Top 20 Best Sustainable Swimwear for Men
Sustainable, Yet Stylish Swimwear!
It’s swimsuit season! So we’re here to give you nine of the most sustainable swimwear brands for you to rock whether you’re at the beach, the pool, or anywhere you can get wet.
We love educating the masses on all the sustainable brands we know and love. However, most of these brands, Mother Earth does not love. Can you blame her, though? Would you like someone who was destroying you? The truth is, there are so many excellent options, it just takes a bit of digging.
We did the dirty work, and we’re coming atcha with a comprehensive list of the most sustainable swimwear for men.
The Best Sustainable Swimwear Brands For Men
1. Outerknown
Price Range:
$68 – $150
Sustainable Materials:
86% recycled polyester and 14% spandex with Quick Dry.
The Apex Trunks By Outerknown and Kelly Slater are top-of-the-line swim trunks. They are designed for the people AND the planet. They are even sewn in a Fair Trade Certified facility. This means that the makers have been paid premium price points for their work, and collectively decide how to use the extra funding to better their lives.
Now let’s talk about the actual trunks, Kelly Slater, 11x World Champion developed and tested these trunks. They have over 15 colorways to choose from and are guaranteed mobility, quick-dry, and durability. The trunks are also built with a bonded back pocket with Aquaguard zipper and a key loop! Can you ask for more?!
2. Toad & Co
Price Range:
$50 – $70
Sustainable Materials:
4Ply Supplex
Toad & Co has always been a fan favorite. They are that type of brand that reminds you that there are so many good people doing exceptional things. From their eco materials, reusable shipping, and their renewable fashion initiatives, they are doing the most for the Earth. Sustainability is not an option for them. It’s a requirement.
Their swim trunk selection is something to write home about, too. All their trunks are made of 4-Ply Supplex, which is Toad & Co’s performance-proven nylon. This fabric is incredibly durable and quick-dry, making it the perfect swim trunk fabric. You can do more than swim in them, though. You can snorkel, paddle, surf, swig a margarita, play frisbee, and even head to town in them.
3. Jetty
Price Range:
$54.95-$64.95
Sustainable Materials:
Oystex RPET, 39% RPET, Spandex
Inspired by forefathers of the east coast surfing culture, Jetty’s sustainable swimwear for men are loaded with the latest technologies and eco fabrics. From solid color options to styles adorned with tropical-inspired prints, all pieces are designed to help you fish, paddle, hike, ride waves, and keep you fit for all of the above warm-weather shenanigans.
Plus, all pairs feature an elastic drawcord waist, deep side pockets and zipper back pocket with super-soft 360 Stretch fabric for practicality.
The materials of choice? Eco-friendly OYSTEX fabric – a blend of pulverized oyster shells with recycled polyester (RPET)!
4. Patagonia
Price Range:
$69-$129
Sustainable Materials:
Polyester & fair trade certified sewn
Patagonia is hailed as one of the best sustainable swimwear for men who enjoy water sports and don’t settle for anything less than ultimate comfort and quality. The brand’s ethical approach to manufacturing and production practices is definitely admirable.
Their Fair Trade Certified™ Hydropeak boardshorts are made from 87% recycled polyester made from used soda bottles as well as unusable manufacturing waste. On top of that, Patagonia is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and 1% For The Planet.
From bold and vibrant colorways to minimalistic styles, rest assured that you’ll be able to find the best ethical men’s swimwear to meet your warm-weather demands.
5. Asket
Price Range:
$50 – $70
Sustainable Materials:
SEAQUAL, Recycled Polyester
“Swimwear is an entirely new category for us so we spent a lot of time researching technical fabrics as well as working out how to combine an athletic approach into something that could still work as a more tailored short,” shares co-founder August Bard Bringéus. “Any garment is only ever as good as the fibre it is built on, so we’re thrilled to have found SEAQUAL INITIATIVE, who have developed a source material that doesn’t compromise on the products technical integrity.” In addition to the main body fabric, where possible every element of the ASKET Swim Shorts are made from recycled polyester, from the mesh, to the drawstrings as well as the trims (eyelets, zipper, thread, everything except the elastic waistband).
6. Fair Harbor
Price Range:
$60 – $90
Sustainable Materials:
80% Recycled Polyester (made from 11 plastic bottles), 12% Cotton, 8% Spandex
Fair Harbor was quite literally made for this! They have some of the most stylish, good looking swim trunks we’ve seen. If you love a good print, you’re going to LOVE Fair Harbor. These swimmers are made with durable, high performance, quick-drying fabric, have side pockets, a built-in cool max liner, and a comfortable elastic waistband! The Bayberry Trunks, in particular, come with built-in compression underwear that will keep you cool and dry after a swim or a run! Our favorite part? 11 Plastic water bottles were made in the making of these trunks!
Fair harbor does so much as a brand as well. It was started by two siblings who grew up on Fair Harbor, Fire Island, and started their company to reduce ocean plastic. With so many brands not thinking about the Earth, it’s so refreshing to find one that does finally. They’ve recycled over 2.5 million plastic water bottles, and on the way to 3 million next year!
7. The Tropics
Price Range:
$95
Sustainable Materials:
92% Recycled Polyester, 8% Spandex
The Tropics keep the Earth in mind with everything they do. Their vision is much greater than creating a brand, but it’s having a positive impact on the Earth and establish a source of inspiration for individuals to connect, collaborate, and make a lasting difference.
Their standard Trunk in Plunge is a timeless piece that will look good at the beach, on the boardwalk, or at a sandy dinner. Built with recycled polyester and spandex, these are as comfortable as they get. This pair of trunks is made of 11 plastic water bottles, too! Some might even say it’s “the best pair of boardshorts they’ve ever owned!”
8. Vissla
Price Range:
$50-$70
Sustainable Materials:
36% Polyester from Coconut | 34% Recycled Polyester | 20% Cotton | 10% Spandex
Have you heard of Vissla? If not, you’re in for a treat! This brand is one of our favorite sustainable alternatives to Chubbies! They use the process of upcycling to turn waste into treasure. They use Cocotex yarn made of coconuts and blend it with Repreve recycled polyester yarns to create a perfect performance boardshorts. Vissla has been so innovative and user-focused. These boardshorts fight odor, stretch, breathe, and, most importantly, last a long time!
Their boardshorts are built for style, comfort, and sustainability. We especially love these retro-fit board shorts made of coconut and recycled poly fibers. They have a 4-way stretch and tethered waistband. We know you’ll be in the sun with these too, so they have built-in UPF 50. We promise, as soon as you try these, they’re going to become a season staple.
9. United By Blue
Price Range:
$60-$70
Sustainable Materials:
60% recycled polyester, 36% organic cotton, 4% elastane
If you have been following us for some time, you already know we are a big fan of United by Blue. For every product purchased, United By Blue removes one pound of trash from the ocean and waterways! So far, they have removed over 3 million pounds of trash! They know the ocean and trash pollution problem is one of the most pressing issues of our time. United By Blue leads by example and is a part of the solution rather than the problem.
We love their Men’s Organic Scallop Board Shorts. It comes in 5 colorways and made with a cotton/poly blend. These shorts are detailed with a gusset fly and drawcord waistband. Whether you’re swimming, tanning, surfing, or lounging, these will keep you looking comfortable and cool.
10. Myoli Bay
Price Range:
$50-$70
Sustainable Materials:
Recycled water bottles, Recycled coconut shell button on back pocket
Myoli Bay is named after a small island off East of Cape Town, South Africa. Their brand focuses on all-day comfort and freedom in your swimwear, and every beach should be heaven on Earth. That’s why they do what they do! They make swimwear out of other people’s trash, and they dedicate 15% of their sales to ocean and beach cleanup!
These trunks made the list because they are genuinely a great alternative to Chubbies. They have that shorter swimsuit look for those men who have been squatting all winter, and ready to show off the quads. No shame, we agree, ya look good! They also ditched the mesh liner and replaced it with a “privacy screen” to protect you from oversharing. They are nice and stretchy, so if you literally want to squat in them, you can!
11. Riz
Price Range:
$135-$150
Sustainable Materials:
100% recycled polyester
If you are on a quest to find the top ethical men’s swimwear brands, Riz should definitely be on your radar. The brand uses 100% recycled and recyclable fabric, made using plastic bottles to create their eco-friendly men’s swimwear line.
The best part? They offer Free Repairs For Life! As Riz explains, all sustainable men’s swimwear are digitally printed in England and lovingly made in Portugal. In addition, with every order, £1 gets donated to the Marine Conservation Society.
What’s even more impressive? You can donate your own, worn-to-death swimsuit and receive a generous 25% discount on your next order.
12. Everlane
Price:
$65
Sustainable Materials:
95% Recycled Nylon, 5% Elastane & 100% Recycled Polyester lining
You couldn’t talk about the best sustainable swimwear for men without mentioning Everlane. Firstly, every eco-friendly swimsuit style is made from 5% Recycled Nylon, boasting water-repellent properties.
Furthermore, the lining is also made from 100% Recycled Polyester to divert waste from landfills. To top it all off, no matter your ethical men’s swimwear of choice, you’ll be happy to know that Everlane is a bluesign® Systems Partner and currently holds the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification as well as the Cradle To Cradle Gold Certification.
If you are a fan of minimalist swimwear made to last, this brand is definitely for you.
13. Finisterre
Price Range:
€168-€331
Sustainable Materials:
Yulex® Natural Rubber
Finisterre is arguably one of the best sustainable swimwear for men that puts heavy emphasis on the needs of cold-water surfers who constantly chase their next adventure.
Even if you aren’t a warm-weather sports fanatic, you’ll definitely find your new favorite ethical swimwear crafted from 100% recycled fabric. As the brand points out, Yulex® Natural Rubber wetsuits and swimwear are the ultimate clean alternative to neoprene.
In fact, their ethical men’s swimwear produces up to 80% less CO2 than their traditional neoprene counterparts – now that’s impressive.
14. Prana
Price Range:
$65-$69
Sustainable Materials:
92% Recycled Polyester, 8% Elastane
Prana is on a mission to eliminate waste by renewing pre-worn clothing. In addition, they utilize high-quality, natural raw materials like organic cotton and hemp while also adhering to fair-trade policies.
Touted as one of the best sustainable swimwear for men, Prana is also Bluesign certified and proudly uses plastic-free packaging. Did you know that, thus far, the brand has given back $400,000+ to 33,000+ workers around the world?
From multi-printed ethical men’s swimwear covered in palm trees to discreet options with monochromatic palettes, Prana is definitely one of the top sustainable men’s swimwear brands
15. Vuori
Price Range:
$68
Sustainable Materials:
Recycled water bottle plastic
The brand known as one of the most coveted sustainable performance apparel brands has tapped into swimwear – and it’s beyond good. This Climate Neutral company focuses on recycled materials packed with anti-odor and quick-drying benefits that do not harm the planet on its inhabitants.
Furthermore, the brand puts much emphasis on working with vendors that adhere to the International Labor Organization (ILO) core labor standards to ensure safe and healthy working conditions.
Vuori’s collection of 30+ sustainable swimwear for men will easily help you “transition from water to life” thanks to the array of prints, and colors and high-performing VCycled™ fabric.
16. Panareha
Price:
€79
Sustainable Materials:
Recycled plastic bottles (RPET)
Pnareha definitely deserves a place in our best sustainable swimwear for men list. Firstly, all its products are handcrafted in Portugal using recycled plastic bottles (RPET) as the core material.
In addition, all ethical men’s swimwear is shipped in 100% genuine, recovered waste paper boxes, carefully wrapped in a zero-waste drawstring bag.
As the brand explains “ Every boardshorts we produce recycles 5 single-use plastic bottles.” The color options are seemingly endless.
17. Junk In Your Trucks
Price:
$40
Sustainable Materials:
Recycled plastic bottles (RPET)
As the name suggests, Jun In Your Trunks is, you guessed it, one of the best ethical men’s swimwear made from recycled plastic bottles “ for the wonderful piece of garbage you are.”
There is no shortage of bold, vibrant colors and dopamine-boosting prints on their virtual shelves. Think checkerboard, zebra, stripes, and more in a slew of different colors from coral to all-black.
If you are on the lookout for sustainable swimwear for men who don’t shy away from color, this one is for you.
18. MeUndies
Price Range:
$48-$62
Sustainable Materials:
78% Recycled Polyamide, 22% Elastane
MeUndies is of the most sustainable swimwear for men thanks to their superhero recycled materials that help minimize plastic waste from the ocean In fact, they are talking 8 plastic bottles per pair.
The brand thrives on being transparent and honest about their entire supply chain and only work with fair trade factories that deeply respect their workers. Their entire ethical men’s swimwear collection is energized by creativity and made for your self-expression.
So if you particularly love colors and unexpected prints, MeUndies will be your new favorite warm-weather e-destination.
19. Vanilla Sand
Price:
$152
Sustainable Materials:
100% regenerated ocean nylon with UV 50+ protection
As one of the most sustainable swimwear for men, Vanilla Sand crafts their entire line ethically in Portugal and Brazil. They offer an array of eco-friendly beachwear made from recycled ocean plastic and all-natural, safe materials.
Currently, they have 3 different styles available, all fast-drying, comfortable and timeless. The end goal? To reduce plastic pollution while helping us look inherently cool during our future sea-side adventures.
20. Bondi Joe
Price Range:
$99.95
Sustainable Materials:
Recycled materials from plastic bottles
Bondi Joe is a prime example of how ethical fashion brands are revolutionizing the game. They not only use 100% recycled materials derived from Plastic bottles and other PET products which are melted down and spun into yarn, but also monitor their entire supply chain carefully.
In addition, the brand purchases carbon credits to offset their carbon usage while also being part of the Noissue eco-packaging alliance.
In Conclusion
We know it’s easy to fall back on the brands we know. There are so many great options for summer swimwear that are high quality, affordable – and leave no carbon footprint. These amazing brands are changing the swimwear game and doing so much good for the Earth. Investing your dollar to support these brands is such an easy way to vote for a greener planet!
Want to shop some of the most revolutionary companies? IndieGetup makes it easier for you to have access to clothing with a conscience. Click here to visit more brands we love that are creating a greener future.
If you liked this article and want to find out more coverage on these brands be sure to follow us on all social networks. Not seeing a brand and think it deserves the spotlight, DM us on Instagram and we’ll see if we should update the list.
About Author
Brandon
Owner of IndieGetup, the premier sustainable marketplace for men to shop ethically.