Vissla's Upcycled Coconut Boardshorts
“Dad, where do boardshorts come from?”
Thus begins our animated coming-of-coconuts tale — a surfy spin on the age-old question.
In our new short film, known around our office as “The Talk,” we follow a young coconut as he learns the unfiltered truth: boardshorts are born when coconuts fall in love (and get upcycled all night long).
It’s weird. It’s wholesome. And — it’s actually kind of true.
The Facts Behind the Funny
While the film leans into the absurd, the tech behind Vissla’s boardshorts is 100% legit.
Each pair is made using upcycled coconut husks and recycled plastic water bottles — transformed into Cocotex® and Repreve® polyester. This fiber blend isn’t just good for the planet; it’s also fast-drying, anti-odor, durable, and seriously comfortable. So you get boardshorts that are lighter on the environment and heavier on performance.
Let’s break it down — coconut style.
How It Works (No, Seriously)
Step 1: Coconut husks (a natural byproduct of the food industry) are rescued from the trash heap. Those husks are then heated to super high temps which turns them into a special type of charcoal called activated carbon.
Step 2: Plastic bottles are shredded, melted, and re-spun into Repreve® yarn.
Step 3: We blend the two together and boom — the soft, durable fabric of your next favorite boardshorts.
We call it Cocotex® — and it's not just a marketing gimmick. It’s a real way to divert waste, save water, reduce emissions, and look good doing it.
Why We Do It
We’re surfers. We spend our lives in the ocean.
So building gear that respects the environment is non-negotiable. Just check out our To Protect and Surf page, that has a rundown of all the things we do to help the environment
Our coconut boardshorts are just one part of the bigger picture. From recycled stretch fabrics to bluesign® approved dyes, every piece of Vissla gear is designed to leave a lighter footprint without compromising performance.
Because sustainability shouldn't be a tradeoff — it should be standard.
Which Shorts Are We Talking About?
Our full range of boardshorts and Eco-Lastics (that’s our elastic waist version) are made with these eco-fabrics. Whether you're logging mellow days or hunting tubes, they’re built to move, built to last, and built to dry quick enough for second sessions. (There may be a few styles that sneak through each season that don't incorporate Cocotex® or Repreve®, but may include other sustainable materials like Hemp.)
Upcycle Your Summer
Because now you know where they come from. And honestly? It’s kind of beautiful.
