Nine sustainable swimwear brands ranked for ethics and eco-friendly materials

1. Patagonia

A swimsuit that survives chlorine, salt, and several summers is the real luxury, and the microplastic problem is not abstract: Arizona State University found Salt River levels jumped eightfold on a single day in July 2023, with many fibers traced to swimwear, while the Changing Markets Foundation found recycled polyester shed more microfibres than virgin polyester in testing of 51 garments. Patagonia takes the top slot because its women’s swim is Fair Trade Certified, made from recycled nylon or polyester, and cut for movement with secure coverage across one-pieces, bikinis, and reversible styles. As Pierre Herckes put it, “The research shows that all of our activities have an effect.”

2. Summersalt

Summersalt is the chicest performance bet in the mix. Its signature fabric is 78 percent recycled polyamide and 22 percent elastane, the brand says live wear tests kept shape and compression after more than 100 hours in chlorinated water, and the line runs from size 2 to 22, which makes the label’s fit story feel far more real than a green tagline.

3. Andie Swim

Andie wins on the unglamorous but crucial part of swimwear, the fit. The brand uses premium recycled nylon, offers inclusive fits with long-torso and plus-size options, and builds in practical details like D-plus cup sizing, home try-on, free exchanges, and a take-back program for old suits.

4. Jessica Rey Swimwear

Jessica Rey Swimwear leans into vintage polish without losing the practical stuff that makes a suit wearable. The line is ethically made in California, uses eco fabrics sourced from Italy and Brazil, runs from XS to 1X, and includes styles for maternity, nursing, and long torsos, which gives it a rare blend of modesty, tailoring, and actual function.

5. Londre

Londre is the body-hugging option for readers who like a sculpted, confident silhouette. The brand says its double-lined suits are made from recycled plastic bottles in Vancouver, the fabric is pill-, fade-, and sag-resistant, and the size range stretches to 5XL, which is exactly the kind of range sustainable swimwear needs if it wants to be more than an elite niche.

6. Vitamin A

Vitamin A brings the prettiest surface texture to the list. Its EcoRib fabric uses REPREVE recycled nylon yarns, the brand says the material is made with 50 percent post-consumer recycled plastic waste, and the line is founded, designed, and produced in California in sizes XS to XL, so it feels polished without pretending recycled content is the whole story.

7. prAna

prAna is the sporty, sun-protective choice for pool days that turn into actual activity. Several styles in the women’s swim line are made from recycled blends with UPF 50+, quick-dry construction, and chlorine resistance, while the brand’s sustainability timeline points to recycled polyester, recycled nylon, Fair Labor Association membership, and Fair Trade Certified apparel as part of its longer play.

8. Outerknown

Outerknown makes the strongest case for men’s swimwear in this ranking. Kelly Slater’s Apex trunks use recycled fibers, the brand says they are made in Fair Trade Certified factories, and its materials platform includes NetPlus, the reclaimed-fishing-net yarn that gives the swim line a more credible circular argument than most labels manage.

9. Quince

Quince is the wallet-friendly entry point, not the sustainability finish line. Its women’s swim is built in recycled nylon, with sculpting compression one-pieces, ribbed bikinis, and Italian-made styles that Quince says resist fading, pilling, and snagging, but the real appeal here is accessible pricing and clean basics rather than the deepest ethics story in the category.