Find out what it takes to make the world’s best changing robe, why others fail to make the grade when it comes to performance, why this should matter to you, and why there is no alternative to Dryrobe®. 

When we started out in 2010, no one could have predicted that Dryrobe® would change the habits of so many people around the world.

The first Dryrobe® changing robe was built with one simple purpose in mind: to make changing outside in the cold more comfortable. Helping you get changed anywhere while staying warm, dry, and having fun in the process. It was also born out of necessity, as there wasn’t anything else out there like it! 

Right from the start, we built a product we wanted to use ourselves. Like most new ideas, it took a while before it was understood and eventually embraced by those who saw its huge potential to help them enjoy being active outdoors in the cold.

As surfers, swimmers, paddlers, athletes and others adopted the Dryrobe® Advance as a part of their outdoor lives, other brands adopted this idea into their range of products too. Our original design now has many, many imitators, in fact, it has spawned a whole new product category: the changing robe.

While there are now plenty of other changing robe alternatives on the market, none can truly match the quality, performance and durability of the iconic Dryrobe® Advance. In this guide, we’ll go through the key factors that make the original a cut above the rest and explain why a cheap alternative to Dryrobe® is not money well spent!

Price - Is Cheaper Really Better?

When it comes to investing in a product that will last you for years, there are many considerations. Purchasing a ‘cheaper’ Dryrobe® alternative may seem like a good idea at the time, but you have to ask yourself, ‘Why is it cheaper?’ and ‘Is that going to work for me?’.

Money is more often than not the driving force behind the creation of imitation products. Cost savings are always present in the production process and therefore the ‘dupe’ products often suffer from quality issues and poor performance. These are eventually discovered by users, and you don’t want to be the one who gets caught out!

Telltale signs can be a lack of, or just plain poor reviews, often combined with discounted pricing. 
It's the lack of care and purpose that undermines their credibility. You have to question why a product exists in the first place, other than just trying to make money. 

The care and attention that is present in every element of a truly authentic product will always shine through.

Performance & Quality

Performance is really where Dryrobe® alternatives fall short. Compromises and a lack of attention to detail eventually result in poor performance. When your reputation depends on performance, there can be no compromise.

We supply Dryrobe® products for use by Olympians and athletes who are pushing the limits of what can be done. Here are key reasons why they, and thousands of outdoor enthusiasts trust our products to protect them from the elements and deliver performance when they need it.

Durability

The durable waterproof and windproof outer is vital to ensure you stay dry in the heaviest rain. Unlike other change robes which use polyester, the outer shell fabric of the Dryrobe® Advance is made from tough, recycled nylon which is renowned for its high level of durability compared to polyester alternatives.

Quick-drying inner lining 

The unique Dryrobe® sherpa fleece lining is 8 times faster drying in Back2Skin™ tests than our nearest competitor.

Our unique fleece lining is exclusive to the Dryrobe® Advance. It has been specifically made so that it can be used multiple times a day and doesn’t need drying in between uses. This is where Dryrobe® stands head and shoulders above its cheaper changing robe alternatives. There really is nothing that comes close in terms of performance. More on the fabrics later.

Quality & lasting value

We build products that last so people buy less. This is the polar opposite of ‘fast fashion’. Research and development is a big part of what we do and the focus is always on innovation and enduring performance. If you spend your hard-earned money on a changing robe you want to know it’s going to keep getting out there for years to come. That’s why we back everything we make with our Dryrobe® Performance Guarantee. 

At Dryrobe® we also don’t do seasonal sales or discounting. To us, it makes no sense as a business to discount to make a quick win in sales, as it undermines the value and consistency that we build into everything we do as a brand.

Our products are built to last and are used all year round. If you buy a product from us, you can trust that you won’t see it reduced on our website a couple of weeks later.

Investing in our planet’s future - your choices make a difference

Excessive buying and overconsumption are not only detrimental to your finances, but also harmful to the planet.

As a committed B Corp, we prioritise sustainability in every stage of our manufacturing process. We select materials and packaging that help preserve and protect the environment whenever possible. Each component of the Dryrobe® Advance is carefully chosen for its performance properties while ensuring it is the most sustainable option available. Our commitment to caring for the environment is essential so that nature can thrive and future generations can enjoy a healthy planet.

Recycled Materials

Inside and out, the Dryrobe® Advance changing robe is produced using recycled materials. The waterproof outer shell fabric is made from our 100% recycled nylon, approved by the Global Recycle Standard, and our unique high-performance fleece lining is made from 100% recycled polyester (rPET), approved by the Global Recycle Standard and certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100. 

There simply is no Dryrobe® alternative on the market that can boast similar certified sustainability credentials.

Finishing touches 

We’re sustainably focused from fabric to finish. The Dryrobe® Advance is finished with PFC-free BIONIC-FINISH ECO Durable Water-Repellent (DWR). It’s a plant-based solution that doesn't contain any harmful compounds while delivering high-performance weather resistance. It reduces the amount of toxic and harmful chemicals leached into the environment.

Certified supplier factories

We only work with suppliers who we know and trust. To ensure fair and safe working conditions all of our supplier factories are SMETA or BSCI approved.

Supporting the Dryrobe® Warmth Project 

Investing in Dryrobe® products optimises your time outdoors and helps to provide opportunities for others to do the same. 

We’re passionate about the outdoors, and we’re set on making it accessible to everyone. That’s why we support charities and non-profit organisations through the Dryrobe® Warmth Project that share our values of promoting wellbeing through outdoor activity and protecting the environment. 

Find out more about the Warmth Project here. 

Material Preferences – What Really Matters?

We choose the best components, even if they cost more.

The Dryrobe® Advance was developed specifically with nonnegotiables - nothing existed before like it, and it had fixed criteria to fulfill. It had to be:

• Waterproof to protect against heavy rain.
• Have a fast-drying lining for multiple uses throughout the day.
• Be spacious in size to allow easy outdoor changing

Without these properties, the visionary outdoor changing robe that provides reliable and long-lasting protection from extreme weather wouldn't exist.

Let’s look at the Dryrobe® Advance’s key features in more detail to demonstrate why Dryrobe® alternatives are no comparison to the original and best changing robe creation. 

Waterproof Outer Layer

The durable waterproof and windproof outer ensures you stay dry in the heaviest rain. Unlike some other change robes, the outer shell fabric is made from durable nylon and is waterproof up to 10000mm. 

The heat-sealed seams provide the ultimate wet weather protection creating a solid barrier against water and wind. The PFC-free BIONIC-FINISH ECO Durable Water-Repellent (DWR) finishing repels water, causing it to bead on the surface, meaning it rolls off rather than soaking into the fabric.

Unique quick-drying fleece lining

Our unique fleece lining is exclusive to the Dryrobe® Advance. It has been specifically made so that it can be used multiple times a day and doesn’t need drying in between uses. See why elite athletes and leading sports organisations across the world choose the Dryrobe® Advance as their official change robe provider in the ‘Breathability and Insulation—Staying Comfortable in All Conditions section’, where we explain our specialised lining more in-depth. 

Made to last

No one wants to buy something that falls apart after you’ve used it just a few times. Dryrobe® changing robes are designed to withstand extreme conditions over long periods of time, multiple times a day. We’ve received feedback from customers who purchased the first edition of the Dryrobe® Advance, and it’s still going strong 10 years on. Of course, our technology has developed since a decade ago, but we still think that’s impressive if we may say so ourselves. 

Breathability

Airflow is essential to the drying process. Visit the ‘Breathability and Insulation—Staying Comfortable in All Conditions’ section to discover why breathability is a game changer when it comes to making a performance-based product. 

Fit and Sizing – Getting the Perfect Fit

Change robe or coat?

The Dryrobe® Advance change robe was developed first and foremost as a changing robe. It is designed to be oversized and very spacious inside, so you can change as easily as possible. Due to its weatherproof elements, some people choose to wear it more as a coat to keep warm in cold and wet weather, in which case we advise customers to choose a smaller size, depending on the look they’re going for. There’s more information on choosing the most suitable size changing robe below. 

Our size range

There isn’t a ‘one size’ fits all approach when it comes to the Dryrobe® Advance. We want you to feel comfortable while being protected from the elements, so we have a Small to Extra Large size range.

In addition to our Adult Range, we also have a Kids Range with two age brackets: 5-9 and 10-13. 

Very few Dryrobe® alternatives offer such a comprehensive range of sizes, which means you may have to compromise on getting the right fit.

The Dryrobe® size guide

Sizing will depend on what you will be using your Dryrobe® changing robe for and whether you need the room to get changed inside it or just wear it like a big coat to keep warm in.

If you click 'size guide' on the Dryrobe® Advance product pages, you will find lots of useful information, including a video of model examples, garment dimensions, and sizing charts. You can also see the sizing video below for reference.

Layering over other items 

The Dryrobe® Advance is designed to keep you warm and dry in the extreme weather. Depending on how and where you’re using your changing robe, some people choose to wear bulkier items of clothing underneath for extra warmth if embracing the cold for long periods of time. This is where our Mid Layer Jacket can be used in a complementary way as it can be comfortably layered under your Dryrobe® changing robe in winter for extra warmth when needed.

Breathability and Insulation – Staying Comfortable in All Conditions

Exclusive lining unique to Dryrobe®  

Extensively developed over the years, our unique fleece lining has been specially composed using fast-drying back2skin™ technology so you warm up and dry off as quickly as possible multiple times a day. It can be comfortably used over wet kit without the need for drying between uses. It also doesn’t need washing regularly.  How? It all comes down to the venting in the design of the garment, which allows the moisture to evaporate rapidly without compromising its warmth and waterproof qualities.

We’ve even tested our fleece lining, with proven results that our exclusive back2skin™ fleece lining dry time is significantly faster than our leading competitors. 

Tried-and-tested performance technology

An independent research study conducted with the MMU Institute of Sport, a global leader in the academic study of sports science, investigated the effects of wearing a Dryrobe® Advance after cold water immersion. 

Participants were warmer and more comfortable when wearing the Dryrobe® Advance compared to other conditions. 

Their results demonstrate that wearing a Dryrobe® Advance after getting out of cold water can have significant benefits, including: 

• Helping to lower heart rate and increase skin temperature
• Improving thermal comfort and thermal sensation levels

Discover more about the study and results here.

Chosen by elite athletes and the world’s leading brands

Our weatherproof changing robe is an essential piece of kit for cold water enthusiasts, elite athletes, and outdoor adventurers across the globe.

At Dryrobe® we’re proud to work with a multitude of people and organisations that want the most reliable kit to reap the best results. We partnered with some of the world’s leading brands, ground-breaking events, and inspiring organisations. These include Team GB and Paralympics GB athletes during the Paris 2024 games, the RNLI, and USA Surfing.  Discover more about our partners here.

We also support a team of trailblazing individuals including our ambassadors and friends of the brand. From big wave surfers to Olympic athletes, marathon ice swimmers to world-record-breaking stand-up paddleboarders, they inspire us with their ability to push the limits of what is possible. We’re so proud they want to work with us as the leading change robe provider. Discover more about Team dryrobe here. 

In addition to Team dryrob®, we’ve connected with many people all over the world who have unique dreams and goals and are set on achieving aspirational accomplishments, whether that’s through financial sponsorship or providing the necessary products to ensure they stay warm in adverse climates. Check out some of their stories here. 

Don’t just take our word for it - thousands of customer reviews

Over time the Dryrobe® Advance has received widespread acclaim, not only from respected websites and publications, but also from the people who matter most – our customers. We're proud of the thousands of five-star reviews we've received, but these aren't just numbers to us; they represent the positive experiences of individuals who have found Dryrobe® to be an essential part of their outdoor adventures. 

We believe in the power of authentic feedback, and we encourage you to explore these genuine testimonials to understand the real-world impact of our products. Take a look at the independent reviews on the website (powered by Yotpo) or head over to our Facebook page, where you'll find even more customer feedback, photos, and stories.

With an ocean of Dryrobe® alternatives, it can be tricky to choose the best-changing robe for you. We’ve spent years honing our performance technology to ensure it meets the needs of extreme cold water sports and is the top choice for those who need the most reliable outdoor products. We’re constantly evolving to ensure our customers, athletes, partners, and Warmth Project organisations receive the warmest and most protective change robes, while making choices for the planet’s wellbeing. 

If you have any questions about any of our products, our lovely customer service team would love to help. Please contact them directly here.

For new product updates, make sure to sign up for our newsletter and keep an eye on our social channels for exciting news. Take care and stay warm!

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Published on March 21, 2025