FAQ

Unsalted Seas is a Great Lakes lifestyle brand inspired by Lake Superior, the North Shore, and the people, places, and stories that make the region special. We create thoughtfully designed apparel and goods for people who love the Great Lakes and want to help protect them.

The Great Lakes are enormous bodies of freshwater that can feel more like seas than lakes. “Unsalted Seas” is a celebration of that unique character—especially the scale, beauty, and wildness of Lake Superior.

Unsalted Seas is based in Duluth, Minnesota, on the shores of Lake Superior.

Apparel is at the heart of what we do, but Unsalted Seas is intended to be more than a clothing brand. We want to celebrate the Great Lakes through products, stories, photography, events, beach cleanups, and other ways of connecting people to the region.

Unsalted Seas was created out of a love for the Great Lakes and a desire to celebrate them in a more thoughtful way. We also wanted to create products that feel connected to the places they represent while helping raise awareness about protecting our freshwater resources.

Freshwater. Together, Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario hold about 21% of the world's surface fresh water and about 84% of North America's. That's why we call them the unsalted seas. Meet the Great Lakes.

Because of their size. They're so big that from shore you can't see the other side, storms build waves over 20 feet, and they have their own shipping lanes, lighthouses and shipwrecks. They behave far more like seas than lakes, just without the salt.

Yes. Water flows from Lake Superior down through the other lakes, over Niagara Falls between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and out the St. Lawrence River to the Atlantic. Ships reach the ocean through the St. Lawrence Seaway, so freighters from around the world dock in Duluth.

Barely. True tides are less than two inches. The bigger rises and drops you may see come from wind and air pressure pushing water from one end of a lake to the other, called a seiche.

Lake Superior. It's the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, holds more water than the other four lakes combined, and reaches about 1,330 feet at its deepest point. Lake Erie is the shallowest and smallest by volume, and Lake Ontario is the smallest by surface area. Explore Lake Superior.

Lake Michigan. The other four are shared between the U.S. and Canada. Explore Lake Michigan.

In a way, yes. They're joined by the wide Straits of Mackinac and sit at the same water level, so scientists often treat them as one lake, Michigan-Huron. On maps and in everyday life, they're still two. Explore Lake Huron.

Thousands; estimates run to around 6,000 ships lost. The most famous is the Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975. Why we still remember her.

We work to source quality materials and production partners while prioritizing cotton-based products and reducing our reliance on synthetic fibers where practical. Specific product pages provide material and manufacturing information for individual products.

Synthetic fabrics are made from plastic-based fibers that can contribute to microfiber pollution when washed. We believe choosing natural fibers where practical is one small way apparel can be part of a larger conversation about keeping plastic out of our waterways.

We don't believe in simply calling a product “sustainable” without explaining what that means. We focus on making thoughtful choices around materials, product quality, packaging, production, and our environmental efforts. We're also continually looking for ways to improve.

Care instructions vary by product. Always follow the care instructions on the garment's label. In general, washing garments in cold water and avoiding unnecessary high heat can help extend their life.

Sizing can vary by garment. Check our Sizing Guides and the size chart on each product page. If you're between sizes or unsure, contact us and we'll be happy to help.

Absolutely. We're continually developing new designs, products, and collections inspired by the Great Lakes.

Our goal is to use the brand as a vehicle for supporting organizations and efforts working to protect the Great Lakes, particularly around issues such as plastic and microplastic pollution.

Your purchase helps support the growth of a brand whose mission includes environmental stewardship, education, and hands-on efforts such as beach cleanups. As Unsalted Seas grows, we intend to increase our ability to support organizations working to protect the Great Lakes.

Yes. Beach cleanups are an important part of our mission. We believe protecting the Great Lakes shouldn't stop at selling apparel—it should include getting out there and doing the work.

Microplastics are one of the environmental issues that motivate Unsalted Seas. We're interested in addressing the problem from multiple angles, including education, cleanup efforts, material choices, and supporting organizations working to keep plastic pollution out of the Great Lakes.

Revenue supports the operation and growth of the business, while our environmental mission guides how we allocate resources toward cleanup efforts, nonprofit support, education, and other Great Lakes initiatives.

Orders are generally processed within 4-7 business days. Shipping time depends on the shipping method selected at checkout. See our Shipping Policy for more information.

Shipping is free on all U.S. orders of $75 or more. Orders under $75 ship for a flat $10.

Yes. Once your order ships, you'll receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information when available.

We process orders as quickly as possible, so changes or cancellations aren't always possible. Contact us as soon as possible after placing your order and we'll do our best to help.

Contact us with your order number and we'll help determine the best next step. If an item arrives damaged or you receive the wrong product, please contact us as soon as possible and include photographs when appropriate.

We offer a 30-day return period beginning when you receive your order. Items generally need to be unworn, unused, with tags attached, and in their original packaging.

Contact us before sending anything back. We'll provide instructions for completing your return.

Yes. The quickest way is to return the item you received and, once the return is approved, place a new order for the size you want. That way the new size is held for you right away. Contact us to start the return.

Once we receive and inspect your return, approved refunds are generally issued to the original payment method within 10 business days. Your bank or credit card company may require additional time to post the refund.

Contact us right away. We'll work with you to correct the issue.

Available payment methods are displayed during checkout. Payment processing is handled securely through Shopify and its payment partners.

Payments are processed through Shopify and its payment providers. Unsalted Seas does not directly store complete payment card information on its own systems.

No. You can generally check out as a guest. Creating an account may make it easier to manage your orders and preferences.

An order confirmation means we've received your order. Your shipping confirmation will be sent once your order has been processed and shipped.

Unless otherwise stated, discount codes and promotions generally cannot be combined. Promotional terms will specify any applicable restrictions.

We're open to partnerships with organizations working to protect the Great Lakes and freshwater resources. Contact us with information about your organization and what you have in mind.

Potentially. We're particularly interested in opportunities that align with our Great Lakes and environmental mission.

Our name, logos, artwork, photography, and designs are protected intellectual property. Please contact us before using Unsalted Seas materials for commercial or promotional purposes.