I was one of the first people to try the new Dryrobe Nexus — here’s my verdict

a photo of the Dryrobe Nexus — (Image credit: Future)

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of Dryrobe. A product that started its life as a wearable tent, created for surfers and swimmers, offering them a warm place to change on the beach, whatever the weather. Yet in recent years, it's become a staple for dog walkers, sports teams, and moms watching their kids play soccer in the rain. And it’s because of this that the brand’s latest iteration, the Dryrobe Nexus, was born. Designed to blend these two worlds. I was one of the first people to try it, and while I’m no wild swimmer, read on to find out more.

Dryrobe Nexus review: Price and availability

The Dryrobe Nexus was released on February 25th worldwide. The changing robe is on sale from Dryrobe directly, as well as third-party retailers, costing $270/£225. The robe comes in two different colors — black, which I tested, and dual camouflage/orange

I’ve worn the Dryrobe Nexus for the past week: here’s my verdict

The pros

More tailored aesthetic

Don’t hate me, but I’ve always been firmly in the camp that believes Dryrobes should be worn on the beach, and nowhere else. That was, until I ran to the Dryrobe Nexus event on a bright, yet freezing morning in London, and wore my robe on the tube on the way home. I was blown away by how deceptively warm the lightweight coat was, and I was impressed with the silhouette of the Nexus, which is less ‘tent-like’ than the brand’s other designs.

Sure, it’s still an oversized coat, but it’s meant to be, as you should be able to get changed underneath it if you were wearing a wetsuit, but the Nexus is slightly more fitted. There’s also less branding on the coat — the large ‘Dryrobe’ logo on the back has been replaced with more subtle, reflective logos. There’s a peaked, fleece-lined hood, and reach-through pockets which allow you to access your keys and phone in your mid-layer without having to unzip the robe.

Fully waterproof

I live in London, so I am as far from the sea as you can get in the United Kingdom. In my week of testing, I’m sorry to say I’ve not set foot on a beach, but I have tested this layer in non-stop rain (welcome to February). I can see why Dryrobes have become so popular with people who spend more time outside than I do — this coat kept me fully dry.

The Nexus has 30,000mm waterproofing protection from extreme rain, fully taped seams for protection against the elements, and Aquaguard zips to stop water getting in. That said, I never felt overly sweaty in the coat — it’s lightweight and breathable, even while keeping all of the elements out. Like all Dryrobe products, the synthetic lining is designed to wick water away from the body, drying you faster than a regular towel if you are using it as a changing robe.

Durable

Dryrobes are built for the great outdoors, and the Nexus is no exception. It will last for years, no matter what you put it through. The brand also repairs and recycles used products — the environment is at the heart of what they do, and it shows.

The cons

The price tag

There’s no doubt about it, Dryrobes don’t come cheap, but they are the first changing robe on the market, and they are continuing to design products with their consumer in mind. This is definitely a higher-end product, and if you are truly using it as a changing robe, there are cheaper alternatives from the brand.

It’s still definitely oversized

This coat is designed to look like a parka when you’re not near a beach, but if that’s the look you’re going for, I’d definitely recommend sizing down. I’m a UK 8/US 4 and went for a size small, and it’s still massive. Of course, this coat is designed to allow me to change underneath it, and I definitely could, but if you’re not going to use the Nexus for wild swimming or surfing, size down.

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Jane McGuire is Tom's Guide's Fitness editor, which means she looks after everything fitness related - from running gear to yoga mats. An avid runner, Jane has tested and reviewed fitness products for the past five years, so knows what to look for when finding a good running watch or a pair of shorts with pockets big enough for your smartphone. When she's not pounding the pavements, you'll find Jane striding round the Surrey Hills, taking far too many photos of her puppy.

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