Best dry robes 2024 | Tested and Reviewed

We absolutely loved this robe from paddleboard brand RED. Everything from the build quality, to the fit, to the colour stood out as being top notch for us. Features we love include the soft, deep-pile sherpa fleece, which kept us insanely warm after coming out of the sea, and was great for sitting around a campsite at night when the temperature plummeted to low single digits. We also like the zip tag which can be used easily with thick wetsuit gloves, and the drawstring hood and neck baffle, which makes keeping out the breeze, well, a breeze. 

The robe is entirely waterproof, with some magnificent beading action going on too - a PFC free DWR coating over two layers of fabric guarantees you stay both warm and entirely dry. We also love the fact the material isn’t noisy or glossy - it’s in a matte style which we think looks extra cool, especially in the teal colour we picked out. We’re glad we sized up to a medium, however, as getting changed under our usual size of a small might have posed a bit of a challenge. 

RED also scores highly on sustainability, with the whole garment being made from recycled materials, while also being made ethically. Does all this come at a price? You bet it does. Retailing at just under £160 at the time of writing, this changing robe undercuts the original by a fiver, but that’s still a lot of cash to drop all at once. But we think it’s entirely worth it for a great all-round product which will last years when cared for properly, while giving a top notch performance in even the coldest, windiest conditions. Just size up if you’re actually going to use it to change under. 

Check out the men's version here

The thing about most changing robes is that they don’t often actually dry you particularly well, despite claims on the websites about wicking away moisture. But Scottish watersports brand Lomo have cracked it with a robe that’s lined with a lightweight towelling material rather than fleece or lambswool, which we found actually dries you properly while still keeping the elements off.

We also prefer the Lomo robe for muckier, damper activities like mountain biking or camping, seeing as you’re not wearing a deep-pile carpet for mud, grass, sheep dung and such like to get stuck in - a problem with other, fleecier numbers when used and abused outside. 

And yes, that does mean that this robe doesn't keep you quite as warm as other brands, but there’s still a good amount of insulation provided, and it’s completely windproof too. Additionally, the Lomo robe is one of the few that is specifically designed with changing in mind, as it comes in just one large size, allowing for complete freedom of movement underneath, outperforming some rivals quite significantly on this front.

This does mean that if you’re a larger human, you might struggle a little, but we tested this with people sized between a UK8 and a UK16 and a men’s Large, and everyone coped. Other features we like include two waterproof zipped pockets, a drawstring hood for windier days, and the fact that it’s perfectly large enough to unzip and use as a picnic blanket on the beach. 

The LOMO robe is very good value, coming in at around £30 below the average for a zipped, insulated changing robe with full coverage of the sleeves and knees. If you’re on a smaller budget, run hot, or don’t need the insulting prowess of other changing robes but still want something to keep the weather out, this could be the top choice for you.

This is the editor’s pick for a changing robe; it might not tick all the boxes of the Best in Test for build quality, waterproofing and features, but it’s the one we’ve come back to over and over again and never want to let go of. It has charm. 

The Escapism sherpa lined robe from Passenger is a lightweight option which packs down to half the size of some of its rivals while maintaining exemplary warmth and cosiness. While it’s certainly not the most durable and weatherproof option out there (it lacks taped seams, a drawstring hood, and is only coated with a water repellent coating rather than being made of waterproof layers) it’s easy to wear, much easier to move around in than some of its rivals, and most importantly, less bulky to pack into a bag for the beach than other brands.

It does wick away some of the moisture from you after swimming, but we’d recommend drying the worst off with a secondary towel - the Escapism is the “keep warm” option as opposed to Lomo’s “dry off” option. It also has a handy hook for hanging it up on the back of a door.  

We love the fact this is basically just a giant fleecy coat, and while you can change in it if you size up, we think it’s a great all rounder if you’re looking for something more on the light dog-walking/Waitrose browsing/wearing it as a dressing gown side of things - although it’s great for camping too.

But let it be known we’ll be packing it every time we go for a surf just because we love the colour and fit, despite the fact it's not as waterproof as other brands. However, to make up for it, Passenger score mega sustainability points, as the whole thing is made from 85 recycled plastic bottles - so you’re doing your bit for the planet too.

The original Dryrobe immediately feels like the final boss of changing robes: heavy, warm, and just about bombproof. We opted for the Dryrobe Advance, the stalwart design that you see floating about everywhere, because the longer sleeves and superior waterproofing make it ideal for the wet and windy Scottish climate. 

We loved this one especially for cold water swimming and snorkelling, as the quick-drying fleece lining cocooned us nicely, while still giving just enough room to change out of a thick wetsuit. The main advantage to the original dryrobe is that it’s actually damn well waterproof, unlike some of the knock-offs and other brands available.

Complete with a recycled nylon waterproof layer, heat-sealed seams and a durable water repellent coating, this beaded well in the rain and kept us completely dry despite getting caught in a couple of torrential showers during testing. We also loved the accessible zip, which was easy to use with cold fingers, and we liked that the pockets were also fleecy - but not deep pile so they don’t get too grubby. The only thing we missed was an adjustable hood, but overall this did feel, in one tester’s words, “like wearing a hug”.

The dryrobe advance is a bestseller for a reason, despite the price tag coming in at a hefty £165. That’s because you know you’re getting complete quality assurance from a brand who tries to do good for both people and the planet. It sounds cheesy, but knowing that your cash is funding the RNLI, and going towards developing inclusive designs so that everyone can enjoy the outdoors is a real bonus. Dryrobe also does well on their sustainability credentials, with both the lining and the outer made from 100% recycled materials. Plus they come in all sorts of funky designs and colours.

The Voited dry robe is a great all-rounder. It’s one of the only robes to use both microfleece and loft insulation as an inner layering system, rather than just opting for a fleece pile with a waterproof coating. This makes it feels more like a large coat than a classic dryrobe on first use - but actually the microfleece lining does a decent job of drying you off too.

We like the fact it dries out very quickly in comparison to other brands, but our favourite features are the chest pockets which keep your hands nice and toasty when you’re just out of the water. It also features an adjustable hood and two other “dump” pockets which are roomy enough to pack a small loaf of bread and a nice bit of cheese for a post-swim snack. 

Voited’s dry coat also sticks to its word when it comes to weatherproofing: it’s more waterproof than Passenger’s option, with a laminated waterproof fabric plus a water repellent coating for excellent beading. The whole thing is also made from recycled materials from what we can see. 

In usage terms, this would make a good value option for anyone looking for a changing robe to stand about in - it’s not as cosy as the dryrobe or red changing robe, but it’s nearly as waterproof, and feels lighter in weight and bulk. A good option for those looking for a tad less warmth, especially if you’re not planning to swim in the deepest, darkest winter.

Some people just want to get changed in peace on the beach, but don’t want to lug around a 1.5kg dryrobe everywhere they go. Enter: the towelling robe. These things were a staple of our childhoods, but now they’re having a resurgence thanks to the boom in wild swimming - and it’s easy to see why. They’re great for getting changed under, dry you off incredibly effectively, and are much more portable than your waterproof changing robe, as well as being easier to clean and dry. 

This option from Finisterre feels fluffy, well-made and is exceedingly easy to use thanks to the short armholes. It’s great for warmer beach days, but also has a hood if you are using it in the shoulder seasons and prone to getting a little chilly.

While it’s not designed for standing around in for long periods of time, it does offer a little protection from the wind when peeling off a swimsuit, and it has good coverage as well. It does, however, come in just one size which isn’t huge, so if you’re any taller than 6 foot, or perhaps larger busted, we’d recommend trying a different brand. 

Finisterre score highly on sustainability and ethics, using only road transport to ship their products, as well as using ocean-safe, water soluble bioplastic packaging. The robe is 100% organic cotton too, meaning fewer pesticides are used in production.