Dryrobe or not?

[Kkinn]

My lovely boys do many activities during the week which requires me to watch from the sidelines. Football, rugby and running clubs. We also walk to school every day and I walk our dog at least once a day.
As we will start getting into the colder months I’m looking for recommendations for the best jacket that will keep me warm and dry!
I’ve looked at dry robes but are they worth the money? Do they keep you as warm and dry as reviewed?
Open to all suggestions and recommendations, I don’t mind spending a bit more money on something that is going to last
Thank you!

I’ve got a finisterre one (too cool for an actual dry robe 😎) but I’m like a dalek in it. I wouldn’t wear it to do anything other than get changed inside / stand about in so I can see it working for football but not much else.

get yourself a nice Didrikson. Far more practical for umpteen uses and will last until your kids grow out of football. The Aiko is both stylish and practical.

I play a team sport where when you’re out you can be standing on the sidelines for half an hour or more an a cold, wet, windy playing field. Believe me, my dry robe coat is absolutely perfect. Warm, waterproof and very easy to throw on over my kit. It lives in my car and comes in very handy, plus doubles as a great playground duty coat in the middle of winter.
OP, you don’t need to spend loads, it’s not a fashion item. They’re selling them in B+M round my way at the moment for £20.

For standing around freezing your arse off on the touch line yes. For walking the dog, depends on how much you work up a sweat because it might be a bit warm. I wear mine dog walking in a dog field where I’m not walking as much, on a hike I wouldn’t.

Maybe just don’t be a wanker?

Yes they’re fantastic. I pity the fools who don’t know how good dry robes are..

FBW’s I do get . They are W’s, because they take up space on the train.

But Dry Robe people -they’re my people. They know a great coat when they find it. 😁🤷‍♀️

I’ve got an Oodie outdoor coat which is not the most flattering but it’s super warm and cosy. I love mine.

I don't understand the dry robe hate and I don't even own one! I don't do wild swimming, dog walks or standing about watching the kids so it isn't necessary but I am always on the lookout for a warm, practical coat.

If a dryrobe keeps you warm and dry when you are doing whatever you are doing then why wouldn't you buy one and why the hate when you wear it for something other than swimming?

If it works for you then buy it 🤷

I have one which I wear to and from sea swimming, with my costume underneath. Personally I wouldn't wear it as a coat but I know lots of swimmers do.

If you're only thinking of it as a coat and not for swimming changing/cover-up, then I would think again. There are much better options out there if all you want is to be warm and dry.

I have various Berghaus and other outdoor brand down coats. A good technical coat can be life changing, but for football, when it's cold and wet, I wear the dryrobe over the top 🤣

The thing that makes a.massive difference is warm feet. Waterproof boots with plenty of room. Sheepskin insoles and two pairs of merino wool socks.

I'm aware of the Dryrobe wankers FB page, but think that say way more about those people that it does about people who wear them.

I am an all year round open water swimmer. I love my DryRobe for after swim warmth, but I never wear it when anywhere else as it is far too hot and heavy.

Agree with lots of other posters that I wouldn't use my dryrobe for long periods of time. i have cheaper versions for my kids which are fine but no where near as good, so buying an actual dry robe definitely makes sense, but I use it for getting out of the sea only. It's incredibly bulky and hot, and I prefer my Superdry Everest down to my calf coat for the side of a rugby pitch.

Yes, I agree. If your feet are cold and wet, then it’s miserable.

A solution to standing out in the cold is to encourage your dc to do basketball - nice warm (most of the time) halls, seats, toilets, quite often a cafe on site. Bliss!

I don't give a shiny shite what people think when I'm wearing mine. I go sea swimming in all weathers, and it is great. (It's a knock off, but designed well).

I'm also a rugby mum and first aider, and wear mine on the side of the pitch so that I can pop it over my child when he's on the sidelines, and also cover injured children while I'm treating them.

I have a Mountain Warehouse changing coat. It's basically a mobile, thermal tent.

I am an open water swimmer!
It is also great to sling on for standing around volunteering at parkrun (similar to spectating sporting offspring) and can be layered over other coats. On mine, the arms are quite baggy which is good for ventilation, but also draughty in cold weather so I wouldn't wear it as a standard general purpose coat.

It's also great for after running when sweaty/ drenched.
Camping, either sitting around or showers. DH has got one for this purpose after borrowing mine and becoming converted last year.

It's great for whole body coverage in dreadful weather and standing around. It is not easy to carry around if you get hot while moving around.

Don’t worry about the ‘looking naff anywhere else’ brigade. However, as a football mum, my Barbour jacket, with layers, waterproof walking leggings, and waterproof socks and timberlands are my bed sidelines clothed - and I’ve tried everything from a sleeping bag coat to bringing my own hot water bottle.

dryrobe post swimming is excellent though.

I’ve got a Dryrobe- and it’s great for wild swimming, for sitting in for a hot chocolate after a swim! To walk around in though it is too bulky- my husband has a regatta one- and it is much more wearable. I really don’t care what I look like either!

When it’s blisteringly cold and pissing down, you’ll be glad of it. I’ve never had such a warm ‘coat’ in my life. Just do it. Ignore those who say they look silly.

I have a passenger robe but for winter football lululemon coats are the MVP- waterproof, down etc and not so bulky that you can drive without removing! Expensive but worth every penny!
https://www.lululemon.co.uk/en-gb/p/stretchseal™-sleet-street-600-down-fill-long-jacket/prod11570507.html?dwvar_prod11570507_color=31382

This! I don’t care either, I just like to be warm and dry. My dry robe is from mountain warehouse and so worth the £70 odd I spent on it. It’s cosy and can fit other jackets on under it if it’s really cold (I’m in Scotland)

Honestly, I always thought Dryrobes were a bit of a rugby mum cliche (see references to Dryrobe wankers above) then acquired a second hand one from Oxfam and it's changed my life!
Absolutely don't care if I look a twat, I can fit zillions of layers underneath it and if I'm wearing wellies there's literally about 6 inches of leg not covered and waterproof. I spend hours on a rugby pitch in the winter and feel the cold massively.

I have the mountain warehouse version. It is SO cosy for slow winter walks with friends.
(I dash along when I'm alone so just wear a slimline puffa).

It's excellent for parkrun marshalling too.

I'm an open water swimmer and a football mum. Bought one for swimming but actually find it way more useful for cold rainy days at the side of the football pitch. After swimming I just end up using a towel and then getting dressed.

If you care about the thoughts of those that are outraged about these being used beyond watersports don't get one. If you want to stay warm and dry at the side of a football pitch and don't care that someone might be pointing and laughing ( I don't) then get one.

I have the adult version and have tested it in storms and it is very waterproof.

I have it for sea swimming but have put it on in very bad weather. Fantastic for the price.

I'd split the budget. Something like the Regatta (or if they are younger end I got a lovely one from the Online Home Store for £15 for my daughter and my swim group all bought M and M direct ones for a very reasonable price)is perfect for after rugby and walks in torrential rain. But I don't think it would be suitable for everything. They are quite cumbersome for every day wear so I'd get a normal coat as well rather than spend so much on the brand name.

Edited: Sorry I misread as for the kids but I'll leave in the junior recommendation as the OHS one is a bargain price.