About Fair Harbor
Fair Harbor is a sustainable swimwear and clothing brand for men and children. Their clothing is made of recycled materials, and to this day, they’ve upcycled about 7.6 million plastic bottles.
The company has been featured in many media outlets, including Forbes, NBC News, GQ Magazine, and Business Insider. With 52.7k followers on their Instagram page, Fair Harbor is well on their way to becoming an industry leader in sustainable fashion.
This Fair Harbor review will give you the lowdown on the company, their products, and more to help you decide if you should take the dive and buy their items.
Overview of Fair Harbor
Sibling founders Jake and Caroline Danehy came up with the idea of sustainable swimwear in 2014. After spending their younger years vacationing in Fair Harbor, New York, they realized the amount of plastic waste that is disposed of in the ocean.
As the amount of waste kept growing, both siblings realized that the places they love aren’t guaranteed to last forever.
The beachwear company was then born, and they remain committed to sustainable fashion and eco-friendly practices to keep the shoreline clean and beautiful for generations to come.
At their New York headquarters, Fair Harbor focuses on progress, not perfection. Through that mindset comes new fashion technology and environmentally friendly initiatives that stay true to their company promise.
The materials they use for their clothing are sustainably sourced by specialists. They find plastic bottles, and Fair Harbor remakes them into recycled polyester fabric.
They’re dedicated to transparency, and that is made clear when browsing their clothing pages with the number of plastic bottles used in the item details.
Before we take a look at some of their amazing products, this Fair Harbor review will provide a quick overview of some of the brand’s pros and cons:
Pros
- Sustainably and ethically made from recycled plastics
- Free returns in the United States
- More affordable than competing swimwear brands
- International shipping is available
- You can receive discount codes by recycling old bathing suits
- 60-day return policy
Cons
- Customer complaints about the unresponsive customer service team
In this review, we’ll be going over the best-selling Fair Harbor clothing options for men and children.
All of their shorts feature the company’s BreezeKnit liner instead of the traditional mesh you’d find in other swim trunks. Fair Harbor’s lining is soft and comfortable, offering support and chafe-resistant shorts.
Fair Harbor Shorts Review
Some swim trunks can be uncomfortable, especially after a day at the beach. Luckily, Fair Harbor swim trunks and shorts have got you covered with their comfortable fabric and liner technology. Let’s take a look at what they have to offer.
Fair Harbor The Bayberry Trunk Review
First up in our Fair Harbor review is the Bayberry Trunk. These swim trunks are ideal for lounging by the water and are the company’s take on the classic swim trunk.
With the Bayberry, you’re able to focus on relaxing instead of an uncomfortable feeling down there. They come in 11 fun patterns guaranteed to make a splash at your local pool or beach.
These trunks are made from 11 plastic bottles so the fabric is 80% recycled polyester.
They’re sturdy, quick-drying, and have a drawstring waist, so beach volleyball is a breeze. You also don’t have to worry about storing your keys or wallet, as these swim shorts have a zipper back pocket that can hold all of your valuables.
Hit the beach in utter style and comfort with the fashionable Bayberry Trunk, available for $68.
Fair Harbor The Anchor Review
Some higher-performance water sports need high-performance swimwear, and The Anchor trunk was built to tackle a variety of aquatic activities effortlessly.
They’re a longer trunk that has a multi-directional stretch for supreme comfort and a built-in CoolMax Liner for a chafeless experience. You’ll be the most comfortable surfer out there with these trunks.
The Anchor offers comfortable movement without sacrificing integrity due to their durable fabric.
These trunks will provide support, odor resistance, and water repellent fabric whether you’re lounging, running, or surfing. Take that, Mother Nature.
Fair Harbor’s Anchor trunks are made of 88% recycled plastic bottles to stay true to their sustainable brand.
With their 14 pattern options, you’re bound to find an eco-friendly style that suits you. Cast off the right way with the $68 Anchor trunks.
Fair Harbor The One Short Review
The third pair of shorts in our Fair Harbor review is the adaptable and ever-versatile One Short. There’s a reason it has “one” in the name: these cotton-looking shorts can be used as part of an everyday outfit or they can be used when swimming.
They have the same water-repellent technology that all Fair Harbor trunks have. Even better, they have the look of comfy casual bottoms that you can wear anywhere, so feel free to tackle some errands before hitting the beach. No one will know you’re wearing comfortable trunks.
In terms of their soft liner, it is optional for the One Short. These shorts are lightweight and a perfect gift for yourself or your Dad.
Don’t know where to put your phone? No worries! If you need some storage, these shorts have a hidden zipper pocket.
Fair Harbor upcycled 11 plastic bottles to make the One Short, and it comes in 8 different colors, including navy, red, light blue, and khaki. Keep it casual with this sustainable short, retail price $68.
Fair Harbor The Nautilus Boardshort Review
Comfort and durability are definitely a pattern when it comes to Fair Harbor shorts. Not that we’re complaining!
That pattern continues with the Nautilus Boardshort. This is the only style in our review that doesn’t have a liner (or the option to include one). Fair Harbor recommends going commando for this pair of stretchy duds.
The Nautilus is another high-performance short, meaning you’ll be comfortable performing any task in and around water. It comes in 10 stylish color patterns that can easily be paired with one of Fair Harbor’s Henley tops or their SeaBreeze hoodie.
These boardshorts also give off a relaxed, cool-guy vibe, so they’ll definitely be a hit on the beach. The Nautilus shorts retail for a chill $68.
Fair Harbor Kids Bayberry Trunk Review
Adults don’t get to have all the fun when it comes to the brand’s swimwear. Kids do too! With a pair of the Fair Harbor Kids Bayberry trunks, you and your tot will be the talk of the shore.
This little version of their Bayberry trunk is designed for swimming. It has a built-in anti-chafe liner, so your child can enjoy their time and not worry about any discomfort that could occur with a regular trunk.
These pint-sized shorts have all of the same specs as the other trunks in this Fair Harbor review. They’re made of 9 plastic bottles, stretchy, and have an elastic waistband for maximum comfort.
Also, if your youngster has stuff they want to tuck away, they can easily store things in the built-in zipper pocket.
The Kids Bayberry trunk comes in the same patterns as the adult Bayberry trunk, so you can match to your heart’s desire. Fittingly, these trunks retail for $48.
Who Is Fair Harbor For?
Fair Harbor makes shorts and swimwear for men and children. Going through their Instagram page, it looks like they used to carry women’s swimwear. Unfortunately, this Fair Harbor review couldn’t find any current options for women on their website.
Comparison: Fair Harbor vs. Vilebrequin
Both Fair Harbor and Vilebrequin are committed to a more sustainable fashion industry. They’ve both supported initiatives that better the environment and manufactured their products with eco-friendly materials. The main difference is in their price ranges.
Vilebrequin is marketed as a luxury brand, and their prices reflect that. Prices for the apparel range around the $100-$300 mark. While this isn’t a bad thing, it isn’t as cost-effective for some people.
Fair Harbor’s apparel generally stays around $40-$70, making their clothing more affordable than Vilebrequin. If you’re looking for a more upscale swimsuit and think this brand might be more your style, check out our Vilebrequin review for the latest deets.
Fair Harbor Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
No Fair Harbor review would be complete without taking a look at some customer feedback. With that in mind, we dusted off our investigative swim caps and dived into the internet for all the juicy info when it comes to what buyers truly think of the brand and their products.
Fair Harbor receives high praise on their website for their excellent quality products and sustainability efforts.
None of the shorts have an average below 5/5 stars. Their Facebook page is also littered with positive reviews, but there is the occasional criticism about long shipping times.
Fair Harbor shorts are treated to superb reviews from their customers on the company website. Here’s a quick look at all the great ratings:
- The Bayberry Trunk: 5/5 stars out of over 4.6k ratings
- The One Short: 5/5 stars out of 3.5k+ ratings
- The Nautilus Boardshort: 5/5 stars out of nearly 700 ratings
- The Ozone: 5/5 stars out of over 400 ratings
Out of the shorts in our review, The Anchor trunks seem to have the highest ratings, with nearly 10.5k customer reviews.
One buyer reports that “I purchased The Anchor bathing suit […] after searching the web and comparing five different brands. I am very pleased with the quality of the suit I received, especially the inner lining that is very comfortable. Delivery was fast, and the product’s great.”
Another customer agrees, and says, “These are by far the best swim trunks I’ve ever worn. They are so comfortable. I bought 3 pairs. I’ve also thrown out all my other swim trunks. I’m not wearing anything else but Fair Harbor.”
On their Facebook page, one customer was raving about the smart design of the brand’s swimwear:
“I love these swim trunks. I hate sitting in wet mesh trunks so bad I barely get in the pool anymore. I bought these for vacation and have gotten in and out of the pool so much that I forgot I was wearing new trunks. They’re so light when wet, and they haven’t itched once.”
On that same page, there are complaints about long waiting times or not receiving items. Some customers weren’t receiving a response from Fair Harbor’s customer service team.
One reviewer says, “I ordered swim trunks a week ago and got notification of the shipping label created on Monday. Since then, they have not shipped the item and won’t respond to my emails. Very disappointed.”
Their team does respond to these complaints and promptly messages customers to fix any issues.
To end on a positive note, Forbes reviewed Fair Harbor and had great things to say about the brand. The author loved their mission and how absolutely eco-friendly they are. The technology and thought given to the little details definitely sets them apart from their competitors.
Is Fair Harbor Worth It?
The demand for sustainable fashion brands is growing, and Fair Harbor is a forerunner in that department. It’s estimated that 8 million pieces of plastic end up in the ocean, so it’s essential to protect our environment as much as we can, and that extends to clothes consumption.
Based on everything we discovered in our Fair Harbor review, we wholeheartedly say that their products are worth the buy. Their apparel is comfortable, functional, and stylish. Plus, they’re eco-friendly and committed to their ethical practices.
If we were to poke holes, it’s apparent from the buyer reviews that the brand needs a bit of improvement when it comes to their customer service and deliveries. While their products are amazing, being left on read by a company is anything but.
At the end of the day, the brand’s shorts speak for themselves, and many customers end up raving about how much they enjoy wearing them. If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly swimsuit with some classic and trendy designs, give Fair Harbor a shot.
Fair Harbor Promotions & Discounts
Fair Harbor gives out discount codes through their Roundtrip Initiative. All you have to do is recycle your old bathing suits through Roundtrip to receive them. Here is the whole process:
- Fill out a form with your info
- Pack up your bathing suit with a complimentary prepaid label. Fair Harbor will email you instructions on how to send your items.
- Get your discount! You can get a $5 Fair Harbor credit for each suit you donate for up to $25 off your next purchase.
- They send your old suits to 2ReWear where they’ll be re-made into insulation and material for rugs.
Other than the Roundtrip Initiative, this Fair Harbor review couldn’t find any current promotions or discounts. Fortunately, you can sign up for their emails to be the first to hear about their latest sales.
Where to Buy Fair Harbor
You can buy Fair Harbor shorts directly from their website, fairharborclothing.com, or at select retailers including Nordstrom and Amazon.
Be cautious when ordering, as some customers have had experiences with fake Fair Harbor shorts, so make sure to buy from established and reliable retailers.
FAQ
Who owns Fair Harbor?
Jake Danehy and Caroline Danehy are the co-founders and owners of Fair Harbor. They started the company because of their shared love of the ocean and their desire to protect it.
Where is Fair Harbor made?
Fair Harbor clothing is designed at their HQ in New York. They are made in factories in the United States, China, Peru, and Pakistan.
What sizes does Fair Harbor have?
Here are the sizes Fair Harbor carries for the shorts we reviewed:
- The Bayberry: S-2XL (Small sizes are currently sold out)
- The Anchor: S-3XL
- The One Short: S-2XL
- The Nautilus Boardshort: 30-36
- Kids Bayberry Trunk: S-XL (Small sizes are currently sold out)
What is Fair Harbor’s Shipping Policy?
Processing and shipping can take 1-2 business days. If you’ve ordered during the holidays, your orders will ship in 5 business days. They do offer international shipping, and all costs and shipping times are calculated at checkout.
What is Fair Harbor’s Return Policy?
Fair Harbor offers free exchanges and returns in the United States. You can return your item within 60 days, and it could take about 1-2 weeks for processing.
To initiate your return, visit the brand’s return portal and you’ll be able to get a prepaid shipping label to send back your items. Make sure to include your order number and shipping address so you can ask for a return or exchange.
This Fair Harbor review couldn’t find any information on the main site or third-party websites about returns for international locations. It is safe to assume that return costs are not covered by the company.
How to Contact Fair Harbor
Do you have any questions after reading our Fair Harbor review? You can reach out to the brand in the following three ways:
- Email: support@fairharborclothing.com
- Live Chat
- Fill out their Contact Form
They will do their best to get back to you within one business day or sooner.
Still searching for more options? Check out Vilebrequin, a French luxury apparel brand that specializes in selling swimwear and ready-to-wear clothing for men, women and kids.
