Go for a beach stroll, riverside walk or to any touchline, and you'll likely spot a few wild swimmers and spectators wrapped up in their beloved changing robes.
The changing robe hype isn't going anywhere, with the half-jacket-half-towel designs offering warmth, comfort and weatherproof protection to swimmers, surfers and beachgoers up and down our coastlines. The practical, yet luxurious, garment allows you to change discretely, while offering a cosy, fleece-lined inner for extra warmth post swim.
So, what changing robe to go for? Our team has been busy testing the best changing robes on the market, taking comfort, weatherproof protection, durability, value for money and warmth into consideration.
For more on how we tested, and what to consider when buying a changing robe, head to our short buyers' guide.
Read on for our tried and tested review below, and find a new wardrobe item for your waterside adventures.
Best changing robes at a glance:
- Best for a luxurious feel - Red Pro Change Robe Evo - check availability at Mountain Warehouse
- Best for wild swimmers and regular beachgoers - Dryrobe Advance Short Sleeve - check availability at Tredz
- Best for light travel - Olaian Adult Waterproof Changing Robe - check availability at Decathlon
If it's beach footwear you're looking for, head to our roundup of the best water shoes.
Best changing robes tested for 2024
Red Pro Change Robe Evo
Best for luxurious feel and extra length
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- Material: 100% recycled polyester outer, fur-style sherpa fleece inner
- Weight: 1.7kg (for large size)
- RRP: £159.95
Whether you're changing post surf or heading out on a rainy school run, Red's wearable and comfortable changing robe is sure to come in handy. With its luxurious feel and welcomed extra length, you've got great coverage without feeling swamped.
It's a durable bit of kit, and an item you can wear for years to come — we'd say the price tag reflects the quality of the design. An adjustable hood and cosy fur lining make for a remarkably warm design.
Pros: Extra length, luxurious cosy feel, weatherproof, high quality
Cons: Pricey, fairly bulky in terms of transportation and storage
Our verdict: A good-looking and long-lasting quality product for days out by the coast
Read our full Red Pro Change Robe Evo review.
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Dryrobe Advance Short Sleeve
Best for wild swimmers and regular beachgoers
- Material: 100% recycled nylon (outer shell), 100% recycled polyester (fleece lining)
- Weight: 1.3kg (small)
- RRP: £145
The Dryrobe brand is a huge player in the changing robe game, and for good reason. On review, the Advance Short Sleeve model, a core product in the range, proved to be a high-quality and well-made design with impressive eco-credentials. The instant warmth of the sherpa-style fleece-lined inner paired with the material's fast-drying nature makes it a winning choice for wild swimmers and beachgoers looking to quickly dry off, and wrap up warm.
This is a serious bit of kit, and a hefty investment, so we'd say it's well suited to surfers, dog walkers and sports viewers who regularly find themselves battling the elements.
Pros: High-quality materials, impressive eco-credentials, warm, fast drying
Cons: Expensive purchase
Our verdict: A worthwhile investment for beachgoers and wild swimming enthusiasts who head out in all conditions
Read our full review of the Dryrobe Advance Short Sleeve.
Olaian Adult Waterproof Changing Robe
Best for light travel
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- Material: Inner layer 100% Cotton; Outer shell 20% Polyurethane, 80% Polyester
- Weight: 520g
- RRP: £99.99
A hard-wearing garment that will take a battering on the coast, with an intuitive design — there's plenty to love about Decathlon's waterproof changing robe. There's a simplicity to the garment. Throw it on while camping on a cool evening, and take it to the beach for a faff-free swim gear change.
Plus, it comes out as good as new after a wash making it a top pick for regular wear.
While many of the waterproof changing robes on review here weighed over one kilogram, the Olaian robe scrunches up surprisingly well to cram into a daypack, and weighs just 520g – we carried ours into a 26-litre pack and it took up less than half the capacity.
Pros: Generous size, absorbent lining, handy pocket for valuables, weatherproof
Cons: Only one size option
Our verdict: It’s hard to shake a feeling of smugness when pulling on this robe – cosy, warm, dry – it’s almost a shame when the sun comes out and you have to take it off!
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Lifeventure Fleece Lined Changing Robe
Best for value
- Material: Nylon (outer), polyester (inner lining)
- Weight: 1.3kg
- RRP: £119.99
Lifeventure's long-length fleece-lined robe offers plenty of desirable features including a waterproof outer; plenty of space for discrete changing and the warmth we crave on a wild swimming or dog walking adventure. We also appreciated the wide elastic bands which help secure the rolled-up changing robe securely in place — ideal for when you're looking to squeeze your robe into a daypack or beach bag.
There's no two-way zip to aid with changing, and we wouldn't say it's the best design for shorter people, but we were impressed with the value for money, plus it's a durable, well-made product. You're covered for comfort too, we struggled to part ways with the comfortable, fleece-lined inner after our swim.
Pros: Super warm, waterproof, roomy, good value
Cons: No two-way zip, heavy
Our verdict: a good value, ultra-warm and waterproof choice for a range of activities, but not the ideal buy for shorter people
Read our full review of the Lifeventure fleece lined changing robe.
Regatta Adult Changing Robe
Best for style
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- Range of sizes: S/M and L/XL
- Material: 100% Polyester, Hydrafort technology
- RRP: £120
The Regatta Adult Changing Robe offers warmth and protection from the wind and rain. On test, we found it was a welcomed addition both at the beach, and on the touchline of an under-11s football match.
As for design, we love the camouflage exterior and pleasing fluffy fleece lining, but we felt the outer pockets were a little high up, and not in the most natural position for chilly hands. But overall, this changing robe is cosy, hard-wearing and very much fit for purpose.
Pros: Looks good, offers great protection from wind and rain, comfy
Cons: Outer pockets too high up, hood doesn’t fit as well as rest of item
Our verdict: This garment does pretty much everything you would want from a changing robe and does so stylishly. We’re sold.
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Finisterre Vean Changing Robe
Best for casual summer beach trips
Buy from Finisterre (£55.00)
- Range of colours: Cerulean Blue, Flame Orange, Black
- Material: Organic cotton towelling
- RRP: £55
Finisterre's Vean Changing Robe differs greatly from our other designs on test here as it's a cross between a towel and a poncho, rather than a weatherproof garment for tackling the elements. If you're looking for something to throw on after a sea or pool swim, or take on a holiday for a week of sunshine, this comfortable and cosy design could do the trick.
As usually the case with the popular brand, expect a high-quality build and durable design.
We had a few issues with sizing on review. There's only one size, and we found it was pretty snug-fitting for a reasonably large adult, and too long — yet the perfect width — for our younger, 10-year-old reviewer.
Pros: Comfortable, easy to throw on, looks good, lovely colour (we tested the Cerulean blue robe)
Cons: Too long for a child but quite snug for an adult, bulky to pack in luggage
Our verdict: A different kind of changing robe to most on the market, but probably one that more strictly adheres to the concept of a robe to use to get changed under when you get out of the water
How we tested
These changing robes were tested by our team from April to July, in a variety of weather conditions. We wore the changing robes to a number of beaches, riversides, touchlines and even school runs to test to the garments for fit, comfort, weatherproofing, durability, packability and value for money.
While reviewing and rating the changing robes, we took the following into consideration:
- Fit/comfort: Is the robe comfortable to wear, offering a cosy yet non-restrictive fit? Is the robe true to size?
- Weatherproofing/warmth: Does the robe have any waterproofing qualities? Does it protect you from the wind?
- Materials, durability and sustainability: Do the materials feel long-lasting and strong enough for outdoor life? Have any recycled materials been used?
- Packability: Does the robe roll up for easy transportation?
- Value for money: Are there enough technical and high-quality features to justify a hefty price tag?
What to consider when buying a changing robe
As new changing robe designs continue to hit our markets, it's best to take a few things into consideration before making, the often hefty, purchase:
Weatherproofing
There are a number of waterproof and windproof changing robe designs available, so if you're going to be heading out in wet and wild conditions, whether you're an all-season surfer, dog walker or supportive parent of a sport-playing child, it's worth investing in decent weatherproofing. The waterproof designs are essentially large jackets, so you can throw them on with ease, even if you're miles from the beach and have no notion of changing into swimwear!
Weight
Due to their roomy and robust designs, you'll find a changing robe can often weigh over one kilogram, so they're not necessarily the lightest bit of kit. Of course if you have a van or car and park right next to the beach or riverside, this won't be an issue, but you may want to consider a lighter design if you've got miles to cover, and lots of gear to carry.
Cost
A changing robe can cost over £100, so if you're looking for something to help you dry off after a quick dip in the summer, you may want to consider a cheaper, and less robust, alternative such as a towel robe.
However if you're serious about water sports, and need that extra bit of encouragement to join the local wild swimming group, a changing robe is a worthwhile investment. There are plenty of durable designs out there, so you'll be able to use your changing robe for many adventures to come to really get your money's worth.
Eco credentials
Green shoppers will be pleased to find a number of changing robes made with recycled materials. There are designs made from 100% recycled fabrics, so ensure to look closely at the garment's makeup to shop sustainably.
For more tried and tested gear reviews, head to the best walking shoes and the best walking boots.
