Sand Cloud Review
About Sand Cloud
Sand Cloud was founded in San Diego in 2014 by three friends with a shared interest in beach culture and ocean conservation. The idea was simple: sell good-looking beach towels, donate a meaningful percentage of the profits to marine life protection, and build a community around the brand’s environmental values.
They appeared on Shark Tank in 2017 and landed a deal with Robert Herjavec. That appearance put the brand in front of millions of viewers and led to significant sales growth. The conservation story got scrutinised in the process, and it held up.
The brand sells Turkish cotton blend towels. They say so on every product page. There’s no Egyptian cotton claim to investigate.
The Turkish Cotton Blend
Sand Cloud’s towels are made from a Turkish cotton blend, which they describe in their product specifications. Turkish cotton is a long-staple variety known for soft texture and durability. In a beach towel context, the blend construction allows for a lighter product that still absorbs well and dries quickly on both the towel and you.
These are not heavyweight bath towels. The construction prioritises portability over maximum plushness. For beach use, that’s the correct trade-off.
OEKO-TEX Certification
Sand Cloud holds OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification. For a beach towel that spends extended time against skin in hot sun, this matters more than it might for a bathroom towel. The certification confirms the dyes and processing chemicals used in production don’t contain harmful residues. Given the range of patterns and colours Sand Cloud offers, having that chemical safety verification is useful assurance.
The Conservation Mission
Sand Cloud’s charitable giving model has been part of the brand since launch. They donate 10% of profits to marine conservation. The organisations they’ve supported include the Surfrider Foundation and other ocean-focused nonprofits.
This is a real program, not a “we plant a tree per purchase” claim. The giving has been documented in press coverage, reinforced by the Shark Tank scrutiny, and consistent with the brand’s founding purpose. It doesn’t make the towels better, but it’s a genuine component of what you’re buying.
What Sand Cloud Isn’t
Sand Cloud is a beach towel brand. If you’re looking for heavyweight Egyptian cotton bath towels for a luxury bathroom, this is the wrong section of the market. The towels are designed for outdoor use, travel, and beach days. They’re lighter, more portable, and available in more patterns than typical bath towels.
For buyers who want an honest, cheerful, well-certified beach towel from a brand with a documented social mission, Sand Cloud delivers. The Turkish cotton blend performs well in its intended context, and the brand has been transparent about what it makes since the beginning.
Is Sand Cloud Legit?
LegitSand Cloud does not claim Egyptian cotton. They use a Turkish cotton blend and say so clearly. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification is independently verified. The marine conservation charitable giving has been documented in media coverage including their Shark Tank appearance and subsequent press. The authenticity score reflects honest materials communication and a verified charitable component.
- Founded
- 2014
- Certifications
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100
What We Liked
- Transparent about Turkish cotton blend. No misleading Egyptian cotton claims
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
- Marine conservation mission with documented charitable giving
- Appeared on Shark Tank, brand story has been independently scrutinised
- Good value for the quality tier in beach towels
What We Didn't Like
- Not Egyptian cotton. Wrong brand if bath towel provenance is your focus
- Beach towel focus means limited range for bathroom use
- Conservation mission is real but the company is still primarily a product brand
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sand Cloud use Egyptian cotton?
No. Sand Cloud uses a Turkish cotton blend. They're clear about this on product pages. The brand focuses on beach towels, not premium bath towels, and Turkish cotton is well-suited to that application.
What is the Sand Cloud marine conservation mission?
Sand Cloud donates 10% of profits to marine conservation organisations. This giving program has been documented since the brand's founding in 2014 and was highlighted during their Shark Tank appearance. It's a genuine component of the business model, not a marketing afterthought.
Did Sand Cloud really appear on Shark Tank?
Yes. Sand Cloud appeared on Season 8 of Shark Tank and secured investment from Robert Herjavec. The appearance significantly boosted the brand's profile and its conservation story received independent media coverage as a result.
Is Sand Cloud OEKO-TEX certified?
Yes. Sand Cloud holds OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, which means the towels have been independently tested for over 100 potentially harmful substances. This is relevant for beach towels that come into extended contact with skin.
Are Sand Cloud towels good for the beach?
Sand Cloud designed their towels specifically for beach use. The Turkish cotton construction provides good absorbency while keeping the towel lightweight for travel. The towels are available in a wide range of prints and colours. Most customers report they work well as beach towels but are lighter than what most buyers want for everyday bathroom use.
Related Reading
Background on the claims this review references.