Kit Focus – VOITED Outdoor Drycoat Fleece Change Robe

Throughout the 2020-21 wintertime I kept up a ritual of open-water sea swimming at least once per week. In the depths of January this became a frigid affair at best; multiple times I lost feeling in my hands and feet as I stripped off my wetsuit on the exposed beaches of the Isle of Wight. The experience, whilst exhilarating, got me searching for any means of retaining body warmth both during and after my open water excursions.

The new DryCoat Change Robe from Voited is a fantastic asset for cold water swimmers, surfers, kayakers and sailors. Fleece-lined changing robes are a common sight on beaches and in coastal car parks now, but the Voited DryCoat takes outdoor comfort to the next level.

The DryCoat has a waterproof outer material that shields you from the wind and spray. On the inside, there is a microfleece lining that quickly dries you and wicks away moisture. The lower back then features a CloudTouch™ insulation panel to supply added comfort and warmth for your vulnerable core and kidneys. Finally, a Polar Fleece lined hood and arms help keep warm blood flowing to your extremities.

The warmth of the Voited DryCoat is hard to describe in words; except by saying that it is like a giant fleecy hug when you pull it on.

There are a number of further neat features in addition to the superb insulation that make the Voited DryCoat Changing Robe stand out from similar offerings on the market. Pocketing for example, has all bases covered; with zippered fleece-lined chest hand pockets, large lower cargo pockets, and an internal zipped phone pocket; so you can safely house all your valuables and accessories, as well as having a warm place to revive your frozen hands. It is also worth noting the adjustable Velcro wrist-straps and full-length zipper on the Voited DryCoat; both of which can help to regulate temperature or seal in body heat.

As with the Voited CloudTouch Camp Blanket that I featured on Lifeinthesaddle.cc last month, the Voited DryCoat Changing Robe is a beautifully designed and made product that excels at its intended use. It also has impressive green credentials, with the fibres in its construction coming almost entirely from recycled plastic bottles.

Pulling on the Voited DryCoat after a cold-water immersion is like being hugged by a best friend wearing an extra-large sheepskin fleece—it is a whole new level of comfort. Take a flask of hot tea with you, and you will soon forget the frozen feet and numb hands you experienced as you ran out of the water; you will be smiling with satisfaction (hopefully sat in front of a campfire) and ready to go again in no time.

A fantastic accessory for all-season any-weather adventures and camping trips; the Voited DryCoat has established a well-earned place in my kit bag.

>> Get 15% off the Voited Drycoat Change Robe at voited.co.uk using code TIM15

Disclaimer: Voited supplied an Outdoor DryCoat Fleece-Lined Changing Robe for test and review