Katin Clothing: California-Cool Essentials for a Laid-Back Life
Getting dressed shouldn't require a spreadsheet. You want stuff that looks decent, feels good, and doesn't fall apart when salt water or Arizona sun hits it. That's basically the whole deal with Katin clothing — and it has been since 1954, which makes Katin one of the oldest surf brands in the world.
We've carried Katin for years at Rooster Bus, and guys keep coming back for it. Last year Katin held more spots on our best-selling shirts list than any other brand we carry. That's the honest signal a brand is doing something right.
Seventy Years of Not Overthinking It
Katin started as Kanvas by Katin in Surfside, California, hand-making trunks for surfers whose shorts kept disintegrating. When your origin story is building gear that survives getting thrashed by waves, durability isn't a marketing angle — it's the whole brand.
And here's the thing about California style: it was never really about surfing. It's clothes that move with you: beach, tacos, a coast drive, or Scottsdale patio season. Katin makes stuff you throw on without thinking and somehow still look put together.
What Katin Does Best
Shorts
The heritage category, and it shows. Quick-drying, hard-wearing, cut to look right at a beach bar or a backyard. Few brands sell more shorts at our shop than Katin.
Tees and thermals
Box-fit tees in soft, breathable cotton, and waffle thermals that become the shirt you reach for every cool morning. Katin graphics stay quiet, a small patch or subtle print, nothing that makes you the brand guy.
Flannels
Brushed-soft right off the rack, not after twenty washes. The fall staple.
Denim and pants
Relaxed straight legs with real room in the thigh and just enough stretch to actually move. If you're coming from slim denim they'll feel generous — that's the point.
Shop the look
Shop all Katin at Rooster Bus →How Katin Fits
Relaxed without being sloppy. Box-fit tees are cut roomy through the body and sleeves without feeling oversized. The cut already gives you room. The denim runs relaxed through the thigh and knee with a straight leg and just enough stretch to actually move. Between sizes on anything? That's exactly what the stores are for.
The Four-Piece Katin Kit
The vacation test is still the best way to judge this brand: shorts that dry fast, a tee that breathes, a flannel for when the sun drops, denim that works at dinner. Four Katin pieces cover pretty much any casual scenario, a trip or a normal week. We liked the brand enough to do our own Roosterbus × Katin collab, which should tell you where we stand.
Building out the rest? We've covered how to pick summer shorts and casual shoes that travel well.
Katin FAQ
Is Katin a good brand?
It's been making surf gear since 1954, and it's consistently among the best-selling brands at our shop. Last year it held more spots on our best-selling shirts list than any other brand we carry.
Where can I buy Katin in Arizona?
Rooster Bus carries Katin at our Old Town Scottsdale and downtown Flagstaff stores, plus online with shipping from Arizona.
How do Katin tees fit?
Box fit: relaxed and roomy through the body and sleeves without feeling oversized. Comfortable without drowning you.
Is Katin the same as Kanvas by Katin?
Yes. Kanvas by Katin was the original name, from the canvas gear Nancy and Walter Katin made in Surfside, California starting in 1954. Same brand, seventy years on.