“We created OuterKnown to smash the formula. To lift the lid on the traditional supply chain and prove you can actually produce great looking menswear in a sustainable way.” –Kelly Slater

OuterKnown has been on our radar since we first heard that eleven-time World Surf League Champion, Kelly Slater, was starting a sustainable clothing line. After a couple years, it has finally landed in our stores, and we could not be any more excited. The clean cuts and quality of material has already brought in flocks of customers, stoked to own a piece of it.

OuterKnown has created a business with strong social and environmental responsibility. They are working to revolutionize clothing in the surf industry. It takes a step back from logo tees, and a step towards clothing that is made better, fits better, and looks better; creating a product that stands alone among the surf apparel giants.

Kelly Slater and designer, John Moore, founded the company with the belief that they had a responsibility to make clothing that respects the world around them. Both men had seen firsthand the impact the fashion industry had on the environment. Once they realized that the clothing they were wearing and designing was not aligning with the responsibility they had to the world around them, OuterKnown was born.

With sustainability as the principal of the brand, Slater and Moore developed it with full transparency. OuterKnown partnered with the Fair Labor Association, following their strict code of conduct, regarding working conditions throughout the supply chain. In addition, they shared the names and locations for the manufacturers that develop the products. They listed the addresses and number of employees for each of their suppliers. They did this so the customer can look at a piece of OuterKnown clothing and know what they are wearing and where it came from. A few of the t-shirts we are carrying in the store are an ode to this. They have photographs of factory workers hands showing off their best shaka and peace sign. This is a nod to what the future of the apparel industry should look like.

In addition to their supply chain transparency, the clothing is made from fully sustainable materials. They use recycled fish nets and surplus to transform the waste into premium jackets and board shorts. They are using regenerated wool in a few of their products. This comes from collecting and recycling cast-off fiber from factory floors in the initial manufacturing process. The t-shirts we have in store are made in the USA from 100% organic cotton. OuterKnown is embracing conscious consumerism, and wowing the surf world while doing it.

OuterKnown has created a brand that aligns with our mission at Hobie Surf Shop. We are happy to have finally welcomed them into our stores and excited for you all to see what the hype is all about!

Company Exterior Practices

“It’s not OK!” T-shirts

100% of the profits from these shirts support the Ocean Conservancy and their mission to clean and protect the ocean for generations to come.

Outerknown hosts beach cleanups all over the states.

Company Interior Practices

Fair Trade

Select styles are Fair Trade certified, meaning that the works have healthy, and prosperous working conditions.

For every style sold, additional money goes right back to the works who made it.

Code of Conduct

All suppliers must meet or exceed guidelines, with active evaluation and monitoring.

Eventually, they hope to engage with civil society and governments to affect systematic labor change.

Transparency

Outerknown lists all suppliers and manufacturers on the website with all their information, so that consumers can see exactly what they are purchasing.

Bluesign

Industry standards for monitoring and auditing chemical, energy, and water use.

No harmful chemicals enter the manufacturing process.

Product Features

• 100% organic cotton
• Recycled fishing nets
• Regenerated wool.
• Water soluble hang tags

Did you know…

The retail manufacturing industry is the second most polluting industry on earth. By purchasing goods that use organic, recycled, or upcycled materials, you are changing that statistic. One t-shirt at as time.