Review: Voited Outdoor Change Robe and DryCoat

An eco-conscious changing robe for warmth and protection after water-based activities

If you live by the water and want to keep your connection with it through the winter months, the
Voited Outdoor Change Robe and DryCoat is a must. Not only does it warm you up and protect you from the wind and rain, but it’s also constructed with more eco-friendly fabrics than other brands. It’s a delight to snuggle in and will undoubtedly make you get in the water more.

Voited Outdoor Change Robe and DryCoat: The stats

Features of the Voited Outdoor Change Robe and DryCoat

Inner fabric

There are three types of fleece inside the jacket. The main micro fleece body pulls water from the skin and dries quickly. Then there’s polar fleece inside the arms and hood for a little more cosiness. But the best part is the CloudTouch insulation panel what covers the lower back for extra warmth.

Outer fabric

Coated with Teflon EcoElite as a durable water repellent, the 100% recycled 50D Ripstop fabric is fully waterproof.

Hood

Lined with polar fleece, the adjustable hood is huge and cosy. It has a high neck and drawcords that cinch right in for the days when you really need to batten down the hatches.

Pockets

There are five pockets altogether. The internal chest zippered pocket is soft with a headphone port for phone storage, and the external hand pockets are also soft lined and zippered. Additionally, there are two large cargo pockets with Velcro flaps which are excellent for storing layers, hats or goggles.

Zipper

The main zip is reversible, opening up and down. This is useful when it comes to changing your clothes underneath the robe. The zip doesn’t go all the way down to the hem but stops a few inches above it to create a slit for walking more easily. There’s also a slit at the back of the robe.

Cuffs and length

Velcro tabs cinch in the cuffs which are plenty long and baggy enough to retract frozen fingers up into!

Stuff sack

Inside one of the cargo pockets is a stuff sack in which the jacket fits. This is great for transporting and storage as it’s quite a bulky jacket when it’s not packed down.

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Voited Outdoor Change Robe and DryCoat review

I’ve lived by the coast for over four years now and during that time I’ve spent at least one day per week, on average, in the sea. Surfing, belly boarding, paddle boarding, swimming or simply splashing around. And although I don’t especially relish the idea of post-plunge numbness to my extremities during the winter months, I don’t let the low temperatures put me off, too much.

With my willingness for all-season submersion one would think I’d have some thermal protection in place for the less clement times of the year. I mean, the rest of the coastal population of Britain seems to have jumped on the changing robe bandwagon in the last few years. So why shouldn’t I? Well, in short, because of their environmental impact. There’s a lot of fabric that goes into these robes which results in a lot of processes, chemicals and raw materials being needed.

So I resisted and made do with wrapping myself in lots of layers and winter jackets to warm up. It does the job, but I’ll admit, I’m not half envious of those gnome-like figures darting through the village after windy and wild wave encounters, smug in their cosiness and warmth. But what about the planet…?

Then I came across the Voited Outdoor Change Robe.

Eco-conscious

First up, the outer Repreve fabric of every DryCoat consists of 94 recycled plastic bottles. Voited then applies a Teflon EcoElite finish to the fabric which helps with wind and waterproofness. EcoElite is a renewably sourced, plant-based, non-fluorinated fabric treatment. It’s an eco DWR (durable water repellent) coating that is manufactured with 60 percent renewably sourced raw materials.

And finally, the polyester insulation is also 100% recycled.

Of course, not having such a warm and protective robe to wrap up in post-dip, would be the most eco-friendly approach. Or seeking out a second-hand one. But if you’re hell-bent on having one in your life, then at least limit your impact on the planet by choosing this one.

Warmth and protection

I’m a very cold person. I wear fingerless gloves to type in for 6 months of the year. And I very rarely wear a summer wetsuit, opting for a 4/3 spring suit for most of the summer! So as you can imagine, water time during the winter is a bit of a battle for me. If I’m cold to start with I find it really tough to get my head ready for the water. Which is why having a mega cosy jacket to stroll to the beach in, regardless of the weather, has been a complete game-changer for winter sea dipping.

I not only start the activity warm, but I also warm up instantly afterwards. I don’t bother drying myself. I just put the jacket straight onto my wet body and within minutes my core temperature is back on the rise. The windproof properties of the jacket really help with this. There’s almost always wind at the beach but this gets blocked out immediately making a happier me cocooned in my fleecy haven.

Size and fit

The size guide recommended I go for a size M. I’m between a size 8 and 10 but Voited suggests going larger if you want to get changed underneath the dry coat. But I went for a size S instead, which was definitely worth doing. Even this feels on the large side, but crucially, it still provides plenty of space to change my clothing whilst wearing it. It also allows me to wear lots of layers or a puffy jacket underneath on those extra cold days.

Pockets and packability

The pockets are super useful and add another element of practicality to this already versatile jacket. I love that I don’t have to carry a bag with me with layers in or my wooly hat. And if I want to take my phone and keys with me I know they’ll be secure and protected inside the zippered pockets.

What I love the most about the Voited Outdoor Change Robe

I really love that it’s constructed of more eco-friendly fabrics than other options out there. The pockets are great too. But I especially enjoy the fleecing inner which feels instantly cosy when I put it on.

What I don’t love so much about the Voited Outdoor Change Robe

The slits at the front and back of the hem are a little on the long side. I have to be slightly careful when bending over, mid costume change! And the slits make my legs feel a little less protected than I’d prefer.

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Verdict

With discreet branding, a weather-resistant outer and a cosy fleece lining, the Voited Outdoor Change Robe and DryCoat is an instant moral booster after water-based activities in cold weather. It’s also created using eco-conscious fabrics and with a very reasonable price-tag attached to it compared with similar brands. A must for water babies and beach life.

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Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company.

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