Dryrobe Advanced Long Sleeve Changing Robe - Review 2023

Rating: 4.9

Fit: 4.3

Performance: 5

Comfort: 4.9

Quality: 5

Price: 4.6

From Wet to Warm in Seconds

The dryrobe Advance Long-Sleeve Changing Robe excels in its two main goals: allowing the wearer to easily change underneath the robe and keeping the wearer warm even after a cold-water swim. What really makes the dryrobe stand out is its attention to detail. There is no doubt that this dryrobe was designed by surfers who had experienced cold-water swimming and cold-weather changing; the little details, like a well-fitted hood, cell phone pocket, fleece-lined hip pockets, and durable zipper, make it worth the price.

Quality Material – Inside and Out

The dryrobe’s inner fleece layer feels like a fluffy towel. It is perfect for simultaneously drying off and staying warm. On the dryrobe’s website, the manufacturer boasts that the “inner lining draws the water away from the skin and into the pile of the fabric.” We agree; after taking a dip in the water, we didn’t even need a towel because the dryrobe was more efficient than any beach towel.

The outer shell has plenty of things to boast about, too. It is both wind- and waterproof. We felt protected, comfortable, and warm while wearing it in snowy weather and bitter wind. We can totally imagine wearing the dryrobe over our everyday coat when sitting by a campfire or walking the dog in order to protect us from the elements.

Despite the high-quality, robust material, the dryrobe still feels light. Depending on the size, it weighs about 1.3 kg or 2.7 lbs.

The two layers are sewn together with quality seams. They are thick and strong, ensuring that harsh weather elements won’t seep through to the inner layer.

We are also pleasantly surprised that both the inner and outer layers are completely comprised of recycled materials. The inner fleece, which the website describes as synthetic lambswool, is 100% recycled polyester, and the outer layer is 100% recycled nylon.

Convenient Pockets

No one likes juggling their wallet, keys, and phone all while trying to get dressed. Thankfully, the dryrobe has multiple large pockets. Our reviewer hates digging through a swim bag with shaky, cold hands, and loves having the convenience of multiple roomy pockets to hold all of their necessary items.

On each hip, there is a fleece-lined, zip-up pocket. The two exterior pockets are deep and conveniently placed. The zipper closure is ideal for keeping your belongings secure, while the fleece lining will keep your hands toasty in chilly weather.

There are also two inner pockets. One is located on the left chest. It has a zipper closure, waterproof lining, and a slit for headphones. With all of those features, it is the perfect pocket for your phone. The second interior pocket is on the right thigh. It is huge, and can easily fit a water bottle, towel, or notebook.

Bold, Big, and Bright Style

An intentionally large outerwear garment already sticks out in the crowd, but the dryrobe adds even more flare with bright color and pattern options. Most of the outer layer color options are a variety of blues, greens, and black, but open up the robe, and you see a splash of color. You can choose from hot pink, cobalt blue, red, gray, navy, and black for the inner fleece layer. dryrobe occasionally run limited edition color options. Our reviewer chose neon orange, and last we checked, lime green was still available online. They also have a camouflage pattern in a variety of color combinations.

As stated earlier, the dryrobe runs big. It’s styled that way for a reason: the extra-roomy robe allows for the wearer to change clothes underneath the robe without taking the robe off. It’s called a ‘changing robe’ for a reason! Our reviewer tested it, and sure enough, there was plenty of space to change clothes while maneuvering underneath the robe.

Because it runs large, we recommend thoroughly checking the sizing chart before you make your purchase. The sizing is weighted towards height, so the taller you are, the larger the size you will need. Our reviewer wore the smallest adult size – small – which is unusual for her midsize body type. If you need an even smaller size, there are kids’ sizes available.

Additional Features

The designers of the dryrobe thought of everything. Some additional features that we love are the lined hood, the reversible 2-way zipper, and the adjustable wrist fit. The hood fits really well, with a narrow face opening, so that it effectively protects your head from the elements. It is also lined with the same synthetic lambswool as the rest of the robe. It is important to keep your head warm, especially if your hair is wet, and the dryrobe takes that need into consideration. Although the hood fits well, we were disappointed that there wasn’t a drawstring closure, similar to a hoodie or most raincoats.

The zipper is durable, easily accessible, and well-made. Its heftiness makes it easy to start the zipper, even with shaky, cold fingers. Because of the reversible zipper pull, you can zip from either inside or outside of the robe. Having inner zip access is crucial if you are trying to change and adjust while inside the robe. We also love the 2-way style of the zipper. Being able to unzip from the bottom can be helpful for a variety of activities.

The adjustable wrist fit allows the robe to look and feel more fitted and snug. The Velcro closure on the wrists keeps the warm in and the cold out. Without adjusting the wrist Velcro, the wrist openings are very large.

Price and Value

The price of the dryrobe Advance Long-Sleeve Changing Robe is expensive. If you compare it to the price of other robes, there will be a large disparity, but this is not just a robe. It is more akin to a coat, and when you compare it to the price of other weatherproof coats, it is in line with expectations.

That being said, the dryrobe is a unique product. Yes, it can be used as a coat, but it is much more than that. It is a towel, a robe, a changing station, and a warming shelter. When considering the unique range of uses of the dryrobe, the price matches the versatility.

The price, we believe, also matches the quality of the product. While nearly $200 is a hefty price tag for many people, the dryrobe is well-made and durable.

Do we recommend it?

Yes!

If you are a surfer or outdoor swimmer, especially in any weather other than mild, we unequivocally recommend the dryrobe.

The reviewer can’t decide if the euphoria she felt while wearing the dryrobe was from her cold-water dip or from her ability to get warm immediately following her plunge. Either way, she had a big smile on her face while wearing the dryrobe.

It serves its purpose with flying colors as a warm place to get dressed or undressed. It is comfortable, durable, weatherproof, and spacious. Our favorite part was just how effective it was at keeping the wearer warm, and we also appreciate the multitude of large, fleece-lined pockets.