Three Things To Know:
- Super-Light and Packable – Packs into its own small stuff-sack (around the size of a 1.5-litre bottle) and weighs roughly 1kg, making it easy to carry in a backpack
- Weather-Protective Shell – Fully waterproof and windproof outer with taped seams, designed to shield you from harsh conditions while changing
- Fast-Drying Technical Lining – Uses Polartec Alpha fleece made from recycled polyester, incorporating the equivalent of 37+ recycled plastic bottles to reduce environmental impact while staying warm, breathable and quick-drying
Design and Features
Performance in the Elements
Durability and Materials
Sustainability
Check availability at DryRobe.
- RRP: £195
- Materials: Polartec Alpha lining made with at least 37 recycled plastic bottles and the two-way water-repellent YKK zip and PFAS-free waterproof outer
- Breathability and Waterproofing: 1000K / 10,000mm
Born out of the surfer’s honeypot of North Devon in 2010, Dryrobe are now a ubiquitous sight on beaches and open-water venues across the land, as well as at my local school pickup it seems. There’s even a Dryrobe range for dogs.
Like Sellotape, Hoover or Portaloo, they’re one of those dominant brands whose name is a generic term for the product itself, much to the frustration no doubt of their ever-increasing number of swimrobe competitors.
Away from the mocking that wearing them in the supermarket brings (see the Goldie Lookin Chain rap), there are reasons for Dryrobe’s ascent. Take your pick from the shower- and windproof outer shell, the vast array of pockets and the ability to get changed into your swimwear while wearing one without the local police being called.
Arguably the biggest reason is that synthetic, 100% recycled lambswool inner for creating body warmth and soaking up any post-swim/surf/paddlesport water. That luxurious inner is absent on the new Dryrobe Tech-Lite, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The original Dryrobe Advance has always been a bulky number, something I noted in my first Dryrobe review in 2012 and something that’s continued to this day. Forget sticking a Dryrobe Advance in a backpack with your other swim gear to cycle to the local lake. The Tech-Lite remedies this, however, with its lightweight (1kg) design ensuring it scrunches down into the included 38cm sack that easily fits into a backpack. The downside, of course, is that the Polartec Alpha insulation included in the Tech-Lite isn’t as snug or warm as the Dryrobe Advance, making it best suited to autumn and springtime swim sessions.
It coped admirably after my November dips in the 10°C water of Court Farm Lakes in the Forest of Dean, nonetheless, soaking up the post-swim moisture efficiently, but I’d opt for a longer sleeved Advance for midwinter sessions. Like the Advance, your shins will once again remain exposed to chilly air, however.
The Tech-Lite isn’t light on tech, with that Polartec Alpha lining, a construction that comes from at least 37 recycled plastic bottles and the two-way water-repellent YKK zip that helps the process of getting changed.
The PFAS-free waterproof outer continues the environmental theme and boasts a welcome and high 10,000mm waterproof rating, which is enough to deflect heavy rain. Breathability is also rated to 10,000k, while the adjustable peaked hood stayed in place during windy weather and added some Jedi Knight aesthetics, if that’s on your robe tick list.
As for storing that post-swim bar of peanuts, take your pick from the external and zipped chest pocket, two zipped hip pockets or the sizeable duo of internal pockets.
On the downside, at £195 this reduction in sizing and warmth comes at a cost, making it 20 quid more than the standard Advance changing robe, and currently without the exhaustive range of colours too. That said, as a regular open-water swimmer, triathlete and beach botherer, I can see myself getting more use out of this versatile, lithe and comfortable option than the original Dryrobe.
Many of you, however, will want to wait to see what other colours Dryrobe have planned for the Tech-Lite.
Why not take a look at our guide to the best camping accessories.
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