Red Original Unisex Pro Change Robe EVO, Long Sleeve Outdoor Changing Robe

Product Information

It feels super-soft, with a moisture-wicking, thick pile lining, wind baffle and velcro cuffs to preserve precious body heat, and a snug-fit, toggled hood means your head stays warm too. Waterproof outer and fleece lining – a slightly rougher fleece than the soft fleece of Red, Zone3 and Coucon etc. Harper Bazaar’s digital fashion editor, Amy de Klerk, has even likened them to Balenciaga’s oversized coats. 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.

changing robes 2022 as tested by experts - Outdoor Best changing robes 2022 as tested by experts - Outdoor

Protection - Your weatherproofing needs will depend on where in the world you are and what times in the year you swim. 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. The robe does however lack some of the more technical features of more expensive robes, such as YKK zipper, adjustable hood and taped seams.

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. Eco credentials are also important to most of us, so check the fabrics ands sustainability of your choices. A smaller neck means it’s harder to pull clothes in from the top but this is one of the most nimble robes. 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.

changing robes 2023: Waterproof towel ponchos and Best changing robes 2023: Waterproof towel ponchos and

Swimzi is an outdoor-swimming specialist, and has all the inside track to allow it to make the ultimate changing robe. As a bonus, the large pouch pocket means you can stow other essentials like sunglasses, dry bag, keys, wallet phone et al. As you’d expect, it’s windproof and water-resistant, with the added benefit of hand warmer pockets and zipped compartments for electricals and underwear. Finisterre’s Tego Robe is impressively lightweight and compact, so whilst not suited for the coldest of days, is a great robe to offer protection from the elements without taking up much space in your kit bag.Its exterior is made from water-repellent fabric, while the inside is a soft brushed fabric lined with sustainable honeycomb fleece. One of the more loungewear-inspired pieces on our list, Mystic’s changing poncho is made from teddy fleece and designed in stand-out sea salt green.

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Both external pockets zip up and are lined in gorgeously soft Jersey fleece – but these pockets are on the shallow side. 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. The kind of warmth you need after swimming in a mountain tarn, a remote windswept beach or recovering from an ice mile is going to be different to what you need if you love a dip quick and then drive home with the heaters on full blast. Thankfully for you, we've been your boots on the ground, hunting out some of the best models that tick some of the boxes we're sure you are clamouring to fill: style, warmth, practicality and so on.Using your changing robe is simple — just pop over wet gear after swimming, paddle boarding or surfing and get changed underneath. They keep you warm whilst changing outside, protect against the elements and provide modesty in the absence of changing rooms. Poncho or parka style: A choice that may impact how easily you can change under your new purchase, an oversized poncho lets you move around freely without flashing anyone else on the beach. 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.