16 Dryrobe alternatives for outdoor swims and watersports

The word ‘Dryrobe’ has almost become synonymous with swim robes in general, but since the brand launched in 2010, a huge number of Dryrobe alternatives have entered the market.

While some people might invest in a Dryrobe without considering any alternatives, it’s worth doing a little bit of research to find the best option for you. You may even be able to save some money on a budget-friendly robe.

To help you out, we’ve rounded up 16 of the best Dryrobe alternatives at a range of different price points, as tested by our expert reviewers.

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Best Dryrobe alternatives at a glance

• Best Dryrobe alternative overall: Red Original Long Sleeve Pro Evo Change Robe | Buy now from Red Original
• Best eco-friendly Dryrobe alternative: Zone3 Recycled Thermo-Tech Changing Robe | Buy now from Zone3
• Best budget option: Dhb Hydron | Buy now from Sports Direct

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Best Dryrobe alternatives

Zone3 Recycled Thermo-Tech Changing Robe

• Price: £149 / $240

UK triathlon brand Zone3 will be familiar to readers of 220 Triathlon.

This is one of two change robes in the brand’s armoury and features a 100% recycled water and windproof, but still breathable outer, combined with a soft fleece lining, which is where that ‘thermo-tech’ moniker comes into play.

The robe is designed to give lightweight warmth, which it does really well, and it feels much lighter than some of the others on test, but still did a good job of keeping me toasty after my winter swims.

A real plus point is the portability here – with a draw cord, decent zips plus a sturdy storm flap adding to the appeal.

You get five pockets in total, but only two of them are zippered which is a shame on an otherwise very versatile coat. 

• Price: £150 / $195

Within a market that’s seemingly saturated with swim changing robes, can watersports brand Gill Marine bring anything new?

Sitting at a reasonable price point (with 10% off online for new newsletter subscribers), I actually liked the Aqua Parka a lot during December when it felt like it rained every day.

Heavy duty with taped seams, it was fully waterproof even in the heaviest downpours and seemed to offer a halfway house between a waterproof coat and a swim robe, looking less ‘obvious’ and being slightly more fitted.

That said, my size medium (5ft7in female tester) still had plenty of room to change.

Zipped pockets, a large zip pull and a generous hood add to the features, with a black and a green option also offered.

Vivida All Weather Sherpa Changing Robe

Buy now from Vivida (£165)

• Price: £165 / $215

All of Dryrobe’s weatherproof products use recycled fabrics, so we like the best Dryrobe alternatives to also have an eco-friendly construction.

That’s why we love Vivida’s All-Weather changing robe, which features post-consumer recycled polyester.

As you’d expect, there’s a cosy fleece lining inside, which helps you dry off after a swim.

You’ll find an internal zipped compartment to keep your valuables safe, as well as a roomy ‘stash pocket’ with a bungee clip that you can pack your robe away into.

On the outer, there’s a water-repellent layer, complete with deep hand-warmer pockets and a two-way zip to give you more space when changing.

Taped seams, a draft collar and an adjustable hood and cuffs help keep out the wind and rain in bad weather.

Read our full review in our list of the best swim robes.

Red Original Long Sleeve Pro Evo Change Robe

Buy now from Red Original (£159.95)

• Price: £159.95 / $249

Red’s Pro Evo robe caught my eye with its smart contrast-trim colourways, but it also comes with some clever technical features.

As well as a zip, the designers have hidden five poppers underneath the wind baffle, so you can close the robe in just one or two places for extra freedom of movement.

They’ve also included magnets in some of the pockets, giving you easy access to your belongings.

There are adjustable Velcro cuffs to keep out chilly draughts. Plus, the entire changing robe fits into a 10L dry bag (check out our favourite dry bags if you need one).

Read our full review in our list of the best swim robes.

Dhb Hydron Robe

Buy now from Sports Direct (£58)

• Price: £100 (UK only)

If you’re on the lookout for a Dryrobe alternative with a slightly smaller price tag, try the Dhb Hydron.

It comes with three-quarter-length sleeves for greater freedom of movement, so it’s an ideal option in warmer months.

Of course, you’ll still get a cosy sherpa lining inside the robe and hood, as well as a waterproof outer to protect against rain showers.

A zipped, water-resistant internal pocket and a two-way zip with easy-grip pulls complete the package.

Read the full review in our list of the best swim robes reviewed.

Wild Moose Ocean Moose Eco Long Sleeve Changing Robe

• Price: £130

Founded by a wild swimmer based in Yorkshire, Wild Moose makes changing robes, handy waterproof bags and a range of other accessories for wild swimmers.

This eco robe is made from recycled nylon with sherpa fleece lining, which is made from recycled materials.

It’s wind and waterproof and one of the more ‘sturdy’ feeling robes on test, which gave superb protection against the elements and still allowed enough room inside to change.

The zip was easy to operate with cold hands thanks to handy rubber pull tabs, while Velcro at the cuffs allowed them to be tightened out of the way.

Two main pockets have a large loop zip pull, while one inner breast pocket is handy for valuables.

You also get a large fleece inner pocket for a hot water bottle or bobble hat.

Five sizes are available with provision for curvier swimmers, while the four bold primary colours hit a nice balance between being fun but also wearable.

Passenger Waves Recycled Sherpa Lined Changing Robe

Best features

• Price: £119.95 / $149.95

The eco credentials on this robe are a key selling point, with 100% recycled Repreve polyester ripstop (50D) with a PFC-free, water-repellent coating (DWR), and a full recycled sherpa fleece lining.

This is one of the lighter-weight robes on test (Passenger offers a range, though, if you prefer something a bit heavier) and it comes with a handy stuff sack included, which makes it a good choice if you want to carry it before your swim.

It did emerge a little creased but overall I liked the understated look of the product, though two camo prints are also on sale.

Of the five pockets only one (the outer breast pocket) is zipped, which is a shame, though the hand pockets do have a nice fleecy lining.

The zip could have been sturdier too, it was a touch fiddly with cold hands.

The draw cord on the hood is a nice touch, though, and with the lowest price point on test, this is a solid choice for those on a budget or more casual users who won’t be using it as often.

SplashRobe 3 in 1 Robe

• Price: £180 / $235

Seeing a brand doing something a little different it always exciting and here there are plenty of features to play with in this innovative jacket.

The three-in-one design makes it much more versatile than the others on test, and if you’re the kind of swimmer/triathlete who always has a million different bits of kit spilling out of your car (guilty as charged) then this striking coat could be a bit of a game changer.

Made from 100% recycled materials, this robe features a waterproof shell outer and a removable fleece inner, which also repelled light showers when worn alone.

In practice, I found the inner coat enough for a lot of my changing needs, and very light and easy to transport

The second layer is superb for adding on top when using it as more of a coat for warmth and exploring. Worn together, they give a very good way of hiding from the elements!

The two coats attach together via two side zips and three poppers.

On the inner coat you get two large side pockets to slip your hands into and two zipped pockets
for valuables.

On the outer coat, though, the list of features is very impressive, with four (count ’em!) zippered pockets,
as well as two large fleece-lined pockets to pop your hands in.

The cuffs have large Velcro strips for adjusting and, in a touch of genius, the poppers along the storm flap are magnetic, meaning you can pull the coat on and quickly get changed without worrying about the
zip. That said, the main zip has a sturdy pull on it for ease.

All in, this is a great quality coat with a price tag that feels very reasonable.

White Water Robes Arctic Camo Hardshell

• Price: £140 / $182.59
• Pros: Competitively priced, recycled fabrics, good weather protection
• Cons: Design may not be for everyone

Another UK-based brand, White Water were founded in 2020 and the range includes Hard Shell robes (as here), Soft Shell robes (£130), which are lighter and more packable, and kids’ robes.

Pricing is competitive and the features here are good.

The fabrics are fully recycled with a waterproof, windproof and durable outer with taped seams.

I found the coat warm and able to withstand the worst of the spring weather (which was dreadful this year!).

The zip is quality and a large pull tab features, along with loops on the three pockets.

The cuffs have large Velcro adjusters to pull them in, much like on the Drybones robe below.

Reflective logos are a nice touch and I liked the grey camo effect (other colours/designs are available).

There are three fleece-lined pockets on the outside, while inside there’s one large fleece pocket suitable for a hot water bottle.

All in all, this is a solid contender that should last well and is priced competitively.

Drybones Ocean Camo Coat

• Price: £140 (UK only)

We don’t see many products with skeletons on them here at 220, so this one caused a stir right out of the box!

Based in the UK and the brainchild of two outdoor enthusiasts, the Drybones brand offers adult, child and dog change robes in a multitude of fun colours and designs – all with their unique skeleton branding, the idea being that these keep you dry to the bone!

My camo sample with orange lining was striking and there’s a good range of colours I haven’t seen in the market before.

Features feel good quality and are easy to get on with. The zip is chunky and simple to manage with cold hands and the zip pulls are nice big loops, which also appear on the pockets.

Large Velcro straps make it easy to adjust and draw in the cuffs once you’re done shuffling about and getting changed inside the coat.

My size medium (for a female UK14 tester) was oversized enough to get changed inside but not so big that it felt like it swamped me when wearing it after my swim.

The coat was very warm thanks to that snuggly synthetic sherpa lambswool lining, which is made from recycled plastics.

The outer is made from polyester, which is treated with eco-friendly water repellents.

On a cold rainy day, I didn’t see any water ingress, plus the large hood stayed put and was big enough to get a woolly hat underneath.

The limited edition camo versions attract a slightly higher price, but at £130 for a plain colour or £120 for a shorter-sleeved plain colour, the value here is good.

Bespoke and custom options are available, too, as well as versions for your dog from £35!

Verdict:

Cape Cove Snuggler Waterproof

• Price: £259 (UK only)
• Pros: Very good quality, solid features
• Cons: High price, jazzy design likely to split opinion

Chances are you may not have come across this small independent womenswear brand before – stocked online and in John Lewis.

Crafting (beautiful) quality clothing inspired by the coastline, the Snuggler is one of the brand’s changing range.

The brand sent us two sizes and designs for testing, the Ikat print (shown here) in a medium and a pale pink version in a small.

There wasn’t much in it so on balance I’d size down to make it more versatile day-to-day.

I loved the quality of this coat, which featured a recycled sherpa lining which extended to the hood and a cute collar that could be turned up or down for extra warmth.

There’s a draw cord to cinch it in at the waist and one on the hood as well as a tab with popper.

The two-way zip is good quality with a large pull and three zipped pockets feature.

The coat is made from 100% recycled materials inside and out and comes with a nice quality branded drawstring bag for travel. The price may understandably deter some, though. 

Also consider…

Lifeventure Changing Robe

Buy now from Lifeventure (£95.99)

Best features:

• Stretchy sleeves
• Odour control treatment
• Cheaper than similar Dryrobe alternatives

Lifeventure’s changing robe looks like another great choice if you want to save some money. It comes with all the elements you’d expect from a high-quality changing robe, including a claimed waterproof outer and a fleece lining inside the robe, hood and pockets.

One of the standout features of this Lifeventure changing robe is its Polygiene odour control treatment, which is designed to eliminate bad smells. The makers have also incorporated a ‘stretch sleeve design’ and an internal zip pocket.

Saltrock Recycled Changing Robe

Buy now from Saltrock (£120)

Best features:

• Eye-catching patterns
• Waterproof ripstop outer
• Taped seams

It’s hard to ignore Saltrock’s stylish changing robes. The brand was launched in Cornwall more than 30 years ago by two surfing brothers from South Africa, and they’ve now created a wide range of outdoor clothing and accessories.

If you’re looking for something with a little personality, one of Saltrock’s changing robes would make a fantastic Dryrobe alternative.

Not only do they look great, but they also come with lots of convenient features. The outer is made with strong ripstop fabric to help you avoid snags and tears, and it’s taped at the seams for extra protection against the rain.

Inner and outer fleece-lined pockets and an adjustable hood also come as standard.

Plus, they’re now also made with recycled materials!

Osprey Hooded Changing Robe

Best features:

• Simple, fuss-free design
• Two-way zip

With its all-black look and fuss-free design, Osprey’s changing robe is a mid-range option worth considering. Expect the classic weather-resistant outer and fleece-lined inner to keep you cosy and warm, as well as full-length sleeves with Velcro cuffs for extra protection.

Like a lot of the best Dryrobe alternatives, this one comes with a two-way zip, which gives you more flexibility in how you use the robe. If you’re wearing it for chilly walks, just pull up the zip from the bottom to allow for more space around your legs.

Smoc Smoc Eco Changing Robe

Best features:

• Sustainable bamboo lining
• Made in the UK
• Reversible zip accessible from both sides

The best Dryrobe alternatives always incorporate recycled or sustainable materials. The Smoc Smoc robe uses bamboo, which is naturally hypoallergenic and biodegradable, so it won’t pollute the planet. It’s also impressively soft, which makes it a great replacement for polyester.

This robe comes with two bamboo-lined pockets on the outside, as well as an internal zip-up breast pocket for valuables and a large open pocket for storing clothes.

One of the best additions, though, is the reversible zip, which you can move from inside the robe – ideal when you’re getting changed in chilly conditions.

There are also toggles on the adjustable hood so you can adjust it to fit better.

Northcore Beach Basha Sport Long Sleeve Changing Robe

Best features:

• Triple-panel hood with peaked cap
• Looped zipper pulls
• Lots of pockets

Northcore’s Beach Basha robe is another Dryrobe alternative that’s worth a look. It’s got a PU-coated nylon outer and a soft fleece lining, but the standout feature is the hood.

That’s because the brand says it’s been ergonomically designed with a triple-panel construction and a peaked cap to keep the rain out of your eyes.

Northcore has included Velcro cuff straps to help you get a snug fit, as well as plenty of storage compartments.

The Beach Basha has large fleece-lined pockets on the outside and shoulder compartment with Velcro closure for smaller items. Inside the robe, you’ll find one big pocket and a fleece-lined, zip-up section for valuables.

How we tested these Dryrobe alternatives

The products reviewed above have been tested by 220 Triathlon‘s editor (and open-water swim coach) Helen Webster and the magazine’s content editor, Rob Slade.

Between them, they have over 20 years of kit testing experience and have reviewed many dozens of swim robes.

Testing was done in mixed weather conditions, with each robe used multiple times after open-water swims.

We also tested the outer fabrics in a controlled environment to check how they coped with a consistent stream of water droplets.

Aside from that, we also rated these Dryrobe alternatives based on how warm they are, how well they absorb moisture when drying off post-swim, how easy it is to change under them and how good their features are.

On the latter point, we always like to see a two-way zip, an adjustable hood, adjustable cuffs, plus an array of pockets, including zipped ones for securing personal items (or snacks, like energy bars).

While cold water swimming has its benefits, it’s important to be safe. Investing in a swimming robe can be a great way to provide immediate warmth and insulation through the seasons.

If you’re looking for more cold water kit, check out our list of the best cold water swimming gear.