Every surfer is familiar with the beach parking lot wardrobe change. Ive actually had mine for over 5 years and its held up perfectly. Thick Microfiber Surf Poncho ($29.97): 4.5/5 How to Buy the Right Surfboard | Long, Short, Fun and More, How to Surf: The Beginning Surfers End-All Guide, How to Noseride Like an Expert Longboarder, Surfboard Rocker, Explained: What it is and How it Works, How to Improve Your Paddle on a Surfboard, #3. The tuck of a regular beach towel can untuck faster than you can fall off a surfboard, but thankfully, someone found a hole in the surf parking lot market and invented the coziest piece of surf apparel the surf poncho. The changing dryrobe is the only accessory you need. Changing robe, massive overcoat, super-absorbant towel, the dryrobe Advance is all of these and more. Their ponchos offer extra length for tall surfers (47 inches long, to be exact) and are have a soft feel and a very kind price when buying direct on their website. In all honesty, calling this massive and super cozy garment a surf poncho does it an injustice. Absorbency: 5 The dryrobe Advance is the king of all surf ponchos. Its made from cotton-terry fabric, has a hood, and features a front pocket. The only downside is the price tag, but with how well it works as a surf poncho and all of its other potential uses, Id say its justified. However, there have been some complaints about the feel of the microfiber. Absorbency: 5 The Kassia + Surf Changing Poncho in action at San Onofre. Constructed from deadstock cotton (or fabric that is leftover) and colored with low impact dyes, Your Favorite Changing Poncho is easy on the eyes as well as the environment. Aesthetic: 4 Coverage: 3 Womens changing ponchos are a hot-ticket surf apparel item right now, and most women are looking for stylish features with warmth and coverage aka, no side-boob. Aesthetic: 4 The surf poncho that quite literally doubles as a beach towel. It comes with an XL hood that helps dry your hair quickly and snap buttons at both sizes to ensure maximum privacy during change. Surf changing mats are one of the most valuable accessories a surfer can get, and they can increase the lifetime of your wetsuit. 45 length, Shop All Electronics Cameras, Photo & Video, Shop All Electronics Cell Phones & Accessories, Shop All Electronics Computers, Laptops & Parts, Shop All Electronics Tablets & Accessories, Shop All Electronics Video Games & Consoles, Shop All Electronics VR, AR & Accessories. There are 4 things that matter to surfers before buying a changing poncho. // , 2022 SurferToday.com |All Rights Reserved. West Path Surf Changing Poncho Created by longboarder extraordinaire Kassia Meador in partnership with Suay Sew Shop, the changing tunic features a roomy hood and a big front pocket for stashing essentials. and graphics (see Burrows for Keith Harings artwork). The third thing to consider is the quality of the materials and lining. The first and most important variable is privacy. West Path proudly offers this surf poncho with no side boob (ladies) and their poncho comes in two colors indigo blue or charcoal black. Make sure to size up for plenty of room to change in. The Cor Changing Towel Robe for Kids is an all-in-one surf poncho and beach towel designed for children and young surfers. The Pakal Surf Poncho is handcraftedby artisans of Mayan backgrounds inYucatanusing 100 percent Mexican cotton. And with good reason. Like most things from Billabong, the hooded towel is available in fun patterns and colors. The surf poncho is a simple yet highly effective changing robe that avoids embarrassment in public areas and keeps you warm. Aesthetic: 5 It features a front pocket for keeping hands cozy or storing goods and provides plenty of coverage, so you can easily change in private. Most surf ponchos are made from microfiber, cotton, or recycled fabrics. Their Digs design is the go-to, all-around comfortable staple surf poncho loved by many a surfer. Believe it or not, Estonia has the 30th longest coastline on the planet. West Path Surf Poncho ($69.99): 4.75/5 Coverage: 5 Its fairly warm but the price is a little chilling, although more digestible when broken up into 4 shop pay payments. If you plan on changing in it, you want a robe thats going to keep you covered so youre not flashing everyone in the parking lot. The Digs Changing Poncho makes getting in and out of your wetsuit or swimwear easy, warm and comfortable, and features pockets that protect your hands from the cold. Absorbency: 5 Its the perfect cotton blend of sturdy but soft and weighty. Warmth: 4 Punta Roca is one of the world's finest high-performance right-hand point breaks and a dream surfing destination for regular-footers. It is ultra-soft and made of highly absorbent 100 percent winter-weight cotton terry. You'll get armholes that don't leave women exposed, a greater length for taller riders, and an XXL hood with a warm fleece lining. Billabong Hooded Towel Robe Poncho ($84.03): 4.75/5 Featuring 100 percent cotton winter-weight terry, you will be warm and dry in no time, and thats truly what were looking for in a surf poncho. It's the ultimate personal changing room made from 100 percent microfiber polyester. Overall: 4.75. With two fleece-lined pockets on the outside and two inside pockets theres plenty of room to keep essentials like a phone or wallet safe and dry, and your hands warm at the same time. Changing ponchos have only been around since the mid-2000s, and they, in essence, are oversized towels that look like a mumu (a large dress), but usually with with a hood. The admiral was stationed for two years in San Diego, and that's how I met his son, Billy. Learn More. A surf poncho makes it worlds easier to avoid embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions and, as scientifically proven, exactly zero surfers have gone back to a towel once theyve tried a surf poncho. The HiTurbo Surf Poncho is a surfer's private dressing room that absorbs water well and quickly, leaving your skin dry in less than a minute after putting it on. Whats loved is the soft feel and price, but noted improvements mentioned warmth and seam durability. In classic black, the All Day Poncho is a crowd pleaser. Maybe. I tend to have my surf poncho double as a towel, so its nice if it absorbs water well. Warmth: 3 Heres the criteria: West Paths surf poncho is warm, heavy, stylish, and even has a convenient zipper pocket. Overall: 4.25. When it comes to comfort and useful features, this poncho is hard to beat. The Ho Stevie! With a changing poncho, you can effortlessly slide your wetsuit and swimwear on and off without mishaps, and its Big Lebowski-approved. This poncho has everything you could want in a surf poncho: its absorbent, dries quickly, and is sand free. Nearly all surf ponchos are one-size-fits-all, but you can also find small, medium, large, and extra-large models. Meaning, you can stroll into your local breakfast burrito joint donning a surf poncho and its entirely acceptable. One size Ho Stevie! Although preference varies from person to person, there are a few things I look for in a surf robe/poncho. Slowtide The Digs Changing Poncho ($80), #4. Editors Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here. COR Surfs Changing Towel Robe features a simple design that gets the job done. Kassia + Surf Your Favorite Changing Tunic ($139): 3.5/5. The length reaches nice and long but the arm slits do hang a little low, so be extra careful when changing out of a bikini top. Aesthetic: 4 Coverage: 5 Warmth: 4 This one-size-fits-most model is machine washable. Surf Poncho is a wetsuit changing robe designed with extra length that will never expose your private parts in the parking lot. It covers your entire body so that you can change underneath the poncho without having to fumble around with (and potentially drop) a towel. All and all, this ones a winner. Some feature waterproof coating, above-average insulation properties, pockets, sand-free characteristics, drawstrings, and harmless dyes. Join The Inertia+ for the price of an oat milk latte (or two bars of wax) a month. Kassia Surfs Your Favorite Poncho ($129), #3. It's compact, light, and easy to carry a wetsuit bathrobe for your surf trips. There have been some quality complaints online about it not lasting quite long. Theres nothing worse than having a towel fall down to your ankles in a crowded parking lot. Kassias poncho is stylish and very Meador-esque, with groovy color combinations and a whisper of elevated hipster. The hood is roomy but the overall length is a bit short, but not short enough to show cheek when raising an arm. Its side zipper pocket keeps your valuable belongings safe, and the opening hole on the other side makes it easier for you to fasten or unfasten your belt. Overall: 4.25. Voited Outdoor Surf Poncho ($74.95 $86.47): 4.25 Changing ponchos especially solved the exceedingly difficult task of after-surf changing for women, which is harder to do when dealing with or without a bikini top and only armed with a towel. On the outside, a waterproof and windproof outer shell does an awesome job of eliminating windchill on even the breeziest of dawn patrols. Coverage: 5 Youd be hard pressed to find better bang for your buck than Ho Stevie! It's a stunning, exquisite, and ethnic changing robe that will provide shelter from the cold breeze whilegetting in and out of your wetsuit. Slowtide has a vast number of poncho designs with different weights, sizes (kids ponchos are available, too!) Overall: 3.5. Made from towel material that is ultra absorbent as well as lightweight, soft, and quick drying, the towel robe comes in tons of color options, so theres something for everyone. Heavyweight Blue and white It has an extra-long length for full coverage regardless of height, a large kangaroo pocket, zippered chest pocket for stashing valuables, a cozy lined hood, and 100 percent cotton towel fabric. Photo: Kassia + Surf. Absorbency: 5 Overall: 4.75. The hood keeps your face and head cozy when it's cold and windy, and the hanging loop makes it for you to hang it back home. Here we tried out some of the best-selling surf ponchos on the market to see what all the hype is about, and help you make an informed decision when purchasing such a critical piece of modern surf technology. Here are our favorite surf ponchos. COR Surf Changing Towel Robe ($37.99): 4.5/5 Absorbency: 3 I want something to keep me covered while Im changing, keep me warm, be absorbent, and of course, I want it to look cool. The rule applies to both male and female surfers. West Path partners with SEE Turtles foundation to save approximately 10 baby sea turtles for every poncho sold. The post-surf sessions in cold water environments no longer need to be a nightmare. The best surf changing mats for your wetsuit, The Surfing Christmas Gift Guide for 2020, Surfatom: the surf paddling training board, Punta Roca: the crown jewel point break of El Salvador. Absorbency The large oversized hood will protect your kid's face and head from sun, rain, and wind. There arent many childrens changing ponchos on the market, but we found ones that are grom-tested and parent-approved. It was designed by surfers and offers the correct dimensions and features for all movements. While its certainly not essential for function, I want a surf robe/poncho that looks cool if there is such a thing. The deadstock material isnt too scratchy, either. Some may prefer solids but Im all about fun prints or something that sets it apart. Warmth: 2 dryrobe Advance ($215): 4.75/5 Finally, if your changing cloak looks discrete and cool, that's a bonus. Whether youre changing in and out of a wetsuit or swimsuit, the feeling of struggling to maintain your modesty with a small rectangle of fabric is the same an uncomfortable one. The Nomadix Poncho/Beach Towel features hook-and-loop closures up both sides, allowing you to change in privacy, and then open up a luxuriously-sized beach towel for sunbathing, swimming, and more. In addition, the blanket features a front pocket for keeping hands warm and storing knick-knacks. Aesthetic: 4 Each of their designs has a different purpose or color scheme (Turkish is lighter). So, most of them are large enough to help you put on and take off the wetsuit. Warmth Plus, as winter approaches, they keep you way more cozy than a towel after chilly sessions. For 10 extra bucks you can ditch the chest-sized logo and go for a subtler option in grey, tie-dye, or camo, which are all made with 100 percent cotton as opposed to the microfiber material used in the black poncho. The Winthome Chancing Robe allows you to dress and undress easily, avoiding embarrassment thanks to its design and size. Unlike most one-size-fits-all surf ponchos, CORs towel robe comes in small, medium, and large, so there are options for children, men, and women. This feature is only available on The Inertia+. When Im not using it for changing, Ive definitely been known to hang in my surf poncho on the beach and have maybe even popped in the grocery store once or twice in it. For those of us who surf in rainy climates (yuck) theres a waterproof version available here that comes with a DWR coating to shed rain and keep you dry, post-surf. This rad changing robe has a super soft synthetic lambswool lining that wicks away moisture without feeling wet itself. Whether you're on an open beach or an outdoor or indoor parking lot, you need to make sure to keep your private parts to yourself. My best friend was the son of an admiral. Buying this poncho also helps save sea turtles. The Vulken Hooded Surf Poncho has been specifically designed for female surfers. You'll also find models that can even convert into beach towels. In testing I was super impressed with how well it stood up to a multi-surf day, providing instant post-surf warmth without needing to be dried out in between uses. Getting in and out of a wetsuit or swimsuit is one of the most uncomfortable and less practical moments in surfing. Thick Microfiber Surf Poncho ($29.97), Slowtide All Day Microfiber Surf Poncho ($79.95), Voited Outdoor Surf Poncho ($74.95 $86.47), Kassia + Surf Your Favorite Changing Tunic ($139), Kassia + Surf Your Favorite Changing Poncho ($139), Early access and reduced pricing to exclusive events. Check Price for The Digs on Evo, Amazon, and Surfdome. Other thoughtful features include a double-sided print, a kangaroo pocket to keep hands warm, a snap front placket with drawcords, and hidden internal access so you can have privacy while changing in public. The Voited Surf Poncho is an absolute beast, with all the bells and whistles you could ever hope for. Billabongs Hooded Towel Robe is the first changing poncho I ever had and it has certainly withstood the test of time. Billabong Hooded Towel Robe Poncho ($84.03), Ho Stevie! The brands soft, warm changing poncho is 47 inches long from shoulder to bottom hem, plenty of coverage for anyone (Stevie, the man behind the brand, is 62 and designed the poncho to fit people even taller than himself). Its made out of deadstock fabric fabric given new life that would otherwise go to waste and its extra roomy. Plus, thanks to its microfiber and cotton materials, it protects surfers from low air temperatures, minimizing the chances of catching a cold or flu as it works as temporary clothing. I tend to run cold so Im always looking for something warm to throw on after a chilly surf. Slowtide The Digs Surf Poncho ($79.95): 4.75/5 It is made from soft and thick microfiber or cotton material that dries you off quickly and keeps you warm in the most extreme weather conditions. The West Path Surf Poncho is a heavyweight and warm changing robe made from soft, 100 percent woven cotton. Slowtide All Day Microfiber Surf Poncho ($79.95): 4.25 Available at a very affordable price, CORs Towel Robe is a great option for parking lot hangs and changing post-surf. The price screams Kassia, too, but so does the quality, with deadstock cotton, low-impact dyes and french seams. *Billed annually. Puffy insulation, a waterproof/windproof coating, microfiber lining on the inside and in the hand-warmer pockets, and a zippered cargo pocket that doubles as a stuff sack to turn your Voited Poncho into a pillow. But are there any rideable swells in this Baltic Northern European nation? Its super light, ultra-absorbent and quick dry characteristics make it easy to carry and will dry up your body quickly. Aesthetic: 5 Made from 100 percent post-consumer waste, Slowtides All Day Microfiber Poncho is constructed primarily from plastic water bottles in an effort to minimize its impact on the environment. Discover the best-selling surf changing ponchos available in the market in 2022: The Sun Cube Surf Poncho is a one-size-fits-all changing robe featuring an oversized hood, a pocket, and adjustable sleeves so you can discretely swap out clothes and wetsuits in public places. The Inertia+ offers exclusive access to original, premium features, reporting, films, members-only newsletters, discounted access to Inspire Courses, events, and special discounts from our partners.