Slowtide Surf Robes and Ponchos 2026 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Surf Robes and Ponchos 2026 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Slowtide
Interviewee: Meredith Cole – Marketing Manager / Joe Pilkington- Brand Manager

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)?
For Slowtide, Ponchos have been a staple part of the brand since the creation of the first range in 2017. Driven by Slowtide co-founder Dario, living in Tofino – Canada, where water and air temps in winter demand a product that works. “The truth is, in 2017 there just wasn’t a poncho that blended style and function quite up to our standards, and the rest is history.” Slowtide has been refining a Parka for many years and has now launched in North America and Canada – selling out in weeks. Quickly adding an additional colour and later this year additional options including a collaboration.

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?
Plans rarely end when the weather shifts. The All-Weather Parka is designed for the hours that stretch past comfort. Early surf checks. Wind moving across open parking lots. Long days spent standing, waiting, moving between places. Parkas, Ponchos are applicable to many different scenes and settings. No just for core surfing. And in today’s world consumers are looking to maximise a products application and get the most use from their functionality.

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?
Sizing maters, but Slowtide builds products for all. Kids Ponchos are an important part of the range.

What’s new in your ‘26 Surf Poncho collection? (materials, silhouettes, colors/prints/patterns)
New colours and patterning within our best-selling ‘Extra-Warm’ Oeko-Tex Certified Poncho.

What’s new in your ‘26 Changing Robes collection? (materials, silhouettes, colors/prints/patterns)
The All New ‘All Weather Parka’, which we are all very excited about. Despite the competition in this category Slowtide has built a product that right for the brand and it’s loyal community. It offers a PFAS-Free Waterproof Shell (20’000 waterproof rating / 10’000g breathability), Hidden Inner Pocket, Adjustable Hood, Fleece-Lined Zip Pockets, Two-Way YKK Zipper, Oversized Fit, Oeko-Tex Certified textiles.

Which pieces of advice do you have for retailers? Keep it core with dedicated watersports products or mix it up (core and casual)?
No advice for retailers from us! Slowtide’s Poncho/ Parka products are routed in functional watersports use cases – changing out of wetsuits, drying off, staying warm outdoors. Fit and function are a must to have authentic, technical credibility in the core watersports market.
However, Slowtide’s product are applicable to a wider customer base, as multi-use within Outdoor and Lifestyle categories. So a blended approach across channels and demographics seems to be the best approach.

Key Products:

Slowtide – All Weather Parka – Black:
Stay warm when conditions shift. A waterproof shell shields against wind and rain while an insulated interior adds steady comfort. Designed with an oversized fit for easy layering, the All-Weather Parka supports surf checks, cold sidelines, and time spent outdoors. Coming to Europe later this year, to support the well known ‘Extra Warm’ best sellers.

ALL-WEATHER-PARKA-FRONT

Slowtide – All Weather Parka – Green:
Stay warm when conditions shift. A waterproof shell shields against wind and rain while an insulated interior adds steady comfort. Designed with an oversized fit for easy layering, the All-Weather Parka supports surf checks, cold sidelines, and time spent outdoors. Coming to Europe later this year, to support the well known ‘Extra Warm’ best sellers.

Slowtide – Sunny Extra-Warm Poncho – Sky Blue:
Ultra-Soft – Experience the ease of changing with our plush 100% winter-weight cotton poncho, providing ultimate warmth and comfort in every use. All Slowtide products are responsibly sourced and exceed the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certification. 500 GSM.

SUNNY-PONCHO-DUSTY-BLUE-SM_HERO

Premium Absorbency:
Embrace the luxury of our highly absorbent changing poncho, featuring a soft terry fabric that feels gentle on your skin. This is the most reviewed and highest rated changing poncho on the internet.

Functional Design:
Unleash the versatility of our poncho with a hidden internal access opening for private changes in public, a convenient kangaroo pocket for storage, a double-layer woven hood for added warmth, and a snap front placket with drawcords for easy closure.

Versatile:
From the beach to the pool, lake, hot springs, or wherever your adventures take you, our changing poncho is designed to be your perfect companion, ensuring you stay warm, dry, and stylish.

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