Outerknown Review (2026): Ten Years Wearing Kelly Slater's Brand

We have been wearing Outerknown since its very first season in 2016, and this is the review we keep coming back to update. Everything below is gear we own and wear — Brad's and Geniya's — across a decade of surf trips, camping, winters in New Zealand, business meetings, long-haul flights and a lot of washing machines. Some of it has been reviewed here before in separate pieces; we've now pulled it all into one place so you can see the whole picture, oldest pieces to newest.

The short version: Outerknown is the surf brand we reach for most and recommend first, and it has been since we first named it our Surf Brand of the Year in 2024. Here's why, and here's what's new.

Why Outerknown is still our number one

The simplest reason is that the gear lasts. Brad has Outerknown tees from years ago that still look as good as the day he bought them — no stretched-out necklines, no fading into a sad version of themselves. His original blue Blanket Shirt has survived four-plus years of long-haul flights, camping trips, meetings and lounging around, and he still calls it his favourite piece of clothing: "I've gone camping, forgotten to bring a jacket, and was saved by my Blanket Shirt. On that trip I wore it day and night, including to sleep, and I love it more than ever."

It all survives real life, too. These clothes go through the wash and come out looking the same, whether you line-dry them or tumble them (not that we would ever do that to our precious Outerknown gear). Sustainable fabrics like hemp actually soften and improve with age — the first-season tee is better now than it was new.

Then there's the part that matters just as much as the clothes. Outerknown was founded in 2015 by 11-time world champion Kelly Slater and designer John Moore, and it was the first surf brand to become Fair Labor Association accredited before it had sold a single garment — Slater and Moore spent two years building a network of suppliers committed to fair employment before launching. Starting a surf brand while much of the industry was going bankrupt was either brave or a stroke of genius. A decade on, it looks like the latter.

Yes, some people balk at the price. But you're not just buying a garment. You're buying something designed to last for years, made by people working in fairer conditions, with a fraction of the usual environmental cost, backed by the most decorated surfer in history. For us, that's an easy trade.

New for late 2026: what's just arrived

The latest box from Outerknown landed in September 2026. We'll fold in wear-test notes as they earn (or lose) their place; for now, here's what they are and why we're interested.

Hightide Snap Shirt

Think of it as the Blanket Shirt's après-surf cousin. Same universal snap-front shape, but cut from Outerknown's TowelKnit terry — a 54% organic cotton, 46% recycled polyester blend that feels more like a good beach towel than a shirt, with a brushed interior. It's unisex, has flap pockets for cards and keys, and is designed to throw on over trunks in the car park and keep on through dinner. Given how much mileage the Blanket Shirt has given us, this is the piece we're most curious about.

See the Hightide Snap Shirt

The Artist Oxford

A brushed 100% organic cotton oxford — a nod to Basquiat and Warhol — with a longer, leaner fit than the traditional cut, a smaller shaped collar, a chest pocket with a hidden internal stash pocket, a box pleat for range of movement and corozo-nut buttons. Overdyed for that lived-in Outerknown colour. This is the shirt for the surfer who has to look like a grown-up occasionally.

See the Artist Oxford

Sun Polo (Kelly Slater Signature Collection)

Part of the Kelly Slater Signature Collection, with the OK KS Portal logo in Ocean Blue at the back neck. It's 100% post-consumer recycled polyester with UPF 50+ sun protection, quick-dry, moisture-wicking and silver-free anti-odour properties, plus a button chest pocket and side vents — the polo you could wear to dinner that would work just as well on a boat in the sun beforehand.

See the Kelly Slater Signature Collection

Women's: Zuma Volley and Origin One-Piece

The Zuma Volley is a women's surf short built on the men's volley pattern — 90% NetPlus recycled fishing nets and 10% spandex, with a scalloped hem, mesh pocket bags, front and back zip pockets and a full drawcord waistband — made to be lived in on both sides of the tide line. The Origin One-Piece is the performance suit: regenerated ECONYL nylon (78% recycled polyamide, 22% spandex), cross-over back for a secure fit in the water, V-neck with real back coverage, self-lined, and resistant to chlorine, sunscreen and oils. Outerknown says it was put through its paces by brand ambassador Sage Erickson; Geniya's is in the box that just arrived.

See the Zuma Volley · See the Origin One-Piece

The 2026 Kelly Collection, tested

The All-Terrain Shorts

Brad wears size 31 in Dusty Marsh

These have turned into Brad's grab-and-go shorts for travel and warm days. The fit dials in perfectly thanks to a drawcord as well as the button, and he's a real fan of the secure zip pockets — especially when running with a phone or keys. The fabric is genuinely lightweight. The proper test came when he got caught in a thunderstorm halfway through a walk: by the time he made it home, the shorts were already dry. That's exactly what you want from a NetPlus recycled-nylon short with a water-repellent DWR finish. Built from repurposed fishing nets with a touch of stretch, they're comfortable, capable, and a little kinder to the ocean than most.

See the All-Terrain Shorts

The All-Terrain Pants

Brad wears size 31 in Dusty Marsh

Same fabric, full length, and a bigger surprise. Brad didn't expect much warmth from something this light, but on a crisp winter morning they genuinely broke the wind. They leave you feeling protected without the bulk or stiffness of jeans — good for a winter trail walk, and with the right shoes you could almost get away with wearing them into a business meeting. That's the whole all-terrain idea. A cinch at the ankle lets you adjust the fit depending on what you're doing.

See the All-Terrain Pants

OK KS Pocket Tee

Brad wears size M in Charcoal

Brad is a long-time fan of Outerknown's pocket tees and owns several. This one is part of the Kelly Slater signature collection, with the small OK KS Portal detail embroidered in ocean blue on the chest pocket. Cut from Regenerative Organic Certified cotton, it's soft and breathable from the first wear, with a relaxed everyday fit that isn't too tight or too oversized. He calls these his Saturday-afternoon, expensive-casual tees — the ones he actually looks after because he values them that much.

See the OK KS Pocket Tee

Women's 2026, tested

Horizon Sweater

Geniya wears size XS in Sea and Sand Stripe

This one became Geniya's cold-weather go-to almost instantly. Incredibly cosy, and the real test — the wash — it passed: no shrinking, no pilling, no loss of shape. It's a soft 5-gauge jersey in a space-dyed Italian wool blend, with ribbed cuffs, collar and hem that keep it structured even though it feels relaxed. The Sea and Sand stripe has a faded, golden-hour feel, and the slightly cropped crewneck goes with jeans, skirts and track pants without a second thought.

See the Horizon Sweater

The Scout Straight Jean

Geniya wears size 26 in True Blue

Soft, beautifully made, and a perfect fit straight out of the box — no adjustments, no breaking in. Mid-rise with a fitted top block through the hips, then a clean straight leg with a subtle taper. The denim is 13.75oz organic cotton with a touch of comfort stretch, so it has that real-denim feel while still moving with you, and it comes out of the wash looking exactly the same. Finished with the signature SEA Jeans details: chainstitch embroidery on the front pocket, copper hardware and a classic zip fly.

See the Scout Straight Jean

Sojourn Ribbed Tank

Geniya wears size XS in Oatmeal Heather

Geniya owns a lot of tank tops from a lot of brands, and this is the softest she's ever had — "I honestly can't imagine buying another one now." Ultra-soft regenerative organic cotton with just enough stretch to sit close without feeling tight, a ribbed texture that holds its structure, and a scoop neck with rib binding and wider straps that actually works for bra coverage while still looking clean and minimal. A warm-weather staple that layers under a knit when it cools down.

See the Sojourn Ribbed Tank

The 2025 range, a year on

We reviewed the 2025 collection when it arrived; a year of wear later, here's what stuck.

Apex Evolution Trunks, Gen II — the standout. Designed with Kelly Slater over three years: NetPlus recycled nylon from fishing nets, no-slip braided drawcords, reinforced ultrasonic-welded seams, laser-cut drainage holes (eleven of them, one per world title), a tangent back pocket with key loop and soft inner-thigh panels. Buttery soft, crazy lightweight, and they move like a second skin in the water. We've put them through reef sessions, beach breaks and post-surf hangs, and they're still the best boardshorts we've tested. Brad: "I've been wearing Apex trunks for years — and not just for surfing. Hot yoga, café, hot pools. I'll still be wearing the Gen II in 2035." They headline our best boardshorts guide. See the Apex Evolution Trunks

Twill Trail Short — Italian organic cotton twill (the same as the Nomad chinos), elastic waistband with a built-in belt, zip back pockets. "Seriously comfy, hard-wearing yet lightweight. I love the built-in belt strap." Worn everywhere from the shoreline to the shoreline bar.

Industrial S/S Tee — the grab-without-thinking tee: organic cotton, cut just right, with a bigger Outerknown logo than we'd normally wear. "I don't usually wear shirts with big brand logos but, hey, I'm a fan."

Hermosa Dress — Regenerative Organic Certified cotton jersey tank dress with a scoop neck, self-tie waist and side slits. Geniya: "Perfect for brunch, beach strolls or long travel days. I'm 5'5" and the length is ideal." Throw a denim jacket over it and it works into a New Zealand winter.

Easy Sweatpants — garment-dyed, brushed interior, no baggy knees. "They've become my go-to for dawn-patrol coffee runs, long drives and post-surf chill sessions. I wish there were more colours — I'd love a darker shade."

Highline Sweater — Italian wool and recycled cashmere in a lightweight 12-gauge knit; polished enough for dinner, cosy enough for a fire pit. "I wore it for a sunset drink at the beach café — no jacket needed."

The originals, still going

This is where the durability claim gets proven. Brad's first Outerknown review in 2020 covered four pieces; every one of them is still in use.

The Blanket Shirt — the signature garment, first released in 2016. 100% organic cotton twill, beautifully weighted, buttons made from nuts, a relaxed loose fit that reads smart or casual depending on the company. It's the most-worn item in both our wardrobes. Geniya: "As the days grow colder in New Zealand, the Blanket Shirt has become my essential layering piece. Outerknown offers a wide range of colours — it's a must-have." If you buy one Outerknown piece, buy this. See the Blanket Shirt

Sur Sweatshirt — 55% hemp, 45% cotton. Hemp has three times the tensile strength of cotton, is UV- and mould-resistant, needs no pesticides and little water, and it feels somewhat like a warm hug.

Ascent Fleece Sweatpants — 100% recycled polyester from plastic bottles, back zip pocket, front slash pockets. Brad has delivered many presentations in these with a business shirt — granted, via Zoom.

Apex Trunks (Gen I) — the original Kelly Slater boardshort: 86% recycled polyester, stitch-free welded and taped seams, Aquaguard-zip back pocket. In 2020 they beat anything else Brad had tried that year; Brad even went running in them and found them more comfortable than his running shorts. They're the reason the Gen II above had a reputation to live up to.

S.E.A. Suit, Saltwater Slub Tee and Groovy Pocket Tee — Geniya's 2024 standouts. The S.E.A. jumpsuit was her first jumpsuit ever and converted her; the Saltwater Slub Tee is Regenerative Organic Certified cotton with that worn-in feel from day one; the Groovy Pocket Tee is Brad's long-running favourite tee.

The sustainability record

Outerknown calls its approach "relentless sustainability," and unusually for a fashion brand it publishes the numbers. From its impact reporting:

• 95% preferred fibres — organic, recycled or regenerative — up from 87% in 2021
• 100% of trunks made with recycled or renewable fibres, including NetPlus nylon from reclaimed fishing nets
• Fair Labor Association accredited, with Fair Trade Certified factories and a published Fair Compensation Commitment; over $133,000 in Fairtrade Premium contributions to workers' healthcare, scholarships and housing
• Outerworn, the brand's resale platform, has kept more than 1,800 garments out of landfill; the SEA jeans carry a lifetime guarantee
• 28 acres of farmland converted to organic practices with grower Bergman Rivera; expanding Regenerative Organic Certified cotton
• A stated goal of a fully circular product line by 2030

Imagine if every brand was this clear about what it's actually doing. For the wider context, see our guide to sustainable and ethical surfwear and the best sustainable surf brands.

The company today

In 2024, surf-industry veteran Dylan Slater took the helm of a new holding company uniting Outerknown with Firewire Surfboards, Slater Designs and Endorfins — apparel, boards and fins under one roof, with a stated focus on products built for independent surf shops. In 2026 Outerknown stepped up as title sponsor of the Tahiti Pro, where Kelly Slater surfed as a wildcard in his own brand's event. For the full history, read our Outerknown company profile.

Who it's for — and who it isn't

Outerknown is for the surfer who buys fewer, better things: minimal styling, muted colours, garments that get better with age. If you want bold graphics and big logos, or a rainbow of colourways, it isn't the brand for you — the colour range on several pieces is limited, and the styling is deliberately quiet. And it's not cheap. But we've never had a piece fail, and we've never had one go out of style, which is a combination almost nothing else in surf can claim.

The verdict

A decade in, Outerknown is still the brand we reach for most and the one we recommend first. The gear lasts, it looks the same after countless washes, it's made in fairer conditions, and it carries a sense of purpose that most labels only talk about. From a first-season tee that's better now than it was new, to Brad's All-Terrain shorts drying out mid-thunderstorm, to Geniya's tank becoming the most-worn thing in her drawer, every piece has earned its place. That's why it remains our favourite surf brand — and this review will keep growing as long as the gear keeps turning up.

Browse Outerknown · See how it fits into our best men's surf clothing picks, or find your own kit with the Gear Finder.