Jack's Surfboards carries men's surf jackets and coats from Rhythm, Roark, Brixton, Salty Crew, Rip Curl, Former and Dickies, in sizes S to XXL. You'll find sherpa-lined coats for cold mornings, packable windbreakers, insulated puffers, waxed canvas workwear and stretch jackets that shrug off light rain. Most run $60 to $170.
What is a surfer coat?
It usually means one of two things. Some people mean a changing robe: a long, lined coat you pull on over a wet wetsuit and change underneath. For that job, we carry changing ponchos from Manera and Xcel in our changing towels and ponchos section. Others mean a warm jacket that looks right in a beach parking lot, like a sherpa-lined coat or a canvas work jacket. That's what you'll find on this page.
Which surf jacket is right for you?
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Sherpa and fleece-lined: the post-surf favorite. Rhythm's James Jacket has a low pile sherpa lining and a corduroy collar. Brixton's Claxton Parsons pairs an Arctic fleece lining with a DWR shell that deflects wind and rain.
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Windbreakers: light enough to stuff in a bag. Salty Crew's Whaler is a 2.5-layer shell rated 5K waterproof and 5K breathable with a packable hood. Dickies' Oakport coaches jacket has a DWR finish and a drawcord hem.
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Puffers and insulated: for the coldest days. The 686 x HUF Puffer uses a 10K waterproof shell with 100g insulation in the body. Marsh Wear's Saluda Puff Shacket has 80g synthetic insulation in a shirt-jacket cut.
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Workwear: Roark's Open Roads jacket is waxed cotton duck canvas lined with flannel, built for camp chores and road trips.
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Stretch performance: Rip Curl's Anti-Series Elite jackets use 4-way stretch polyester with a DWR finish.
What do waterproof ratings on jackets mean?
A rating like 5K or 10K tells you how much water pressure the fabric can take before it leaks, measured in millimeters. Higher is more waterproof. A breathability number tells you how well sweat vapor gets out. DWR, short for durable water repellent, is a coating that makes rain bead up and roll off. It handles drizzle and spray, but a DWR jacket alone isn't built for a downpour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best surf jacket?
The one that matches your mornings. For cold dawn patrols, a sherpa-lined jacket like Rhythm's James. For wind and drizzle, a packable shell like Salty Crew's Whaler. For real cold, an insulated puffer like the 686 x HUF.
What do surfers wear in winter?
In the water, a thicker wetsuit, usually a 4/3 or 5/4 in California winters, plus booties or a hood on the coldest days. Out of the water, layers: a warm hoodie, a sherpa-lined or insulated jacket, and a changing poncho to get out of the wetsuit without freezing.
What is the outfit called that surfers wear?
In the water it's a wetsuit in cold water, or boardshorts and a rash guard when it's warm. On land, the surf look is easy layers: a tee, a hoodie and a jacket that can handle sand and salt air.
What brand do surfers wear?
For jackets, a lot of surfers wear Rhythm, Roark, Brixton and Salty Crew, along with the classic surf labels like Rip Curl and Billabong. Plenty also wear their local shop's gear. In Huntington Beach, that's been Jack's since 1957.
What is the best surfer coat?
If you want to change under it, a changing poncho like Manera's Bamboo Winter Changing Poncho. If you want to wear it around town, a sherpa-lined coat like Rhythm's James Jacket or Brixton's fleece-lined Claxton Parsons.
Do you carry vintage-style surf jackets?
Yes. Sendero's Diver Jacket is a retro satin bomber, Independent's Legacy windbreakers carry the brand's classic logo artwork, and Rhythm's corduroy-collared James Jacket feels like something from a 70s surf trip.
Does Jack's make its own jackets?
We do. The Jack's Surfboards Pacific Jacket has a collared neckline, snap front and two snap chest pockets. Most of our jacket selection comes from surf and outdoor brands we've picked for the beach.
Do you have kids surf jackets?
We carry a small selection of boys and girls jackets in our kids section, along with plenty of kids hoodies for cool beach days.
