Red Paddle Co has some fashion-forward changing robes that work great for their intended purpose while leaving you looking stylish. They appear like an overlong, loose coat but with a classy design and colour scheme. This is a truly luxurious changing robe in material and appearance. Waterproofing: 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. Robes make the transition from soaked to dry and cosy straightforward. They are great for people who find themselves often out in inclement weather for sport or entertainment (e.g., rugby, hiking, biking, surfing etc.), where staying warm or finding a private place to change might be a challenge. With a waterproof changing robe, your dignity is maintained, and the elements are kept at bay. Wear your surf poncho before and after doing your favourite watersport, on a camping trip or at an outdoor sporting event. Weather-proof on the outside, roomy on the inside and usually featuring a warm, fleecy lining, the changing robe emerged more than a decade ago to keep surfers warm and sheltered from the elements while they changed out of their swimsuits and wetsuits. Intentionally oversized, their spacious design creates a portable changing room for the wearer, allowing them to slip their arms out of the robe sleeves and discreetly remove wet kit from within it – all while staying cosy and protected from the wind and rain.

There are many reasons to use a changing robe, but chief among them is the convenience that comes with a hands-free option to help you transition between wet or dirty clothes and clean ones. When it comes to getting into your swimsuit or wetsuit on the beach or in the car park, it can sometimes be a struggle to save your dignity and not expose yourself. Brands like Zone 3and Robie Robeshave created the beach changing robe, which simply goes over your head and enables you to get changed without exposing yourself. Short-sleeve or ¾ sleeve robes allow greater arm movement (helpful when removing a wetsuit, for example) and are better for milder days, but if you want your robe for the coldest, wettest weather and require max warmth, longer sleeves offer greater coverage and protection. Poncho or traditional style A changing robe is a garment worn over your clothing. They often look like an oversized coat and can come in a variety of fabrics and styles. The armholes are usually quite large, making it easy to bring your arms inside and get your clothes on and off without a struggle. Reasons to buy: reliably warm and waterproof, soft snug inner lining, lots of colours to choose fromPeople use their robes in all sorts of ways, so all of them are best for something – style, economy, compactness, skin feel, size available or coming in the particular colour you want. With a decent range of colours to choose from, if you want to try something different from a brand that is very sustainability-focused, then you won’t go wrong with trying a Voited Robe. Dryrobes (or waterproof changing robes) allow you to get changed into your sports gear or clean clothes anywhere, anytime while protecting you against the elements. They are often windproof, waterproof, and come with a lining meant to keep you warm and dry. Vivida is a brand created by people passionate about watersports, who know exactly what they want from their gear – Premium quality and classy design.

Gorilla Robes is a top-quality brand that I think is one of the best and cheapest Dryrobe alternatives. Gorilla Robes are offer great value for money and it’s by far the easiest changing robe to actually get changed in. The weather-resistant Dryrobes give you plenty of room for changing, have lots of places to squirrel away items, and are among the most trusted brands. SUSTAINABILITY: The Dry-Series has a 100% recycled nylon outer and a 100% recycled polyester lining – all GRS certified, and also use eco friendly DWR waterproofing. Not B Corp but signed up to 1 % for the planet (they’ve committed to donate 1% of sales to support non-profits focused to preserving and restoring the natural environment) and as part of the sustainability of their products they offer repairs for a ‘nominal fee’ to ensure their products longevity. Gorilla waterproof changing robes are also quite long, which provides as much body cover as possible to keep you toasty and warm. Red Paddle Co Changing RobeSUSTAINABILITY: Charlie McLeod scores very highly on the eco-credentials. With an outer made of 100% recycled and inner 95% recycled PET plastic (GRS certified) – approximately 110 recycled plastic bottles go into every cloak. A changing poncho is great for kids as you can just pop it over your child's head to ensure they're nice and warm when they come out of the water. It will also help you keep them covered while they change into their dry clothes. At Decathlon, we also have changing robes for men and women, and at a range of prices so you can find one to meet your budget. Step outside and stay warm all year round with a waterproof changing robe. The outside shell of this recycled changing robe is made of two-layer DWR recycled Nylon, and the inside is made of 100% recycled fleece. The materials mean that you can stay protected no matter what the weather, while the interior fleece soaks up any water to dry you off faster. It is more compact than other changing robes, so you can easily store it in a small bag. When the weather turns during an outdoor swimming outing or surfing event, a waterproof changing robe can help you get dry and stay warm while changing outside. Many outdoor changing robes from popular brands like Robie Robes offer waterproof liners, so unexpected rain won't stop you and your kids from changing into dry clothes at the beach.

This can be one of the more important factors to consider, especially if you intend to be outdoors in colder weather. For anyone living in more temperate climates, this might not be as essential, but it is always good to keep in mind whether you want something that can function as an insulated, warm changing space. The outer layer is also relatively lightweight and the ripstop material looks durable and feels hardwearing. This outer shell is also waterproof and windproof, protecting you from the elements in the cold winter months. Available in many sizes to suit each family member, these beach changing robes are a must, whether you're an occasional surfer or a regular paddleboarder. Our wide selection includes simple surf changing robes that you can easily roll up and taken on your trips. Our children's changing poncho towels are a lifesaver for family trips to the beach!

The short sleeve robes have the same features, but the arm length is shortened to just below the elbow. It is quite a bit looser than some other changing robe brands, which means you have plenty of space to take on and off multiple layers during colder weather. It can fit into a compression bag. Note 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 – save them for before or after your swim. A more winter-suited option from the Devon-based company above, this is probably the best Dryrobe alternative we’ve tested – importantly, at a slightly more wallet-friendly price. Swimming, paddleboarding, triathlon, surfing, sailing – however you love to get out and enjoy the water, when temperatures drop, there’s one thing that can make water sports and swimming more comfortable – a great changing robe.