Are Dry Robes Waterproof? What Keeps the Rain Out

The short answer: yes, a proper dry robe has a waterproof outer shell, so rain, wind and sea spray stay on the outside. But only the shell is waterproof. The lining is soft fleece, and its job is to soak up the water on your skin. Water can also still find its way in at the open hem, the cuffs and the hood. So it is a waterproof coat you change under and wear on dry land, never on the water.

That difference matters. People buy a changing robe expecting to stay dry, then come home with a damp lining and wonder whether they bought a bad one. Usually they haven’t. They just met the bits of a robe that were never meant to be waterproof. Here is what keeps the water out, what lets it in, and how to keep yours dry for years.

What “waterproof” means on a changing robe

A changing robe is two layers doing opposite jobs.

• The outer shell keeps water OUT. On a good robe this is a waterproof, windproof fabric. Rain runs off it, wind doesn’t cut through it, and you can stand on a beach in a downpour and stay dry underneath.
• The lining takes water IN. Sherpa fleece is soft, warm and absorbent on purpose. You step out of the sea dripping, pull the robe on and the lining takes the water off your skin while you warm up. A damp lining after a swim means the robe is doing its job.

So when someone asks “is a dry robe waterproof?”, the honest answer is that the outside is. A towelling poncho isn’t waterproof at all: the first heavy shower soaks straight through it. That is the real difference between the two.

What is the waterproof rating of a changing robe?

A waterproof fabric’s rating is measured as a water column, written in millimetres (sometimes called the hydrostatic head). A tube is stood on the fabric and filled with water. The rating is how tall that column gets, in millimetres, before water starts to push through. The higher the number, the harder rain has to press before it gets in.

• About 1,500mm is generally where a fabric starts to count as waterproof rather than showerproof.
• 3,000mm to 5,000mm keeps out heavy, steady rain, which is what a changing robe needs on a British beach.
• Higher still is mostly needed where you kneel or sit on wet ground for long periods, or in mountain tents, because pressing on wet fabric pushes water through it.

The Ultra Dry changing robe’s outer shell is rated 3,000mm to 5,000mm water column, checked by our manufacturer’s water column test.

Where water can still get in

Even with a fully waterproof shell, a changing robe is an open garment. These are the gaps, and what to do about each one.

• The hem. A changing robe is open at the bottom, because you need room to change underneath it. Sideways rain and spray off the waves can blow up under the hem. Standing on a changing mat keeps your feet out of the wet sand, but the hem stays open.
• The cuffs. Water runs down your arms when you lift them. Cuffs that adjust, like the Velcro tabs on ours, close the gap.
• The hood. A big hood keeps most of the weather off, but rain can still blow into the face opening in a strong wind. Turn your back to the wind to change.
• Getting in wet. If you are soaked, the inside gets wet, because that is where you are. This is the lining doing its job, not a leak.

Is the Ultra Dry changing robe waterproof?

Yes. The outer shell is 100% waterproof and windproof polyester with a waterproof coating, rated 3,000mm to 5,000mm water column, and it is lined with soft, warm sherpa fleece. Like every waterproof coat it has the limits above: it is made for wearing in the rain on dry land, never anywhere you could fall in.

The seams are taped. Seams are the usual weak spot on any waterproof coat, because every stitch is a tiny hole that rain can creep through. On our robe, a waterproof tape is sealed over the stitching on the inside. The robe is also cut so there is no seam across the top of the shoulders: the arm seam sits lower down the arm, so the part of the robe the rain lands on is one piece of fabric. The only seam up top is the one round the hood.

Not sure which size? Changing robes are cut oversized on purpose so there is room to change. If you mainly want yours for warmth or dog walks, go one size down. Our guide to measuring for your robe takes you through it.

Can you wear a dry robe on a paddleboard or in a kayak?

No. Never wear a changing robe anywhere you could fall in the water. That includes paddleboards, kayaks, canoes and boats. If you went in wearing one, water would flood in through the open hem and the fleece would soak it up. Within seconds the robe would be incredibly heavy and very hard to swim in, which makes it dangerous.

On the water, wear what your sport calls for, such as a wetsuit and a buoyancy aid. Pack the robe in a dry bag on the board or in the boat, and put it on once you are back on dry land.

Keeping it in a dry bag also stops the robe getting wet before you need it. Leave it on the sand or over a rock in the rain and the lining will be cold and damp by the time you come out of the water. A robe and a full change of clothes need about 30 to 35 litres:

Why a dry bag is rated differently from a robe is explained in are dry bags fully waterproof?

How to keep your robe waterproof for longer

A waterproof shell lasts longer if you look after it. These are the washing instructions for our robe:

• Don’t wash it more than you need to. A rinse in fresh water after the sea, then hang it up, is usually enough.
• When you do wash it, turn it inside out and wash at 40°C maximum, with a spin cycle and non-bio powder.
• No fabric conditioner, and never tumble dry. Hang it up or lay it flat to dry.
• Dry it fully before you put it away. A robe folded up damp in the boot of the car comes out smelling of it.

Is a dry robe worth it if you don’t swim?

Often, yes, and because it is waterproof. It is a warm, waterproof coat long enough to cover your knees and big enough to go over your other layers. That makes it popular for rainy dog walks, standing on a touchline, camping and watching the surf. Swimmers are just the people who need it most.

Questions people ask

Are dry robes waterproof or just water-resistant?
A good one has a waterproof outer shell, not just a shower-resistant one. Ours is 100% waterproof and windproof on the outside, rated 3,000mm to 5,000mm water column. The fleece lining is not waterproof, and isn’t meant to be.

What is the Ultra Dry robe’s rainproof rating?
The outer shell is rated 3,000mm to 5,000mm water column, which keeps out heavy, steady rain.

Are the seams on the Ultra Dry robe taped?
Yes. The seams are taped on the inside, and there is no seam across the top of the shoulders, so rain landing on your shoulders has no stitching to get through.

Why is the inside of my robe wet?
Most likely it came off you: the fleece soaks up water from your skin after a swim. In a strong wind, rain can also blow in at the hem or the hood. Neither means the shell is leaking.

Can I wear a changing robe in heavy rain?
Yes, that is one of the main reasons to own one. Zip it up, adjust the cuffs and put the hood up.

Is there a guarantee?
Our robes come with a 1-year warranty, which you activate when you register your robe.

Ready for winter? See the Ultra Dry changing robe, or read how it compares on price in our Dryrobe alternative guide.