84% matchDeus Ex Machina
Australian surf-and-moto label with the same graphic-led ease
What changes: Motorcycle culture and cafe-retail sprawl, pricier
Brand profile
The Critical Slide Society
Independent Central Coast surf label making artwork-driven boardshorts, tees and relaxed menswear rooted in an anti-competitive surf culture.
Central CoastOrigin
MenswearFocus
SkatewearStyle
$$Price
4 brands like The Critical Slide Society like Deus Ex Machina, Vissla, Katin →
What to know about The Critical Slide Society
Surf label built on illustration
Graphics and artwork drive the range, made with a rotating circle of surfers, photographers and filmmakers rather than sponsored contest athletes.
Cuts run loose and retro
Boardshorts, striped and graphic tees, camp-collar shirts, cord pants and knits are drawn in relaxed, seventies-leaning shapes rather than fitted surf-team styling.
Independent, and priced that way
Founded in 2009 by two ex-Mambo staffers on the NSW Central Coast, it started as a blog and still sits at accessible price points rather than premium surf pricing.
If you like The Critical Slide Society
84% match
81% matchVissla
Artist-collaborative surf range with recycled trunks
What changes: Adds wetsuits and full hardgoods; more performance-oriented
76% matchKatin
1950s-rooted canvas trunks, heavier heritage coastal cuts
What changes: Archive workwear feel rather than illustration-driven prints
73% matchSeager
Same loose camp shirts with an Old West slant
What changes: Western hats and ranch styling over surf artwork
Brand facts
The Critical Slide Society (TCSS) is an independent Australian surf label started in 2009 by Jim Mitchell and Sam Coombes, both former Mambo staffers, in a seaside village on the NSW Central Coast. It began as a blog before moving into apparel, and now makes boardshorts, graphic and striped tees, camp-collar shirts, cord pants, knits and caps in a loose, retro-leaning cut. Artwork and illustration drive the range, produced with a rotating circle of surfers, photographers and filmmakers rather than contest athletes.
- Founded
- 2009
- Origin
- Central Coast, Australia
- Made in
- Australia
- Price
- $$
- Focus
- Menswear
- Facts checked
- August 2026
- Styles
- Skatewear, Streetwear, Workwear / Heritage