Coolibar
Coolibar is a Minneapolis-based specialty apparel company that designs, manufactures, and sells UPF 50+ sun-protective clothing, hats, swimwear, accessories, and sunglasses for women, men, and children via direct-to-consumer e-commerce and wholesale.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Coolibar does
Coolibar is a privately held, Minneapolis-based designer, manufacturer, and retailer of sun-protective apparel founded in 2000/2001 (sources conflict). The company's core technology is its proprietary UPF 50+ fabric that blocks 98% of UVA and UVB rays, validated by The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation — making Coolibar the first clothing company to receive that certification. Products are rigorously tested for durability through repeated washing and wear.
The company operates a multi-brand portfolio covering differentiated price tiers and use cases: Coolibar as the main apparel brand for women, men, and children; Suntect for technical/active wear; Mott50 for UPF 50+ garments; and an Outlet store for discounted inventory. Categories span tops, bottoms, dresses, swimwear, hats, accessories, and more recently sunglasses. Customer segments include women, men, and children needing sun protection for everyday wear and outdoor activities, with healthcare/dermatology referrals acting as a credibility channel.
Coolibar generates revenue primarily through direct-to-consumer e-commerce on its Shopify storefront (coolibar.com), supplemented by a wholesale request channel for B2B retail partners. Product prices range from approximately $24 (accessories) to $109 (swimwear/bottoms). The company uses free shipping thresholds ($125 or 3+ items; two-day on $250+), heavy promotional discounting (e.g., 50% off via JULY426), installment payment options (Afterpay, Klarna), and the Sun Safe Rewards loyalty program to drive conversion and retention. Marketing channels include email and SMS opt-in incentives, content marketing, cause-marketing partnerships (Melanoma Research Foundation), and a Medical Affiliate Program.
Coolibar firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Coolibar
- Legal name
- Coolibar
- Website
- https://coolibar.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Coolibar is a Minneapolis-based specialty apparel company that designs, manufactures, and sells UPF 50+ sun-protective clothing, hats, swimwear, accessories, and sunglasses for women, men, and children via direct-to-consumer e-commerce and wholesale.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Coolibar industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sun Protection Apparel
- NAICS
- Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599), Apparel Manufacturing (315), Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (45811)
- SIC
- Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sun Protection for Sensitive/Medical Needs (Reef-Safe, Hypoallergenic, Post-Procedure) (CRABAHAN)
Keywords
Where Coolibar is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Coolibar business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales: One-time purchase model for sun-protective clothing and accessories sold directly to consumers through e-commerce. Additional revenue from wholesale/bulk orders through their wholesale request channel.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard retail pricing with free shipping thresholds and promotional discounts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Coolibar product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Coolibar designs, manufactures, and sells UPF 50+ sun-protective clothing and accessories for women, men, and children. The product line includes tops, bottoms, dresses, swimwear, sun hats, sunglasses, and accessories, marketed through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront under three brands: Coolibar, Suntect, and Mott50.
Product overview
Coolibar is a sun protective clothing company operating as a multi-brand portfolio platform consisting of three main brands: Coolibar (core brand), Suntect (technical/active wear), and Mott50, plus an Outlet store. The company specializes in UPF 50+ clothing that blocks 98% of UVA and UVB rays, certified by The Skin Cancer Foundation. Product offerings span women's, men's, and kids' categories including tops, bottoms, dresses, swimwear, hats, and accessories. The portfolio also includes sunglasses and a loyalty program. The company markets itself as the #1 Sun Protection Brand Worldwide with over 25 years of experience.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Coolibar: Main brand offering UPF 50+ sun-protective clothing and accessories for women, men, and kids.
- Suntect
- Mott50
- Outlet
Products and services
- Coolibar Main Brand Apparel
- Suntect Technical Sun Protection Brand
- Mott50 Sun Protection Brand
- Women's Sun Protection Collection
- Men's Sun Protection Collection
- Kids' Sun Protection Collection
- Sun Hats Collection
- Sun Protective Accessories
- Coolibar Sunglasses Collection
- Coolibar Outlet
- Sun Safe Rewards Loyalty Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Blocks 98% of UVA and UVB rays
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Coolibar
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Coolibar technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature1 record
Coolibar partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Skin Cancer FoundationcoreThe Skin Cancer Foundation granted Coolibar their Seal of Recommendation, making Coolibar the first clothing company to receive this certification. This validates Coolibar's UPF 50+ technology and establishes credibility for dermatologist recommendations.
- Melanoma Research FoundationminorMelanoma Research Foundation partnership through sponsorship of fundraising events such as the Tampa Bay 5K fundraiser. Coolibar logo appears on MRF materials indicating sponsorship/support relationship.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Coolibar competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- UV Skinz: UV Skinz is a direct competitor specializing in UPF 50+ sun-protective clothing for adults and children, overlapping Coolibar across the same niche category, customer use cases, and DTC distribution model.
- Cabana Life: Cabana Life is a direct peer offering UPF 50+ sun-protective swimwear and apparel for women and children, targeting the same dermatology- and family-oriented customer base with a similar DTC e-commerce model.
- Solumbra: Solumbra is a direct competitor in UPF 50+ sun-protective apparel, serving medical, outdoor, and travel customers with a comparable catalog of sun-protective clothing and accessories.
- Sun Precautions: Sun Precautions is a direct peer offering UPF-rated sun-protective clothing for medical, outdoor, and lifestyle customers, competing head-to-head with Coolibar in the dermatologist-recommended niche.
- Sunday Afternoons: Sunday Afternoons is a direct peer in sun-protective headwear and accessories, overlapping Coolibar's hat and accessory categories with UPF-rated outdoor sun protection for active and family customers.
Broad incumbents
- Columbia Sportswear: Columbia is a broad incumbent that sells Omni-Shade UPF-rated apparel across a much larger outdoor catalog, competing with Coolibar in sun protection as part of a wide general-purpose outdoor assortment.
- Patagonia: Patagonia is a broad incumbent outdoor apparel brand offering UPF-rated products alongside a large general-purpose outdoor catalog, overlapping Coolibar on sun-protective shirts, swimwear, and hats at premium price points.
- REI Co-op: REI is a broad incumbent retailer that carries UPF-rated apparel from multiple brands and competes with Coolibar through assortment breadth, outdoor authority, and a strong loyalty ecosystem.
- L.L.Bean: L.L.Bean is a broad incumbent offering UPF-rated swimwear and outdoor apparel, overlapping Coolibar in family and outdoor sun protection as part of a larger multi-category apparel business.
- Lands' End: Lands' End is a broad incumbent apparel brand with a UPF-rated swimwear and sun-protection line, competing with Coolibar in family and women's sun protection through a larger multi-channel retail operation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Coolibar social profiles
Digital presenceCoolibar compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Coolibar financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Coolibar leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Coolibar subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Coolibar funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Coolibar M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Coolibar
What does Coolibar do?
Coolibar designs, manufactures, and sells UPF 50+ sun-protective clothing and accessories for women, men, and children. The product line includes tops, bottoms, dresses, swimwear, sun hats, sunglasses, and accessories, marketed through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront under three brands: Coolibar, Suntect, and Mott50.
Is Coolibar a public or private company?
Coolibar is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Coolibar founded?
Coolibar was founded in 2000. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Coolibar based?
Coolibar is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Coolibar make money?
One revenue line is on record: direct Product Sales.
Who are Coolibar's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are UV Skinz, Cabana Life, Solumbra, Sun Precautions and Sunday Afternoons. Broad incumbents are Columbia Sportswear, Patagonia, REI Co-op, L.L.Bean and Lands' End.
Does Coolibar have an API?
No public API is recorded for Coolibar.
What industry is Coolibar in?
Coolibar's product category is Sun Protection Apparel. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAAAAI, Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers, with a secondary code of CRABAHAN, Sun Protection for Sensitive/Medical Needs (Reef-Safe, Hypoallergenic, Post-Procedure). Its NAICS code is 31599 and its SIC code is 2300.