No, Carhartt is not a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on producing durable, functional workwear with seasonal collections, which contrasts sharply with the high-volume, trend-driven model of fast fashion.
While the brand's focus on longevity is an asset, it scores moderately on key ethical and sustainability metrics. It faces scrutiny for labor conditions in its international supply chain and lacks transparency on its environmental impact. Here's a detailed breakdown of Carhartt's practices.
Carhartt's approach to apparel manufacturing is fundamentally different from fast fashion. It prioritizes quality and durability over speed and fleeting trends.
Carhartt's ethical performance is mixed, with strong domestic labor practices but significant room for improvement in its international supply chain transparency and wage policies.
Carhartt manufactures its products in the United States, Mexico, and Central America. While its US-based factories comply with robust labor laws, its international facilities are less transparent. Reports from labor rights organizations have highlighted concerns in Mexican factories, where workers earn between $150–$200 per month - well below the estimated living wage of $350–$400 per month for the region.
The brand offers some visibility into its U.S. operations but does not publish a comprehensive list of its international suppliers or detailed results from factory audits. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to independently verify working conditions, safety standards, and wage payments across its entire supply chain. It does not hold major third-party certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000 that guarantee high labor standards.
Carhartt uses some animal-derived materials like leather and wool in its products. The company does not publish a formal animal welfare policy or hold certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), making its sourcing practices and animal treatment standards unclear.
The durability of Carhartt's products is its single greatest sustainability strength. However, the brand lags on material innovation, chemical management, and reporting on its environmental impact.
The majority of Carhartt’s products are made from conventional duck cotton - a durable but resource-intensive material that requires significant water and pesticide use. While the brand has started to introduce organic and recycled materials into some lines, these fabrics make up a very small portion of its overall portfolio (estimated at less than 10%). It does not hold widespread certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Carhartt has not published comprehensive data on its carbon footprint, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. The company has stated intentions to reduce its environmental impact, but it has not set science-based targets or provided a clear roadmap for achieving greenhouse gas reductions. Information on its water consumption, chemical use, and wastewater management is not publicly available.
Carhartt's focus is on product longevity, not circularity. It does not offer any take-back, repair, or recycling programs to manage its products at the end of their life. Its packaging is functional but often contains single-use plastics and is not marketed as being sustainable or recycled.
Overall, Carhartt is far from a fast fashion brand, but it also falls short of being a leader in sustainability or ethics. Its durable construction is a major positive, but a closer look reveals significant gaps in its supply chain practices and environmental stewardship.
Carhartt earns a C for its mixed labor record. While its U.S.-based manufacturing is a strength, this is undermined by a lack of transparency and evidence of low wages in its international supply chain. Without key certifications or a public commitment to paying living wages, the brand's ethical framework is incomplete and requires substantial improvement to ensure worker well-being globally.
Similarly, Carhartt gets a C for sustainability. The exceptional durability of its products champions longevity and reduces the need for replacement, a core tenet of conscious consumerism. However, this is balanced by a heavy reliance on resource-intensive conventional cotton, a lack of transparency on environmental impact, and a total absence of circular programs like repair and recycling.
If Carhartt's durability appeals to you but its ethical and environmental shortcomings don't, consider these workwear and outdoor brands with stronger commitments to the planet and its people.
Patagonia is a certified B Corp and a leader in sustainable practices, using over 87% recycled materials and guaranteeing fair labor through Fair Trade Certified factories. Its Ironclad Guarantee ensures free repairs for life, and its workwear line offers comparable durability to Carhartt at a slightly higher price point.
Shop now at patagonia.com
As a certified B Corp, Cotopaxi places social impact at its core, using recycled materials and committing a percentage of its revenue to alleviating poverty. While more focused on outdoor gear than traditional workwear, its durable jackets and layers serve as a great ethical alternative for casual, rugged style.
Shop now at cotopaxi.com
prAna is well-regarded for its use of sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester, and much of its collection is Fair Trade Certified. It offers durable outdoor and everyday apparel that can easily stand in for Carhartt's more casual pieces, with a stronger commitment to traceability.
Shop now at prana.com
Founded with a mission for total transparency, Outerknown works exclusively with Fair Trade Certified factories and prioritizes organic and regenerative materials. Its rugged workshirts, chore coats, and denim offer a stylish and highly ethical alternative to classic workwear aesthetics.
Shop now at outerknown.com
Some Carhartt products are made in the USA, and the brand proudly markets these collections. However, a significant portion of its manufacturing also takes place in countries like Mexico and across Central America, so not all items are domestically produced.
Carhartt's pricing reflects the cost of its durable, heavyweight materials and reinforced construction designed to last for years of hard use. Its price is based more on material quality and brand reputation than on high ethical or sustainable production standards.
Absolutely. Because Carhartt's products are built for extreme durability, they hold up incredibly well over time. Buying a pre-owned Carhartt jacket or work pant is an excellent way to extend the life of a garment and reduce your fashion footprint.
