GEAR | Lomo Watersports Zipped Full Sleeve Changing Robe – Review

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What is it?

Lomo Watersports Zipped Full Sleeve Changing Robe £75

Our Rating (4.5 / 5)

Stockists

Lomo Watersports

Lomo Swimming Changing Robe with Towelling Inner - Pink — Lomo Swimming Changing Robe with Towelling Inner – Pink

Lomo Swimming Changing Robe with Towelling Inner - Green — Lomo Swimming Changing Robe with Towelling Inner – Green

Lomo Drybag Swimming Tow Float - Orange — Lomo Drybag Swimming Tow Float – Orange

Lomo Zipped Full Sleeve Swimming Towel Changing Robe Poncho Black

Features

Ample space to change into/out of wet gear
Compact for easy storage
Lined with quick-drying towel material
Garment pocket for underwear
Reversible 2-way YKK Zipper
Adjustable velcro cuffs
Waterproof outer shell
Two external zipped pockets
Black with vibrant orange detailing
80cm wide (comparable to Dryrobe S/M)

What we thought

During lockdown I booked myself an open water swimming workshop and realised that with toilets and on-site changing facilities remaining closed, a changing robe was an essential bit of kit.

Since that first tentative foray into open water swimming, I’ve been back every week and I think it’s fair to say I’m hooked!

The Lomo Watersports changing robe is a good size, I’m a UK 14/16 and there is enough space for me to change under it, though be aware that it is a bit smaller than the Dryrobe Medium size in terms of total width.

At the end of my first ever session, I decided to slip out of my wetsuit and went back into the lake for another swim as I was keen to feel the difference in temperature in and out of my wetsuit.

This also meant that when leaving the water wearing just a swimsuit, I felt pretty chilly until I got back to my drybag and slipped my Lomo changing robe on.

It instantly warmed me up, feeling reassuringly warm and cosy. After my open water sessions, I find it easy to slip out of my wetsuit whilst wearing the robe and now have a ritual that I follow which involves grabbing either a flask of coffee or making myself a cinnamon tea whilst I take a 10 minute breather beside the lake before driving home, cosy in my changing robe.

*Enjoying a cinnamon tea after swimming*

The robe is a good size without being comedically huge, and it fits easily inside my 20Litre Osprey drybag, with plenty of room to spare.

The sleeves are very wide but they taper towards the wrist and there are velcro fasteners on the wrists allowing you to tighten them should you wish to. I leave them unfastened and slip my arms inside to get out of my wetsuit and find that there’s plenty of space to get undressed.

As well as the velcro on the sleeves I really like the pockets and the toggles on the hood which means in wet and windy weather (as on my most recent swim) I can put the hood up and pull the toggles to keep the hood in place.

The Lomo changing robe is well priced compared to a Dry Robe, in fact, it’s almost half the price, making it an appealing option for those that don’t want to spend that much, but still want something that will effectively keep them warm, dry and allow for discrete changing at the lake side or beside the car.

The verdict

Our Rating

Quality 4.5/5

Practicality 4/5

Looks 3.5/5

Value 4.5/5

Overall Rating (4 / 5)

The Lomo changing robe compares very well to others that I’ve tried in the past, and for the price, I think it offers excellent value for money. If you’re very tall, broad-shouldered or larger than around a UK 16, you might find that space to change inside is a little snug, which is my only real gripe.

Black is practical and makes an ideal unisex colour choice and I liked the flashes of vibrant orange, but as always for me, if it comes in a bright or pretty colour, you can guarantee I’ll like it more, so it would be good to see Lomo introduce some more colour options to increase the appeal further.

For open water swimmers, kayakers and anyone doing any kind of watersports, the Lomo changing robe is a solid buy at a great price. It will keep you warm, help you dry off fast and there’s enough space to allow you to get out of your wetsuit or swimming gear and change discretely.

DISCLOSURE | Thank you to Lomo Watersports who supplied the featured product for us to test. We were not paid to write this review.

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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