Regatta Junior Changing Robe review: “I didn’t think there was a robe-shaped hole in our lives”

RRP at time of testing: £70 | Check price at Amazon, Argos or Regatta

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My verdict

We’ve all seen the memes and Facebook groups doing the rounds, calling people out for wearing changing robes when they’ve never been cold water swimming in their lives. The general message is: you don’t need one of these coats unless you’re seriously into your mid-winter watersports. And to be honest, until we tested the Regatta Junior Changing Robe, I didn’t think there was a robe-shaped hole in our lives, either.

But, it turns out I was sorely mistaken. While we might not go swimming in St Agnes or take a dip in Ullswater, we do see a lot of wet and windy weather. Living in a rural village means we do a fair bit of walking, and so having this Regatta changing robe for my eldest has given me peace of mind that he’s kept warm, dry and comfortable no matter the weather.

With a weekly swimming lesson to contend with, this robe came in handy when getting my DC changed after the class. As anyone who braves a cold and wet changing cubicle after a kids’ swimming lesson will know, the faster you can get them out of there, the better!

The RRP is £70, and I think it’s great value for money, especially when you find it on sale. The fact you get four years out of the changing robe means the cost-per-wear is minimal, even if you’re just using it once a week. And it’s cheaper than some school coats I’ve seen that are restricted to shorter age ranges. 

Because of the large age range on this robe (it’s for kids aged five to nine), it can be pretty oversized - for my five-year-old, it was almost dress-like. But the bonus is it’ll last ages, and it can be handed down to his brother when he’s outgrown it.

I found it fiddly getting both zips aligned on the zipper with ease.

It’s machine-washable too, which some changing robes aren’t. I think for a kids’ coat this is really important and it would probably be a deal-breaker if I had to wash this by hand every time it lost a battle against a muddy puddle! Thankfully, during the time we tested it, it was washed at least three times a month thanks to wet welly splashes and it came out as good as new every time.

I don’t think it’s quite time to ditch my son’s regular coat yet though, for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, the design with this one, if I’m being honest. It’s not a design I would pick myself nor does my eldest particularly like it. Especially the pink, but I can imagine there are children out there who would love it - in fact, there’s eight designs to choose from to suit all tastes and preferences. If we were to purchase this product ourselves, my DC would like the khaki green or black designs. 

Secondly, the zips! Now, I appreciate that there are two zips so you can unzip it from the bottom while keeping it firmly closed towards the top while getting changed. But it’s fiddly getting both zips aligned on the zipper with ease. 

How I’ve tested

During testing, we primarily used it before and after our DC’s weekly swimming lesson. Getting him dressed after a lesson can be a tedious task at times, and so shoving this on top of his pyjamas after his evening lesson made me feel less guilty about him leaving the leisure centre with wet hair and his nightwear on. 

It was also a go-to during rainy weather, when my eldest has wanted to play in the garden in his wellies. This kept him warm and dry with ease. 

First impressions of the Regatta Junior Changing Robe

In all honesty, my first impressions weren’t great. This is largely because the design of our Regatta Junior Changing Robe wasn’t one I’d personally choose for my two boys. 

That said, this particular design - camouflage with a pink fleece lining - is an online exclusive. It’s oversized, weatherproof and warm, and gives kids plenty of room to manoeuvre as they change underneath. 

We were sent the size five to nine years old to test, which suits us as my eldest is now six and growing at a rapid rate. 

Who is the Regatta Junior Changing Robe suitable for?

Not just for cold-water swimmers, this robe is great for active kids who spend a lot of time outdoors, or who need a quick way to get warm and dry after a swimming lesson.

It comes in three different sizes, 3-5, 5-9 and 9-13 so there’s something to suit everyone (even if it might be a bit big to start with.)

How warm is the Regatta Junior Changing Robe?

According to my DC, very! He’s had no complaints with it so far. Due to the layout of our leisure centre and car park where DC attends his lessons, there’s a short walk. 

When it’s wet and windy outside, this has been a saving grace in keeping him warm. The adjustable cuffs help with this, too.

My DC has no complaints about the warmth of his Regatta Junior Changing Robe.

How easy is the Regatta Junior Changing Robe to clean?

I had no issues cleaning this after it got caked in mud from rainy day dog walks in the countryside. It’s machine washable and still looked great even after multiple cleans.

It can’t be tumble dried though, so you’ll need to allow time for it to air dry before its next use.

Is the Regatta Junior Changing Robe good value for money?

I definitely think this jacket is worth the £70 price tag. The larger size means it lasts much longer than your average rain jacket, and the quality is good too, so it should be great for both my kids without having to splash out (sorry) for a new one.

Does it have any extra features?

There’s two deep external front pockets that keep hands cosy, and an internal zipped pocket to keep valuables safe. Though, for my five year old, a valuable means his favourite Charizard Pokémon card. For older kids though (who’d wear the 9 to 13 size), the pocket is a perfect size to keep ear buds and phones safe and dry. 

Regatta vs Kids Dryrobe® vs Mountain Warehouse kids’ changing robes

Final verdict: is this the right changing robe for your child? 

While a changing robe wasn’t something my son needed, (or, at least I didn’t think he did), it has become a household staple that we’ve come to rely on. Whether it’s for throwing on after the weekly swimming lesson or wearing for playing outdoors, this jacket is rarely not in use.

The colourway we were sent means that it wouldn’t be his first choice for a replacement for his regular coat; If we had a black version with the blue borg lining, then I can imagine he’d wear it more often.

It’s a changing robe that keeps my DC warm and dry, but it isn’t bulky nor is it too heavy when carrying it around. It’s also fully waterproof thanks to its Hydrafort 100% polyester fabric, so I needn’t worry if we get caught in a downpour before or after swimming.

The zips can be a bit fiddly to navigate even as an adult, so I think if I was to change anything about this changing robe, it would be those. When you want your kids to be able to get themselves dressed quickly after a swimming lesson, nobody really wants to be faffing about with zips trying to get them to line up.

But, despite the pattern and the zip issues, it is a really good jacket that I think is well worth its price tag, and hopefully it’ll be a lasting fixture in my kids’ wardrobes for years to come. Now, the big question is, do we need adult-sized ones for me and my husband too?

About the author

Rebecca Roberts (aka Beccy) is our resident lifestyle expert with a practical focus on sleep, wellness and everyday comfort. She’s equally at home tackling frank, NSFW‑adjacent topics as she is road‑testing kitchen appliances, mattresses and vacuums that work for real parents. As a mum of two, she writes with the time‑poor, sleep‑deprived in mind: honest product reviews, realistic routines and products that make parents’ lives easier.

When she’s not at her desk, she’s probably product‑testing with her two helpers, corralling a PTA or walking her two dogs up and down country lanes.

About Mumsnet reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after extensive research and testing. We work hard to provide honest, independent advice you can trust. We sometimes earn revenue through affiliate links, but this never influences our coverage.

All prices are correct at time of publication.

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