Finisterre Tego changing robe: A lightweight robe that's packable enough for swim-hikes

 Finisterre Tego changing robe: first impressions

I’ve been trialling a few of the best changing robes recently and have been surprised at the difference in weight and bulk between them.

Finisterre’s softshell Tego robe (available from Finisterre) sits at the lighter end of the spectrum, clocking in at just under 2lb, and rolls down to a size that’s just about compact enough to fit into a medium size backpack, along with your water shoes. This makes it a realistic option to take on swim-hikes, without monopolising all the space in your dry bag. It’s also a viable garment to wear for a shortish trek to your favourite swim spot, as its light weight and breathability means you’re not going to get too hot and sweaty once you’re hauling your backpack.

But that does come with some sacrifices, as it’s not as warm as some others I’ve tried, and also doesn’t have as much in the way of features.

 Finisterre Tego changing robe: in the field 

The Tego robe is a two-layer garment, with a 100% recycled nylon softshell, which is treated with a fluro carbon-free DWR (durable water repellent) coating. It’s a more sustainable approach to manufacturing, aligning with Finisterre’s stated aims to make sustainable products with great longevity. I loved the Navy and Flame colour combo, and over-sized hood, and the fit is spot on, but in my view it's not a changing robe for all seasons.

Here’s how it performed:

Sizing

Unlike some others on the market, this robe comes in just two sizes. I tested the Large/X-Large size, which worked well on my 5ft 10in tall (1.76m) frame, reaching to just below my knees, and with the sleeves coming half way down my hands to keep them cosy. I particularly liked the deep hood, although it would have been nice to have a garage for the top of the zip, so watch out for getting skin or beard hair caught in it.

Waterproofing and drying capability

The fleece inner of this robe is designed to wick water away from your damp body after you get out of the water, but its fairly fine surface means it can’t absorb as much liquid as some other changing robes I’ve tried. Typically, heavier weight changing robes are lined with deep pile fleece, so this was an unexpected design choice.

In wet weather it kept the rain off, but where this garment could do better is in its insulation. It is definitely less warm than others we’ve tested, and when you’re getting out of cold water, being able to warm up fast is a must. Windproofing could also be improved by a baffle over the front zip where it currently has none, but with the cuffs tightened and the hood pulled in I found it kept the drafts out reasonably well.

The hood is a generous size, meaning your ears will soon warm up once you’re out of the icy water, but the small sponge toggles on the hood’s draw cord felt a little insubstantial, even if they are a neat way to save weight. The front is fastened with a double ended YKK zip, with an extra fabric pull designed to make light work even with cold hands. However, the zip is relatively chunky for such a light garment and in practice I found that it could be a little tricky to zip and unzip - there’s not enough weight in the fabric you’re pulling against. In my view, it needs a slightly lighter zip. The straight cuffs can be fastened with Velcro if you want a snug fit.

 Weight and packability 

This is a lighter changing robe than I've come to expect, having tested a few on the market recently. It's low profile does mean it's much easier to stuff into a daypack, but if you're keen to do a lot of combined swim-hikes then it's still worth investing in a compression sack to reduce the amount of space it wants to take up.

Thanks probably to its limited bulk, Finisterre say it’s fine to machine wash this changing robe on a cold setting, which is welcome news. You will need to recoat the waterproofing occasionally if you wash it a lot, but this can be done easily in your washing machine.

 Storage 

I tested this changing robe for some time, and Finisterre have now introduced a slightly updated model, which has a zipped internal pocket. I'm relieved to see this, as the version I've been reviewing only has two hand pockets on the front, with no storage at all for keys, valuables or a phone.

The pockets are lined with the same fine fleece that makes up the inner of the body, helping you to warm up your hands when you’ve escaped the water!

 Getting changed 

The Tego is wider than some other robes we’ve tested, making it very easy to change in. There are side vents that are just simple slits in the side and the light fabric means it’s easy to move around and wriggle out of your swimsuit, when you’ve pulled your arms inside to change.

It might not be your first choice in the depths of winter, but if you're more of a fair weather swimmer it'll do a fine job of drying you off and warming you up after a dip.

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