If you think I left any out that should be included or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below. A dry robe is a must-have coat perfect for all seasons if you love to get outdoors, swim, participate in water sports, or stay warm, dry, and cosy. However, they can be pricey! So here are the best Dryrobe alternatives you can buy. The Charlie McLeod robe does benefit from a push-button fastening on the sleeve so you can plug any gaps and stop the wind draught! Zip Changing robes can be really expensive and not just the Dry Robe brand – so I’ve tried to select ones that fit all budgets, including towelling robes. These products all perform well from a warmth and dryness perspective. As the Palm Poncho is a less extensive garment it does provide less general protection against the elements.

Good if you’re looking at something which offers more waterproof protection than a towelling robe but not as big as a full size changing robe like the Dryrbe or Moonwrap. I’ve also shortlisted ones with particular features or styles – tall people, harsh weather, colours or lightweight. Tis the season. The season of changing robes, that is. As temperatures wobble and drop, the pursuit of outdoor swimming in the UK becomes less ubiquitous and more, well, brave. Whether it's Parliament Hill Lido, the North Sea or Lake Windermere, you can rest assured there will be people bobbing about in water throughout even the iciest of days. And what do all of these people have in common? Other than a stout constitution, the answer always invariably is this: a change robe.

Are changing robes worth it?

Adults between 5′ 8″ and 6′ 2″ (173 cm – 188 cm) will most likely be good with the medium size. In my experience they’re a little on the large size. In this section I outline all the different factors to consider when choose the perfect dry robe or dry robe alternative changing robe for you. Dryrobe products two types of robe; Advance and Towelling. The towelling robe is ideal for after a swim when the weather is a bit warmer but the advance is what you need to really stay warm especially after an open swim in those cooler months. Before investing in a changing robe, first decide how often you will use it. Are you a seasoned swimmer? Will you wear it only occasionally? Need one for your New Year's Day dip? Answering these questions will help you decide how much to spend — a dryrobe, for example, may be worth the investment if you wear it often. What is a changing robe?

The Smoc Smoc’s are lined with bamboo which is a natural highy-absorbent, insulating hypo-allergenic fibre. A changing robe is a large waterproof that has a warm fleece towel lining. Like your own portable changing room, changing robes are used by swimmers to keep dry and warm up after a dip. They have been carefully designed for people who love the cold and need a private place to change. A changing poncho is great for kids as you can just pop it over your child's head to ensure they're nice and warm when they come out of the water. It will also help you keep them covered while they change into their dry clothes. At Decathlon, we also have changing robes for men and women, and at a range of prices so you can find one to meet your budget. Step outside and stay warm all year round with a waterproof changing robe.

Surfing is great fun. But when it comes to getting into your wetsuit in the car park or on the beach, there's always the risk that we might expose ourselves to all the other beach-goers. So what's the alternative? WHAT ARE CHANGING ROBES? Although my go to robe is a Moonwrap these days and it is very comparable and less cost than a dryrobe I would not say the dryrobes are not good value for money. If you’re after muted colours and no logos emblazoned all over it then this is (if your budget allows) a fantastic option. Vivida Sherpa Changing Robe Sleeve length: Do you plan on wearing your change robe through summer and autumn and into winter? If so, long sleeves might be the most sensible option, preferably ones with adjustable cuffs so you can seal off against any potentially freezing winds come November. Shorter sleeves meanwhile, are a better, more flexible option for those fair weather swimmers only, or for those wanting to avoid trapping any more sand than they already have. dryrobe moved away from old school square designs. These led to bits of skin being exposed to the wind (or rain) when changing. As well as letting the chill in, they were also particularly problematic for women, with unwanted chest flashes. Value for money

The dryrobe’s outer shell is totally waterproof. They do this through using one huge sheet of fabric, rather than multiple pieces which need to be sewn together, creating areas where water can get in. The changing robes are a little different in shape – and this is also true between long and short sleeve ones. Some sleeves on full length robes can be tightened whilst an issue with some short ones is that wind whistles up your arms! This is a high end robe with excellent features and lined with sherpa fleece for keeping warm and soaking up moisture.What you go for is very much a personal preference. Some prefer the shorter sleeves giving them more freedom of movement, this can be useful when you’re getting in and out of kit. A more winter-suited option from the Devon-based company above, this is probably the best Dryrobe alternative we’ve tested – importantly, at a slightly more wallet-friendly price. Stand out feature are side zippers on either side of the robe. This means you have all the room you need to get changed in – can be super handy when you are wet and freezing cold! This extends all the way from the armpit to the ankle.

I’ve owned both a DryRobe and a Moonwrap along with various poncho towels so I have plenty of hands on experience. I’ve found the Charlie McLeod to be the most comfortable but this could be as much body shape (i’m fairly tall and wiry!) than the Dryrobe or Moonwrap. Weatherproof and WarmthDryrobe’s pioneering changing robes were originally designed for founder Gideon Bright to use after surfing, but more than a decade later, they’ve saved the bacon of many a hyperthermic obstacle course racer and are loved by outdoor enthusiasts and cold-water swimmers alike (including Ross Edgley, who wore one during his Great British Swim challenge). Good basic option if you’re looking for something lightweight and that will take up as little space as possible in your luggage. Look out also for a reversible zip – this means you can also do the zip up from the inside, which again can be preferable keeping your hands dry and warm while you get zipped up! Shape Weather-proof on the outside, roomy on the inside and usually featuring a warm, fleecy lining, the changing robe emerged more than a decade ago to keep surfers warm and sheltered from the elements while they changed out of their swimsuits and wetsuits. Intentionally oversized, their spacious design creates a portable changing room for the wearer, allowing them to slip their arms out of the robe sleeves and discreetly remove wet kit from within it – all while staying cosy and protected from the wind and rain. Here is the guide to Dryrobe sizes. Dryrobe Size Guide – Adult Dryrobe size guide for adults – small, medium, large and extra large Dryrobe Size Guide – Kids Dryrobe size guide for kids – ages 5-9, 10-14 short sleeve and long sleeve 10-14