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Stay warm, dry and protected, whatever the weather Kids Poncho Hooded Towels
There's nothing quite like the invigorating hit that comes with plunging yourself into icy cold water. And nothing quite so uncomfortable as the violent, chilblain-like shivers that set in once you get out. But, good news, cold water fans: you don't have to put up with the post-swim shakes to reap all the benefits of cold water swimming.
Say hello to your new BFF: changing robes. They're arguably the most important piece of cold water swimming kit (after a swimsuit, that is), but also make great dog walking, camping, coastal strolling and general outdoorsy companions, thanks to their warming and waterproofing abilities.
In a hurry? Here's our pick of the best dry robes at a glance. Keep scrolling for the full list, plus the benefits of changing robes and how to use them.
Sometimes known as change robes or dry robes (actually the name of a well-known brand), changing robes are essentially toasty portable capsules designed to protect you from the elements. 'Changing robes are clothes that work as mobile changing huts,' says Kate Rew, author of The Outdoor Swimmers’ Handbook and founder of the Outdoor Swimming Society.
First favoured by chilly surfers needing somewhere to shelter while changing out of wetsuits and rash vests, they're now also used by wild or cold water swimmers, paddle boarders and general outdoorsy folk.
'There are two types,' says Rew. 'Microfibre or towelling ones where you dry yourself off, change (neatly avoiding flashing or doing the towel dance) and then take them off. And then there's the big coat variety, which have fleecy linings and waterproof outers, where you can change and then keep them on, creating an individual micro-climate.'
As we're heading into winter (sigh), below we've included both cosy coat options as well as a few lighter towelling styles in case you're heading to warmer climes soon (jel), so you're ready for all seasons.
While changing robes are by no means essential, if you make a habit of submerging yourself in freezing cold water, it's a good idea to have some means of warming yourself up afterwards. 'One of the many great things about outdoor swimming is that the kit needs are minimal,' says Rew. 'You can dry yourself in a standard towel, or make your own changing robe by sewing two towels together. And afterwards you can just wear a coat.'
Changing robes do come with a host of handy benefits, like cosy hoods and pockets for days, so they're worth the investment if you're regularly in need of a cold water companion. 'If you do become fanatic about cold water swimming, you might find changing robes are a nice thing to have,' says Rew.
It's also important to warm up quickly after swimming — especially in the cooler months — thanks to a phenomenon called 'afterdrop,' where your body temperature continues to decrease after exiting the water. 'You will be colder 10 minutes after you get out the water compared to when you are in it,' says Rew. 'So make getting dry and dressed a priority in winter particularly.'
Using your changing robe is simple — just pop over wet gear after swimming, paddle boarding or surfing and get changed underneath. Then, if you've opted for a parka-style variety, you can stay cocooned inside to stay cosy.
'Take all wet things off, put warm things on (thermal base layers are good), layer up, and get a hot drink inside you,' advises Rew. 'In winter when skin is cold it's hard to dry it completely — clothes like jeans become very hard to get on as skin remains sticky. Bear that in mind when you consider what to wear to the river, lake or sea for a swim — you want clothes that are easy to pull on afterwards.'
Not just a convenient way to tick the post-swim warm and dry boxes, change robes are also great for camping, walking the dog or any outdoor activities in the colder months — just add as your final layer to stay snug and sheltered from winter weather.
A changing robe is a big investment, but a good one should last you a lifetime, so if you do decide to take the plunge make sure you've considered the following:
Luckily there are a fair few wild swimmers on the WH team, so we put these robes to the test through all seasons and conditions, from temperate beach days to chilly winter dips in the channel (seriously, brrr). We took them camping, dog walking, into the garden to don after ice baths, as well as to beaches, rivers, lakes and urban open water swimming spots — and even on an outdoor fitness tour of Guernsey. All the while, we were assessing comfort, warmth, waterproofing, how breathable the robes were and how quickly they dried, as well as how handy features like pockets, wind baffles and adjustable cuffs were in practice. We took note of how usable certain features were with cold hands — tactile rubber zip pulls really come into their own — plus, the crucial test: how easy they were to actually get changed under.
The changing robes we've chosen here are products we truly recommend and feel are worth their price points — they can be pretty costly, so we've made sure they're a sound investment and will stand the test of time.
From celeb-favourite dryrobe to the coveted Red Original Pro Change Robe EVO, we've handpicked the very best dry robes to shop in 2024. Dive in.
We love everything about this change robe — the gorgeous rust colour, the large logo on the back and the fact that it’s made from 85 recycled plastic bottles.
It arrives packed down into a surprisingly small, but very handy reusable bag (or stuff-sack), and the sherpa fleece lining is super cosy.
The recycled polyester outer is water-repellent, there are side slits to make changing easier and adjustable velcro on the cuffs to keep the warm in, plus it has lined pockets to keep valuables safe and hands toasty too.
Currently only available in black or rust (which we love), but occasionally the gorg larkspur blue colour comes back in stock.
Someone on Cosimac’s marketing team had their head screwed on right when they came up with the brand name — this changing robe really is incredibly cosy.
It’s lined in a super soft faux shearling fleece, the robe is longer than most on the market, the fleece-lined hood is ginormous, plus there’s a dedicated hot water bottle pocket (why don’t all coats come with that?).
Despite all these toasty extras it’s surprisingly lightweight, which is even more impressive when you consider the exterior is tough and weatherproof.
There are zipped pockets inside and out, and did we mention it comes in leopard print? (More demure designs are available.)
A solid favourite among cold water swimmers, the Red Original Pro Change Evo Robe ticks all the boxes — it’s waterproof, breathable and lightweight, and comes in a range of colours with fun, contrasting linings. We've got the parker green (pictured) and adore it, but the teal and this minimal all-black version are also high on our wishlist.
It's easily got the softest lining of the many changing robes we've tested — to the point we proudly ask fellow swimmers to stroke the inside on a regular basis. That thick pile is also moisture-wicking, plus there's a wind baffle and velcro cuffs to preserve precious body heat, and a snug-fit, toggled hood means your head stays warm too.
Quick-closure fastenings are easy enough to operate with numb fingers, plus there are loads of pockets and stretchy panels on the side to make changing a doddle.
It doesn't feel as structured as some of the robes we've tried, which we liked as it's far easier to move in. It also packs down well and is pretty light for what it is, but grab one of the brand’s compression bags if you really want to pack it down small.
Fancy standing out among the sea of green and grey on the shore? Red has released three limited edition colour clash robes made from ethically sourced and recycled materials.
If it weren’t for it’s incredible moisture-wicking and super toasty properties, we’d struggle to tell this changing robe apart from a trendy winter coat.
It's also packed with thoughtful features you won't see on your standard parka, including tactile, easy-pull two-way zippers, adjustable Velcro cuffs to keep the warm in, a toggle hood, a D-clip attachment and a large hanging loop — ideal for busy changing rooms where you're cramming all your stuff on one peg.
And we haven't even gotten to the pockets yet! There are more than we could reasonably use, including a key stash and even a removable pouch that doubles as a handy valuables compartment you can detach and store in your dry bag. All bar one of the pockets are zipped, and the two on the outside are lined in soft fleece forgiving to chilly hands.
This lilac grey shade is even more gorg IRL, but it also comes in more traditional green, black and navy, as well as this warm sand colour.
We recommend sizing up if you do want to use it predominantly to change under, as the fit is a little snug.
This may just be the warmest changing robe out there. The thick sherpa fleece lining is made from recycled plastic bottles, plus there are velcro cuffs and a drawstring on the inside that you can use to tighten the waist to increase the toasty factor or to turn it into a more presentable coat.
Meanwhile the outer is super durable and waterproof, there are long zip pulls for chilly fingers and the mesh goggle pocket is a nice touch. Plus it comes with a 40L dry bag!
Available in purple or green camo print.
Shop the black/khaki robe
The nineties called; they want their colour scheme back. Putting the fabulous ski-inspired designs aside, this changing robe ticks all the boxes.
It's super cosy, thanks to the thick sherpa fleece lining and adjustable velcro cuffs, while the outer shell is made from water-repellent 100% recycled polyester ripstop, sourced from single-use plastic bottles.
Side slits and a two-way zip make changing easy, and there's hand warming pockets to the front, plus an internal velcro-sealed pocket. Plus it comes ready packed away in its own stuff-sack!
It has a softer, more forgiving structure than some other changing robes so doubles up as a great cosy coat for camping trips, dog walks, chilly pub gardens... you get the idea.
Unfortunately, this baby sells out fast. There are currently only limited sizes available in this fab viridian green/orchid colourway, but it's also available in outdoorsy black/khaki. However, both styles are restocked regularly so if it's sold out in your size right now check back soon!
Known for its quality swimwear, it’s only right that Speedo's offered up something to chuck over the top of their fantastic cossies. This changing robe is definitely one for the fashion-conscious, with aesthetic additions doubling up as practical features too, such as a drawstring waist to keep in the heat, a trench coat-style storm flap and a seriously oversized zip just made for numb hands. The fun splashes of neon yellow are just for the lewks though.
Despite scoring top fashion points, that’s not to say it won’t work just as hard as other robes on the market. While super lightweight, it offers serious warmth; courtesy of a clever aluminium mid layer, and has multiple compartments for valuables and a warm change of clothes (and for chilly fingers, the borg-lined pockets are a nice touch).
This khaki coat also comes with elasticated, sweatshirt-style cuffs, rather than fiddly velcro, and an oversized hood that, in tests, managed to cover both over-ear headphones and a woolly hat.
We should mention that it is rather oversized, so absolutely size down — but is that such a bad thing when you can share with your other half?
As iconic as they are ubiquitous, changing robe pioneer dryrobe counts Harry Styles and Rita Ora among its fans, and we can see why. It’s really roomy, so easy to change comfortably underneath, and the recycled lining is made to replicate lambswool — big cosy points.
The outer is also recycled — it’s made from waterproof and windproof nylon, plus the sleeves are fitted to help you feel less like you’re flailing about in a tent, and it has loads of deep, fleece-lined pockets, including a huge A4-sized internal section and a zipped waterproof chest pocket that's ideal for stowing your phone.
We've worn this for everything from wild swimming and camping to dog walks, and it's done a sterling job at keeping us warm and dry in all weathers, all while looking chic too. What more can you really ask for?
Dryrobes come in a range of colours and designs, but right now we're big fans of the camo and pink lining version.
Another solid changing robe from Vivida, this microfibre towelling option is similar to the Original — super absorbent, very roomy, with a lifesaver huge pocket on the front — but also features a waffle-lined drawstring hood for a luxe, day-at-the-spa feel (and it will help stop hair going quite so frizzy post-swim).
There's a zipped valuables pocket and side slits for fuss-free changing, plus it's a great length — long enough to keep you warm but not so long you feel hemmed in around the legs.
Available in two two-tone designs, the robe packs down fairly small and is machine washable too. Score.
If you’ve been mainlining (ok, rewatching) Bad Sisters on Apple TV like we have, you’ll have seen the cast sporting changing robes throughout, including this little Irish number!
With no bells, frills and whistles, Coucon’s changing robe is a classic that will take you from cold dips at the beach to fresh dog walks in the city.
While boasting with a thick sherpa lining — which does make it a little heavy, but nothing worth complaining about — this rarely crosses the line into sweaty, thanks to the moisture-wicking tech employed during the design process. The creators also rave about their decision to minimise the number of seams, saying this avoids any chance of rain, sleet or snow seeping through to the inside, and our personal testing can confirm they were right.
Slightly shorter in length than some other dry robes, this is a good option for the petite, although that two-way zip offers more legroom if this does end up falling further down your calves.
Available in some super bright colours and funky shades (see pictured), but more demure options are available too — the navy blue is particularly nice.
This dry robe from Gill looks and feels more like a rubber waterproof coat than a toasty changing capsule, but thanks to four-way stretch material still has all the manoeuvrability of a great robe, plus the durability of a heavy-duty parka.
Welded seams keep things seriously dry on the inside — we've sprayed it directly with a high-pressure shower just to be sure — while the furry fleece lining is thermal, keeping things warm and wicking away moisture effectively.
It is roomy, so there's plenty of space to change inside, with a two-way zip to make things easier. The adjustable cuffs help to trap heat inside and there's an interior zipped valuables pocket plus two soft-lined external pockets too — a lifesaver for chilly hands.
It doesn't pack down quite as well as some others on the market, but thanks to its more traditional coat looks you're more likely to be wearing it than stashing it away anyway.
Did we initially choose this changing robe soleley because it's leopard print? Sure. But that’s not to say it doesn’t deliver on the technical front too.
The thick lining keeps you very cosy, it's fully waterproof — which for this price point is impressive — and it's loaded with considerate extras like a wind baffle, Velcro cuffs, a hood adjuste, a hanging loop on the back and a chunky zip pull (but only on the top zipper).
Pockets-wise there's an interior pants pocket (for stowing — you guessed it — underwear to change into), two zipped size pockets and a zipped and waterproof valuables pocket on the chest — this is on the outside, but it's fleece-lined which is a nice touch (and gentle on phone screens).
It also packs down fairly well thanks to the fact that it's not as long as some robes (it hit just below knee on us at 5’4”), so is a great option to take away on adventures.
Looks-wise we didn't love the large logo and if we had to nitpick, it is a tad shapeless (particularly if you’re on the smaller side as there's no XS offering), but as such there's plenty of space to change underneath, and the two-way zip helps make this is easy as possible.
And yes, other colours/patterns are available.
One issue with testing out numerous changing robes is that your coat closet space gets rather full pretty quickly. Which is why we’re especially pleased with the newest innovation from dryrobe — a light and super compact version of the dryrobe Advance.
Weighing just 950g, it packs down into a 38cm zipped stuff-sack but still offers the same warmth features as a standard dryrobe, so it's a great portable option for adventurous souls on the move (it was designed with triathletes and endurance athletes in mind) or those who want to take their changing robe on hols with them.
Recycled plastic bottles make up the fully waterproof and weatherproof outer shell, while the lining is made from water-repellent Polartec (recycled fleece), which not only keeps you super warm by maintaining your core temperature but also wicks away moisture and dries incredibly fast, so you can use it multiple times in one day without that grim wet-towel feeling.
Unique not only in shape, this puffer change robe from Vivida has an insulated fill style, rather than thick layered towelling like most changing robes on the market. So as you’d expect, it’s super cosy.
Construction-wise there are three layers, starting with a water and wind-proof shell, then synthetic down insulation, then a soft fleece lining made from 100% recycled polyester.
The oversized fit allows enough room for changing, but if you want to use it purely as a coat (and why wouldn’t you?) size down.
Clever features like adjustable velcro cuffs, a draught-free collar and lots of deep pockets put this up there with the very best of changing robes. And it's available in three on-trend shades: dark grey (pictured), misty green and mineral blue.
Decathlon is known for churning out decent basics you can rely on, but this unisex changing robe actually has a number of clever features you'd expect to see from more premium brands.
Stretchy panels under the arms mean there's no gaping holes to facilitate an accidental boob flash, plus they make it easier to change. There are also openings where you'd expect pockets to be, so you can slip your hands through, rather than under, the robe when hopping out of a wet swimsuit — a feature we love as you don't have to hike the robe up above chilly knees.
Being 100% cotton it's machine washable and the large front pocket makes for a great hand warmer when you've finished your coffee (and bacon sarnie).
This unisex robe is currently available in black and navy or sand.
*Use promo code 'OFFER10' for 10% off*
This blanket/changing robe is genius in its versatility. Thanks to a detachable hood and popper fastenings you can essentially create your own toasty blanket cocoon when you get out of the water, then once you're dry and back in your clothes it makes for a handy post-dip picnic blanket.
Insulated and water-resistant, there's a small zipped inner pocket for valuables and large zipped pocket, both easily accessed when worn as a cape.
Because it's a blanket there’s a ton of space to get changed, but it can leave your lower half a bit exposed when you're not wrapping your arms around yourself. (For us standing at 5'4", the bottom of the blanket hit just above the ankle.)
However, thanks to the insulation — made from recycled plastic bottles — it's very cosy, feels soft against the skin and toggle cords on the hood and a wind baffle stop you getting too chilly.
A true multitasker, it's no surprise this incredible changing robe was designed by women. A removable inner layer means you get three products for the price of one: use the fleece liner on its own for a lightweight change robe; don the quilted, waterproof parka for day-to-day wear; or zip the changing layer inside the outer jacket for an insanely snuggly coat and/or changing robe.
All the fabric is 100% recycled and unlike other changing robes the outer is made from premium twill, so it really feels like a proper coat.
There's still plenty of room to change and tons of handy pockets, plus toasty-boosting features like a toggle cord on the hood and a magnetic wind baffle.
It's our new companion for basically everything, even when the weather doesn't really call for it — it's just that gorgeous. Available in blue and black.
You know when you've had a shower and you're wrapped in a towel so cosy that you just sit on your bed staring into space rather than get changed? That feeling is this changing robe. It's so gorgeously soft and wonderfully roomy — the extra folds of material mean you can really snuggle up in it — that it's difficult to take off (only emotionally — physically it just pops over your head).
It is one size but that does seem to cater for all — it feels incredibly cosy on me at 5’4”, but it’s also being used (stolen) on the reg by my 6’2” boyfriend who relies on it to take the edge off after an ice bath.
Note that it doesn't have any pockets so you'll need to stow valuables elsewhere, but it's a fantastic chuck-on option when you need a little protection from the elements, or just a safe place to change post-swim.
We adore the orange flame shade, but it also comes in cerulean blue and black.
This microfibre towelling change robe from Vivida is super fast-drying (it claims to dry four times faster than cotton) and absorbs seven times its weight in water. We've only worn it on warm days and it did dry very fast, but can't speak to how it might hold up in chillier climes.
Available in a bunch of surf girl-cool colours, it has a handy kangaroo pocket on the front which houses another small zipped pocket to keep valuables safe — we found it fitted a smartphone perfectly.
The robe is smooth and soft, packs down small despite its roomy fit (even in the small size we had more than ample space) and side and underarm slits make changing simple. And it's machine washable!
Available in four two-tone colourways — we're partial to the mineral blue/anthracite grey.
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