Get cosy before and after your next swimming session with a warm and weatherproof changing robe, ideal for open water swimmers, triathletes, surfers and winter dippers.Swimming, paddleboarding, triathlon, surfing, sailing \u2013 however you love to get out and enjoy the water, when temperatures drop, there\u2019s one thing that can make water sports and swimming more comfortable \u2013 a great changing robe.
\nThe best change robe is, as the name suggests, designed for use on shore, to make wriggling into a wetsuit before a swim or pulling your clothes back on after a surf less of a faff (and to help you avoid flashing the whole car park).
\nChanging robes have another use, though \u2013 a fleece-lined robe is ideal for warming up fast after cold water swim.
\nInsulated, waterproof changing robes are ideal if you\u2019re an all-year-round swimmer, stopping you from losing precious body heat, especially if you\u2019re swimming in \u2018skins\u2019 (swimsuit only). Meanwhile, you\u2019ll also find lightweight, towelling-style robes available which are ideal for warmer weather. Use these so you can get changed on the beach or by a lake easily, or pop them on to dry off with, instead of a towel.
\nNote that you should never wear a changing robe while on the water, such as when on a paddleboard, as they present a risk of drowning if you accidentally fall in \u2013 save them for before or after your swim.
\nChanging robes come in lots of designs, but some are so smart and stylish you could easily wear them as a coat, which makes a nice versatile option for daily use in the winter. You\u2019ll more bang for your buck if you invest in a changing robe that you can also wear to walk the dog or do the school run when it\u2019s foul outside.
\nOur top six picks of the best dry robes for women and men are perfect for swimming in in every season. We\u2019ve included lightweight toweling robes, packable waterproof robes and fashion-forward robes you can also wear as a coat. Not sure where to start shopping? You\u2019ll also find key features to look out for when choosing your new swimming change robe in our quick buyer\u2019s guide, below.
\nChanging robes: 8 of the best warm dry robes for outdoor swimmers<\/p>\n
Dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve Robe
\nProbably the best-known brand on the market, Dryrobe\u2019s designs are a big hit with swimmers, surfers and triathletes alike \u2013 head to any official swimming event and there\u2019ll be an array of fuzz-lined Dryrobes ready for by the water\u2019s edge for their intrepid owners. Waterproof, windproof and lined with synthetic \u2018lambswool\u2019 material, these robes will save you when you get out of winter water and feel the cold bite, and are roomy enough to get changed under in chilly, windy conditions. Our top pick is the Dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve, made with recycled materials \u2013 if you want a robe that\u2019ll make you feel instantly snug year-round, this is the design to invest in.
\nMaterial: Recycled nylon and recycled polyester
\nSizes: S-XL
\nColours: 13
\nWaterproof: Yes
\nGender: male and female available
\nReasons to buy: reliably warm and waterproof, soft snug inner lining, lots of colours to choose from
\nReasons to avoid: thick and heavy
\nPrice \u00a3160 (RRP \u00a3160) $192.50
\nBuy Dryrobe Long Sleeve Robe<\/p>\n
Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/p>\n
Red Equipment Pro Change Robe
\nRed Equipment are best known for their popular stand-up paddleboards, and now they\u2019ve taken their water sports know-how and designed a new changing robe. The Pro Change Robe has a great adjustable hood and is fully waterproof and windproof, so it\u2019ll keep body heat trapped in even when wind and bad weather bite, and it\u2019s also breathable enough to use right into the warm weather of spring. We like that the Pro Robe is more compact than your average waterproof robe, and is designed to pop easily into a dry bag for easy storage on a yacht or on a paddle board, although it\u2019s a pity that Red\u2019s compression stash bag, designed to fit the Pro Robe, is sold separately (\u00a334.95, https:\/\/red-equipment.co.uk\/products\/pro-change-robe-stash-bag-navy)
\nMaterial: recycled fabrics
\nSizes: S-XL
\nColours: 7
\nWaterproof: Yes
\nGender: male and female available
\nReasons to buy: warm lining, more breathable than most winter robes, waterproof, packable
\nReasons to avoid: too thick for warm water dips, compression bag sold separately
\nPrice \u00a3149.95 (RRP \u00a3149.95) $180.41
\nBuy Women\u2019s Long Sleeve Pro Change Robe Evo from Red Equipment<\/p>\n
Seasalt Exploring Waterproof Changing Robe
\nHey, good-looking \u2013 Seasalt\u2019s Exploring stands out from the crowd for its smart, logo-free looks and neutral hues, which make it feel far more like you\u2019re wearing a smart winter coat than most bright changing robes. This Cornish-designed robe is swim-ready, though, with a waterproof outer shell, an adjustable hood and a pleasingly soft quick-dry fleece lining. The Exploring is roomy enough to get changed under anywhere \u2013 so roomy, in fact, that we\u2019d recommend ordering a size down from your usual. Our top pick if you want one coat to rule them all for cold weather, that will also come along on your surf and swim expeditions.
\nMaterial: recycled polyester, cotton
\nSizes: M-XL
\nColours: navy, khaki
\nWaterproof: yes
\nGender: women\u2019s
\nReasons to buy: great wear-anywhere looks, warm and waterproof, partly recycled materials
\nReasons to avoid:very roomy, so consider going a size down
\nPrice \u00a3170 (RRP \u00a3170) $204.53
\nBuy Seasalt Exploring Waterproof Changing Robe from Seasalt<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf you\u2019re getting into open water swimming for short fitness sessions, or in warm weather conditions, you don\u2019t need to\u2026<\/p>\n
Zone 3 Heat-Tech Changing Robe
\nIf you tend to feel the cold when heading out for a swim session, you should definitely add Zone 3\u2019s changing robe to your kit bag. Lined with a generous amount of fleece and designed with a triple-layer construction that really traps in body heat, the Heat-Tech Robe offers instant, welcome warmth when you pull it on after emerging from the water. A waterproof and windproof outer shell cuts rain and wind and keeps you cosy even in stormy conditions, and we like added design elements such as the adjustable Velcro straps on the sleeves and the internal handwarmer pockets.
\nMaterial: fleece
\nSizes: XS-XL
\nColours: black
\nWaterproof: Yes
\nGender: unisex
\nReasons to buy:\u00a0very warm, generous longer length, good pockets
\nReasons to avoid: not breathable enough for summer
\nPrice \u00a3139 (RRP \u00a3139) $167.23
\nBuy Zone 3 Heat-tech Changing Robe from Wiggle<\/p>\n
Cape Cove Snug Coat
\nMost swimming robes are pretty boring-looking, often in plain black or grey \u2013 where\u2019s the fun in that? If you want to shake it up (or even wear your new robe as a winter coat when you aren\u2019t swimming), head to Cape Cove \u2013 this female-owned brand make beautiful robes in an array of bright designs, from eye-catching leopard print to this pastel marble coat. There\u2019s substance as well as style here \u2013 the Snug Coat is very warm, water-resistant enough to withstand a shower and has an adjustable and removable hood as well as a soft lining made with sherpa fleece. Cape Cove also offer smart \u2018changing dresses\u2019 from \u00a395 that make a nice lightweight alternative to a bulky robe in summer (https:\/\/www.cape-cove.com\/collections\/changing-dresses).
\nMaterial: recycled sherpa fleece
\nSizes: XS-L
\nColours: 4
\nWaterproof: water-resistant
\nGender: women\u2019s
\nReasons to buy: fun bright looks, beautiful quality, great hood, recycled fleece lining
\nReasons to avoid: expensive, not fully waterproof
\nPrice \u00a3299 (RRP \u00a3299) $359.75
\nBuy Cape Cove The Snug Coat from John Lewis<\/p>\n
Vivida All Weather Puffer Changing Robe \u2013 Aventurine Green
\nIf you are looking for something a bit special and don\u2019t mind the premium price tag then have a look at this Vivida All weather Puffer changing robe. It comes in three understated classic colours and has a really thoughtfully designed style with substance. The long sleeves have a good closure at the cuff and the hood will keep your head warm when you have wet hair. It\u2019s stylish enough to wear as an oversized coat during the day when your gadding about town or even for lounging at home and want to save some money on the heating bills because you spent it all buying this coat! It\u2019s made of 100% recycled materials, though it was made in China, so what you save on the planet with recycling, you lose on shipping emissions.
\nMaterial: \u00a0100% post-consumer recycled polyester
\nSizes: S, M, L, XL
\nColours: Green, Blue and Slate Grey
\nWaterproof: yes
\nGender: Unisex
\nReasons to buy: Stylish understated, quick to dry, easy to pack
\nReasons to avoid: high price point, sleeves might be a little snug for some
\nPrice \u00a3240
\nBuy Vivida All Weather Puffer Changing Robe \u2013 Aventurine Green<\/p>\n
Billabong Salty Hooded Towel Change Robe
\nHere comes the sun \u2013 on warm summer days by the shore you can swap your heavy-duty waterproof changing robe for a lightweight hooded towelling number that\u2019s simple to change under and quick to use to dry off. If you\u2019re shopping for something easy and breezy, we rate Billabong\u2019s Salty Hooded Towel Poncho, which is affordable at under \u00a340 and does the job well in warm weather. This hooded towel robe, which is unisex and one-size-fits-all, is easy to pack in a backpack when you\u2019re on the go and comes in a bright striped patter that doesn\u2019t show dirt and sand after a day at the beach.
\nMaterial: polyester and polyamide
\nSizes: One size
\nColours:1
\nWaterproof: No
\nGender: Unisex
\nReasons to buy: fun bright pattern, quick to dry, easy to pack
\nReasons to avoid: limited warmth, not windproof
\nPrice \u00a330.95 (RRP \u00a344.95) $37.24
\nBuy Billabong Salty Hooded Towel Robe from Amazon<\/p>\n
Zhik Hooded Towel changing robe
\nZhik make some really great looking kit and they\u2019ve launched this limited edition colourway changing robe for Breast cancer awareness month. It\u2019s just like their other change robes but more colourful. So the towelling robe is ideal as a light weight option, which can be useful if you are in a sheltered area or warmer weather. You can pack this and take on holiday with you easily so it\u2019s handy for the beach. When you\u2019re not using it to get changed in, you can use it to sit on or lounge on the sand. It has ample space to get changed inside without feeling too constrained.
\nMaterial: polyester and polyamide
\nSizes: One size
\nColours: 1
\nWaterproof: No
\nGender: Unisex
\nReasons to buy: fun bright pattern, quick to dry, easy to pack
\nReasons to avoid: limited warmth, not windproof
\nPrice \u00a359.95
\nBuy Zhik toweling changing robe from Zhik<\/p>\n
What we look for in the best dry robe<\/p>\n
Fit & Design: Dry robes are designed to be oversized, with plenty of room to manoeuvre underneath when you\u2019re pulling on and off a swimsuit or a wetsuit. Some are one-size-fits-all, others come in different sizes \u2013 and you may find sizing down suits you best if you don\u2019t want to feel swallowed whole in your new robe. Look for large pockets, which are useful for warming up hands or for stashing personal belongings on the beach while you head into the sea. Changing robes usually come with either long or short sleeves \u2013 short sleeves are cooler in summer, but we prefer long-sleeved designs, as they\u2019re warm year-round. Sleeves with Velcro closures further help to trap in heat. A well-fitting, adjustable hood is a must, to keep your head warm and help dry wet hair.
\nMaterial and thickness: You\u2019ll find changing robes of different thicknesses and constructed from different materials on the market \u2013 as a rough rule, fleece-lined robes with a weatherproof shell are best for winter, and light, breathable towelling ponchos are best for summer. Towelling is lightweight, breathable and quick to dry, but doesn\u2019t trap in much heat and often need pulling over your head. Thicker robes are warmer and often zip up but are slower to dry, so we rate them for cooler weather or for use as a winter coat.
\nWaterproofing: Not all changing robes are waterproof, but most designs aimed at winter use (and often priced at the more expensive end of the market) will feature a water and wind-resistant outer shell to protect you from the elements, coupled with a softer fleece lining inside. These are ideal in cold, wet weather, shielding you from the elements and helping you warm up.<\/p>\n
For more open water swimming gear here\u2019s our buyers guides to swim floats, swim gloves, swim caps, swim shoes
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\nThe post Changing robes: 8 of the best dry robes for outdoor swimmers appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Get cosy before and after your next swimming session with a warm and weatherproof changing robe, ideal for open water swimmers, triathletes, surfers and winter dippers.Swimming, paddleboarding, triathlon, surfing, sailing \u2013 however you love to get out and enjoy the … <\/p>\n