The best dry robes for wild swimming and outdoorsy adventures
If you’re keen to take the plunge and join the wild swimming brigade in the new year, good on you, as there are countless benefits. “If you’ve ever taken a chilly dip or lowered yourself into an ice bath, you’ll have experienced that rush of endorphins that leaves you feeling energised and ready to seize the day,” says cold water instructor and breathwork coach Lindsay Aubrey.
Beyond that incredible post-swim high, Aubrey points out that regular cold exposure can help build mental resilience and ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as boost circulation and reduce muscle soreness and fatigue. “It’s a budget-friendly activity, easily accessible at local open water spots, beaches and lidos and it’s a brilliant way to meet new people and build friendships,” she adds.
Yet, despite the myriad reasons to embrace cold plunging, there’s no getting around it – the UK’s waters can be absolutely freezing, even in the height of summer. That’s where the best changing robes come in (or, as some call them, the best dry robes, referring to the brand that popularised the craze, dryrobe).
These clever bits of kit are designed to help you warm up quickly and get changed discreetly post-dip, all while protecting you from the elements. They feature wind- and waterproof exteriors, roomy designs and plush fleecy linings.
Beyond cold water swimming, they’re great for keeping you snug during a range of outdoorsy pursuits, from paddle boarding, surfing and camping, to dog walks, school runs and even brunch in the colder months.
At the GHI, we put a selection of popular designs to the test to find the ones that are equal parts functional and stylish. Here are our winners at a glance, but keep reading for our full reviews below.
Which changing robes are best?
Are changing robes worth it?
Granted, the best dry robes can be pricey, but if you’re regularly submerging yourself in freezing waters, it’s a worthwhile investment.
“Cold water is an excellent conductor of heat,” explains Aubrey. “If you let those chilly droplets linger on your skin, they’ll swiftly absorb heat from your body’s surface through a process called evaporative cooling.” In other words, your temperature could drop fast.
However, a changing robe can help you warm up quickly and keep you snug after a dip. “I’d recommend drying yourself off with a towel and then slipping into your robe to retain warmth," says Aubrey.
How do I choose a good changing robe?
“You want to look for a dry robe that’s weatherproof, roomy on the inside and has a warm, quick-drying lining,” Aubrey says.
And as with most kit, finding the right one for you comes down to personal preference and usage. These are some of the key things to consider.
Protection: For maximum protection, opt for something that has a waterproof and windproof outer shell and taped seams to protect you from the elements and prevent water from seeping in. An adjustable hood will also help you retain warmth.
Layers: While single-layered robes or ponchos should suffice in mild weather, a multi-layered robe will keep you nice and toasty year-round. Aubrey suggests looking out for quick-drying, absorbent materials such as microfibre and cotton. Fleecy fabric also feels lovely and soft against the skin.
Sizing: Most robes are designed to be oversized so you can get changed easily and discreetly beneath them. Essentially, you want something that’s long and spacious enough for you to remove your wet swimwear and put on warm clothes, without exposing you to the cold. Two-way reversible zips, which allow you to unzip with your arms inside the robe, can be extremely helpful, too.
Pockets: Look for a changing robe with zipped interior pockets for your valuables and roomy exterior pockets to help you keep your hands warm and for stashing post-swim drinks and snacks.
How we test
We enlisted a panel of keen cold-water swimmers to put a range of changing robes from the buzziest brands to the test. Our panellists took each robe for a series of dips before reporting back on design, fit, comfort and performance.
They noted how warm they were, whether the waterproofing capabilities were up to scratch, if they had sufficient room to change underneath, and if there were any useful features like zipped pockets and adjustable hoods. Bonus points were awarded for robes with stylish, attractive designs.
Back at the Good Housekeeping Institute, our in-house experts collated their feedback, and each product was awarded a final score. Ready to embrace the open waters, without getting the shakes?
Thermal Parka
Score: 93/100
Excellent weatherproofing capabilities? Check. Warm, cosy inner lining? Yep. Adjustable hood and zipped pockets? You bet. This Orca offering was a big hit with our testers, with one saying, “I’d highly recommend it, it’s a great investment,” and another telling us it was better than any changing robe they had tried before.
Performance-wise, it proved supremely windproof and waterproof, with strong seams to keep water at bay and fast-drying zips. One tester said it kept them bone-dry, even in torrential rain! It also ticked the box in terms of comfort – according to our panel, the fleecy fabric lining the robe, hood and pockets was “buttery soft, absorbent and luxuriously warm”.
The zipped pockets allow you to safely store your valuables and the spacious design means it’s great for getting changed under. A few panellists found it came up rather large, so we’d recommend sizing down if you’re unsure.
Advanced Long Sleeve Changing Robe
Score: 90/100
Dryrobe is one of the most popular brands on the market and after testing it, we understand the hype. It was popular with our swimmers, who raved about the quick-drying, absorbent lining and said it successfully protected them from wind and rain. They liked the range of zipped interior and exterior pockets for all their essentials and appreciated the hooks on the zips, which made it easy to open and close the pockets with cold, wet hands.
If warmth is priority, this dry robe should be on your radar – one tester said it felt like, “a massive fleecy hug around me” and another said they would “100% recommend it to friends”. The generous design also means there’s plenty of room to get changed while wearing it and it boasts reservable two-way zips to make the process even simpler.
There are a range of colours and patterns to choose from, so you’re bound to find one that you like, and it’s machine washable, so you can keep it in tip-top condition. It is on the bulky side and can be a bit of a faff to lug around, but that’s our only gripe.
Beaufort Robe
Score: 87/100
Whether you’re taking a chilly dip, strolling through the park or doing the school run, this bestselling style from D-Robe is a sound choice, according to our testers. They loved the Parka-esque design, saying it looked more like a roomy coat than a traditional dry robe. “It’s more versatile and can easily be worn as a good daily waterproof coat, not just after being in the water,” commented one panel member.
Thanks to the sturdy fabric, waterproof nylon shell and taped seams, it’s guaranteed to protect you from the elements – one tester said it kept them bone dry even in torrential rain. It has a super-soft fleece inner for warmth, a secure hood and numerous interior and exterior pockets to fit all your essentials. “It was really cosy but didn’t make me feel overheated or sweaty,” said one tester, while another told us: “It’s the best dry robe I have tried.”
A few testers found the two-way zip a little sticky, but that wouldn’t stop them from wearing it again and again. It's the ultimate combination of style and functionality.
Misty Womens Recycled Fleece Lined Parka
Score: 83/100
There’s lots to love about this mid-length parka from legendary surf brand Animal. Testers rated the oversized design, which gave them plenty of room for quick and easy changing post-swim and they liked the soft fleecy inner, which was quick to dry and helped them warm up quickly.
It’s made of water-resistant fabric and has a drawstring hood and taped seams to keep the wind and rain out and features roomy pockets at the front for stuffing your hands into. Note, they aren’t zipped and there are no interior pockets, so you can’t store your valuables, and the robe is on the heavier side when wet. On the plus side, we found the high-quality design washed extremely well and it was highly breathable.
With shorter arms and slightly shorter in length, it’s a good choice for petite swimmers or for those who want something less heavy duty during the milder months.
£74.99 at mountainwarehouse.com
Recycled Parka
Score: 81/100
We’re big fans of Zone3’s wetsuits at the GHI, so we had high hopes for the brand’s changing robe. Fortunately, it didn’t disappoint – it’s brimming with impressive features, including numerous zipped and open pockets, a two-way zipper for easy fastening, full length sleeves to trap warmth and a wind guard protection panel around the neck.
Our testers were impressed with how lightweight it was, saying it was a good choice when to-ing and fro-ing from the beach and they loved the soft, cosy fleece lining. The waterproof and windproof shell did a stellar job in wet, gusty weather, with one tester confirming it kept both them and their belongings dry.
Some found the hood too tight, and the robe was a tad large for the smaller testers on our panel, but you can’t win ‘em all. If you want something lightweight that you can share with your other half, this unisex style is a worthwhile buy.
Coastline Women’s Water-Resistant Changing Robe
Score: 80/100
After a lightweight changing robe that you can take with you on the go? This featherweight design from Mountain Warehouse should be on your radar. It scored top marks for portability on test, proving a cinch to pack down and shove into a beach bag or rucksack.
It has a water-resistant outer layer, so it will do the job nicely in light rain, but it’s not one to whip out in the depths of winter or in torrential rain. The soft towelling inner helped our testers dry off as they came out of the water, and they said it was great for getting changed under. It’s not the most technical robe out there, but it does include features like an adjustable hood, large front pockets and built-in UV protection.
For a fuss-free, great-value design that will see you through the milder months in comfort and style, this is an excellent choice.
Changing Robe
Score: 80/100
While performance is important, we also want an aesthetically pleasing design that will look good, whether we’re on the beach or traipsing through town.
This stylish Orla Keily number won our testers over within moments. They loved the vibrant pattern and said they’d happily wear it on a daily basis. “Usually, changing robes are ugly so it was a refreshing change to see a really beautiful design,” said one tester.
Good looks aside, it offers deep zipped pockets for warm hands and valuables, a soft and fluffy inner lining for ultimate comfort and a hood to keep in the heat. Testers said it shielded them from rain and wind, although it’s worth noting that the un-cuffed sleeves are on the shorter side and may not be the warmest. Additionally, we would have preferred a range of sizing options as some testers reported it was too tight for larger bodies.
The verdict on changing robes
Weatherproof, warm and functional, our winning thermal robe from Orca ticks all the boxes whether you're a keen swimmer or you hate being chilly in the winter months.
If you're on the shorter side, look to Animal's Misty Fleece Lined Parka, which is slightly shorter in length, and if style is priority, this gorgeous Orla Keily Changing Robe is you're perfect match, with a range of chic patterns to choose from.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
At the GHI, we test thousands of products every year to find the very best on the market. We put each and every item through rigorous testing, both in real-world and lab conditions, to provide unbiased reviews you can rely on.
Kim Hawley is our health and wellness tester, putting thousands of fitness products through their paces, including cold water swimming kit. She has over 30 years' experience in the fitness industry, with both a level 4 personal training qualification and a nutrition qualification. Prior to joining the GHI, she spend 20 years working in leading health clubs across the UK.
For this test, we recruited a panel of experienced cold water swimmers to give us their feedback on each changing robe. Used to having to dry off quickly in all weathers, they knew exactly what they were looking for.
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