Eleven time world champ, Kelly Slater, is not done making an impact on surf culture. With too many competitive victories to name, and a litany of humanitarian contributions already behind him like displaced water from his last cutback, it’s safe to say Slater is pushing the limits of surfing into the Outerknown.

The moniker, “Outerknown” is not only the freakish realm to which Slater has driven performance and competitive success within the sport, but also stands as the name for his clothing line. The new label is less surf specific and more of a general apparel brand – but still related to ocean health in a significant way.

Outerknown seeks to lift the veil on how apparel companies operate, and develop as sustainable a manufacturing process as possible. From using materials like ECONYL (a type of nylon regenerated from discarded fishing nets and other types of consumer waste), to implementing fair labor codes of conduct with suppliers, to offering transparency of the manufacturing process to the public, they’re forging a progressive and innovative path.

The clothing being produced is not inexpensive. The Evolution Trunk made from ECONYL costs $95.00. The Blanket Shirt made from 100% organic cotton twill costs $195.00.

That being said, Outerknown is aiming for a higher-end fashion conscious market, and implementing much less exploitative techniques and manufacturing partnerships than many surf related clothing brands. Slater is collaborating with John Moore, a reputable name in the apparel design world, making clothing in the U.S. and other labor compliant locations, and using materials that can be regenerated.

Breaking the mold and changing a large scale system in the name of evolution is never easy or without drawbacks. The cost of producing apparel on this level is high, and the way forward is unformed. It takes a Slater-esq level of commitment to paddle forward on this kind of venture and step into the Outerknown.

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Outerknown