Whilst there are plenty of reasons not to wear a Dryrobe or any of the many alternative versions available on the market as a coat, that’s not stopping an increasing number of people from doing so. We jump in on the debate and discuss Dryrobes worn as coats in our latest blog…
If you’re hoping for damning judgement and a post full of derision aimed at the folks that choose to wear their Dryrobe as a coat, this post might disappoint you. I’m going to firmly avoid going down that route and remain resolutely on the fence, but what I will do is lay out some pretty compelling reasons why Dryrobes and similar, don’t make great coats.
Dryrobe is the original, most easily recognised brand of changing robe, a practical garment, designed as oversized wearable towels with a waterproof outer layer. When people refer to Dryrobes, they are generally referring to this style of changing rob, similar to the way some people refer to vacuum cleaners as Hoovers, even when they aren’t Hoover brand appliances.
The rise of the Dryrobe
Designed primarily for swimming and watersports, changing robes have increased in popularity over the last few years, possibly thanks to the rise in those of us who have discovered the joys of outdoor swimming.
Their oversized and roomy nature means you can easily pull your hands inside and get changed in privacy, reducing the fear of flashing, while the towelling/fleecy lining is intended to dry a wet body and keep you warm and are, frankly brilliant.
However, their inherent warmth and ability to keep the wearer dry means they have increasingly been adopted by dog walkers as well as mums and dads standing on the sidelines waiting for kids to finish rainy football sessions.
Whilst these uses alone garner debate and split opinions, it’s their everyday urban use, seen everywhere from supermarkets to theatres, that seems to really make people mad.
The great Dryrobe debate
A changing robe of any kind in my opinion is a camping must-have, and it’s the one location outside of watersports where they can’t fail to be deemed as ‘acceptable’, surely?
The use of shared shower facilities at a campsite or glamping site is made significantly easier with a changing robe, allowing you to jump out of the shower fast, walk back to your tent or van and get changed in privacy.
They are also useful for slinging on in the middle of the night when visiting the toilet block in cold weather or when it’s hammering it down.
Dryrobes in an urban setting – the great debate!
So if the wearing of changing robes is acceptable in these circumstances, why do people have a problem with them being worn by folks doing the weekly shop? How can we be sure that person hasn’t come straight from an open water swim and just needed to grab something from Sainsbury’s on the way home?
The negative opinions are likely based on their intended use for watersports, which has already been stretched to include ‘outdoor recreation’ and taken to an extreme by some choosing to wear them in everyday urban settings, essentially substituting them for a coat.
We all have our own opinions, and like it or not, Dryrobes now find themselves on a list, previously reserved for UGG boots and Crocs. Mention either, and people will generally have a Marmite reaction.
Does their use in a broader setting really legitimise the existence of Facebook groups dedicated to mocking people who choose to wear them outside of their intended use though? Of course not, but that doesn’t stop it from happening.
The underlying argument is that despite people wearing them as coats, that’s not what they are designed to be. But honestly, why does that matter?! I mean, I wouldn’t fancy going for a run in my wellies, but if someone else fancies running a marathon wearing theirs, well, crack on.
Do Dryrobes make good coats?
That said, there are some good reasons why Dryrobes and similar make terrible coats.
First and foremost they are huge. You could easily wear 7 of your thickest jumpers underneath and still have room for an oversized fleece or 3. This makes them extremely cumbersome, and arguably, entirely impractical for everyday tasks like visiting the supermarket.
They aren’t designed to wick sweat or regulate your temperature, they are designed to keep you warm, and so once you heat up, there’s little to nowhere for that heat to go, which can make them extremely unpleasant to wear over clothes whilst being active.
I do strongly believe that any camping trip can be significantly improved with the addition of a Dryrobe.
Their huge size also means they are heavy – much heavier to wear than your typical waterproof outdoor coat, again, this makes them pretty awkward to move around in and I wouldn’t consider doing anything in a Dryrobe that requires any kind of precision or dexterity.
Perfect for camping
Without stating explicitly where I stand in perhaps the greatest debate of our time, namely, to Dryrobe in an urban setting or not to Dryrobe, I do strongly believe that any camping trip can be significantly improved with the addition of a changing robe.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve sat outside nattering of an evening and no number of extra layers or blankets have adequately warmed me, but my Dryrobe has kept me toasty and they’re also great to pop on top of a sleeping bag on a cold night too!
I don’t care how clean the showers are, shared facilities give me the ick, and so being in and out as fast as possible is a huge bonus to me, and whilst still dripping wet and naked, wearing my changing robe to walk back from the showers and get dry and dressed in privacy, makes it less of a sensory ordeal for me.
My favourite changing robe lives in my outdoor swimming bag, and that’s where it will stay. I’ll continue using it for open water swims and camping and I’ll favour my much more practical waterproof outdoor coat for everything else, but that’s just me.
Really, who cares?
I think it’s time people stopped looking down their noses at Dryrobe wearing dog walkers and people out and about in them.
In terms of aesthetics and functionality, a Dryrobe isn’t that different to wearing an oversized rain mac or poncho. Sure they are shapeless and aren’t generally designed to look flattering or pretty, but really, who cares?
For those who want to be dry and warm, why does it matter what they choose to put on, so how about we let others wear their Dryobes in peace, free of mockery and in whatever setting they choose?
A bit less judgement and a lot more kindness can never be a bad thing.
Where to next?
- GEAR | Dryrobe An Essential Bit Of Gear For Outdoor Sports Enthusiasts – Dryrobe Review
- GEAR | Lomo Watersports Zipped Full Sleeve Changing Robe – Review
- ACTIVE | Cold Water Winter ‘Polar’ Swimming – What’s It Really Like?
Shop related products
The post GEAR | The Great Debate – Should Dryrobes Be Worn As Coats & Why Do People Care So Much? appeared first on Camping Blog Camping with Style | Travel, Outdoors & Glamping Blog.
