A woman in a Dryrobe zipping it up and smiling at the camera while stood on the beach with the sea behind her

Blog - Can You Wear a Dryrobe as a Coat? Here’s What You Need to Know

Can You Wear a Dryrobe as a Coat? Here’s What You Need to Know

10 minute(s) de lecture

Can You Wear a Dryrobe® as a Coat? Here’s What You Need to Know

Think you know what a Dryrobe® is and can be used for? 

The Dryrobe®  was the first of its kind, invented out of necessity because nothing else existed like it. It created a whole new category of outdoor clothing and redefined how people experience getting changed outdoors.

By fusing the practicalities of a full-length swim parka with the drying elements of a towelling beach change robe, a Dryrobe® combines warmth and protection while drying you off. Get the full scope of what a Dryrobe® is here

But its potential doesn’t stop there. Its versatile but straightforward purpose to make changing outdoors easy and warm lends itself to many other activities outside of cold water changing.

Athletes, adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts across various sports and outdoor pursuits use it for general protection and coverage.

We explore whether the original waterproof changing robe can double as a ‘Dryrobe® jacket’ or ‘Dryrobe® coat’.

Using Your Dryrobe® as a Coat

We break down the key features of a Dryrobe® and how it benefits cold and wet weather experiences as both a waterproof robe/coat and change robe.

A group of people walking along a cliff in the wind wearing Dryrobes

Design Features

Waterproof protection

A reliable waterproof and windproof outer shell is fundamental when seeking protection from the elements. 

Coated with a PFC-free BIONIC-FINISH ECO® water-resistant finishing, the outer shell fabric of a Dryrobe® is waterproof up to 10,000mm. To reinforce a solid barrier against wind and water, heat-sealed seams quite literally seal the deal.

Fast drying, super warm lining

Our unique fleece lining is designed to dry you off after being in the water while locking in heat to help you warm up quickly when temperatures are low. 

Thanks to the venting in the Dryrobe®’s design, moisture and sweat are wicked away from the skin and evaporate rapidly while maintaining waterproof and warming properties.

You don’t have to just take our word for it. Our fleece lining has been tested, proving that the back2skin™ dry time of a Dryrobe® is significantly faster than our leading competitors. 

It’s not a one-trick pony, though. The unique composition of the fleece means it can be used multiple times a day, so you can enjoy being in and out of the water as much as you want!

A man stood in a pink Dryrobe next to some rocks on the beach

Ample space

The iconic oversized look of the Dryrobe® Advance is a functional design choice.

It’s deliberately spacious in size to ensure plenty of room for easy changing outdoors. 

Its length means you’re covered while changing, protected from rain and cold wind on your legs while exposed to the elements. The large hood ensures your head is shielded from wind and rain.

The optimum coverage from the length and hood of the Dryrobe® is perfect for staying warm when waiting between sessions or competition heats, when you’re temporarily out of the water but are due to go back in. 

It works equally for non-water-based sports, too, where you must maintain warmth off the pitch or track. And if you’re not participating in the action, its warming properties are perfect for staying cosy and dry while spectating.

Pockets

If you need to carry something in your Dryrobe®, there’s most certainly a pocket for it!

From the external zip pockets, to a secret fleece one (a little tip for cold water swimmers, this one is perfect for storing a hot water bottle), and not forgetting the internal phone/wallet pocket, there are MANY places in the Dryrobe® Advance to help store your items.

Zip

The 2-way YKK® zip can be operated from inside or outside, allowing fast, easy entry and exit when you need to get changed and warmed up quickly.

Usage Scenarios

Its solid reputation as weatherproof, warm, and durable means the Dryrobe® is suitable for a wide range of activities.

Cold water sports

Originally designed as an outdoor changing robe for surfing, it’s become a staple kit in one of the world's most extreme sports: Big Wave Surfing. Two of our ambassadors, Andrew Cotton (Cotty) and Laura Crane, are professional big wave riders competing on the World Surf League (WSL) tour. 

Cotty explains how Dryrobe® has impacted his life:
“From changing in the cold to driving home after a surf, my Dryrobe® has become an everyday essential.”

Since its creation, the Dryrobe® has been swiftly adopted by the cold water swim community and those in paddle sports such as SUP and kayaking.

Protective jacket

Not only is it largely used by cold water enthusiasts, but it’s also become a staple piece of kit for onshore sportspeople, who use it as a type of waterproof robe coat. 

The Dryrobe®’s versatility comes from its weatherproof properties, which means it can be thrown on whenever you need to stay dry and warm, including going to and from the beach. It can also be used for longer hikes in cold and wet climates, and taking your dog out for a walk in the pouring rain! 

It’s also great for when you’re not on the move but simply observing nature. It will become your go-to jacket for cold dawny surf or swim checks, or you simply want to head to the coast to take in the salty air and watch the waves.

A man stood in a black and pink dryrobe next to a rock

Recovery

We proudly work with the world’s top athletes, brands, and ground-breaking events that require the most effective kit and use Dryrobe® to keep warm before and after events. 

The warming properties of Dryrobe® have been tried and tested in an independent research study by the MMU Institute of Sport, a global leader in the academic study of sports science. Participants were found to be warmer and more comfortable wearing a Dryrobe® compared to other conditions. 

Find the study and results here.

And if you thought you saw a Dryrobe® coat on your screen last summer during the Paris Games, you did! We’ve also been long-standing suppliers to Team GB at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, from 2016, when athletes specifically requested Dryrobe® change robes. This relationship has developed into the Dryrobe® Advance becoming part of the official team kit at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022, and Paris 2024. 

A woman stood on the beach with her hands behind her looking out to sea and embracing the wind on the beach

Practical Benefits of Wearing a Dryrobe® as a Coat

Performance is at the core of the Dryrobe® Advance. Over the years, we’ve constantly developed it to ensure that anyone using Dryrobe® receives the warmest and most protective kit for enjoying and accessing the outdoors. 

The super-warm and fast-drying lining, weatherproof outer shell, and long, spacious design provide the ultimate cosiness and protection, making any trip outside in the cold, wind, or rain feel achievable.  

Buy Less, buy better.

As a certified B Corp™, we're dedicated to minimising our environmental impact. We want to ensure the longevity of our products while making choices that support the planet's longevity, too. 

As a result of simultaneously prioritising high-performance and sustainability-sourced materials throughout the manufacturing process, the Dryrobe® Advance is produced with:

Find out how sustainablity is woven into the fabric of Dryrobe® in our sustainability series, where we explain what materials we use and how we choose these to reduce our reliance on virgin materials.

A man helping a woman onto a rock on the beach as they both laugh wearing Dryrobes

Supporting people and the planet

In addition to choosing sustainable manufacturing processes, we’re also dedicated to investing in people and the planet through the Dryrobe® Warmth Project.

Created to give back to the community and environment, it supports charities and non-profit organisations that share our values of protecting the environment and promoting wellbeing through outdoor activity. 

As well as financial support, we provide our Warmth Projects with the warm kit they need so beneficiaries can access the outdoors and enjoy it. 

Learn about the organisations we work with here.

User Testimonials and Case Studies

A gif of Izzi Gomez in a Dryrobe saying "I LOVE MY DRYROBE"

The Dryrobe® community is overflowing with game-changing people who love to be in nature and are committed to an outdoor lifestyle, whether a customer, ambassador, partner, or charity organisation. 

Our brand ambassadors and partners choose to work with us because they know they can trust the performance of our products. They push the limits of what is possible and embrace nature's unpredictability, and depend on the warming properties of a Dryrobe® to support their progress, training and achievements .

The Chilean Ice Mermaid, Bárbara Hernández Huerta, is a world champion ice marathon swimmer who has used the Dryrobe® Advance during her completion of the swimming equivalent of the Seven Summits mountaineering challenge, the brutal Oceans Seven. She shares the role our revolutionary product played during her accomplishment:

“Dryrobe® allows me to always be warm and comfortable. It’s by far my most essential item.” 

Find out more about Team Dryrobe® here.  

Two women in a van cheersing with some mugs wearing Dryrobes

Our Dryrobe® Advance reviews, available on our product pages, demonstrate the diverse community of people who use it to get outside, as a change robe or purchase it as a Dryrobe® jacket… or even both, as Diane L explains:.

“Best thing I ever bought for open water swimming! Put it on wet, change and dry in it and then use it as a warm coat when changed to keep snug and raise body temperature. No more taking separate coat, changing robe, etc, this does the lot! Perfect for cold weather.”

Others, such as Claire R, use it as a jacket to warm up after hiking:
“I use the Dryrobe after walking long distances (25 miles plus) and it’s amazing! A life changer. So warm, and waterproof, it’s literally an outdoor dressing gown and I won’t ever go anywhere without it.”

Mathew G explains how the warming properties of Dryrobe® have helped a loved one to feel relieved of the cold:
“I bought this for my wife, given she has chronic pain and wanted something that would keep her warm but also help give her relief from the cold for her chronic pain. Both of which were achieved, so thank you.”

For more insight, scroll down to the reviews section on the Dryrobe® Advance product pages or visit our TrustPilot page

A group of people walking along a cliff in the wind wearing Dryrobes

Wrapping Up

To sum up, you’ll be thankful to have your Dryrobe® at hand, ready to warm and dry you off whenever the elements hit. It’s become an all-season essential for enjoying nature, whatever the weather, whether it’s a simple walk with your favourite four-legged friend or it’s in your car—ready for unpredictable weather!

To stay warm and dry on your next outdoor adventure, check out the full Dryrobe® range

We love to stay up to date with where your Dryrobe® takes you, so connect with us on our social channels by tagging @dryrobe or using the hashtags #dryrobe and #dryrobeterritory. 

Published on May 08, 2025