We reviewed pro surfer Kelly Slater’s sustainable clothing brand — here’s what the pieces look and feel like in person

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.

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.

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

Meander Beach Pants

Connie Chen/Business Insider

Meander Beach Pants, available in 2 colors, $118

Of course, I had to take this pair of ‘Beach Pants’ to the beach. I wore them as a swimsuit cover-up when I went to Coney Island this summer, and they turned out to be the right choice — lightweight, breathable, and relaxed. My legs had plenty of room to move around in the wide pant legs and they had a comfortable high-rise fit. The back of the waistband has elastic, which is smart considering I filled my body with Nathan’s hot dogs while on the boardwalk.

The white pair is slightly transparent, so I’m not sure you could wear it outside of a beach, beach town, or lounging setting, but it is a perfect choice in casual environments. —Connie Chen, reporter

Blanket Shirt

Lèhå Edwards Brownson, courtesy of Owen Burke/Business Insider

Blanket Shirt, available in 26 colors, $148

While I’m a big fan of its Transitional Shirts and the S.E.A. Jeans, my favorite pieces from Outerknown have been the Blanket Shirts. These are Outerknown’s iteration of a "work shirt" or "shacket," as you please, but they maintain their softness and don’t pill like many other higher-end rivals.

There’s nothing like getting out of the water on a brisk evening and tossing one of these on while I change out of a wetsuit. And, of course, I can stroll right back into town feeling fresh — and warm — as a daisy.

$148 is no pittance, but this isn’t your fast-fashion, wear-for-one-season shirt, and you do get what you pay for with Outerknown. Bravo, Kelly Slater and John Moore, for making a line of conscientiously sourced-and-made clothes from start to finish. I’d say I’d keep buying these shirts for years to come, but because of the craftsmanship that goes into them, I know I’ll do just fine with the two I’ve got for the foreseeable future. —Owen Burke, senior reporter

Blanket Shirt (cont’d)

Amir Ismael/Business Insider

Blanket Shirt, available in 26 colors, $148

As thick and heavy as the Outerknown Blanket Shirt may be, it actually has great versatility throughout the seasons. It’s good for late summer nights on cool and breezy beaches, layering in the fall and winter, or even leaving at your desk when it’s cold in the office.

The relaxed fit makes it comfortable to wear, but if you want it to be more fitted, I’d recommend sizing down. I’m 5-foot-5 and about 135 pounds, and the size small was slightly oversized (I had to cuff the sleeves for a better fit). Here, I styled mine with a Brooklinen T-shirt, black jeans, and Tread by Everlane sneakers.

At $148, the Blanket Shirt is at the higher end of what I’d spend on a shirt, but it’s so well made you’ll be able to wear it for years on end. —Amir Ismael, reporter

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