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Top ethical swimwear brands for 2026: 9 picks worth every penny

Photo of 2 Outerknown swimsuits from the article Top Ethical Swimwear Brands for 2026: 9 Picks Worth Every Penny
Photo of 2 Outerknown swimsuits from the article Top Ethical Swimwear Brands for 2026: 9 Picks Worth Every Penny

Eco-Stylist rounds up 9 ethical and sustainable swimwear brands for 2026, including Outerknown, Patagonia, prAna, Boden, and ColieCo. Each pick is vetted against Eco-Stylist's sustainability criteria, covering materials, labor practices, and transparency.

Summer is heating up and so are our picks for the best, eco-friendly swimwear. We know shopping for swimwear is hard. 

Finding something that makes you feel confident while being both cute and comfortable isn’t easy. Add in trying to find the perfect piece that is also environmentally friendly and ethically made and you may find yourself giving up. That’s why we’ve compiled our favorite sustainable swimwear brands for your summer needs.

The top ethical swimwear brands for Summer 2026:

Eco-Stylist is reader-supported. If you make a purchase using our links, we may earn a commission. We only feature fashion brands that pass our sustainable brand criteria. Learn more here.

1. Outerknown

Eco-Stylist founder Garik wearing the apex swim trunks from Outerknown
Eco-Stylist founder Garik wearing the apex swim trunks from Outerknown

What Outerknown lacks in variety they more than make up for in quality. They offer one-piece suits, board shorts in several colors, beach cover-ups, and even a beach towel — and if you’re a surfer, this is your brand. Kelly Slater co-founded it for a reason.

*We tested the APEX Evolution Trunk personally — watch the full review here.

The trunk held up exactly as promised: quick-drying, comfortable in and out of the water, and built to last well beyond a single summer.

Our Recommendation for Him: The APEX Evolution Trunk.

Beyond the product itself, Outerknown’s sustainability credentials are among the strongest in this list. They source materials from 8 facilities running on renewable energy, have moved 67% of their supply chain to prioritize human rights, and partner with Bergman Rivera to support farmers implementing Regenerative Organic Certified practices — creating more sustainable, eco-friendly farmland from the ground up.

Outerknown’s Brand Rating | Gold

Shop Womens | Mens | $$

2. prAna

woman wearing prana one piece swimsuit
woman wearing prana one piece swimsuit

If you are looking for a full beach/pool day outfit, look no further than prAna. prAna offers versatile swimsuits (including one pieces, swim skirts, bikinis, and more) as well as beach pants and cover-ups. Their ethical and sustainable swimwear come in a variety of styles (tie-up, high-waisted, open-back), as well as an array of colors and prints. If you choose prAna for your swimwear needs, you don’t have to sacrifice sexy for sustainable.

PrAna offers an incredibly detailed report on what they are doing to reduce their environmental impact. On their website, they offer an in-depth look into their supply chain, providing information on their factories, the locations of their factories, and their certifications and their awards. They also have information dedicated to their social responsibility, which provides facts on how they protect their workers through a program based on a Code of Conduct and their partnership with the Fair Labor Association.

Further, they are committed to circularity. Through a Renewed Apparel Program, they are extending the life of their clothing. They take back used clothing and repair/mend it, then resell. By doing so, they have saved over 50,000 pounds of garment waste from landfills since 2016.

prAna’s Brand Rating | Certified

Shop Womens | Mens | $

3. Patagonia

patagonia swim trunks for men
patagonia swim trunks for men

Our next pick is Patagonia. You may know Patagonia for their expansive outdoor clothing and accessory line. However, what you may not realize is that they have a swimwear collection that will make you look and feel your best. From dropped neckline one pieces to stylish board shorts to supportive bikini tops: Patagonia can meet all your summer swimwear needs.

Besides their vast clothing selection, one of our favorite things about Patagonia is their commitment to proper working conditions and environmentally friendly sourcing. They disclose both the name, location, and conditions of every one of their facilities for complete traceability. Further, over ⅔ of their manufacturers are Fair Trade certified.

Another cool aspect of Patagonia’s outreach is their commitment to activism. On their website, they have a Take Action tab, offering links to several different campaigns concerning human rights and environmentalism. Each link takes you to a page discussing how you can help. Patagonia also has instituted a new policy in which they funnel all of their profits into environmental non-profits, meaning they have expanded beyond their own ecological footprint and are actively working to help others improve their impact on the environment, as well.

Patagonia’s Brand Rating | Gold

Shop Womens | Mens | $$

4. Boden

Bikini swim suit by Boden
Bikini swim suit by Boden

Boden’s swimwear collection brings the same joyful, print-forward energy the British brand is beloved for — vibrant florals, bold geometrics, and sophisticated colorblocks in a range of bikini styles that genuinely flatter every body. Choose from classic fold bottoms, halterneck tops, ruched styles, and deep V cuts — all available as mix-and-match separates so you can build the set that works for your shape. A standout: their cup-sized bikini tops in sizes 32A–38DD, one of the most comprehensive fit ranges in sustainable swimwear.

Beyond the prints, Boden holds Responsible Wool Standard and Canopy certifications across their apparel line and publishes a full sustainability and ethics report annually — part of a genuine, ongoing commitment to responsible sourcing. Their swimwear is made from durable, chlorine-resistant fabrics designed to last season after season, with free tracked shipping over $49 for US customers.

With Boden, sustainable swimwear finally looks as good as it feels.

Boden’s Brand Rating | Silver

Shop Womens | $$

5. ColieCo

ColieCo’s swimwear collection brings the same handcrafted, made-to-order philosophy that earned them Eco-Stylist’s Gold rating to the beach and the pool. Their bikini sets — available in bold solids including bubblegum pink, scarlet red, metallic gold, and powder blue — are crafted from reclaimed deadstock Italian luxury lycra, rescued from fashion industry waste and given a second life as something genuinely beautiful. Mix-and-match tops and bottoms let you build the set that fits your body perfectly, with custom sizing available on request.

Every ColieCo piece is handmade to order in their own studio in Sagres, Portugal — eliminating overproduction waste entirely. The people making your swimwear work in a safe, comfortable, discrimination-free environment and are paid a full living wage — guaranteed, not audited once a year. US customers benefit from fully inclusive pre-paid duties at checkout via UPS Expedited, with delivery in 3–5 business days and no surprise charges on arrival.

With ColieCo, summer swimwear becomes a statement — for the planet, for the people who made it, and for you.

ColieCo’s Brand Rating | Gold

Shop Womens | $

6. Asket

Men's green swim trunks from Asket
Men's green swim trunks from Asket

Asket is the pick for classic summer men’s swimwear. Available in 4 classic colors, these timeless swim trunks will outlast the latest TikTok trend. Wear these for years to come!

One of our favorite parts about Asket’s sustainable practices is their transparency. Not only do they share detailed information about their supply chain, but they also share the level of traceability they have into each individual product, and the room for improvement. These swim trunks are made with 100% recycled materials.

Asket’s Brand Rating | Silver

Shop Mens | $$

7. Cotopaxi

Swim shorts for women by Cotopaxi
Swim shorts for women by Cotopaxi

We love Cotopaxi for their bold, colorful activewear and outerwear — and their sustainable swim shorts carry that same signature energy. Made using their Del Día model from leftover production fabrics, no two pairs are exactly alike, making them genuinely one-of-a-kind. Selection is limited but the quality and story are strong.

As well as providing cute swimwear options, Cotopaxi is transparent about where their clothes are made and committed to ethical practices. They also offset the carbon of their bulk shipping and use sustainable materials, including recycled materials. 

Cotopaxi’s Brand Rating | Gold

Shop Mens | Womens | $$

8. Filippa K

One piece swimsuit by Filippa K
One piece swimsuit by Filippa K

Our final option for swimwear is Filippa K. With minimalist but fashion forward designs, Filippa K has the perfect summer selection for the artistic, sophisticated person in your life. They offer everything from chic one pieces to two piece sets.

As well as providing a host of options for your summer needs, Filippa K got an excellent rating from us at Eco-Stylist for their garment transparency. They also use more sustainable materials across their brand and invest in circularity.

Filippa K’s Brand Rating | Certified

Shop Womens | $$$

9. Dedicated

Note for US shoppers: Dedicated has temporarily suspended sales to the United States due to tariff increases. We’ll update this listing when US sales resume. In the meantime, see any of our other 8 recommendations above.

Women's colorful print swimsuit by Dedicated
Women's colorful print swimsuit by Dedicated

Dedicated’s swimwear collection combines vibrant, mosaic-inspired prints with eco-conscious design. Choose from mix-and-match bikinis, supportive one-pieces, and men’s swim trunks—all made with GRS-certified recycled polyester from PET bottles. Their garments are lightweight, quick-drying, and built for longevity.

Beyond swimwear, Dedicated supports sustainability across its apparel line by using GOTS-certified organic cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell, and recycled fibers. Their ethical practices extend to Fairtrade-certified production facilities, third-party audits, and full supply chain traceability in India and China.

With Dedicated, you get summer style that’s playful, high-quality, and genuinely responsible.

Dedicated’s Brand Rating | Certified

Shop Womens | Mens | $$

Why should you shop sustainably?

You may be wondering why you should shop sustainably when it can be cheaper and simpler to pop onto sites like Shein and ASOS. Finding cute, reasonably-priced clothing that is ethically sourced can sound like a lot of time and effort. That’s why we are doing the work for you.

Using eco-friendly, ethical brands is crucial in creating higher standards for the fashion industry. It’s easy to get tricked into thinking that your impact as one person doesn’t matter. However, each person that commits to shopping sustainably can substantially reduce the amount of waste and negative environmental impacts caused by fast fashion. Additionally, your sustainable choices can create a “neighbor effect”, in which you influence your friends and family to shop ethically, too.

Further, by only supporting brands that provide their garment workers with a livable wage and proper working conditions, you are forcing other brands to conform to more ethical practices. One person forgoing fast fashion can be the difference of hundreds of pounds of clothing being recycled instead of wasted, or a garment worker being able to have a safe workplace. Your fashion habits matter.

Why care about eco-friendly swimwear?

While we all love the sleek feel of water-repellent swimwear, conventional swimwear is made from synthetic materials derived from plastic, making it harmful to the environment. Further, these bathing suits are not biodegradable and often end up in landfills, which are then dumped back into the ocean. 

This means your swimwear often ends up polluting the bodies of water it is meant for! When you don’t wear ethical swimwear, you contribute to the millions of tons of waste polluting our world. Just washing synthetically made swimwear contributes to microplastics being released into water systems. That’s why even when it comes to wearing swimwear made from recycled polyester, you need to be mindful of how you care for your clothing. That may mean washing swimsuits made from recycled polyester in a microplastic bag.

Check out our guide for an easy solution to reduce microplastic pollution

What should you look for when shopping eco friendly swimsuit brands?

Ethical manufacturing and ethical production are so important when it comes to shopping for sustainable swimsuits. This summer when you’re looking for that perfect bikini top or cover-up, you want to shop for brands that prioritize eco-friendly and ethical practices. 

Look for products that boast tags saying: made from recycled materials, including recycled plastic and recycled nylon. Otherwise, we will end up with no clean, fresh bodies of water to swim in.

Looking for more ethical brands?

If you are still on the hunt for fast fashion alternatives, we have you covered. Look at our Sustainable Brand Guide for an even wider selection of environmentally friendly fashion companies. Each summary offers an insight to how expensive the brand is, what type of clothing/accessories the company specializes in, and a quick overview of their sustainability practices.

Looking for more eco friendly swimwear brands?

Check out our shop, with sustainable swimwear brands perfectly curated for you, we offer a selection of different styles to browse. If you are still on the lookout for more options, the Eco-Stylist shop is the place for you.

Got questions? Let us know below.

Editor’s Note – Updated July 2026:

This guide was updated to reflect the latest sustainable swimwear options for 2026.

Abby Bishop

Abby Bishop is a writer at Eco-Stylist. She has had a passion for writing since she was 8 years old. Abby also runs a blog where she publishes her short stories and hopes to continue utilizing her writing as a tool for advocacy.

Read full story on Eco-Stylist

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