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Can business be a force for good? Many organizations are rethinking the impact they have on all stakeholders, rather than focusing purely on the bottom line. We believe that sustainable business models can guide us towards better products, better pay for workers and a positive ripple effect out into the communities that support manufacture, distribution and the corporate back office. Personally, we’re happy to pay more for clothing and surf gear if it is built with longevity in mind. The fast fashion and apparel industry has been a disaster both for communities who produce the gear and for the rubbish tips that all-too-soon host mountains of rotting threadbare junk.
At surfd.com, we have always been committed to supporting the best surf brands. In this article we feature the most sustainable surf brands, ranging from fashion to hardware. Supporting brands like these might mean your kids, or theirs, inherit a slightly cleaner planet.
Outerknown
Outerknown is without a doubt one of the best surf brands to emerge in recent years. Founded by Kelly Slater, the brand has an activist feel, focusing on quality and craftsmanship in addition to fairness in the supply chain. The fashion is understated yet super cool and garments made by Outerknown will last years if not decades.
We look at our sustainability commitment like the North Star. We will never actually get there, but the North Star is always reminding us what direction we should be going. Our commitment as a brand is to keep learning, exploring, and innovating. With every decision we make, we will always choose the most responsible path.
Based in: California, USA
Visit Website: outerknown.com
Patagonia
As an activist brand, Patagonia have always campaigned for the environment and focused on sustainability so that we can enjoy our sport with less impact on the planet.
An innovative collective, Patagonia found new ways to develop wetsuits, creating Yulex technology to replace neoprene. They inspired many other brands to create ethical supply chains and minimise harm. Their products are pretty damn good, too.
Everything we make has an impact on people and the planet.
Based in: California, USA
Visit Website: patagonia.com
Seea
Seea wetsuits are the most stylish you’ll find, made in the most environmentally-friendly and responsible way possible.
The soft and colorful linings on the studs are made out of recycled polyester and bonded with solvent-free adhesives.
We connect women to themselves, their community and the planet. Our mission is to inspire women to be their best self. We provide products and stories that instill confidence, growth, and a love of imperfection for every phase of a woman’s journey to self discovery. Surfing is our platform.
Based in: California, USA
Visit Website: theseea.com
Salt Gypsy
Salt Gypsy is an independent surf company who are committed to responsible and fair manufacturing while championing everyday ocean women to feel good and surf better. They focus on developing stylish and sustainable products.
Sustainable textiles x responsible manufacturing is the new normal and a business imperative for all fashion, surf and swim brands in this modern economy.
Based in: Byron Bay, Australia
Visit Website: saltgypsy.com
Vissla
Vissla represents creative freedom and forward-thinking philosophy. The brand provides cutting-edge technical equipment and surf wear to a generation of creators and innovators.
They are pushing the boundaries of sustainable wetsuits, constantly striving to minimise their environmental impact.
We constantly strive to minimize our environmental impact and protect the oceans and waves that raised us.
Based in: Byron Bay, Australia
Visit Website: vissla.com
Eco Evo
Eco Evo Surf have developed a unique combination of eco-friendly and performance-driven components to bring you the highest performing sustainable surfboard on the market.
The mix of materials not only helps up-cycle waste products but the swap from traditional fiberglass cloth to flax and the use of bio-resins cuts out heaps of chemical nasties.
At Eco Evo Surf, we are on a mission to slash carbon emissions created from surfboard production. Already with our current design (which continually improves), each board generates half the carbon emissions of a regular 6’0 performance short board.
Based in: Sydney, Australia
Visit Website: ecoevosurf.com.au
Globe
At Globe they are using more sustainable fibers in their fabrics and rigorously testing the clothing for fit, function, and durability. It’s all about making quality clothing that is low velocity.
At Globe, as skateboarders, surfers and snowboarders, we spend a lot of time doing what we love outdoors, so we are conscious of our environment.
Based in: Melbourne, Australia
Visit Website: au.globebrand.com
Notox
NOTOX Surfboards Australia is determined to tackle the issue of sustainable surfing head-on by bringing innovative, ecologically-friendly surfboard technology to Australian shores. NOTOX boards produce waste for less than half their weight, 75% of which is recyclable.
Materials are sourced as close as possible to the NOTOX lab to ease the carbon footprint.
Thinking ethically doesn’t mean we don’t care about technology and performance. It’s the other way around.
Through a decade in development and production, design and materials bring our boards improved capacities, not just for the sake of statistics, but to seek the best surfing experience possible.
Lighter and easier to handle whilst providing more resistant and better absorbing vibrations, our boards are designed for fun.
Based in: Sydney, Australia
Visit Website: notoxsurfboards.com.au
RSPro
Consumers looking for a wax alternative without having to apply a front deck traction pad will be delighted with a series of products created by RSPro. No waste going into our oceans and you don’t have to worry about remembering surfboard wax.
We want to make surfing, and watersports in general more planet friendly by giving you alternatives to unsustainable wax and EVA pads
Based in: Barcelona, Spain.
Visit Website: rspro.org
Firewire
Firewire is dedicated to elevating the surfing experience through innovative design, new materials, and advanced construction methods. Every surfboard, traction pad and leash they build is designed with a single goal in mind – to improve the surfing experience as much as possible while impacting the environment as little as possible.
Based in: Queensland, Australia
Visit Website: firewiresurfboards.com
Project Blank
Project Blank is a community of green-minded ocean lovers, unified in the pursuit of a happier planet. They demand high-quality products, that are ethically produced without compromising on functionality or performance. Their passion lies in the constant pursuit of progress, innovation and positive change.
As surfers we demand high quality products that are ethically produced without compromising on functionality or performance. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Project Blank. That means cleaner manufacturing, bio-degradable packaging, and tangible partnerships that positively impact the environment & communities we live in. Our passion lies in the constant pursuit of progress, innovation and positive change
Joshua Small, Marketing – Project Blank
Based in: Australia
Visit Website: projectblank.com.au
Andorwith
‘How can we make the world a better place?’ This question was the ultimate challenge for Andorwith. The name ‘andorwith’ might sound complicated, but it’s not, it simply means; Together.
The brand makes an entire uni-sex and kids range of sustainable surf wear products from head to toe, with an ever increasing percentage of products made from recycled and organic materials. Many of these same products are printed, embroided and sewed in Australia, supporting local industry and local jobs!
When you support a 100% independent, family owned and run brand like ours – we do a little dance behind the scenes because your shopping choices are not only making a difference to our little family but to the environment too!
That’s why our number one priority is ‘premium quality’ and there is two main reasons for this- 1; the longer something lasts the better for the environment that piece of clothing is. 2; The feeling of getting a cheap deal quickly disappears. Its the quality of the product that remains with you long into the future.
So next time make a kinder wardrobe decision and support a brand like ours and be apart of a large family if you like, making the world a better place to live one 100% recycled board short at a time!
Based in: Australia
Visit Website: andorwith.com
Wildness
Wildness have set out from the very beginning to build the company from a sustainable and ethical foundation, ensuring that each and every process is set to exacting and regulated standards. Wildness create outdoor clothing from recycled fishing nets, plastic waste and organic materials. Their products are stylish, comfortable and suitable for all weather conditions. Too many items of clothing are “throw away fashion”. Wildness clothing is made to last for a long, long time.
Based in: Reykjavík, Iceland
Visit Website: wildnessbrand.com
Afends
At Afends they committed to creating and developing long-term partnerships with factories that share a common vision of sustainability, accountability and transparency.
Sustainability through innovation,action and positive change. Be defined by what you create, not what you destroy.
Based in: California, USA
Visit Website: afends.com
Panamuna
Panamuna is the result of a group of ocean lovers trying to make people look good and feel comfortable in the most ethical and eco-friendly way possible.
Each and every Panamuna product upholds the belief that when we create something from pure intent and with our impact in mind, then the benefits spread far wider than to just the person wearing our gear.
Based in: NSW, Australia
Visit Website: panamunaproject.com.au
