ddipp Sea Monster Hydro Robe
I’ve been wearing my original Sea Monster Robe from ddipp for about a year now, so I thought it was time to give my review an upgrade, especially in light of some added features and their new colourway, released just in time for spring. ‘Ocean’ is their latest colour, bright and feeling like tropical seas.
Changing robes have become one of the most sought-after items over the last few years for pretty much all outdoor sports, where you need to retain body heat and keep warm after your chosen exercise. ddipp saw a gap in the market and pounced in with some innovative features, including:
- Lightweight, stylish designs in six colourways – Ocean, Aqua, Petrol Blue, Orange, Black, and Olive.
- Available in three sizes to suit the whole family – Junior, S/M, L/XL.
- 30% lighter in weight and less bulky than other leading brands.
- Built-in, pack-away compression pocket for easy storage, complete with a carry handle.
- Seriously warm, soft, cosy inner shearling fleece to provide maximum warmth and protect sensitive skin.
- Zip-off sleeves for all-season use, making this sports robe versatile throughout the year.
- Strong eco-credentials with inner and outer fabrics and zips made from 100% recycled plastics.
- Waterproof to10000mm hydrostatic head to protect against the wettest of weather.
So, from being a genuinely good robe, it now has some great new upgrades, including uprated breathability and more waterproofing. An outer waterproof chest pocket with a water-repellent zip and lined hand pockets also feature zips, so it’s great for keeping phones and keys safely stored away from water. It also has hi-vis reflective strips on the sleeves for added visibility and safety.
It still weighs a comfortably light 1.1 kg, and whether you are a fan of bright or more traditional colours, ddipp has you covered with a choice of six different colourways. All colours have ddipp’s signature orange shearing fleece lining and cool orange/turquoise logo. It also still comes with the clever built-in, pack-away compression pocket for storing and carrying your robe.
Throughout this last year, I have worn my ddipp robe countless times to cover events on rivers, lakes, and the beach, where the weather has ranged from blustery wind to stormy rain. I have always felt warm and dry, even on the wettest days. It’s so light and snuggly and perfect for wearing outside camping or in the campervan. It’s left in the van permanently as it is always needed, especially when I have finished training on my stand up paddleboard and need to keep warm whilst stowing all my kit away. I can only see this updated version as being better than the original! I also love that friends and family members run this small British business.
A winning score of 95%
In 2023, 220 Triathlon Magazine rated this robe with a winning score of 95% when reviewing 20 of the best, and in 2024, the Hydro won the changing robe ‘Best in Test’ award. This is up against some long-standing established brands, which is a testament to ddipp’s innovative design and features.
ddipp also works with WaterAid UK to help promote their vision of a world where everyone, everywhere has safe, sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene.
They also have a new brand ambassador, Cassie Patten, who is warmly welcomed into the ddipp family. She is a former Olympic and World Championship swimmer dedicated to coaching the next generation of swimmers through her venture, WaveCrest.
The ddipp company ethos is that what’s important in life is spending time with those you love, getting outside, and having fun. “As a family-owned business, we want customers to feel respected and dealt with positively and fairly,” and from their five-star reviews, it appears they are doing just that.
Price: £150 (junior robe also available)
