Rusty
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 5 sources
Surf brand founded in San Diego, now run from WA.
We couldn't confirm where Rusty makes most of its surf clothing, boardshorts and swimwear.
Also worth knowing
Most clothes and shoes are made in countries such as China and Bangladesh, where pay is usually below a living wage and unions are heavily restricted.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Rusty? Send a right of reply.
Compare Rusty with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and a hidden, unaudited supply chain, probably in high-risk countries. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 1 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsWhere clothes and shoes are usually made, such as China and Bangladesh, unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Not met: High-risk raw materials (cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: cotton
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, probably mostly in countries with poor worker rights
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
We couldn't confirm where Rusty makes most of its products, so this shows where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 30% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Bangladesh | 20% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | 15% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | 10% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Cambodia | 8% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Türkiye | 7% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| Indonesia | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Pakistan | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Uses recycled metals or fibres
- Doesn't show where its cotton comes from. Cotton is linked to forced labour in Xinjiang and Turkmenistan, and child labour in several growing regions, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
Research notes Rusty does not say where its clothing is made: it publishes no supplier or factory list, no modern slavery statement, no supplier code of conduct and no audit or living wage information, and product listings give no country of origin. Its sustainability page covers materials only, saying most women's swimwear uses recycled nylon, many boardshorts contain 38% recycled polyester, and wetsuits use limestone-based foam. Its tees, fleece, denim and hats are largely cotton, and it says it is working to use more organic cotton.
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- Rusty Australia - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · Owned by Vegas Enterprises Pty Ltd, reported 90% owned by Hong Kong's New Force Holdings; no Ethical Fashion Report score
- Clothes maker La Jolla Group out to revive Rusty (OCBJ, 2007) · search the archive · Founder sold controlling stake and Rusty trademarks to Australian licensee Vegas Enterprises around 2006
Published by Rusty or its owner
- Sustainability - Rusty · search the archive · Recycled nylon in ~90% of women's swim, 38% recycled polyester boardshorts, deadstock fabric, more organic cotton planned; no factory info
- About us - Rusty · search the archive · Founded in San Diego by Rusty Preisendorfer; now headquartered in Western Australia; no manufacturing details
- Rusty product catalogue (products.json) · search the archive · Product listings give fabric content (cotton caps and hats, polyester and recycled polyester boardshorts) but no country of origin
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Rusty ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/rusty, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded swimwear and surf
No swimwear and surf brand selling new goods is Good yet. These are the strongest so far. Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Rusty.