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Can swimwear be sustainable?
In this complete guide to the most sustainable and ethical swimwear, we’ll review the top available options on the market.
We researched and analyzed swimwear along the criteria of performance, impact on people, and impact on the environment.
For more on how we assessed the most sustainable swimwear brands, read our section: “Are Swimsuits Sustainable?” below.
Our goal here (as well in every single one of our Buy Ensemble Reviews) is to help make purchasing and supporting planet and people-friendly products easier. Specifically, we want you to feel good about how much you’ll enjoy that next swimsuit and how that swimsuit (and the brands behind them) affects the planet and the people living on it.
We’ll offer a quick list of the best sustainable swimwear brands we’ve found before diving into more in-depth reviews.
Quick List: The Most Sustainable Swimwear
Below are our eight picks for the best sustainable swimwear you can buy.
Patagonia (⭐️4.5) — Most Sustainable Swimwear Brand + Best for Water Sports — TOP PICK
Fair Harbor (⭐️ 3.3) — Most Affordable Sustainable Swimsuits
PrAna (⭐️3.8) — Most Fashion-Forward Swimsuits — TOP PICK
Girlfriend Collective (⭐️3.5) — Best Size-Inclusive and Plus Sized Swimwear — TOP PICK
Athleta (⭐️ 2.8) — Best Swimsuit for Women Athletes
Boden (⭐️3) — Best Swimwear for the Whole Family
August Society (⭐️3.2) — Most Sustainable Swimwear for the Family
Patagonia
Most Sustainable Swimwear + Best for Water Sports
Price: $35 – $179
Made In: Columbia
4.5
Overall
Performance
People
Planet
Available For: Men, Women, Kids, Baby & Toddler
Pros & Cons
Great for active and recreational use
High transparency with materials, labor practices, and supply chain
High quality and long-lasting
On the pricier side
Not all swimwear is Fair Trade Certified
Uses plastic packaging for shipping
Patagonia is a respected and popular outdoor brand known for its sustainable outdoor clothing. Its priority is to provide products designed to last while taking care of the planet and the people on it.
Performance
Best Use:
These Fair Trade Certified swimsuits are perfect for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. If you are looking for the right suit to take on your whitewater rafting trip, surfing, or paddleboarding, Patagonia gives you the comfort and flexibility you need.
The swimsuit you wear to lounge around doesn’t have to be different from the bathing suit you wear for much more physically active scenarios. But, if you’re looking for added security in case of a fall or high coverage to keep everything under wraps, Patagonia offers a range of options.
Durability:
This sustainable outdoor brand is known for its commitment to high-quality, long-lasting products. In our research, customers attest to its durability, saying they’ve used their Patagonia swimsuit for 10 years or more.
Styles:
Options
- Bikinis
- One-pieces
- “Nanogrip” swimsuits for women athletes
- Boardshorts
Sizes
- Men: XXS to XXL
- Women: XS to XXL
- Boys: XS to XXL
- Girls: XS to XXL
- Baby/Toddler: 3mo to 5T
People
Transparency:
Patagonia is open about how and where their products are made. They also explain the purpose behind their choice of materials:
Labor Practices:
Since 2014, the company has been making Fair Trade clothing in partnership with Fair Trade USA.
- 87% of their line are Fair Trade Certified™ sewn
- 39% of apparel assembly factories pay a living wage
While we’d hope that 100% of Patagonia’s line was Fair Trade, and likewise 100% of their factories paid a verifiable living wage, we do appreciate their transparency on the way there.
Contribution:
Patagonia pledges 1% of sales to preserving and restoring the environment through 1% of the Planet.
Planet
Materials:
1 – Limits the use of plastic fiber production by using recycled materials:
- 83% recycled nylon/17% spandex (solids)
- 83% recycled polyester/17% spandex (prints)
2 – Working on a replacement for spandex to avoid DMAcs (because of its toxicity).
Shipping & Packaging:
They pack every product in a plastic bag (or “polybag”) made of recycled plastic to protect the item from damage during transit.
After conducting an in-depth case study on shipping with or without polybags, they realized that without plastic protection, products arrive to their destinations damaged.
While they can’t eliminate plastic completely, they now have a goal to reduce the size of the polybags to minimize the amount of plastic needed.
End of Life:
Through Worn Wear, customers can trade in their clothing and gear for Patagonia credit. They can also purchase used items to reduce their carbon footprint.
Customers can also mail polybags back for recycling or drop them off at the nearest store.
Where to Buy
→ $35-179﹘Patagonia.com, REI.com, or Backcountry.com for online. Or, visit Patagonia.com/store-locator/ to find a retail store near you.
Fair Harbor
Most Affordable Sustainable Swimsuits
Price: $48-68
Made In: US, China, Peru, Pakistan
3.3
Overall
Performance
People
Planet
Available For: Men, Women, Kids
Pros & Cons
Versatile and comfortable
Made with recycled plastic bottles and other recycled materials
Uses plant-based, compostable packaging
Not ideal for water sports like surfing
Limited transparency into supply chain and labor practices
Sizes for women stop at XL
Fair Harbor was founded by a brother and sister duo who spent their summers surfing on Fire Island. Noticing plastic waste on the shores, they were determined to prevent plastic waste and clean up the oceans. Their sustainable swimwear is made from 90% recycled plastic bottles.
Our review is based on experience with the men’s trunks. In May 2022, the brand introduced their new women’s collection for the first time.
Performance
Best use:
These shorts are a fan favorite for their versatility. Wear them at the beach or as you would normal shorts out and about.
One caveat: they’re not ideal for surfing. The pockets fill with water, leading to some close calls of losing them.
But from our team’s personal experience, Fair Harbor shorts are casual, comfortable, and can double for informal settings or running errands.
Durability:
To protect your swim trunks, wash in cold water and tumble dry low (or better yet, hang them up to dry to use less energy!).
As long as you don’t wring or bleach the trunks, these quick-dry, durable shorts should last you a few years. The construction holds up nicely over time. But the color will fade after repeated use in the sun.
Styles:
Options
- Men’s shorts
- Women’s shorts
- Sports bra/bikini combo
Sizes
- Men: S-3XL
- Women: XS-XL
- Kids: S-XL
People
Transparency:
Fair Harbor doesn’t appear to share a full list of suppliers or factories. On the company’s FAQ page, however, we see they work with factories in the US, China, Peru, and Pakistan.
Labor Practices:
On the FAQ page, the company shares its commitment to worker safety and wages. But we couldn’t find a Code of Conduct or Fair Trade certification.
The good news: they say they visit the factories “regularly in person.”
Contribution:
In the past, Fair Harbor has contributed to organizations like Swim Strong. Based on our research, they don’t have a running give-back program at the moment.
Planet
Materials:
Where Fair Harbor focuses: protecting the ocean from plastic bottles.
Suits are made from recycled materials:
- Made with 12 recycled plastic bottles
- 88% recycled polyester
Shipping & Packaging:
Fair Harbor recently switched to sustainable materials for their packaging, using plant-based, compostable bags.
End of Life:
Fair Harbor’s Roundtrip Initiative offers a $5 credit for every suit sent in for recycling.
They send used suits to 2ReWear, which turns the materials into insulation for rugs.
Where to Buy
→ $48-68 – FairHarborClothing.com
PrAna
Most Fashion-Forward Swimsuits
Price: $59-$100
Made In: Vietnam, Thailand
3.8
Overall
Performance
People
Planet
Available For: Men, Women
Pros & Cons
Great for casual or active wear
Sustainable materials and Fair Trade factories
Many on-trend styles to choose from
No options for kids
Limited supply chain transparency
Sizes stop at XL
From the Sanskrit word meaning breath, PrAna is centered on the idea that we are connected to all other living beings. PrAna offers a range of products from jackets and dresses to sustainable swimwear and was one of the first companies to partner with Fair Trade USA in 2010.
Performance
Best Use:
PrAna swimwear brings together Patagonia and Fair Habor’s features. They’re casual enough for all-purpose use while offering great coverage.
If you need a suit that stays put while you’re surfing or a comfy option for vacation lounging, PrAna has solid options.
Durability:
Based on our research, prAna’s swimwear is built to last, with their boardshorts still going strong after four years of use.
Styles:
Options:
- Bikinis
- Tankinis
- One piece
- Men’s trunks
- Boardshorts
Sizes:
- XS-XL
People
Transparency:
From the product page alone, it’s not clear where they produce the Econyl and Lycra (or assemble the final product).
They mention factories in Thailand and Vietnam on their sustainability page.
Labor Practices:
As far as labor practices go, PrAna prioritizes sharing ethical swimwear.
They’ve converted 11 factories to be Fair Trade Certified, with the goal to go fully Fair Trade by 2028.
Contribution:
During the holiday season, they donate a portion of sales to Outdoor Outreach, a nonprofit promoting outdoor accessibility to underrepresented youth.
Planet
Materials:
PrAna’s swimwear collection is made of 87% ECONYL® recycled nylon and 13% LYCRA® extra life Elastane (a type of spandex).
Econyl is made from ocean waste like recycled fishing nets. It decreases carbon emissions by 50% compared to traditional nylon, reducing its environmental impact.
Shipping & Packaging;
In partnership with environmental nonprofit Canopy Planet, PrAna works to transform its supply chain to use sustainable packaging.
They prioritize using paper-based packages from post-consumer waste, plan to eliminate plastic-based packaging and aim to stop using packaging from endangered forests in 2022.
End of Life:
Since 2016, they’ve diverted over 44,000 pounds of garment waste from landfill.
PrAna practices circularity with its Renewal Workshop. They sort, clean, and repair their returned and damaged products to restore and re-sell.
Where to Buy
→ $59-$100﹘prAna.com or shop PrAna at REI.com and backcountry.com
Girlfriend Collective
Best Size-Inclusive Sustainable Swimwear
Price: $45-$100
Made In: Vietnam
3.5
Overall
Performance
People
Planet
Available For: Women
Pros & Cons
Great for swimming and light activity
Transparency with some labor practices, materials, and environmental impact
Incredibly size-inclusive
Not ideal for higher impact activity
Transparency is limited with some aspects of supply chain and labor practices
Might run a bit small
Girlfriend Collective’s goal is to provide ethically-sourced, recycled clothing for women of all shapes and sizes. This swimwear brand uses ECONYL® and each purchase contributes to cleaning up ocean waste.
Performance
Best Use:
Girlfriend Collective offers size-inclusive swimwear for every body type. Mix and match tops and bottoms to meet your needs. Some customers mention the fit runs a little small, so size up for a better fit.
If you’re not into bold swim patterns and prefer solid colors for swimming or light activities like volleyball, Girlfriend Collective is a great option.
Durability:
Girlfriend Collective’s swimwear collection launched in April 2021 and we haven’t had a chance to try these out ourselves. We’re not sure about durability just yet.
Styles:
Options:
- One piece
- Bikini
Sizes:
- XXS-6XL
People
Transparency:
Girlfriend Collective includes a quick sustainability report on each product page, sharing the amount of carbon emissions prevented, oil conserved, and energy saved.
Labor Practices:
Textiles are made in Taiwan; it’s not clear how the working conditions are monitored.
Cutting and sewing take place in Vietnam. The factory is SA8000 certified by Social Accountability International, meaning it “guarantees fair wages, safe and healthy conditions, and zero forced or child labor.”
Contribution:
Girlfriend Collective gives back 1% to Healthy Seas, an organization focused on ocean conservation efforts.
While many factories dump dye mud in the landfill, Girlfriend Collective donates its dye mud to a pavement facility for making sidewalks and stones.
Planet
Materials:
Like PrAna, Girlfriend Collective uses 78% ECONYL® recycled nylon and 22% spandex.
Girlfriend Collective differentiates itself by sharing the lining materials too (87% regenerated nylon, 13% spandex).
Their recycled materials are certified Standard 100 by Oeko Tex.
Shipping & Packaging:
The company goes beyond a hard-to-find FAQ page to explain their shipping practices. Directly on the product page, they share a unique approach: slow shipping.
They limit how far items need to travel to minimize carbon emissions. Items are consolidated in a single fulfillment center, instead of consolidation taking place within the country where items are sold.
End of Life:
At this point, the ReGirlfriend recycling program doesn’t accept swimwear. However, many of their other products are recyclable. Customers get a $15 credit towards future purchases.
Where to Buy
→ $45-$100﹘Girlfriendcollective.com, or pick up a suit at Poshmark.com
Athleta
Best Sustainable Swim Suit for Women Athletes
Price: $32-$119
Made In: N/A
2.8
Overall
Performance
People
Planet
Available For: Women, girls
Pros & Cons
Great for active use
Uses some sustainable, recycled materials in 100% of swimsuit line
Many styles to choose from
May run a bit small
Limited transparency into supply chain, labor practices, and footprint
Unclear how suits hold up over time
Founded in 1998, Athleta’s aim is to provide apparel that meets the needs of athletic women. They’ve been a certified B Corp since 2018 and offer sustainable bathing suits made with recycled nylon.
Performance
Best Use:
If you’re looking for a comfortable yet flattering swimsuit, Athleta has a range of trendy options ideal for swimming or running. Their bikini tops stay put; runners say they can jog no problem. Their fun patterns also make for perfect statement pieces.
One important note: some customers say to order a size up. But if you like a snug fit, choose true to size.
Durability:
From our research, it was a bit unclear how long their swimwear can be expected to hold integrity; however, we’re working to obtain some first-hand reporting.
In the meantime, should you have any issues, items can be returned within 60 days from the original ship date.
Styles:
Options:
- Bikinis
- Tankinis
- One piece
- Long-sleeved rashguards
Size:
- Women: XXS-XL
- Girls: XS/6-XXL/16
People
Transparency:
Athleta doesn’t appear to share the location of its manufacturers or provide supply chain details.
Labor Practices:
Based on our research, it’s not clear whether their factories are Fair Trade.
Contribution:
Athleta partners with the Women’s Sports Foundation on The Power of She Fund. They’ve provided more than $1.45M in grants for organizations focused on movement-based programming and making fitness inclusive for women BIPOC communities.
Planet
Materials:
Athleta also uses recycled nylon and spandex, but specific percentage breakdowns aren’t included on the product page.
Shipping & Packaging:
We weren’t able to gather sufficient information on shipping and packaging. We’ll have to check back when we get firsthand experience with the product.
End of Life:
Athleta teamed up with thredUP to extend the life of its clothing. Customers print and send used clothes and receive 15% shopping credit in exchange.
Where to Buy
→ $32-$119﹘Athleta.gap.com, or shop them at Poshmark.com and Thredup.com
Boden
Best Swimwear for the Whole Family
3
Overall
Performance
People
Planet
Available For: Men, Women, Kids, Baby & Toddler
Pros & Cons
Great casual swimwear for the whole family
Some transparency with supply chain, labor, and materials
Offer matching options for kids and adults
Take back program doesn’t include swimwear
Limited transparency with some aspects of labor practices
Unclear how swimsuits hold up over time
The founder of Boden set out to create a mail-order clothing company in the 80s with high-quality, durable items to “keep them on your back and out of the landfill.” Today, they offer apparel for the whole family, including sustainable swimwear made from recycled polyester.
Performance
Best Use:
Looking for sustainable swimwear for the whole family? Boden offers bright colors and fun patterns for all ages. Perfect for barbecues at the lake or sandcastles at the beach.
Some of the prints have “mini me” options if you want your little ones to match.
Durability:
From our findings, it’s not clear how long their eco-friendly swimwear will last. (Fingers crossed we can obtain some firsthand experience soon!)
Used swimsuits aren’t returnable unless the item is faulty.
Styles:
Options:
- Swim shorts
- Bikinis
- Tankinis
- Rash guard
Size:
- Women: 2-18
- Men: XS-XXL
- Kids: 2-14yrs
- Baby: 0-4yrs
People
Transparency:
Boden includes a map of its main factories, along with a comprehensive list of all factories. They’ve created standards based on the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code and go to factories in person to check on working conditions.
Labor Practices:
They rely on SMETA Methodology (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) to audit their manufacturers in China. While they have a Code of Conduct, worker wages are unclear.
Contribution:
Boden supports a number of UK-based causes, including NewLife, a charity supporting disabled and terminally ill children, and the Charlie Waller Trust, a charity focused on mental health education.
Planet
Materials:
All swimwear lines are made from recycled materials (minus the cups and trims). Their goal is to shift to 100% recycled swimwear by 2025.
Shipping & Packaging:
They’re trying to find a way to switch to completely recycled packaging. Their mailing boxes can be recycled or reused, and the shipping bags are made from 80% recycled materials.
End of Life:
Pass It On is a take back program for other Boden garments, but it’s not yet available for swimwear.
Where to Buy
→ $32-$119﹘bodenusa.com or Thredup.com, and Poshmark.com
August Society
Most Sustainable Swimwear for the Whole Family
Price: $26-$111
Made In: Indonesia, China
3.2
Overall
Performance
People
Planet
Available For: Men, Women, Kids, Toddler
Pros & Cons
Great for the whole family
Uses some recycled materials and eco-friendly mailer bags
Fun, reversible styles, and gender-neutral suits for kids
Uses plastic protective packaging
Limited transparency with labor practices, supply chain, and footprint
No give-back program
August Society is a sustainable swimwear company started by a mom on a mission to share comfortable, durable swimsuits for the whole family. The designs are reversible so you can get more mileage out of a single piece. Each swimsuit also offers UPF 50+ protection.
Performance
Best Use:
Like Boden, August Society provides fun swim options for the whole family. If you like the idea of having more than one pattern to sport throughout the summer, Boden provides reversible swimsuits so you can get two looks in one.
Durability:
August Society offers gender-neutral patterns for kids so siblings can pass suits down through the seasons. According to the company, their patented technology retains fabric shape, allowing you to use your swimsuit for five years or more
Styles:
Options:
- One piece
- Tankinis
- Bikinis
- Swim Trunks
Size:
- Men: XS-XXL
- Women: XS-XXL
- Kids: 2-10
People
Transparency:
On their FAQ page, August Society shares that some products are made in Bali, Indonesia, and the latest collections are made near Guangzhou, China. However, we couldn’t find more information on the working conditions or a code of conduct.
Labor Practices:
They talk about the Rana Plaza catastrophe on their sustainability page, where they touch on the issues of low wages in fashion. However, it’s not clear whether any factories are fair trade or what steps they’re taking to assess working conditions or ensure living wages.
Contribution:
From our research, August Society doesn’t appear to have a give-back program.
Planet
Materials:
Like other sustainable swimwear brands, August Society uses ECONYL® to limit the need for plastic production. There’s no percentage breakdown on the product page though, so it’s hard to know how much of the swimsuits are made of recycled nylon or post-consumer recycled materials.
Shipping & Packaging:
August Society stores its merchandise in Singapore. Because of its hot and humid climate, they use plastic to prevent damage. (When they tried an alternative to plastic, the protective packaging started degrading in the warehouse).
Their mailer bags are reusable and made from recycled materials.
End of Life:
Selling used swimsuits is only available in Singapore.
The company partnered with Retykle, Asia’s largest online consignment store for children to give preloved swimsuits a second life.
Where to Buy
FAQ: Are Swimsuits Sustainable?
By our definition, there are a wide variety of variables that contribute to any one product or brand’s level of “sustainability.” Here are the means by which we assess which swimwear brands were most sustainable.
1. Performance (Product)
For swimwear (or any product) to be sustainable, they must serve their purpose. Is it a good swimsuit?
Of course, “good” is in the eye of the beholder. We look at three main categories to evaluate sustainable swimwear performance: comfort, best use, and durability.
Best Use
Is the swimsuit best for outdoor activities? High-intensity sports? Hanging out by the pool? We provide a variety of options so you can choose based on your preferences and intended use.
Durability
The easiest way to make a product more sustainable is to make sure it has the longest useful life possible. Are the swimsuits easy to wash? Will they break down in a few months or will they last for years?
Sun exposure, swimming, and water activities lead to breaking down. We’re all too aware no swimsuit will last forever. What’s important is that your suit can last more than a couple of seasons.
Style
Comfort depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want a tankini to chase the kids around the beach? Rashguard for whitewater rafting? Or, are you looking for a one-piece that looks good around the pool?
2. People (Ethics)
We evaluate sustainable swimwear brands based on their transparency, labor practices, and give-back programs (or community contribution).
Transparency
How easy is it for us to gather information on the where/how/who of production?
Is the company open about its sourcing, production, and labor practices? Or is information super hard to find?
Labor
How are the workers behind the products treated?
For sustainable swimwear brands, we want to know:
- What wages are they paid?
- Are working conditions safe?
- Is the information verified by someone other than the brand themselves?
Contribution
Does the company have a charitable giving program? Do a percentage of sales go towards supporting the community?
3. Planet (Sustainability)
We’re constantly working to define what sustainability means. We’re especially curious about circularity—does the company consider the land and materials required for production? Does a product’s end of use lead to the landfill or are there ways to repair, recycle, or re-wear?
When evaluating swimsuits we look at materials, shipping and packaging, and end of life.
Materials
What materials do they use? Do they limit their use of plastic (ex: polyester or other synthetic fibers)? Do they use recycled materials? ECONYL®?
It’s worth mentioning: textile dyeing is one area we’d like to research further when it comes to swimwear. Colorful dyes can have a harmful impact on the environment. From the information we gathered, few sustainable swimwear brands describe the dye or printing process. August Society and Fair Harbor each print digitally, but we’re not sure how the other brands approach dyes and ink.
Shipping and Packaging
Does the company use recyclable packaging? Limit its use of dyes and inks?
For our Buy Ensemble guides, we usually assess transportation—do they lean fully on air transportation, or opt for a more sustainable option (like ship freights or keeping farms and factories local to each other)? However, for swimwear, there was limited information.
End of Life/Circularity
Due to hygiene concerns and maintaining UPF protection (UPF generally lasts 30-40 washes), recycling isn’t usually an option for swimsuits.
In searching for the most sustainable swimsuit, look for high-quality swimsuits to last for more than one season.
Buy a Better Swimsuit, Buy Ensemble
Sustainability exists on a continuum. No brand is perfect, but some are higher on the sustainability spectrum.
Our Buy Ensemble Reviews aim to help you make people and planet-friendly purchases easier.
We’re here to evaluate products and share our findings on brands’ sustainability efforts, so you can make purchasing decisions based on your values.
Want to know more about how we evaluate products? Check out our review process here.
Note: product exchanges do not influence our reviews.
These reviews will evolve as we learn more information from research and personal experience. Anything we missed? Send us a message or leave us a comment below.
Written by
Karonica Paige
Karonica is a content writer focused on helping purpose-driven and sustainable businesses connect with more people.
Contributors
Karonica has written blogs and scripts for everyone from food startups to nonprofits, to SAAS and e-commerce companies.
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