9 minute read
Often imitated, never duplicated - dryrobe® Advance is the original and best weather-proof change robe.
Since its inception 10 years ago, dryrobe® Advance has established itself as an essential piece of equipment for anyone involved in outdoor activity - from pro athletes and water sports enthusiasts through to campers and dog walkers looking to stay warm. dryrobe® has also become the industry standard for a huge range of sporting events and is trusted by the world’s most respected water safety experts and biggest brands, including Red Bull, RLSS UK, PADI and GoPro.
The original dryrobe® was designed by Gideon Bright - a UK based surfer with over 30 years of experience in the water. Based on an idea his mum had when he was a teenager, Gideon developed a front zipping change robe that combined both a warm, advanced towel lining with a waterproof and windproof protective outer layer.
It can be used for many sports and outdoor activities including open water swimming, surfing, obstacle course racing and mountain biking, as well as spectating. Available in long or short sleeve versions, both have been designed to make it easy to pull your arms in and get changed inside.
Once you have a dryrobe® change robe you will not believe how many uses you’ll find for it.
So, what are the features and benefits that make dryrobe® Advance the best change robe money can buy?
1. Warmth
This is the single most important reason that the dryrobe® Advance came into existence! A simple realisation that there was a need to find a way to stay warm while changing outdoors.
The super-warm, 100% recycled, synthetic lambswool lining helps get your core temperature up quickly and keeps you toasty.
2. Waterproof
The most important action you can take to start your recovery from the cold is to get out of the wind, get dry and warm. The 100% recycled outer shell of the dryrobe® Advance is waterproof up to 10,000mm and completely windproof, giving you complete protection from the elements.
3. Full-Length Zip Front
All dryrobe® changing robes feature a full length, super-strong chunky YKK® zipper on the front for fast, easy entry and exit. This crucial difference really separates the dryrobe® Advance from surf ponchos and towel robes with over the head access. The two-way zip can also be conveniently operated from either the inside or outside of the change robe.
Whilst over the head options may be appropriate in some situations, this is definitely not suitable for lifeguards, surf-lifesavers due to their need for ease and speed of exit. It is also a pretty awkward and ungraceful way for anyone else to get changed!
4. Moisture Control Lining
The dryrobe® Advance uses a 100% recycled synthetic lambswool lining that draws the water away from your skin, drying you instantly while insulating you and making you feel unbelievably warm. It doesn’t actually absorb water but wicks it off your skin, so you can put it on over a wet wetsuit and it won’t get damp as it does not absorb the water. When you then take the wetsuit off inside the dryrobe® change robe (or as soon as it touches wet skin) it will warm you by drawing any moisture away from the skin into the heat insulating pile of the lining, removing the moisture through the natural venting due to the garment’s construction.
It will never feel cold against the skin, even after repeated use throughout the day and dries super-fast at ambient room temperature and outdoors. The inner lining of the dryrobe® Advance dries four times quicker than our nearest competitor!
dryrobe® change robes can also be used indoors too. They were used around the pools by Team GB swimmers at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, due to the warm, fast-drying properties.
5. Unique Design
The dryrobe® Advance’s original, short, 3/4 length sleeve design is a massive improvement on more conventional, old-style, square-shaped robes - which provide no warmth for the arms and allows wind/cold air into the change space. The unique design provides simple entry and exit of your arms whilst changing, and the sleeve covers the opening when your arms are inside. This protects you from the wind chill and rain. Once you are changed and your hands are buried in the deep fleece-lined pockets, your arms are almost completely covered too.
There is also a long sleeve version that suits users who want a more conventional look and intend to stand around in their change robe for long periods of time. Perfect if you find yourself hanging around at sporting events, waiting to participate, walking your dog or watching your kids compete. This is designed so that it functions in exactly the same way for changing inside as our original short sleeve design.
The whole garment is made from one huge sheet of durable recycled nylon, then the hood is added to keep the seams to a minimum and to maximise both strength and waterproofing. It’s one tough bit of kit that’s designed to last.
6. Value For Money
At first glance, the dryrobe® Advance can appear to be a costly version of the basic towel change robe. The quality features listed and durability are what really sets it apart from the competition though. We have customers still using the dryrobe® changing robes they purchased nearly ten years ago! Compare that to any other sports tech kit, be it a wetsuit or even a pair of trainers.
The price tag for the dryrobe® Advance makes it a considered purchase, but the difference it makes to your outdoor activities really means that when you factor in cost per use and the additional motivation you get from knowing you won't get cold changing, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.
You will also find so many more uses for your dryrobe® Advance than you initially thought - including camping trips, walking the dog, watching outdoor events, staying dry at festivals and even keeping yourself toasty at home when the boiler breaks (writing from experience here!)
The dryrobe® Advance can also be worn as a coat and has even been featured in the fashion pages of The Guardian and Grazia! If you’re purchasing a dryrobe® to solely wear as a jacket, we’d recommend dropping down a size - check out our dryrobe® size guide.
dryrobe® products have even been spotted keeping actors warm on the sets of huge TV series and film productions including Game of Thrones, Poldark and Avengers: Endgame.
7. Made From Recycled Fabrics
At dryrobe® we are dedicated to doing everything we can to help create a sustainable future by making a positive difference and leaving a lighter footprint. All our newly produced dryrobe® Advance change robes are made with 100% recycled fabrics and use eco-friendly BIONIC-FINISH ECO® water-resistant finishing.
The fast-drying inner fleece is made from 100% recycled polyester. This is a great way to divert unwanted plastic pollution, such as bottles, away from our oceans.
The waterproof outer is 100% recycled nylon that would otherwise be destined for landfill. No harmful chemicals are used in the recycling process.
Find out more about sustainability at dryrobe®.
8. Storage Space
The dryrobe® Advance has plenty of places to store your gear and valuables when you’re in the water or getting active outdoors. As well as two external fleece-lined zipped pockets there is a huge internal A4 ‘poachers’ pocket, which is perfect for keeping a towel handy or storing swim/sports gear. There is also an internal waterproof zip entry pocket - ideal for keeping your phone/wallet safe.
Despite its size, the dryrobe® Advance is relatively light. At only approx 1.3kg (dependant on size) it can be packed down small into a travel compression bag, meaning it can go wherever your adventures take you.
9. Partners and Collaborations
dryrobe® changing robes are used by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK), leading water safety experts and lifeguards throughout the world. They are also used for some of the most high-profile events by the world’s biggest and best-known brands including Red Bull and GoPro.
In elite-level sport, our products have been used by the Great Britain Triathlon Team at events across the world and by Team GB as official kit for Swimmers at the Rio 2016 Olympics and Triathletes at Tokyo 2020.
The dryrobe® Advance is widely used for surfing (where it all started), swimming windsurfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, surf lifesaving, camping, mountain biking, diving, rugby, netball and obstacle course racing. In fact, dryrobe® change robes are used now in almost all outdoor activities and the list is still growing.
10. Reviews and Real Customer Comments
Since the beginning dryrobe® has gained quite a reputation for quality. Nothing tells you more about a product than the comments of people that actually use them. dryrobe® products are built on our customer comments - by that we mean that we listen and make improvements based on the feedback from people who use them regularly. We are committed to producing the best possible products.
Don't just take our word for it, check out the independent reviews on the website (powered by Yotpo), visit our Facebook page or search online to see for yourself.
We believe the dryrobe® Advance is the best change robe in the world, and we’re proud to say that our customers back this up.
Find out more about dryrobe:
How to choose - Find the perfect dryrobe® change robe for your needs and get the right size.
Our story - Where it all started.
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