Outerknown/Instagram
- Outerknown, a lifestyle surf brand cofounded by pro surfer Kelly Slater, makes effortless and casual beach styles rooted in sustainability and transparency.
- Over 90% of Outerknown's products are made from organic, recycled, or regenerated materials. The company's manufacturing partners also follow strict guidelines of safety and working conditions.
- We tried nine men's and women's styles from the brand and confirmed their style, comfort, and durability. Below, you'll find pictures of how we styled our picks.
- Outerknown should be top of mind for anyone who cares about the environment and is looking for surf lifestyle-inspired essentials.
While professional surfer Kelly Slater has spent the last 29 years of his life smashing the competition and winning a record 11 World Titles, another venture tied to his love for surf has also been occupying his time.
In 2014, he left his sponsorship from surfwear giant Quiksilver to start his own surf brand, Outerknown.
Outerknown/Instagram
Slater, a longtime advocate for sustainable living, wanted to create a lifestyle brand for everyone that was rooted in good design and sustainable production. He partnered with designer John Moore to make this idea a reality. Moore says, "We're surfers who grew up with surf brands, but we grew out of logos. And we want to wear clothing that's made better and looks better."
Made better: That means using sustainable materials (over 90% of Outerknown's products are made from organic, recycled, or regenerated materials) as well as using transparent and responsible manufacturing partners, who follow strict guidelines of safety and working conditions by the Fair Labor Association (FLA), Bluesign, and Fair Trade.
This commitment to sustainability and transparency means you're going to pay more than usual for the clothing. Men's shirts, for example, range from $78 to $148.
Slater points out to Business Insider, however, that "conscious development takes time and investment. There are added costs in creating quality product made to last, in finding and partnering with the right factories that value worker well-being, and in sourcing and leveraging materials that cause less harm."
"At the end of the day, we're looking at the long run and what's best 'For People and Planet.' We're putting in the work to build a truly sustainable model rather than zeroing in on short-term trends or financials," he says.
Outerknown/Instagram
Casual, effortless beach style defines Outerknown. As you shop its men's and women's styles, you can practically feel the cool and salty breeze run through your hair. They're casual and low-maintenance, but they don't look sloppy or haphazard.
Bestsellers from the brand include the cozy, heavyweight Blanket Shirt ($148, made from 100% organic cotton) and the simple, sleek Neptune Tank Dress ($98, made from hemp and Tencel Lyocell). Other offerings include sweaters, pants, and jumpsuits. They're soft, comfortable, and importantly, durable.
Senior reporter Owen Burke says:
"Having spent a good deal of my life in and amongst the surfing community, it's hard not to want to love Outerknown from the start. Doing my best to be an objective reporter, I've scrutinously worn Outerknown for over six months, and run the brand's shirts and pants through my treacherously cheap washing machine countless times. So far, I haven't even turned up so much as a loose thread."
If you're one to spend a lot of time outdoors, you'll appreciate that Outerknown's clothing is sturdy and practical in addition to any wardrobe.
We tried a range of Outerknown's men's and women's clothing (nine styles in total). Read on for our thoughts below, plus pictures of how we wore each item.
Shop all sustainable clothing at Outerknown
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