Women’s Quick Dry Microfibre Poncho Changing Robe

We are delighted to review some great new products from Red Equipment – with paddleboarding, wild swimming, road trips and beach visits high on our radar, we feel well qualified to road-test them.

Natasha: As a wild swimmer, kayaker and paddleboarder, I was very excited to try the new Poncho Changing Robe, as I am always wet and need to dry off quickly!

What I love most about the robe is how soft and comfortable it feels. It is made from a velvet-soft 210gsm premium sueded microfibre, and it is nice and big, with plenty of room to discreetly change underneath. The large hood is perfect for feeling cosy and warm underneath after a dip.

It is also incredibly lightweight, so it is easy to pop into your bag, yet it somehow manages to absorb up to four times its weight in water, drawing moisture away as soon as you pull it on. It also dries amazingly fast between uses, ready for next time. I chose the Salty Pink colour as I just love pink, and it is a beautiful dusky pink hue.

Jo: I often wear long-sleeve swimsuits, which are surprisingly tricky to take off when you’re standing on a beach in the middle of winter, trying to get warm and dry after a North Sea dip. The poncho change robe solves the problem instantly, making things quicker, simpler and much more discreet! There’s so much room to undress without anyone noticing!

It’s also fabulous if you’re staying on a campsite in your van and nipping to the showers in the summer. The Admiral Blue with orange trim is such a gorgeous colour, and the fabric’s texture is lovely.

Sarah: I’ve not had a new robe for about ten years, and since then, technology and design have come a long way. This robe is supersoft, roomy, and made in beautiful colours from sueded microfibre; it wicks water away from your body incredibly efficiently and then dries itself very quickly, ready for your next adventure. I like Red’s low-key branding; it’s lightweight and packs pretty small, too. I also love the roomy hood and pockets – the only question is which colour to choose; I am lucky enough to have my favourite, sage green with orange trim!

Colours: Admiral Blue, Salty Pink, Sage Green, Bitter Orange, Tidal Textures
Sizes: Kids, Small, Medium and Large
RRP: £39.95

Insulated Stainless Steel Adventure Flask 330ml

Jo: As a year-round sea dipper and paddleboarder, a flask of tea (Yorkshire Tea decaf or Earl Grey) is almost always nearby. A post-swim drink to warm me up on the beach after the bracing North Sea or a brew with a view at sunrise on my board.

Over the years, I’ve tried all sorts of flasks with varying success. So, I was keen to try Red’s 330ml flask. It’s a handy size to hold, light to carry and fits snugly into the cup holder in my van, Summer. The lid is completely removable, meaning you can pour and drink from any side of the flask. Once fitted, it’s fully leakproof.

The most important test, however, is whether freshly made tea stays hot. Red suggests eight hours, which felt almost too good to be true. But true it was! Not only did the tea stay hot, but it also tasted fresh. Perfect for long-distance travel in my van and for researching my books.

The design’s simplicity and wide neck make it really easy to clean, with no tricky-to-reach spots, which is a good thing.

Hardwearing, a handy size for a tote bag, sea swims, SUPs and van journeys, as well as looking good in three different colours. This flask is becoming a firm favourite in my life, and I’d recommend it becomes part of yours too.

Sarah: Like Jo, I have tried many, many drink cups and flasks, and this new Adventure Flask feels just the right size. I love a short and strong coffee on the go in my van, and the joy of this one is that once I have finished paddling, I still have hot coffee to drink. I’ve even used it for a cold drink; at 330ml, I’m not a big drinker, so it lasts me well on a shorter paddle day.

It’s 360-degree drinking lid means no more searching for the ‘right way up’ – you can sip from any angle, and it’s perfectly sized for any cup holder as well as being completely leak-proof. Powder coating makes it tactile to hold and provides a dependable grip.

Classic and new bright colours from Red means there is one for everyone’s taste – easy to clean, easy to use and does exactly what it says on the ‘tin’.

Colours: Siren Red, Flame Orange, Admiral Blue, Stainless Steel
RRP: £19.95

Insulated Stainless Steel Canteen Bottle 2L

Tash: I was very surprised by just how big the 2L Insulated Stainless Steel Canteen from Red is! If you have a family or enjoy spending time outdoors with friends, this is ideal for you. I tested it out on a family day with friends, filling the canteen with hot chocolate and taking it to the beach for the day. It was the perfect size for providing drinks for five teenagers and four adults!

Ideal for seaside and shoreside adventures, the canteen is perfect for long beach days, as the double-wall vacuum insulation keeps drinks hot for eight hours or cold for 16. It is BPA-free and leakproof when sealed.

The magnetic lid dock also helpfully keeps the cap safely off the ground while you pour. Plus, the integrated carry handle and removable shoulder sling make it super portable. I chose the Admiral Blue colour as I think it looks really smart.

Sarah: This 2L Canteen really piqued my interest when it first came out, as I knew it would be great for my family of two; I hoped the size would encourage me to drink more liquids when out and about, and it would help hydrate my husband, who drinks an enormous amount!

So far, we’ve used the canteen as a spare container in the van, perfect for refilling our standard water bottles. Two litres seems to go a long way, and when you refill it, you know you have hydration for a while. As we travelled through Europe recently, we never ran out of water.

The double-wall vacuum insulation maintains temperature for hours, whether hot or cold, and two of my favourite features are the detachable carry pouch and sling; sometimes we have so much kit to carry down to the water’s edge, and this just makes life easier. The other one is the clever little magnetic lid; how many times do you put that down and can never find it again? This one sits tidily on the main lid, so you don’t lose it or get it grubby from the ground!

Red Equipment really has created the perfect ‘hydration station’ with these new drinking vessels, which are all BPA-free and very sustainable. Red pride themselves on making products that last, with durable construction that should stand the test of time. Do check out the website for more great drinkware.

Colours: Siren Red, Flame Orange, Admiral Blue, Stainless Steel
RRP: £45.95