go out of season.

And I think we both know that isn’t the future.

 

Animal Odyssey

A contemporary take on the iconic parka, the Odyssey jacket blends technical detail with utilitarian styling as the 3-layer bonded outer combines 10k/10k lamination and polyester tricot with fully taped seams and military vibes… read more

 

Animal Recast

Heavyweight protection in a lightweight construction, the Recast jacket brings together DWR coating, high neck and a Thinsulate featherless down padding together to create a jacket that’s ready to tackle the season head on… read more

 

Finisterre Borealis

If you could only own one jacket, make it Finisterre’s Borealis jacket. Waterproof, warm, and lightweight, it’s built to withstand the worst the weather can throw at you. Both the 2.5L outer fabric and the warm Finisterre Engineered Insulation fill are made from recycled polyester, topped off with a fluorocarbon-free DWR finish, protecting both you and the planet… read more

 

Finisterre Koerner Shirt

The Koerner is a hardy organic cotton shirt designed with Finisterre’s signature attention to detail. Based on workwear shirts, the Koerner features utility details such as the button down pockets and reinforced stitching, with a contemporary fit and a touch of stretch, the Koerner Shirt is both comfortable and practical for a full day of adventures… read more

Protest Clavin Snow Jacket

The jacket’s 20K water resistance and 20g breathability means that moisture is dispersed away from the inside while the outside of the jacket is water resistant, keeping you dry. The seams are fully taped helping to ensure that it stays dry inside this jacket. There are laser-cut ventilation holes at the high collar, which can serve as a face mask when the conditions call for it. The jacket is breathable, windproof and easy to maintain… read more

 

 

Protest Buston Snow Jacket

Introducing the fantastic Buston by Protest. This great ski and snowboard jacket is a part of our Geotech series; seriously technical clothing made for the mountain. The fabric of the jacket has 10K water resistance and 10g breathability meaning that while water is kept out of the jacket, moisture on the inside of the jacket is moved away from the body. The seams are critically taped and the zippers are water-repellent… read more

 

Vans Drill Chore MTE

With the upgraded skateboarding durability of the Drill Chore Coat and the weather protection of MTE, the Drill Chore Coat MTE is the best of both worlds. Now Vans has made this workwear staple stronger for skateboarding, and this season includes even more functionality for harsh weather. Featuring thermoregulation, DWR coating, and a durable nylon oxford shell, this coat will withstand any amount of wear or weather… read more

Vans X Realtree Jacket

Vans and renowned pattern maker Realtree have teamed up on this woodland-inspired FTW and APP collection. Realtree has stood the test of time, becoming synonymous worldwide with camouflage. Wear the iconic patterns across an assortment of classic Vans styles… read more