Dryrobe Surf Robes and Ponchos 2026 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Surf Robes and Ponchos 2026 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: dryrobe
Interviewee: Marketing Team

From a broader distance, Changing Robes seem to be (still) all over the place in 2026, shadowing Surf Ponchos. Does this feeling translate into sales (Robes vs Ponchos)?
The demand for technical changing robes remains dominant as our community prioritises all-weather protection. While the classic toweling style surf poncho is a summer staple, the technical waterproof changing robe has evolved into a year-round essential. At Dryrobe®, we see this reflected in the continued strength of the Dryrobe® Advance, though our lightweight Tech-lite and Towel robe ranges are growing as surfers look for more packable, warmer weather options. We’re also stoked to be launching the Dryrobe® Nexus. Bridging the gap between a technical change robe and a sleek, weatherproof parka, we’ve refined the iconic Dryrobe® silhouette for urban life while ensuring it remains, first and foremost, a high-performance changing robe.

The Robes are no longer a core piece of apparel for watersports, worn by very different consumer profiles. How do you handle the core vs mainstream positioning as a brand?
Surfing is our DNA—it’s where we started and where we remain. We handle the mainstream expansion by staying true to our core performance. We focus on making the most functional kit for those who want to be outside. By supporting grassroots surfing and elite athletes, we ensure that while a spectator, dog walker, or camper might wear a Dryrobe® product, they are wearing a piece of equipment designed to meet the rigorous demands of a wild environment, wherever and whenever you need it.

Are Robes and Ponchos a gendered garment? More women seem to adopt the style than lads. Plus they are a big hit among kids, right?
We view our changing robes as high-performance, unisex garments. The rise in adoption among women reflects the massive growth in women’s surfing and open-water swimming. Kids are also a huge focus for us; our kids’ range is designed with the same technical specs as the adults’, because “groms” deserve the same warmth and protection to stay in the water longer.

What’s new in your ‘26 Surf Poncho collection? (materials, silhouettes, colors/prints/patterns)
For 2026, we’re doubling down on the versatility our customers require. The headline for this season is the evolution of our towel range, heavily influenced by the massive success of the Full-Zip Towel Robe. It remains the first towel robe on the market with a high-quality YKK® zip for effortless changing. In response to direct feedback from the lineup, our New 2026 Towel Robes feature two major functional upgrades:

Integrated Pull Cords on the Hood: Crucial for cinching down on those wind-whipped mornings to lock in warmth.
Inbuilt Pockets: We’ve added discreet internal storage and reinforced external pockets, giving surfers a place to stash wax, fins, or keys without compromising the
Materials: We are staying true to our 400gsm GOTS-certified organic cotton. It’s super-soft, luxuriously thick, and remains the gold standard for rapid Every piece in the 2026 collection is built to last, using high-grade recycled and organic fibres.

What’s new in your ‘26 Changing Robes collection? (materials, silhouettes, colors/prints/patterns)
Innovation in 2026 is centred on the Dryrobe® Nexus, which delivers the most technically advanced changing robe on the market, mixing functionality, style, and technical features. We are also introducing new seasonal colourways across the Dryrobe® Advance range, including the popular split-colour prints. Technically, we’ve enhanced our Tech-lite model, bringing out a long-sleeve version, making it the ultimate packable travel companion for warmer weather surf trips.

Which pieces of advice do you have for retailers? Keep it core with dedicated watersports products or mix it up (core and casual)?
Excellence performs, and authenticity wins. We advise retailers to focus on the “Core” community but recognise that the “Casual” customer is looking for that same proven performance. Stocking high-quality, durable products from Dryrobe® serves both—the surfer who needs it, and the outdoor enthusiast who wants the best. Use our soon-to-launch EU B2B (UK is live) tools to manage stock and lean into the “buy better, buy less” trend that is defining 2026.

Key Products:

Dryrobe® Nexus:
The ultimate premium hybrid. The Nexus delivers the most technical changing robe experience to date. Featuring an industry-leading 30,000mm waterproof ripstop outer and a refined, tailored silhouette, it bridges the gap between shoreline performance and urban utility. With unique reach-through pockets for easy changing, it’s designed for the refined adventurer who demands elite protection everywhere.

NEXUS

Full-Zip Towel Robe:
A coastal essential. The YKK® front zip makes changing at the van or on the beach effortless compared to traditional overhead ponchos. Crafted from 400gsm GOTS-certified organic cotton, it’s thick, absorbent, and built for rapid drying. New for 2026, we’ve added hood pull cords and reinforced pockets to handle the rigours of the lineup.

Zip-through Towel

Dryrobe® Advance:
The world’s most versatile changing robe and our undisputed bestseller. Designed to protect you from the harshest elements, the Dryrobe® Advance features a waterproof and windproof outer shell and a super-warm, fast-drying lining. Its iconic oversized design allows for easy wetsuit changes inside, making it the essential piece of kit for anyone braving the wild outdoor environment.

ADVANCE

Dryrobe® Tech-lite:
The high-performance travel companion. Built for traveling athletes and adventurers looking for a more packable, warmer weather option without sacrificing protection. The Tech-lite features a durable waterproof outer and a lightweight Polartec® Alpha lining. It packs down into its own stuff sack, making it the perfect choice for global surf trips and athletes chasing adventures off-grid.

TECH-LITE

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