Sustainability is Everything
90%
100%
5K
fla accredited
GUARANTEEd for life
June 2015
Committed to fair labor since the beginning.
The Fair Labor Association (FLA) holds brands to the highest international labor standards. Outerknown was the first brand to pursue accreditation before selling a stitch of clothing. Founded with strict fair labor standards, we were later approved faster than any other brand in history.
July 2015
After 28 months of visiting makers around the world, Outerknown was born.
In 2015, professional surfer Kelly Slater and creative director John Moore set out to change the clothing industry. Both surfers wanted to wear clothing that was made better, looked better, and fit better than what they grew up with. Prior to shipping our first product, we spent over two years searching for the right partners that shared our values.
July 2015
First to launch ECONYL® clothing, turning fishing nets into endlessly regenerative fibers.
“By collecting the fishing nets that are regenerated into ECONYL® products, we lessen our environmental impact while also cleaning up the oceans that we love so much.” –Kelly Slater
July 2016
Debuted the Outerknown Blanket Shirt! The coziest damn shirt ever made.
100% organic cotton heavyweight twill with buttons made from nuts. Rugged. Versatile. Essential. It's an invaluable wardrobe staple that feels just like it sounds.
January 20 2017
Launched an advocacy tee, raising money for an initiative we believe in. This was the first of many.
Our commitment to the ocean runs deep. Our Tides Turn. We Rise. tee launched and sold out on Inauguration Day. All proceeds went to the Ocean Conservancy to protect our blue planet.
January 2017
Our first Fair Trade Certified™ product went to market. Fair trade changes lives. It’s that simple.
Fair Trade USA ensures safe, healthy, and prosperous working conditions. It's a game-changing way of doing business. Today, three of our partners are Fair Trade Certified™, providing all our trunks, denim, and most of our tees.
February 21 2017
It’s Not OK!
Our second advocacy campaign to bring awareness to our ocean plastic problem. A fundraising tee followed by action: a series of beach cleanups with our retailers, and we'll keep 'em going 'til our coast is clear.
OCTOBER 2017
Levi’s® Wellthread™ x Outerknown. Rooted in sustainability. Designed to make a difference.
A partnership to drive innovation and explore cleaner manufacturing through limited-edition releases of Levi’s® most iconic designs with an Outerknown twist. We had an epic run across five seasons.
November 2017
Defending our seas one Oceanworks® button at a time.
Every little detail has an impact, especially the ocean plastic buttons on our S.E.A. LEGS. Look closely and you’ll find the coordinates of where its plastic was harvested.
May 23 2018
Launched the most high-performance surf trunks on the market, and made them from recycled water bottles.
APEX Trunks were developed and tested by 11x World Champion Kelly Slater on the best waves around the world. Sustainably engineered for maximum performance.
AUGUST 2018
S.E.A. JEANS arrived and smashed the formula.
Denim is a dirty business, so Outerknown made S.E.A JEANS! Beyond an epic look and fit, S.E.A. JEANS are made with organic cotton, Fair Trade Certified™ sewn, and responsibly crafted in the world’s cleanest denim facility. So solid they’re guaranteed for life!
SEPTEMBER 2018
The Blue Book, Outerknown's call to arms, went to print.
To radically change this industry, benefit fibers need to be scaled and more affordable. Organic, recycled, and regenerated fibers should be industry standard. But it'll take collaboration to get there.
October 2018
Partnered with Breitling to introduce ECONYL® to the luxury watch world.
With our shared dedication to quality that transcends generations, we crafted a heritage timepiece with NATO straps made from regenerated nylon. For every watch sold, we donated $1,000 to Ocean Conservancy.
March 2019
After years in the making, Outerknown Women’s went live!
Coastal, colorful, effortlessly cool. Everyday essentials made consciously using planet-friendly fibers and fair trade, always. Our community of change-making women continues to grow.
APRIL 2019
100% of our trunks were officially Fair Trade Certified™ sewn.
Going beyond sustainable materials to ensure the people who make our products are treated fairly. Buying fair trade trickles down to nourish our global community.
June 2019
Woolaroos! The world's first Merino wool surf trunks.
Crafted from 100% Australian Merino wool, nature's original performance fiber, grown on the simple blend of sunshine, water, grass, and air. Woolaroos truly are from nature, for nature.
January 2020
Opened an online marketplace for sustainable innovation.
There’s no time to waste, so we did the homework for you. We partnered with the best brands to bring you radically sustainable goods for your daily journeys. Tread lightly today for a better tomorrow.
WE WANT TO KEEP OUR PRODUCTS OUT OF THE LANDFILL AND IN CIRCULATION — FOREVER. GOING BEYOND RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION, EVERYTHING WE MAKE WILL LIVE ON THROUGH REPAIR, RESALE, AND RECYCLING. THROUGH REGENERATIVE DESIGN, MANUFACTURING, AND RECOMMERCE, WE WILL CONTRIBUTE TO A WORLD THAT THRIVES, NOT JUST SURVIVES.
OUR APPROACH TO CIRCULARITY
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Shed the Bad: Phase out harmful chemistry and materials that shed synthetic microfibers.
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Design Smart: Reimagine our supply chain and make products that are easy to disassemble and recycle.
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Make it Last: Design timeless, durable styles that can be repaired, reused, and resold.
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Take Responsibility: Create collection and take-back programs to extend a product's journey or offer it a new life.
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Go Renewable: Encourage partners to transition to renewable energy and source regenerative feedstock.
TRANSPARENCY EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. KEY MILESTONES FOR 2025:
embrace circular models
- Make 75% of fabrics and 50% of products circular. By 2030, 100% of products will be circular.
- Launch a renewed category and platform, which will include resale, repair, and recycling that is brand-specific, and/or industry serving.
lead innovation
- Invest in, support the R&D of, and scale 15 circular solutions.
- Serve as a key catalyst and leader for circular innovation industry initiatives.
champion fair labor
- Disclose garment, fabric, yarn, and raw material suppliers.
- Protect more workers in our supply network and implement a fair compensation strategy.