Bluefin Heatwave Robe review: a cozy, convertible cloak for cold and changeable conditions

When Devon-based company Dryrobe seized on the concept of a wearable towel and transformed it into a multifunctional garment, a whole new category was born, and now there are plenty of great changing robes around for wild swimmers and paddlers to choose from, including the Heatwave, a big, bold offering from Bluefin, a brand best known for their stand-up paddle boards (SUPs).

Experienced outdoor types well know the multifaceted value of a good camping towel, but full-on robes such as the Heatwave, which looks at first glance to be a cloak so substantial it could protect you against anything up to (and possibly including) a nuclear winter, have proved themselves so practical and popular that many people wear them while wandering around well away from the waterside, as wind-stopping, chill-beating onesies at the end of running events, in campsites and even at festivals.

I took delivery of this one in mid January and although I do need to point out (lest the images look a little odd) that I ended up with a size too large (our admin error, not Bluefin’s fault) I have been enjoying it’s voluminous and cozy embrace ever since.

Fit, design and materials

I have been testing an XL version of the Heatwave, whereas I would probably opt for a large in normal circumstances. That said, at 6’ 2” I do sometimes wear XL gear, and this robe still felt absolutely enormous, so bear this in mind if you too are on the cusp of a couple of sizes. Err on the small side, as this is a huge piece of kit which extends to well below your knees.

It might be massive, but impressively, the Heatwave is made with mostly recycled material. The windproof outer is entirely constructed with recycled nylon and the warm fluffy inner is comprised from 60% recycled ‘Sherpa’ fleece.

The most innovative feature of the Heatwave is the fact that the robe, which is primarily designed for use in colder temperatures, has detachable arms. The forearms can be unzipped and removed from the main body of the garment turning it into a short-sleeved robe, albeit one with a massively warm lining.

All the zips on this change robe are top quality, and the main one has a large pull loop on the zipper, so you can get it done up and undone even when your hands are shivering (or while you are wearing gloves).

The comprehensive and cozy hood on this robe can be adjusted with pull cords and toggles, while the cuffs (when you have the long arms on) can be tightened with large Velcro flaps. There are two deep hand pockets in the front of this robe (without zips), plus a zipped chest pocket and an inside pocket for phones (and other valuables/don’t want to loseables) that also has a zip, plus an outlet for a pair of headphones.

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Sadly, the robe does not come with a stuff sack, which would be a good addition given its tendency to take over half your vehicle when packed loose. You can, of course, just employ a good-quality dry bag as a stuff sack. Bear in mind, though, that you’ll need a large one.

On the coast and in the field

As mentioned, my Heatwave robe was a bit on the generous side, but I certainly didn’t mind the extra coverage it supplied during the colder months, and I really can’t fault the protection it offered me after emerging from icy water, and also while I was wandering around in campsites in the chill of spring evenings and the mist of early mornings. The cut of the main garment is longer than most robes, which means you can keep your knees warm and safely get changed out of wet swimming/paddling gear in public without anyone calling the police.

I really love the soft-feel fleece-lined hand pockets, and I prefer the fact that they don’t feature zips, because they’re so much more comfortable and less abrasive without a row of metal teeth. For more important and looser items than your hands, the zipped inside pocket offers a secure storage place. This inner pouch easily accommodates a smart phone, and there is an outlet for headphones, for when you want to stroll along the windswept foreshore listening to some tunes.

The adjustable hood is excellent – you can properly pull it tight in windy conditions, and it protects your ears, neck and head from the elements. Likewise, the closure system on the cuffs reliably keeps drafts out and enables you to warm up nice and quickly after a bracing immersion.

The detachable arms are an interesting and innovative feature, and they do allow you dump some excess heat once you have stopped shivering. With its comprehensive and utterly weatherproof outer, and super chunky fleecy inner, however, the Heatwave is every bit as warm as the name promises it will be, and the robe remains a very toasty garment whether you have the wings on or not.

We’re still a long way from mid-summer here, but except after very early morning swims, I’m not sure I’ll be able to bear wearing this robe for too long when the outside temperature starts to rise – it feels like it will cook me pretty quick. Of course, this all depends on where you are and how much you feel the chill.

My main issue with the Bluefin Heatwave is with its immense weight; it feels like a robe that has been designed for SUPers, surfers, paddlers, van campers and other vehicle-based adventures, because that’s exactly what it is. Nothing wrong with that, but you do need to be aware of it if you’re a wild swimmer who likes to hike in to your bathing spots (you could of course wear it for the walk-in, but unless it’s a decidedly chilly day, you may well overheat). It’s also a very large garment to store when you’re not using it, and I would have liked to see a decent stuff sack included (even if it pushed the price up a bit), because it’s a big presence to have lying around.

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