More than a changing robe, more than a coat. Discover the game-changing product that re-defined how people experience getting outdoors, becoming a global phenomenon in the process.
 
Dryrobe® is a ground-breaking product that combines two conventional ideas into something that had never existed before. The protection and warmth of the long-length swim parka was fused with the functional, practical space provided by towelling beach change robes. 

Designed to withstand the harshest conditions, a Dryrobe® provides ample space to pull your arms inside and change in comfort and privacy while staying warm and sheltered. It blends a super-warm, moisture-wicking, fleece-lined inner with a durable waterproof outer, to offer complete protection from the elements. 

Originally developed for surfers, its versatility has made it a staple for athletes, adventurers, swimmers and outdoor enthusiasts. It has now been embraced into everyday use, wherever people need to stay warm and dry.

Understanding Dryrobe®

What is a Dryrobe® and where did it come from?

Dryrobe® was built with a 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!

After launching in 2010, Dryrobe® created a whole new category of clothing often referred to as outdoor change robes or changing robes. 

As the creators of the original weatherproof changing robe, Dryrobe® has inspired many imitators, occasionally resulting in the confusion of the term ‘Dryrobe’. A ‘Dryrobe’ is exclusively the name of the change robe created by the brand Dryrobe®. So let’s check out this product, the Dryrobe® Advance changing robe, and the history behind it in more detail…

A Dryrobe® Advance (or, as it's typically known, a Dryrobe®) is an oversized outdoor garment spacious enough for easy changing in nature. It’s designed so you can enjoy outdoor activities throughout the year, including harsh winter weather, which has the potential to deliver some of the best conditions for cold-water adventures. The challenge of taking on epic winter waves or bracing the chill of outdoor swimming in winter can be very rewarding.

Its origins began in a freezing, wet parking lot when Dryrobe® founder Gideon Bright, a UK-based surfer with over 30 years of experience in the water, had enough of suffering at the mercy of the weather when changing for surfs.

A towel robe just wasn’t cutting it in the heavy rainfall and something more protective was needed to improve cold-weather changing. On a mission to develop something that would make the cold weather post-surf experience more bearable, and inspired by a garment his Mum, Anne created 25 years before, Dryrobe® was founded. Find out more about the story of Dryrobe® here.

This leads us to the two essential features that make the Dryrobe® so unique. 

Firstly, it’s weatherproof, which means you stay protected from heavy wind and rain. Secondly, it has a unique super-warm fleece-lined inner that helps to dry you off while you’re getting changed - so there's no need to worry about bringing a towel! More on how this works later.

Dryrobe® vs. Swim Parka

At surface level, a Dryrobe® may seem similar to a swim parka, but there are some fundamental differences in the purpose of each product. 

A swim parka mainly focuses on keeping swimmers warm, whereas a Dryrobe® changing robe has multiple purposes. It’s designed to keep you warm and dry in extreme weather and is spacious enough so you can get changed wherever you are on outdoor adventures.

Swim parkas may be used at the pool or travelling to and from the pool for warmth, but the Dryrobe® is specifically made for outdoor use, whatever the weather. This means the materials used are chosen based on their weatherproof properties and extreme durability.

Dryrobe® was initially created as a cold-weather surfing essential, but due to its iconic oversized design, unique water-wicking lining, and waterproof outer, it has been adopted by a range of athletes, and adventures from across the world who need reliable weatherproof protection for both outdoor changing and general warmth.

Features and Benefits

Key Features of a Dryrobe®

Waterproof and windproof outer layer

A driving factor behind Dryrobe® was creating a protective change robe that shields you from wind and rain. That’s why the outer shell fabric is waterproof up to 10,000mm and coated in a PFC-free BIONIC-FINISH ECO® water-resistant finish—a plant-based solution that doesn't contain any harmful compounds. This PFC-free solution provides long-lasting weather resistance while reducing the negative impact on the environment.

The waterproof protection doesn’t end there! To seal the deal, the seams are heat-sealed to ensure a solid barrier against wind and water. 

The waterproof outer shell of all Dryrobe® Advance changing robes are made with 100% recycled nylon, approved by Global Recycle Standard, which would otherwise be destined for landfill. Not only is this positive for protecting planetary resources, but the material we use also prioritises performance and durability, so your outdoor kit will serve you for years to come.⁠

Super-warm and fast-drying lining

Over extensive development, we’ve created a unique fleece lining that keeps you dry and warms you up quickly after you’re out of the water over multiple uses.   

The fleece's unique composition perfectly balances insulation with the ability to wick water away from the skin. Due to venting in the garment's design, moisture evaporates rapidly without compromising its warmth and waterproof qualities.

Our fleece lining has been tried and tested. The back2skin™ dry time of a Dryrobe® is significantly faster than our leading competitors. Meaning you can get in and out of the water multiple times a day without it ever feeling damp.

Front zipping 

A feature that makes  Dryrobe® stand out in the crowd of towel robes or changing ponchos is the front zip. The two-way YKK® zip allows you to open or close a Dryrobe® from the inside and ensures easy access.

Oversized design

It wouldn’t be a changing robe if you didn’t have room to change in it. The iconic oversized design is what makes Dryrobe® so versatile. Not only for its initial purpose of changing space, but its long length ensures you stay warm and comfortable when keeping warm in between activities or if you’re spectating.

Its generous design, warm lining, and waterproof and windproof properties combined together make it the go-to outdoor essential for a multitude of sports and hobbies. It’s become an everyday essential so people can get outside and enjoy nature, even if on a dog walk!

Sustainability and Durability

Our commitment to Sustainability

Sustainability is woven into the fabric of our brand as well as the Dryrobe® itself.⁠

We believe in buy less, buy better. Being able to spend time in the beauty of nature is the whole reason Dryrobe® was created. We want to encourage our customers to only buy what they need to reduce overconsumption, which negatively impacts the environment we love and cherish. 

However, our responsibility is to ensure our products are reliable and long-lasting so this is possible. That's why every product produced has been designed to withstand the wear and tear of an active lifestyle for years and years. 

Built with performance at its core, Dryrobe® is one tough bit of kit created from sustainably sourced performance-based materials. 

We choose responsibly sourced materials throughout the manufacturing process, from nylon and polyester materials approved by Global Recycle Standard, the polyester of which is also certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100, ⁠to FSC-certified and recycled cardboard packaging.

We’re proud to be a B Corp

These choices and practices are recognised in our B Corp certification. We’re proud to be a Certified B Corporation™ and are committed to improving our impact on the environment and promoting social change.

Certified B Corporations meet high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. We choose to work with trusted suppliers with whom we have built positive relationships. All of our supplier factories maintain SMETA approval or are BSCI audited.

When you invest in a Dryrobe® product, it not only enhances your time outdoors but also provides an opportunity for others to experience the same. The Dryrobe® Warmth Project was founded 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. 

Find out more about the Warmth Project here.

Versatility for All Outdoor Enthusiasts

For Athletes and Adventurers

You may have spotted cold water enthusiasts, elite athletes, and outdoor adventurers from all over the globe wearing the Dryrobe® Advance.

We proudly work with the world’s top athletes, brands, ground-breaking events, and inspiring organisations that require the most reliable kit for the best results. 

We support a team of committed individuals, including our ambassadors and friends of the brand, who choose to work with us as the leading change robe provider. They’re an inspirational group of individuals that includes big-wave surfers, marathon ice swimmers, world-record-breaking stand-up paddleboarders, and Olympians.  Learn more about Team Dryrobe® here.  

In the summer of 2024, Dryrobe® featured at the Olympic and Paralympic games as part of the Team GB and Paralympics GB kit. We were also proud to see the Team USA triathlon using our product during the relay event, where they achieved silver. Our relationship with Team GB is long-standing, starting in 2016 when athletes specifically requested Dryrobe® change robes, and Team GB reached out to us to provide them for their water-based athletes. 

Other major partners include USA Surfing, Red Bull, Save the Waves, the RNLI and Deutscher Wellenreitverband (German Surf Federation). Learn more about our partners here.

We’ve connected with many people worldwide who have individual goals and aspirational stories. From cold-water wild swimming communities sharing their love of the sea to those wanting to push their limitations and pursue the Ironman distances on all seven continents, read their stories here and feel inspired.

Why do they choose us?

We’re dedicated to always being the ultimate choice when it comes to reliable performance gear that you can depend on for protection, warmth, and comfort in the elements. We’ve spent a long time developing and perfecting our unique performance technology while balancing functionality with sustainability. 

And we have the confirmation. An independent research study conducted with the MMU Institute of Sport, a global leader in the academic study of sports science, revealed that participants were warmer and more comfortable when wearing a Dryrobe® compared to other conditions. 

The results signified that wearing a Dryrobe® Advance after getting out of cold water can have significant benefits, including improving thermal comfort and thermal sensation levels and helping to lower heart rate and increase skin temperature. 

Find the study and results here.

Performance is at the core of Dryrobe®, and we’re constantly developing to ensure that all customers, athletes, partners, and Warmth Project organisations receive the warmest and most protective products while making responsible decisions to help transform the economy to benefit people, communities, and the planet.

Since 2010, the Dryrobe® community has grown rapidly. It is now used for a multitude of activities and by people from all walks of life including dedicated cold water swimmers and families who simply want to stay warm when camping.

Recognised for being waterproof, warm, and durable, we’re so proud to still receive feedback of the first edition Dryrobe® still going strong 10 years on. Technology improves and changes over time, and this is something we will always be focussing on and evolving.  

If you want to get cold but stay warm this season, check out the full Dryrobe® range. 

Published on April 22, 2025