Thanks for all the great info Rachel. It’s really helpful that you talk about the overall design of each changing robe, as well as point out all the handy features that make each robe unique. These companies should be quite thrilled that you share your expertise and experience in a casual and articulate manner. Well done! 🇨🇦🏊♀️
Thanks Mary, they’re brilliant but expensive pieces of kit. When I got my first one there were hardly any reviews about and I’m pleased I got it on a discount because the one I bought first was not the best for the kind of self-contained and self-supported outdoor swimming I do, so I thought I’d make one myself.
The smoc smoc looks great. Good to know they fit in the tow float - I was wondering about that. I like the extra pockets inside to keep your things. Thanks for another great video. What a beautiful summer’s evening.
Thanks for leaving a comment and letting me know you enjoyed it. It was filmed between 6 and 830 Sunday morning, so early morninng sunshine :) The smoc smoc felt lovely on, and the hidden pocket is a bonus. I could have fit clothes, phone and keys in it too.
I love my Dryrobe but I could really do with one that can fit into a tow float for my solo swims. Great video and so helpful. Seriously considering a Storm Poncho.
Love my rapanui towel, I have it in baby blue and pink, am lookng to get myself something a bit warmer for the winter though! Also you have such a lovely voice and thank you for this video! :)
Thank you Lydia, I really like the Rapanui towelling robe. If you can wait a couple of weeks I should have a new video on changing robes which you may also find useful before spending your pennies 🏊😄
I love my Rapanui surf towel. Plenty of room to get changed under, cheaper than the dry robe type things and not heavy to carry. Might want a waterproof robe though for winter.
Fantastic video as usual Rachel, thank you. Do you know what would be brilliant? A compilation video of your twirling and lunges!! Happy swimming to you.
That's a great suggestion Claire, I have caught myself easing into a lunge at the slightest uneven ground provocation recently! It's nice to see you around here again, I'm guessing your confidence in outdoor swimming is growing and growing! Enjoy!
Love your vids Rachel. You ask if there are any topics you could cover - how about tidal streams? I loved your explanation of calculating if there would be enough depth to swim, but what foxes me if trying to identify when it will be slack water and when the tidal stream will change direction, so I can plan a there and back swim. Got it wrong the other day and battled against the current on way out, but felt like an Olympic swimmer on way back 🤣 Have read and researched a bit but still bamboozled 🤯
Thanks for the idea June, tidal movement tends to be very localised, but I’ll have a think and come up with something. Well done on the battle and the reward of the speedy return swim 🏊♀️😀
Hi Noni, I think they order is batches which the small factory can cope with, worth keeping an eye on their sight. I also did a video about waterproof changing robes for under £90 which you might like to check out. Go to my channel page and search 'changing robe' and it should come up
Hello Rachel! Love your videos, thank you. I have learnt so much..... I'm looking at the Smoc Smoc, 4th Element and Charlie Mccleod Eco. I like all of them, would you be able to say which one is warmest? I'm that person who is always cold so being warm inside it is probably the most important thing for me. All the best Debs
Hi Debs, I haven't had my hands on the Charlie McLeod eco one, but the CMc other one is probably the warmest of the 3. It was rather bulky though, which could be a consideration if you get the long-sleeve version and are hoping to take it in a tow float 🏊😀
@@EverydayAthleteRach Thank you! I've kinda fallen in love with the Smoc Smoc Eco credentials so I'll be getting me one of those. Great thing is there's plenty of room to layer up underneath anyway!
Brilliant! I’ve got a cotton changing robe like the Rapanui one that I got from the Salty Seabird website. I’m interested to know what size of tow float you used for this demo?
Hi Rachel, Loving your videos! Thanks for all the time you’re putting in to make winter outdoor swimming less daunting and easier to get into! I’m looking at getting my first changing robe and think I’ve narrowed it down to 3, Forth Element, Smoc Smoc 1/2 zip and the Finisterre Tigo. Have you tried the Tigo robe? I’m looking for something that could handle most, if not all, the worst that England can throw at us, is in some way packable, and ideally is relatively eco friendly. I’ll most likely have a little towel off, then stick the robe on and probably end up wearing it for the drive/cycle home. These 3 seem to be good contenders. Would you rank them in any particular order or say any are stronger than the others in any regards? Thanks Phil
Hi Phil, I haven't tried or even seen a Tigo. The smoc smoc is heavier and feels cosier, the Fourth Element Storm Poncho has a waterproof rating similar to my snowboarding jacket. They both pack down to just about the same size, the Storm poncho packs down marginally smaller. They are both great bits of kit. Whichever one I use, when I take it off at home I hang it up on the coat rack inside out ready for next time.
Thanks for your reply Rachel. Still not made my mind up, so many good options out there. Off for an early morning dip in the rain soon anyway. Happy swimming!
If you get it thoroughly wet, like washing it or if you drop it in water it takes ages to dry, if you just use it to get changed and dried in after swimming and don't dunk it, it will dry fairly quickly (overnight) if you turn it inside out and hang it up by the hood 🏊😃
Great video thanks! I’ve been umming about a robe since last year but I’ve just been borrowing my hubby’s. I might have missed you say but what size did you have in the Forth Element robe?
Hi Kirsty I'm pleased you enjoyed the video, the Fourth Element Storm Poncho I'm trying in the video is a size L.They really are beautifully made and compact down very well. 🏊😄
I’m not shy with a bit of that too. But for winter swims especially, I love the simplicity of being covered and out of the wind in a oner. Buys me valuable time to get dressed without fighting a towel in the wind when I’m pretty chilly. Sometimes a changing robe is all I wear to drive home 😜🏊♀️
Thanks for these Rachel. A great review of some pretty cool products. I thought you sold them well and if ever I am in the position to afford any I will definitely consider ordering one or two in. A full happy view. One thing - I gave you a shout out in my recent river swim but couldn't remember your name so put a link below instead. Here's the video link it was a 'Silky Pool' swim. ruclips.net/video/L69kCvDpfts/видео.html many thanks. Have a great weekend. Mark
Hi Mark, I enjoyed your Silky Pool swim, thanks for the shout out and channel link too, most appreciated.I also subscribed, I thought I had already! Have a great weekend! 😜🏊
Thanks for all the great info Rachel. It’s really helpful that you talk about the overall design of each changing robe, as well as point out all the handy features that make each robe unique. These companies should be quite thrilled that you share your expertise and experience in a casual and articulate manner. Well done! 🇨🇦🏊♀️
Thanks Mary, they’re brilliant but expensive pieces of kit. When I got my first one there were hardly any reviews about and I’m pleased I got it on a discount because the one I bought first was not the best for the kind of self-contained and self-supported outdoor swimming I do, so I thought I’d make one myself.
Rachel, your channel is fantastic! Have only just discovered it but will be binge watching your videos for sure.
Hi Lens, what a lovely thing to say. I hope you enjoy them 🏊♀️😀
The smoc smoc looks great. Good to know they fit in the tow float - I was wondering about that. I like the extra pockets inside to keep your things. Thanks for another great video. What a beautiful summer’s evening.
Thanks for leaving a comment and letting me know you enjoyed it. It was filmed between 6 and 830 Sunday morning, so early morninng sunshine :) The smoc smoc felt lovely on, and the hidden pocket is a bonus. I could have fit clothes, phone and keys in it too.
I think this might be the most enjoyable review I have ever watched on youtube and the first I have left a comment on. Thank you.
What a lovely comment to make too. Thanks for watching!
I love my Dryrobe but I could really do with one that can fit into a tow float for my solo swims. Great video and so helpful. Seriously considering a Storm Poncho.
Glad it was helpful! The Storm Poncho is a lovely bit of kit, extremely light-weight too
This was super helpful!! Thanks!
Really helpful review. I was in the fence about the Fourth Element but you may have just swung it for me!
It’s a great piece of kit.
Could you do a review of the Swimzi dry robe? Love your channel!!
I will see what I can do. Thanks for the suggestion.
Love my rapanui towel, I have it in baby blue and pink, am lookng to get myself something a bit warmer for the winter though! Also you have such a lovely voice and thank you for this video! :)
Thank you Lydia, I really like the Rapanui towelling robe. If you can wait a couple of weeks I should have a new video on changing robes which you may also find useful before spending your pennies 🏊😄
@@EverydayAthleteRach I look forward to it 😁
I love my Rapanui surf towel. Plenty of room to get changed under, cheaper than the dry robe type things and not heavy to carry. Might want a waterproof robe though for winter.
The weatherproof ones are great for winter - I did a review of some for under £90 which is worth a look 🏊♀️😀
@@EverydayAthleteRach thank you I will!
Fantastic video as usual Rachel, thank you.
Do you know what would be brilliant? A compilation video of your twirling and lunges!! Happy swimming to you.
That's a great suggestion Claire, I have caught myself easing into a lunge at the slightest uneven ground provocation recently! It's nice to see you around here again, I'm guessing your confidence in outdoor swimming is growing and growing! Enjoy!
Great video. Really useful. Thanks
Glad it was helpful 🏊😄
Love your vids Rachel. You ask if there are any topics you could cover - how about tidal streams? I loved your explanation of calculating if there would be enough depth to swim, but what foxes me if trying to identify when it will be slack water and when the tidal stream will change direction, so I can plan a there and back swim. Got it wrong the other day and battled against the current on way out, but felt like an Olympic swimmer on way back 🤣 Have read and researched a bit but still bamboozled 🤯
Thanks for the idea June, tidal movement tends to be very localised, but I’ll have a think and come up with something. Well done on the battle and the reward of the speedy return swim 🏊♀️😀
Was going to buy the smoc smoc in Jan from your review but they seem to have manufacturing issues so still in a towel
Hi Noni, I think they order is batches which the small factory can cope with, worth keeping an eye on their sight. I also did a video about waterproof changing robes for under £90 which you might like to check out. Go to my channel page and search 'changing robe' and it should come up
Hello Rachel!
Love your videos, thank you. I have learnt so much.....
I'm looking at the Smoc Smoc, 4th Element and Charlie Mccleod Eco.
I like all of them, would you be able to say which one is warmest? I'm that person who is always cold so being warm inside it is probably the most important thing for me.
All the best
Debs
Hi Debs, I haven't had my hands on the Charlie McLeod eco one, but the CMc other one is probably the warmest of the 3. It was rather bulky though, which could be a consideration if you get the long-sleeve version and are hoping to take it in a tow float 🏊😀
@@EverydayAthleteRach
Thank you! I've kinda fallen in love with the Smoc Smoc Eco credentials so I'll be getting me one of those. Great thing is there's plenty of room to layer up underneath anyway!
Brilliant! I’ve got a cotton changing robe like the Rapanui one that I got from the Salty Seabird website. I’m interested to know what size of tow float you used for this demo?
Hi Fiona it is a 28L tow float dry bag. Get stuffing! 🏊😄
Hi Rachel,
Loving your videos! Thanks for all the time you’re putting in to make winter outdoor swimming less daunting and easier to get into!
I’m looking at getting my first changing robe and think I’ve narrowed it down to 3, Forth Element, Smoc Smoc 1/2 zip and the Finisterre Tigo.
Have you tried the Tigo robe? I’m looking for something that could handle most, if not all, the worst that England can throw at us, is in some way packable, and ideally is relatively eco friendly. I’ll most likely have a little towel off, then stick the robe on and probably end up wearing it for the drive/cycle home.
These 3 seem to be good contenders. Would you rank them in any particular order or say any are stronger than the others in any regards?
Thanks
Phil
Hi Phil, I haven't tried or even seen a Tigo. The smoc smoc is heavier and feels cosier, the Fourth Element Storm Poncho has a waterproof rating similar to my snowboarding jacket. They both pack down to just about the same size, the Storm poncho packs down marginally smaller. They are both great bits of kit. Whichever one I use, when I take it off at home I hang it up on the coat rack inside out ready for next time.
Thanks for your reply Rachel.
Still not made my mind up, so many good options out there. Off for an early morning dip in the rain soon anyway.
Happy swimming!
Hi Rachel, How does the lining of the Smoc Smoc cope when it gets wet? Does it dry quickly?
If you get it thoroughly wet, like washing it or if you drop it in water it takes ages to dry, if you just use it to get changed and dried in after swimming and don't dunk it, it will dry fairly quickly (overnight) if you turn it inside out and hang it up by the hood 🏊😃
Great video thanks! I’ve been umming about a robe since last year but I’ve just been borrowing my hubby’s. I might have missed you say but what size did you have in the Forth Element robe?
Hi Kirsty I'm pleased you enjoyed the video, the Fourth Element Storm Poncho I'm trying in the video is a size L.They really are beautifully made and compact down very well. 🏊😄
I tend just to shamelessly strip off (OKOK, one half at a time) and get dressed. But I'm obviously missing something...
I’m not shy with a bit of that too. But for winter swims especially, I love the simplicity of being covered and out of the wind in a oner. Buys me valuable time to get dressed without fighting a towel in the wind when I’m pretty chilly. Sometimes a changing robe is all I wear to drive home 😜🏊♀️
@@EverydayAthleteRach Oh yeah. I would SO do that!
Thanks for these Rachel. A great review of some pretty cool products. I thought you sold them well and if ever I am in the position to afford any I will definitely consider ordering one or two in. A full happy view. One thing - I gave you a shout out in my recent river swim but couldn't remember your name so put a link below instead. Here's the video link it was a 'Silky Pool' swim. ruclips.net/video/L69kCvDpfts/видео.html many thanks. Have a great weekend. Mark
Hi Mark, I enjoyed your Silky Pool swim, thanks for the shout out and channel link too, most appreciated.I also subscribed, I thought I had already! Have a great weekend! 😜🏊