Bathrobes for winter bathing

The refreshing pleasure of winter swimming has gradually become a firmly established Irish winter tradition, whether it is the quick morning dip from the pier or the weekly outing with the winter swimming club. But when the temperature drops and the wind comes in from the coast, there is one challenge most winter swimmers know all too well: you get cold quickly, especially when you are on land and need to change clothes.

To be able to fully enjoy the experience, you need the right equipment. This is where our collection of winter robes comes into the picture. Our robes for winter swimming are designed to keep you warm, dry and comfortable, from the moment you step out of the water until you are fully dressed again, whether you are female or male. Here on the page you will find all our winter robes, which are carefully selected for Nordic winter conditions.

Why a winter bathing robe is indispensable for winter swimming

After a cold dip, body temperature drops quickly, especially when the skin is wet and you are standing in wind or cold by the sea or a lake. The body works hard to raise the temperature again, and it is in the minutes after you get out of the water that you most need effective protection against cold, wind and heat loss.

A winter bathing robe is developed specifically for that moment. It provides an insulating layer around the body, creates shelter from the wind and helps shorten the period where you stand wet and exposed. When you can pull a warm robe around you immediately, you reduce heat loss and make it easier for the body to return to a comfortable temperature while you change into dry clothes underneath.

Here a winter bathing robe differs clearly from an ordinary indoor bathrobe. A classic, thin cotton robe is fine after a bath at home, but it typically lacks insulation, windproofing and the roominess needed to work well on a cold pier or beach. A winter bathing robe is instead constructed with a focus on warmth, function and changing outdoors.

At Watery we work closely with winter swimmers and continuously receive feedback on how the robes perform in practice on Irish beaches and at winter swimming clubs. We use that experience when selecting and fine-tuning our range, so the winter robes you find here on the page are tried-and-tested solutions for the conditions you actually face by the water in the winter months.

How to choose the right winter bathing robe

When you choose the right winter bathing robe, it basically comes down to three things:
where you winter swim, how sensitive to cold you are, and whether you want to be able to change underneath the robe.
Depending on your preferences you can choose between different materials, lengths and details, each with their own advantages.

We go through the most important choices here so you can more easily find the model that suits you.

Material and length

Depending on your preferences you can choose between fleece, terry, wool blends, microfiber or technical outer materials such as softshell. Each material has its unique advantages, so it is largely about finding out what suits you best and your way of winter swimming. Materials, in short:

We find that many winter swimmers choose fleece or terry if they primarily want something soft and warm against the skin. If you often bathe in exposed places with a lot of wind, a model with a technical outer material can be a great advantage.

You can choose between shorter or longer robes. A longer robe can give you extra coverage and warmth, while a shorter one can be more practical if you want greater freedom of movement.

Fit and size

For the robe to keep you properly warm, fit and size are important. Make sure the robe fits you well. A good fit helps keep the cold out and also gives you the ability to move freely, even when you change clothes.

Consider especially:

• The robe should be roomy enough that you can change clothes underneath without feeling restricted.

• It should not be so large that it slips off the shoulders or feels impractical in the wind.

• The sleeves should be long enough that you can both keep your hands warm and still use them freely.

At Watery we always recommend that you use the size guide on the individual model. If you are in doubt between two sizes, many winter swimmers choose the larger one to get extra room for changing and warm clothing underneath. If the size still isn't quite right, it is nice to have the option of an easy exchange so you end up with a robe you can actually enjoy for many seasons.

How our winter robes keep you warm in cold and wind

Winter bathing is about the contrast between cold and warmth. As soon as you get out of the water, you need something that can warm you up again quickly and effectively. This is where a winter bathing robe makes all the difference. Where an ordinary bathrobe quickly becomes cold and clammy in the wind, a winter bathing robe is made to protect you in exactly those moments on the beach, by the lake or on the pier.

Our winter bathing robes combine function and style, so you can both keep warm and feel comfortable. They are made from high-quality materials chosen because they work in practical winter bathing situations and not just look good in pictures.

Many of our customers say that they especially notice:

• A warm and soft interior, which soaks up water from the skin and swimwear so you quickly feel dry again.

• A more windproof exterior, which takes the edge off the cold when the wind blows in from the water.

• A roomy fit, so you can pull it snugly around your body and possibly change clothes underneath without having to fumble with towels.

• A large hood and good sleeves, which protect the neck, ears and hands that otherwise quickly become ice-cold.

• A waterproof pocket, where you can store your mobile safely and easily.
  

The winter bathing robe thus becomes a completely natural and indispensable part of your winter bathing routine, making the whole experience more pleasant from the moment you head for the water until you are completely dry and changed again.

Why winter bathers choose their robe at Watery

At Watery we work every day with swimming and winter bathing equipment and continually receive feedback from the winter bathers who use our products on Irish beaches, by lakes and in clubs. We use that experience when we develop and select the winter bathing robes you find here on the site.

Why choose your winter bathing robe at Watery?

• Selected for Irish conditions
  Robes and ponchos are made in warm, absorbent materials and tested in cold, windy weather so they work in practice by the water.

• Thoughtful details
  Many models have a large hood, good pockets (often also a waterproof pocket for mobile and keys), large armholes and room for changing underneath.

• For the whole family
  The same functions and materials are available in models for adults, juniors and children, so everyone can enjoy them.

• Peace of mind in the purchase
  Clear size guidance, fast delivery and easy returns if the size is not right, as well as customer service that daily helps winter bathers choose the right model.

Thousands of open water swimmers, paddleboarders and early morning bathers already use our ponchos and winter bathing robes, and those experiences form the basis for the range you can choose from here.

Ready to find your next winter bathing robe?

A good winter bathing robe makes all the difference before and after your dip in the cold water. On this page you will find our selected models for both beginners and experienced winter bathers, for the beach, lake and winter bathing club.

If you want to get started quickly, you can begin with our most popular winter bathing robes and ponchos and then fine-tune the choice of material, length and fit so the robe fits precisely your way of winter bathing.

Here you get:

• 3 - 5 days delivery, on weekdays.
• Free shipping on purchases over €79.
• Customer support from 08:00 - 22:00 on weekdays
• 100 % price match so you can get the best at the best price

Daniel Johannesen
Former elite swimmer and founder of Watery.ie, product specialist in winter bathing and open water equipment

In this guide I share my experiences with winter bathing robes and ponchos and explain what you should particularly pay attention to when choosing a robe for your way of winter bathing. The focus is that you end up with a solution that both keeps you warm, makes changing easy and suits the conditions you bathe in.

Read more about Daniel and Watery here