I've been on a mission to test an array of changing robes this year, and have come away from the experience surprised by how much they vary, despite all landing within a narrow price range.

At first glance, Red's new Alter Evo robe is almost identical to Zone3's Thermotech offering. But on closer inspection there's one big difference between them - weight. The Alter Evo is more than 1lb (500g) heavier than the Thermotech. And that's no small amount if your favorite wild swim spot requires a bit of a trek to get to.

But while the Alter Evo is less portable, it's definitely warmer, with a super soft deep-pile Sherpa fleece lining that feels like you're being hugged by a teddy bear.

So if it's heavier than the Thermotech, are there any other features to recommend it over its similarly-priced rival? In short, yes, so let's talk about that a bit more.

Red Alter Evo changing robe: weight

While the Thermotech's lightness was a winning feature for me, Red have gone in the opposite direction with the Alter Evo. Weighing in at nearly 4lb, it's the heaviest changing robe I've tested this year, but if you think of it as a luxury robe, it all starts to make sense.

Let's look at the hood, for example. It's got a proper peak, it's substantial, the Sherpa lining is deep-pile and cozy, and it's got a high neck and sturdy toggles to allow you to cinch it tight when it's really cold.

The old Red Pro Evo version had sleeves that came up just slightly short on me, but there's no chance of that here, with fold back cuffs that should satisfy even the most orangutan of limb.

The main zip is YKK, the zip on the outer chest pocket appears reassuringly water tight, and it feels like every other little detail has been well thought out too, from the mesh inner pocket (also zipped) to the decision to use fleece for the large inner patch pocket (traditionally used by wild swimmers for a hot water bottle), so that you don't have a 'cold patch' that would exist if this were made from the outer fabric.

It's also longer than most other robes I've tried (and longer than the Pro Evo), coming to mid shin - a reassuring feature if you're a winter swimmer like me.

If I have one gripe it's that the sleeves are now tapered, rather than straight cut, and I found this made it a little harder to slip my arms inside the body of the garment when I was getting changed.

But I'm splitting hairs here - there's so much to recommend it.

Sizing

Although men's and women's versions are available, the difference between them isn't obvious to me and the sizing guide is the same. I like the fact that the size guide on the Red website shows you which size is suitable depending on whether you're using it to get changed under or 'just' as a coat. It's a nice touch that recognises that, although these garments are designed with swimmers in mind, a lot of people now buy them for dog walking, school runs and country strolls and never go anywhere near the water in them.

You may have an opinion on that, but let's not gatekeep these garments. I don't just wear mine for swimming, after all. It's my first choice for campfire nights, and for gentle walks in the winter too.

Red has always had great color options in their changing robes and the Alter Evo is no exception. I tested the Deep Teal colorway, but there are seven other choices, and I liked the fact that the same colors are offered for both genders.

Absorbency and drying speed

Thanks to its deep pile Sherpa fleece lining, the Alter Evo is super cozy and wicks water like a dream, and this, combined with its length, makes it a great choice for winter swims.

However, I found this also makes it a bit slower to dry than lighter robes, so if you're planning on changing inside it, bear in mind that it could take a couple of days to dry out completely unless you've got access to a dry room or airing cupboard.

Getting changed inside it was straightforward, and the YKK zip worked smoothly, allowing me to unzip it from the bottom as I manoeuvred out of my wet swimsuit.

As it's a heavier changing robe than the Thermotech, it's one I'll use when I'm travelling to swim spots by car (or one day, by camper van - the dream!). But I know for the coldest days, when the water is barely above freezing, I'll be incredibly thankful for it.

Materials and care

Red's earlier iteration of this robe - the Evo Pro (now discontinued), had a waterproofing and breathability rating of 8,000 and 3,000 respectively. The Alter Evo is a big step up from this, rated at 15,000 and 8,000. This makes it impressively waterproof, while avoiding that clammy feeling.

The garment is 100% recycled and the outer has been treated with a Durable Water Repellent that's PFAS-free, so it ticks our environmental boxes too.

I absolutely love this changing robe. For a fairly standard price you're treated to a lot of luxury, and the confidence that, no matter how cold your swim, it'll get you warm and dry in no time.

• How Advnture tests products

Cyber Monday may be over, but there are still great savings to be had for those of you who like a chilly winter dip in the wild. Right now, you can pick up the Revolution 3-in-1 Change Parka for just £194.95 at Red Equipment. That's a massive savings of £105 off this modular hybrid coat that gets a perfect five stars among customers.

This deal applies to both the men's and women's sizing in the limited edition Nixie Blue colorway. The Revolution has a slimline, bulk-free cut but packs the same punch as a weightier dryrobe with a soft inner layer, made from 250gsm 100%-recycled fleece and a windproof silk-feel panel top.

If it's windy or wet out, throw on the high-performance waterproof and breathable outer jacket with Thinsulate quilting and zip the layers together to make a sleek winter coat ready to take on whatever the elements throw at you.

Crafted with recycled fabric and eco-down, the Revolution is a planet-friendly and hard-working piece of kit for wild swimmers and campers.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on Red Original changing robes where you are.

Hide your valuables in the concealed chest Napoleon pocket, keep your hands snug in the military-styled two-way pockets, and stash everything you need in a myriad of other pocket options.

Not in the US? Here are today's best deals on Red Original changing robes where you are:

More great Black Friday deals

• The North Face: big reductions available on jackets, hoodies and other essentials
• Camping: keep cozy with great savings on tents, sleeping bags and other gear
• Hiking: the best deals from big-name brands
• Yeti: great deals on drink-ware
• Patagonia: Big savings available on base layers and waterproofs
• Arc'teryx: prices slashed for stylish winter jackets and softshells
• Garmin: Great savings on top notch Garmin sports watches

• The best wild swimming gear: what to wear and what to take

Red Equipment EVO Pro changing robe : first impressions

I’ve spent the last few years a little bemused by the trend of people wearing changing robes when walking their dog / doing the school run / stocking up at the supermarket. Changing robes are for serious swimmers, I thought, and must be too expensive and heavy to be a good choice in such domestic settings.

But now I’ve actually tested a few changing robes, I’m beginning to see the logic. Whether you’re sporting a classic camo-print Dryrobe, or one of the many great alternatives now on the market, there’s no doubt that the best changing robes beg to be worn off the beach too.

What’s not to love about a super comfortable cosy coat that is both waterproof and breathable, with a capacious fit that won’t feel too snug, even if you do a Joey and wear your entire wardrobe underneath?

Having said that, some are definitely more suited to the high street than others, and the Red Equipment Pro Evo fits firmly into this bracket, coming in an array of colors that aren’t for the faint-hearted, as well as some more muted shades.

Don’t be fooled by appearances though. This is a technical garment, with a brushed fleece lining that will wick away moisture and then dry fast from your own body heat. In fact, we think it’s one of the best out there right now.

 Red Equipment EVO Pro changing robe: in the field 

 Red Equipment EVO Pro changing robe: in the field 

You’re not going to get cold easily in this changing robe. The outer layer is both waterproof and breathable, with a 2-layer EVO outer shell that’s been treated with a PFC-free DWR (durable water repellent) coating. The eco-creds don't stop there. All of the fabric in the robe is fully recycled polyester, including the EVO deep-pile 300gsm Sherpa fleece lining.

The hood, also lined in the same deep-pile fleece, has a toggle draw cord to keep the wind out, but isn’t as deep as on some other robes we tried, although this does allow for good visibility. If you’re wearing a hat underneath it, pop that on first, as once you’ve zipped it up the collar is too high to slide the hood back. The front zip has a poppered wind baffle for extra protection.

Here’s how it performed:

Sizing

I tested the Medium size, which was the recommended size for me at 5ft 10in tall (1.76m), although that puts me at the very top of the range for the Medium. And if I’ve a minor niggle it’s that the sleeves could have been a little longer. Like many serious swimmers, I’ve got wide shoulders, and longer than average arms, both of which mean sleeves often come up a bit short on me. These came to my wrists - just - but I would have liked them a couple of inches longer to protect my hands. I got round this by stuffing them in the cozy pockets, but it was the only thing that really gave me pause.

If you’re long limbed like me, I’d definitely recommend going up a size. Red give the key garment measurements on their website so you can double check this before buying.

 Absorbency and drying capability

I took the Evo on a camping/swimming/hiking trip to the Lake District in the UK and ended up using it constantly. It was ideal for getting changed under after a dip in the River Esk on a sunny but chilly afternoon, with water temperatures of about 46.4°F/8°C. I had dried off a little already using a microfiber towel so it only got a bit wet and I was able to wear it immediately afterwards, my body heat getting rid of the last bit of dampness by the time I’d hiked back to the car.

On colder days when I go wild swimming I just chuck it straight on when I get out of the water and then it does take longer to dry out, but it’s still a fast process. I've found the key is leaving it spread out overnight with the sleeves inside out so that it can dry fully.

As well as using it after swims, while camping I also found myself reaching for it again and again at the campsite - shrugging it on when I needed to make one of those annoying middle of the night forays to the bathroom, and wrapping up in it around the campfire (although, as with all synthetics, you do need to be careful wearing it when the embers are flying around).

I ended up pretty much living in it for five days - even chucking it on top of my sleeping bag at night to add an extra layer of warmth when the air temp got down to 32°F/0°C at night, and choosing it over my usual waterproof/fleece combo several times.

When it rained (which was a fair amount), it did a fine job of keeping me perfectly dry, without getting too hot. The front YKK zip is smooth and easy to use if you need to dump some heat.

 Weight and packability

The bulk and weight of this robe initially made me think it wasn’t a good choice for hiking into remote wild swimming spots, when you want to keep heavier kit to a minimum. However, using a compression sack it was reasonably packable, and just about short enough to wear hiking on cold days as long as you’re not trekking for miles on end or through bracken, where it could potentially catch on thorns and branches.

After my chilly swim in the Esk I stuffed my waterproof and fleece into my dry bag and wore the Evo instead for the four mile hike back, as it was early evening and the temperature was dropping fast. Yes, I got a little warm, but I also didn’t experience my usual problem of feeling too cold for a few hours after a wild swim.

Care

Red recommends hand washing this robe in cool water, which isn’t the most practical option, but its bulk means it’s probably not suitable for most washing machines anyway.

Wearing it around the camp fire (not its intended purpose of course) meant that it got smoky, but after a couple of days hanging up the smell was gone. And, despite sitting on the ground in it frequently, the outer seemed to shrug off dirt. All this left me a lot more at peace with the idea of handwashing it, as it seems like I wouldn’t need to bother that often!

 Storage 

The Evo has plenty of pockets - the outer hand pockets close with magnets, and are lined with a close-pile fleece front and back, to help you warm your hands after a cold swim. Inside there’s a zipped mesh pocket for valuables, and a deep patch pocket in the same close-pile fleece as the hand pocket inners that would comfortably house a hiking flask as long as it’s not on the heavy side, but which Red calls a ‘pants pocket’, presumably for tucking underwear in while you swim. Most winter swimmers would probably use it for a hot water bottle on the coldest days.

The front chest pocket is well-sized for a phone, with a waterproof zip, and on test this stood up to a soaking. The hood has a toggle closure for when the elements get really rough and there are Velcro adjusters to the elastic cuffs for when you want to keep out every scrap of wind.

There is a reflective logo on the lower edge. Red calls this ‘reflective detailing for better visibility in low light settings’, which feels like a stretch - if you’re going to call a garment reflective then in my view it should have piping or reflective patches in more prominent areas and I couldn’t find any others when I shone a torch on it. But as complaints go, this is so minor I wouldn’t have mentioned it if they hadn’t made a point about it!

Overall this is a high quality robe, that should stand up to lots of wear, and will keep you warm and dry when you most need it. Any complaints I have about it really are minor and I would definitely choose it over some other, better known brands. It absolutely does the job it’s meant for, does it well, and can do plenty more besides.

Red also offers a limited edition version of this robe made from a patchwork of surplus fabric that you can find under the Recovered Collection on the Red website.

• How Advnture tests products