Toad & Co
Rated: Good
Price: $$
Location: USA
Quick verdict
Toad & Co. is best for eco-conscious consumers seeking stylish, comfortable everyday and outdoor lifestyle clothing with one of the strongest materials stories in the segment: 100% organic or recycled cotton, 80%+ sustainable fibres across the full line, and zero acrylic, viscose, or conventional cotton. What stands out is the newly achieved B Corp certification (September 2025, score 87.4), the ToadAgain resale programme, 1% for the Planet membership since 2013, and unique social mission supporting adults with disabilities through Search, Inc. The main caveat: labour practices trail the environmental achievements, with no Fair Trade-certified products and no evidence of living wage assurance.
Key info
- Headquarters
- Santa Barbara, California, USA
- Founded
- 1991
- Product categories
- Outerwear, Menswear, Womenswear
- Price range
- $$
- Key certifications
- B Corp (September 2025, score 87.4), bluesign, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GRS, 1% for the Planet (since 2013)
Toad & Co sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
100% of cotton is organic or recycled, an industry-leading commitment. Over 80% of materials carry third-party certifications (bluesign, OEKO-TEX, GRS). Uses organic cotton, hemp, TENCEL Lyocell, Lenzing Modal, recycled polyester, recycled wool. Has completely banned acrylic, rayon/viscose, bamboo viscose, and conventional cotton.
Manufacturing in Turkey (Egedeniz Textile) and China (Hemp Fortex, a Fair Wear Foundation member), both countries with elevated labour risk. BSCI certification covers only part of final production. No Fair Trade-certified products, no evidence of living wage assurance, no SA8000 certification.
Total 2023 emissions of 7,572.5 tCO₂e (99% Scope 3) are publicly disclosed. Turkish factory partner has converted to solar/wind energy. Chinese partner generates 12M kWh/year from solar. 100% plastic-free packaging achieved in 2024 (two years early). ToadAgain resale programme is well-executed and growing. Gap: no near-term SBTi-approved reduction targets.
Names two key factory partners (Egedeniz and Hemp Fortex) with detailed descriptions. Publishes emissions data. Has a Supplier Code of Conduct covering ILO principles. B Corp certification provides independent verification. However, no full Tier 1/Tier 2 supplier list and no standalone sustainability report.
Priced at $48–160 USD for core items, solidly premium and comparable to Patagonia. T-shirts $48–62, pants $85–120, dresses $95–120, sweaters $128–160. Quality is well-reviewed with "exceptionally soft" fabrics and a "Joy-Backed Guarantee." The ToadAgain resale programme adds lifecycle value.
What they do well
- Industry-leading materials commitment. 100% organic/recycled cotton, 80%+ certified sustainable fibres, complete elimination of acrylic, viscose, and conventional cotton. This is genuinely one of the strongest materials policies in outdoor/lifestyle apparel.
- ToadAgain resale programme is well-executed and growing. Launched April 2023 with online marketplace plus brick-and-mortar processing in Portland, ME. Sellers get 70% cash or 100% store credit. 32% of ToadAgain customers are new to the brand, growing 113% month-over-month on average.
- Deep, long-term factory partnerships. 20+ year partnership with Egedeniz in Turkey (vertically integrated, now solar/wind powered) and 10+ year partnership with Hemp Fortex in China (Fair Wear Foundation member, 12M kWh/year solar), far exceeding industry norms.
- Unique social mission. The Planet Access Company/Search, Inc. partnership (since 1997) supporting adults with developmental disabilities through employment, arts programmes, and travel. Deeply embedded in the brand, not a bolt-on initiative.
- 100% plastic-free packaging achieved two years ahead of target. Completed in 2024 vs. 2026 goal. Founding member of the Responsible Packaging Movement. LimeLoop reusable shippers since 2018.
Room for improvement
- Labour practices are the most significant gap. No Fair Trade-certified products, no evidence of living wage assurance, BSCI covers only part of production, and sourcing from countries with elevated labour risk. Compared to Patagonia (extensive Fair Trade lines) and Outerknown (Fair Labor Association partnership), this is a clear area for improvement.
- Transparency infrastructure lags leaders. No full supplier list (Patagonia publishes one), no standalone sustainability report, no animal welfare policy despite using wool, and partial supply chain tracing.
- Climate targets lack rigour. Net-zero by 2050 exists, but no near-term SBTi-approved emissions reduction targets. Offsets only cover Scope 1 and 2 (representing ~1% of total emissions). Water usage data is not publicly available.
About Toad & Co
Jessica Nordhaus founded the brand in 1991 as "Horny Toad" in Telluride, Colorado, initially making upcycled toque hats from fleece scraps in her garage. The name referenced the horned toad lizard she loved chasing in her New Mexico childhood. Gordon Seabury took over as CEO in 1995 and has led the company since. The first store opened in Telluride before HQ moved to Santa Barbara, California in 2002. The brand rebranded to "Toad & Co." on January 27, 2015 for practical reasons: the name "Horny Toad" was getting caught in email spam filters, retailers said it was a barrier, and men were reluctant to identify with it.
Today's materials story is genuinely impressive. 100% of cotton is certified organic or recycled. The brand has completely banned conventional cotton along with acrylic, rayon/viscose, and bamboo viscose. Over 80% of the full line uses third-party certified sustainable fibres: organic cotton, hemp, TENCEL Lyocell, Lenzing Modal, recycled polyester, and recycled wool. Key certifications include B Corp (September 2025, score 87.4), bluesign system partner, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GRS, and 1% for the Planet (member since 2013).
Manufacturing occurs at two primary partners: Egedeniz Textile in Turkey (the first certified organic textile company of Turkey, 20+ year partnership, now solar/wind powered) and Hemp Fortex in Shandong, China (Fair Wear Foundation member, 10+ year partnership, generates 12M kWh/year from solar). The ToadAgain resale programme, launched April 2023 and powered by Archive, operates online and through a brick-and-mortar facility in Portland, ME. It has exceeded first-year targets and brings in new customers.
Pricing sits at $48–160 USD, comparable to Patagonia and slightly above prAna. The brand sells through its own stores (Freeport and Portland, ME; Portland, OR), REI, Dick's Sporting Goods, Title Nine, Zappos, and ~400+ specialty outdoor retailers. The "Joy-Backed Guarantee" promises that if you don't receive a compliment within three wearings, they'll make it right. Shipping is free over $100 with eco-friendly options including LimeLoop reusable shippers and Vela FSC-certified paper mailers.
Product highlights
Chaka Wide Leg Pants
Best-selling pant in signature Samba fabric (TENCEL Lyocell + organic cotton), elastic waistband
~$85
The brand's top seller; over 4.2/5 stars; exemplifies the comfort-first, sustainable approach with their most popular proprietary fabric
Mission Ridge Pants
Straight-leg pant in 77% organic cotton, 21% recycled polyester, 2% elastane; looks like khakis, performs like technical pants
~$90
4.1/5 stars; embodies the "JET" (Just Enough Technology) philosophy — technical without looking technical; great for travel
Taj Hemp Wide Leg Pants
Hemp and TENCEL Lyocell blend; lightweight, breathable, cooling with linen-like drape
~$98
Showcases hemp as a premium sustainable fibre; made by Hemp Fortex; demonstrates how sustainable materials yield luxury-feeling performance
Marley II Short Sleeve Tee
Signature Samba fabric (TENCEL Lyocell) with silk-like feel and relaxed drape
~$55
Core wardrobe piece showcasing TENCEL's distinctive hand-feel; Samba is the brand's most popular proprietary fabric
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