Rapanui Women's Changing Robe review: not your average changing robe

Price on writing: £150 | Buy now from Rapanui

How I tested

Living five minutes from the beach has its perks, and I took the Rapanui Women's Changing Robe with me for a dip in the chilly English Channel, as well as wearing it for dog walks in drizzly weather. While comparing its performance with other changing robes, I took detailed notes on the robe's user-friendliness, quality and style.

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Poppy wearing the Rapanui Women's Changing Robe

Rapanui Women's Changing Robe: my verdict

Performance: 13/15

Quality and durability: 15/15

Ease of use: 15/15

Value for money: 10/15

Style: 10/10

Absorbency: 10/10

Weatherproofing: 7/10

Warmth: 8/10

Total: 88/100

I've tested some of the best changing robes around, and this one really stood out from the crowd. While the dryrobe and most other changing robes in the UK right now are made of manmade fabrics, weatherproofed to the max and lined with sherpa fleece, the Rapanui Women's Changing Robe is different.

Made from natural fabrics, this changing robe has a cotton exterior, which I much prefer the look of when compared to manmade outers like the dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve. Inside, it's made of absorbent, 100% organic terry loop towelling, which felt much more comfortable next to my skin than the polyester fleece found in other changing robes, especially when I was wet from a swim in the sea.

There's also minimal branding on this changing robe - just a tasteful little tab on one of the pockets, and no big splashy logo on the back. It's matte and plain enough to wear as a parka-style winter coat, in my book.

However, these tasteful details do come at a cost to practicality. The Rapanui Women's Changing Robe is water-resistant, but not waterproof. That means the organic cotton fabric has been treated with a PFC-free water-resistant coating, which will keep you dry in a light shower, from sea spray and will stop water soaking through to the outside while you're getting dry - but it won't protect you in heavy rain or extreme conditions, and insulation against wind and cold is minimal.

If, like me, you only indulge in outdoor swimming when the weather's nice, this is a stylish, practical choice that won't overheat you on the way home. But if you're an all-year wild swimmer or looking for a warm coat to wear on the sidelines during torrential rain, you're better off opting for a regular changing robe like the dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve or the Frostfire Moonwrap.

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A pocket of the changing robe

Is the Rapanui Women's Changing Robe sustainably made?

As a brand, Rapanui prides itself on its high environmentally-friendly standards, and this changing robe is no exception. Because it's made from organic fabrics and treated with PFC-free water-resistant coating, it won't leach microplastics into the sea or sewage system.

What's more, when you've finished with this changing robe (no matter what state it's in) you can send it back to Rapanui to be remilled and made into something new.

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Inner pocket of the Rapanui Women's Changing Robe

Is the Rapanui Women's Changing Robe warm and waterproof?

Compared to other changing robes, like the Vivida All Weather Puffer Changing Robe or the dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve, the Rapanui Women's Changing Robe can't compete when it comes to warmth and weatherproofing.

Unlike manmade fabrics, which can be water-repellent, water- and windproof, the Rapanui Women's Changing Robe is only water-resistant which, according to the Oxford English Dictionary means "able to resist the penetration of water to some degree but not entirely."

Similarly, while other changing robes are lined with super-warm and insulating polyester fleece, the Rapanui robe is lined with breathable organic cotton towelling. It's more absorbent and feels nicer next to your skin, but in wintry or windy conditions, that breathability means it won't keep out the chill as efficiently as a manmade changing robe.

However, if you're a fair-weather sea swimmer like me, there's actually a lot to be said for this more breathable, less heat-retaining changing robe. It was the only one of the changing robes I tested that didn't make me feel too hot on the walk back from the beach on a sunny, breezy spring day.

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Does the Rapanui Women's Changing Robe offer good value for money?

At £150, this is only a shade less expensive than the dryrobe itself, which retails at £175 at the time of writing. However, this changing robe is quite different to the dryrobe and other options on the market - it looks different, and it's made from natural, sustainable fabrics. Plus, it's much more breathable and less weatherproof than other changing robes.

If you want a changing robe, but are turned off by the manmade fabrics and big logos of most regular changing robes, this is a solid, stylish option. It's also great for those who don't require heavy weatherproofing, as its breathability means it can be worn all through the summer.

The quality of fabrics, plus Rapanui's ethical standards make the price worth it, in my opinion. It stands out from the crowd as a more subtle, less showy changing robe for enjoying wild swimming during mild and warm weather.

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She researches and reviews the products Mumsnetters swear by, with a particular focus on home essentials, laundry and fans. From a highly-recommended retractable washing line to the best quiet fans money can buy, and Mumsnet's favourite dehumidifier to the steam generator iron that'll cut your ironing time in half, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.

With an MA in Creative Writing and a PGCert in Lifestyle Journalism, Poppy's written about parenting topics for The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Mirror and The Sun. She's a best-selling, award-winning author, and her books for children and parents have been translated into 12 languages.