Choosing the Right ChangewearUpdated 5 days ago

Changewear — Drycoat 3.0, Outdoor Poncho 3.0, Micro Fleece Poncho & Trooper Poncho-Blanket

Getting in and out of a wetsuit on a windy beach, warming up after a cold-water dip, or just staying dry on a rainy dog walk — that's what VOITED Changewear is built for. Whether you want a full-coverage changing robe, a quick-to-throw-on poncho, or a poncho that doubles as a blanket, here's how to find the right one.

Changing Robe / Drycoat vs Poncho — which do I need?

The simplest way to decide: a robe wraps around you; a poncho slips over you. Both let you change discreetly and stay protected from the elements — the difference is how much warmth, coverage and structure you want.

Choose the Drycoat (our changing robe) if you want maximum warmth and full coverage. It's a long-sleeved, oversized, insulated and waterproof robe — effectively a changing tent you can wear. With its multi-layer insulation, CloudTouch® lumbar panel, stormproof hood and generous pockets, it doubles as a proper outdoor jacket, so it's the one for regular cold-water swimmers, surfers in winter, vanlifers, dog walkers and everyday cold-weather wear. 

Tip: it's intentionally oversized for changing over a wetsuit, so choose your usual size for that, or size down for a more fitted everyday jacket feel.

Choose a Poncho if you want something lighter, simpler and quicker to pull on. With no sleeves to deal with, a poncho is fast to throw over your head for a wetsuit change, packs down smaller, and is easier to carry to the beach. It's the go-to for surf sessions, summer swims and travel — especially if you don't need the full warmth or structure of the robe.

In short: the Drycoat is the warmest, most protective, most jacket-like option. The ponchos are lighter, more packable and quicker to change under — and one of them, the Trooper, even doubles as a blanket.

Outdoor vs Micro Fleece vs Trooper poncho — what's the difference?

All three are hooded ponchos with an oversized cut for changing, but each is built for a different priority — cold-weather protection, warm-weather lightness, or all-round versatility.

Outdoor Poncho 3.0 — the warm, waterproof workhorse

The one for cold and changeable conditions. It pairs a 100% recycled 50D Ripstop REPREVE® shell (laminated to 18,000mm waterproofness with a fluorine-free finish) with a quilted 3D Featherlight recycled insulation layer and a new quick-dry waffle fleece lining. The result is a windproof, water-repellent poncho that keeps you warm and dry while you change or warm up after a cold dip — yet still folds into itself to pack away.

Best for: surfing and swimming in cold or unpredictable weather, plus vanlife and waterside adventures.

Micro Fleece Poncho — the lightweight summer companion

The ultralight option for warmer days. It's made from 100% recycled microfibre fleece with a 50D recycled Ripstop hood and kangaroo pocket for a little durability and water resistance. There's no insulation or waterproof lamination here — instead you get a soft, breathable, easily packable poncho that slips into a beach bag or backpack.

Best for: the beach, picnics, festivals and watersports in warm climates.

Trooper Poncho-Blanket — the do-it-all

The most versatile of the three: a 3-in-1 poncho, blanket and changing station. Lay it out flat and it's a cosy camp blanket; snap the buttons along the edge and it becomes a hooded poncho with enough cover to change underneath. It's made from 100% recycled REPREVE® Our Ocean™ fabric — sourced from ocean-bound plastic, with around 15 bottles' worth collected per Trooper through VOITED's CleanHub partnership — with a water-resistant, breathable shell and lightweight high-loft hollow-fibre insulation (1.47kg, comfort rating down to 11°C / 52°F). It packs into its own stuff sack, with a kangaroo pocket for warming hands and a zip pocket for valuables. Note it's water-resistant rather than fully waterproof like the Outdoor Poncho 3.0.

Best for: surfers and campers who want one piece that changes them, wraps them and warms them.

The short version: 

• for cold or wet conditions choose the Outdoor Poncho 3.0; 
• for warm-weather days choose the lightweight Micro Fleece Poncho; 
• and if you want a poncho that doubles as a blanket, choose the Trooper Poncho-Blanket.

Is the Drycoat warm enough for cold-water swims?

Yes — the Drycoat 3.0 was specifically redesigned with cold-water swimmers in mind. The important thing to understand is how you use it: it's a changing and warming robe for before and after your swim.

Where it earns its place is the moment you get out. Its multi-layer insulation — including a CloudTouch® lumbar panel — is engineered to help you regain warmth quickly after cold exposure, while the moisture-wicking microfleece lining works like a towel, pulling water off your skin and retaining heat even when damp. The 100% recycled 50D Ripstop shell (18,000mm waterproof, with a fluorine-free DWR) blocks rain, sea spray and wind, and the stormproof hood and two-way zip let you fully cocoon yourself on a cold, exposed shoreline. Add fleece-lined handwarmer pockets and you've got a personal shelter that gets you warm and dry fast.

So for shivering your way out of a winter sea swim, the Drycoat is exactly the right tool — just think of it as your post-swim warm-up layer rather than swimwear.

Good to know: The Drycoat is best washed cold (30°C) and hung to dry — no tumble drying. Across all VOITED Changewear, the shells use recycled REPREVE® fabrics and a fluorine-free Bionic Finish®Eco water-repellent treatment.