Zone3 Thermotech changing robe review: a decent alternative to a DryRobe that's lighter than you might expect

At one point earlier this year I had five changing robes on rotation while I tested them, which was no mean feat when it comes to finding somewhere to store them in my modest apartment. But it did also allow me to do detailed side by side comparisons in real time, and, as with so much outdoor gear, there were more differences between them in terms of features and quality than you might assume.

Zone3's new Thermotech changing robe was one of the quiver that impressed me, thanks to its comparative lightness. That doesn't mean it's packable – for something you can stuff in a backpack I would recommend Zone3's ultra simple microfiber poncho instead, which I've used all summer. But the Thermotech somehow manages to be more than 1lb (500g) lighter than Red's Alter Evo – so how has the brand done this?

Zone3 Thermotech changing robe: weight and packability

Shaving grams off a garment that's sole purpose is to keep you warm and dry is not for the faint-hearted. Finisterre tried it with their Tego changing robe, but in my view went too far, creating a garment that was stingey on features and not truly warm enough for winter swims (a newer iteration with more storage has thankfully been released since).

Happily, the Zone3 Thermotech does a better job of cutting weight without sacrificing function. There are five pockets, with a fine fleece lining the inside of the two hand pockets and the waterproof zipped chest pocket. Inside there's another zipped chest pocket and a large patch pocket where you can stuff your wet swimwear or tuck a hot water bottle. Both the chest and inner zipped pockets are large enough for my brick-like Android phone, which should be an obvious requirement and yet isn't always (I'm looking at you, Alpkit).

The main weight difference between the Thermotech and other similar robes seems to come from the decision to use a mid-pile Sherpa fleece for the lining, rather than a deep pile. And this is a bit of a double-edged sword, because it makes a significant difference to the garment's weight, but also means it feels less cozy when you pull it on after a cold swim.

Overall the garment just seems a little thinner than its counterparts. There's also no peak on the hood and the SBS two-way zipper feels less substantial than the YKK zips often used on changing robes. But I couldn't find any other obvious weight-saving measures that impacted the functionality of the garment and it made a nice change not to feel weighed down by a changing robe.

Sizing

I tested the Large size, which was the recommended size for me, and the lower hem landed just below my knee. I'm 5ft 10in (1.77m) tall, the same height as an average cis man in the UK and US, so for taller guys this robe may come up on the shorter side.

The sleeves are a generous length – like many 'natural swimmers' I have proportionately long arms – and covered my wrists nicely. You may find them on the long side if your limbs are a more average length, but that's not a bad thing after a cold dip when your hands are like two blocks of ice.

It's interesting that Zone3 has opted for unisex sizing, and then used a cornflower blue colorway that isn't classically 'masculine'. Of course, we all know that 'pink for girls and blue for boys' is an arbitrary gender construct, but I'd be interested to know what the split is between men and women buying this robe. It may just be that Zone3 knows its market and is leaning into that knowledge – any reccy of the wild swimming spots I favor reveals, come cold water season, there are significantly more women than men swimming outside.

Absorbency and drying speed

Despite having a shorter pile Sherpa fleece lining than comparable changing robes, I found the Thermotech to be impressively absorbent and quick to dry.

It was easy to get changed under thanks to the wide sleeves and generous fit, bucking the emerging trend of companies slimming down their changing robes now that people are using them for dog walking and the school run. I do understand why brands are jumping on the bandwagon and making garments that are similar to changing robes, but if it's too slim cut to change under, it's not a changing robe.

I took both the Thermoteach and the Red Alter Evo on a recent trip to the Lake District and found that, while the Alter Evo was slightly warmer and better at absorbing water, it was also heavier and slower to dry. So if you're choosing between the two – and there's almost nothing between them in price – it's really a case of deciding what you care about most. For me, the Alter Evo is slightly higher-specced, but the lighter weight of the Thermotech means I'm more likely to reach for it day to day.

Materials and care

While in real terms it's pretty hard to fit a changing robe in a front-loading washing machine (I do miss the top loader I had while living in the States), seeing that this garment can technically be machine-washed is heartening. I tend to use my changing robes both to change under and also to sit on at the river bank or beach, and so they do get mucky fairly quickly. The number of brands that think you should tackle this by washing your changing robe by hand is laughable.

Without knowing the hydrostatic head rating of the outer, which Zone3 doesn't provide, I can't attest to how its waterproofing compares to other changing robes, other than to say it's certainly held up its end whenever I've used it. But I appreciated the use of recycled materials throughout, and that the water repellent Bionic-Finish Eco coating is fluorine-free.

If you're looking for a robe that's lighter in your dry bag without sacrificing (much) functionality, then the Thermotech is a safe bet.

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