Outerknown: Kelly Slater's Brand, Who Owns It, What to Buy

Outerknown is the clothing brand that 11-time world champion Kelly Slater and designer John Moore launched in 2015, after Slater left a long sponsorship with Quiksilver. The idea was to make clothes that last, from better materials, in factories that treat people fairly.

It's one of the best surf brands to emerge in the last decade, and the one we wear most. We've named it our Surf Brand of the Year more than once, most recently for 2026. Our Outerknown review covers ten years of wearing it.

Who owns Outerknown?

Since 1 May 2024 Outerknown has sat inside a holding company with Firewire Surfboards and Slater Designs, which includes the fin brand Endorfins. Dylan Slater, who is no relation to Kelly, runs the group as CEO.

The group has not published its name or who holds what share. The announcement describes Kelly Slater as co-founder of Outerknown and majority shareholder of Firewire and Slater Designs.

Outerknown launched in 2015 with Kering, the French luxury group, as a minority investor. We found no public record of whether Kering still holds a stake.

One more thing people ask: Outerknown does not make surfboards. Its sister companies do.

Outerknown in 2026

What's new with Outerknown?

The Tahiti Pro. Outerknown was title sponsor of the Outerknown Tahiti Pro, stop seven on the WSL Championship Tour, at Teahupo'o in August 2026. Seth Moniz and Erin Brooks won.

Kelly Slater, aged 54, surfed in his own brand's event as a wildcard. He beat Eli Hanneman in round one, then knocked out three-time world champion Gabriel Medina with a heat total of 19.06 out of 20. Jack Robinson beat him in round three and Slater finished ninth. We covered his return to Teahupo'o at the time.

New product. The Kelly Collection, designed with Slater, launched in April. SEA JEANS were relaunched in February, and the lifetime guarantee they carried since 2018 was replaced by a two-year warranty.

On our side. Outerknown is our Surf Brand of the Year for 2026. Brad's All-Terrain shorts dried out mid-thunderstorm, and pieces we bought years ago still look new.

History of Outerknown

When was Outerknown founded?

Outerknown was announced in September 2014 and launched its first collection on 15 July 2015.

Where was it founded?

In Culver City, Los Angeles, California. The head office has since moved to Carlsbad, north of San Diego, where it shares an address with Firewire Surfboards.

Who were the founders?

Professional surfer Kelly Slater and designer John Moore. Moore is still the creative director.

Why was it founded?

Slater and Moore started Outerknown to prove they could make great clothes using fair labor and materials that do less harm to the environment.

Important milestones in the company’s history

• 2014: Announced in September, with Kering as a partner.
• 2015: First collection in July. Joins the Fair Labor Association the same year.
• 2016: The Blanket Shirt arrives.
• 2017: Title sponsor of the Outerknown Fiji Pro. Accredited by the Fair Labor Association in October.
• 2018: S.E.A. Jeans launch with a lifetime guarantee.
• 2019: First women's collection.
• 2022: Title sponsor of the Outerknown Tahiti Pro.
• 2024: Joins Firewire Surfboards and Slater Designs under one holding company.
• 2025: The APEX Evolution Trunk replaces the original Apex.
• 2026: Title sponsor of the Tahiti Pro again. SEA JEANS relaunch with a two-year warranty.

Outerknown says it reached Fair Labor Association accreditation faster than any clothing brand before it. The association's own records give the dates: joined 2015, accredited 2017.

Company mission, vision and values

What does the company believe in?

Outerknown says its guiding principle is to make the most responsible choice, even when that is the harder path. In practice that means three things: lower-impact fibers, fair conditions for the people who make the clothes, and keeping garments in use for longer through resale.

The Company Today

Who is the CEO?

Dylan Slater has been CEO since 1 May 2024. He also runs Firewire Surfboards, and was president of Rip Curl in North America before that. Mark Walker was Outerknown's CEO from 2017.

How many staff do they have?

Outerknown doesn't publish a headcount, so we don't quote one.

How much revenue do they earn?

Outerknown is privately held and doesn't publish its revenue. The figures quoted online, from about $15 million to $36 million, are estimates from data brokers. They disagree widely, so we don't rely on them.

Where are they located?

The head office is at 2330 Faraday Avenue in Carlsbad, California. Outerknown said in July 2026 that it runs seven stores in the US, plus its online shop.

Do they have a foundation / non-for-profit arm?

We found no Outerknown foundation. Its giving runs through partners such as Ocean Conservancy.

Which products do they specialize in?

Men's: shirts, tees, trunks and shorts, jeans, pants, sweaters, outerwear and accessories.

Women's: tees and tanks, tops, dresses and jumpsuits, jeans, sweaters, swimwear, outerwear and accessories.

In the News

Any mainstream news articles referencing the Outerknown

• Erin Brooks and Seth Moniz win the Outerknown Tahiti Pro (World Surf League, August 2026)
• Slater still firing at 54, eliminating Medina (ABC News, August 2026)
• Outerknown, Firewire Surfboards and Slater Designs join forces (May 2024)
• Sage Erickson and Outerknown are forging a new kind of brand partnership (Vogue)
• Kelly Slater returns to Teahupo'o as wildcard and sponsor (Surfd, August 2026)

Sustainability

Do they produce any eco-friendly products or have a sustainability focus?

Yes. It is the reason the brand exists, and Outerknown publishes more detail than most.

• Fibers: Outerknown said in July 2026 that 99% of its line is made with organic, Regenerative Organic Certified, recycled or regenerated fibers.
• Labor: a Fair Labor Association member since 2015 and accredited since 2017. It has used Fair Trade Certified factories since 2017.
• Trunks: the APEX Evolution Trunk is 90% recycled nylon made from old fishing nets and 10% spandex. The original Apex was made with recycled plastic bottles.
• Resale: Outerworn, the brand's own second-hand shop, lists used Outerknown pieces.
• Warranty: SEA JEANS carry a two-year warranty, paid as store credit. It was a lifetime guarantee until February 2026.
• B Corp: some sites describe Outerknown as a B Corp. We found no record of it, and Outerknown doesn't claim it.

More from Outerknown: its sustainability page, turning waste into nylon and ocean plastic buttons.

Campaigns and Partnerships

Are they doing anything interesting in terms of campaigns or partnerships?

• World Surf League: Outerknown has sponsored Championship Tour events since the Fiji Pro in 2017, including the Tahiti Pro from 2022 and the Trestles Pro in 2025.
• Ocean Conservancy: the #ITSNOTOK campaign on ocean plastic began in 2017, with profits from the collection donated.
• Sage Erickson: the Championship Tour surfer joined Outerknown in 2020, with a hand in the women's line.
• Keep A Breast Foundation: a 2020 collaboration for the foundation's 20th anniversary.

For more information

Visit the Outerknown website, or read our full Outerknown review.