Red Equipment Pursuit Waterproof Lightweight Changing Robe Jacket – Reviewed & Tested 

Our resident water baby, Claire, stayed zipped up in Red Equipment’s Pursuit Waterproof Lightweight Changing Robe Jacket through winter to really test if you never regret a swim.

‘Athlete-Inspired, Adventure Ready’ is the motto behind Red Equipment’s Pursuit Robe – the sporty, performance-minded offering in their robe collection.

Yep, changing robes are entering the wider outdoor gear inventory. It’s not just reserved for surfers or Thorpey-level swimmers anymore. And hallelujah, because we all deserve some Snuggie-level comfort! But you probably won’t be seeing aggressive pizza or unicorn motifs any time soon.

Instead, you’ll be seeing the sophisticated and sensibly-named colourway of Ocean Blue be tested mainly for its practicality in my obsession (to put it lightly) with snorkelling.

Move over beach towel

Why am I the right person to do this review?

As a recent Gold Coast expat now living in Sydney, I was surprised at how low the mercury drops in winter (3˚C? What the heck?). I was even more surprised at the water temperature.

I need something that can warm me up after going below sea level because I don’t have a wetsuit (QLD tings) and I cannot be bothered to get one in my spare time 🙂 I’d rather be splashing around of course.

Snork dork

Since I’m usually taking a snorkel, mask, fins, booties, weight belt, weights, phone, and water bottle (yes, everything but a bloody wetsuit) – I also want gear that doesn’t take up any more hand or shoulder real estate while travelling to and from the water.

These stubborn preferences leave me with a sensitive disposition to gear shortcomings (and definitely the cold), so it will be very obvious if I like this robe or not.

Read more: 8 Ways to Minimise Your Impact While Snorkelling and Diving

Quick Specifications

Sizes: S-XL, with regular and long options available. I tested a Small/Regular
Fabric: The outer breathable membrane is made from 86% recycled polyester and 14% elastane, the interior grid fleece is made from 97% recycled polyester and 3% elastane
Pockets: 4 x lined front pockets, 1 x Napoleon/chest pocket, 1 x internal underwear stash pocket
Features: Expandable changing zone, adjustable hood, invisible seams, silicone grip tape cuffs, PFC-free DWR waterproofing
Colourways: Ocean Blue, Obsidian Black, Olive Green
RRP: $349.95 AUD

Specs on the label

Performance

For Ocean Days

Packing this for a beach trip was easy because you just wear it. It’s more minimalist than other changing robes on the market which is appreciated, but it’s still big enough to take up a solid amount of space in a weekend bag.

After swimming, it can feel a little sacrilege to put on a jacket instead of a towel. But that thought is quickly replaced by the welcoming hug and comfort of said jacket.

The waffle fleece inner did a better-than-expected job at drying me off and is waaay nicer than the sensory nightmare of fluffy fleece on wet skin.

As for the dynamic waterproof outer membrane, it has a waterproof rating of 10,000mm which fared perfectly every time I desperately reached for it post-snorkel, and kept me nice and dry on a particularly drizzly beach walk.

I wouldn’t say it’s windproof, but offers a bit of a barrier from any blusters.

It’s also a very nice navy tone

For Kayaking Days

On one instance I went straight from the beach to the river, kayak in tow. Chucking this robe on over my togs gave me instant sun protection, and  I especially loved the adjustable hood! No red necks here (don’t make a QLD joke please).

It was a sunny winter’s day, so I went from being cold to warm pretty quickly with the activity. I comfortably kept the Pursuit Robe on the whole time, its breathable design adjusted really well to my needs and the four-way stretch facilitated my movements seamlessly.

‘Yakkin and yappin’ with ease

I did notice after sitting in the kayak for about three hours, that the well of water on my seat I’d been generating with each bumbling paddle, started to seep through the garment. It wasn’t soaked, just damp.

For Everyday

I wore this a few times to and from pilates or while running errands. The storage aspect is truly sublime, but this will never replace your puffer in the dead of winter for general everyday use.

While it does provide some level of protection from the cold, because it’s so breathable, it’s probably on par with a regular blazer warmth-wise. It has no thermal capabilities.

This makes it the perfect outer layer in transitional seasons. I wore it during a walk on a 24˚C spring arvo and was at a comfortable temperature the whole time. I was more and more grateful as the sun set and the temperature dipped a little.

Design

Expandable Changing Zone

While the under-the-towel costume change gets us through most beach days, it really hasn’t gotten more sophisticated with practise. So the Pursuit Robe’s expandable option is a luxury I hadn’t thought of before, but am so grateful it’s there.

It gives you more room without adding bulk

Seamlessness is an overarching design element of this entire garment and is exemplified in the almost invisible zips that run up from the hem to the elbow. Unzip these, and you’ve instantly got more wiggle room.

Silicone Grip Tape

I think this was my favourite feature of the whole piece because it was so unexpected. Such a small detail reflected such careful consideration.

Gone are the days of sand ricocheting out from a lively Velcro peel. Small silicone teeth and grooves make the cuffs adjustable so you can lock in heat or let in air without trapping sand or moisture.

I haven’t washed this yet! Look how clean it is 😍

Dare I say, snapping the grips on and off comes close to the satisfaction of squishing bubble wrap. Huge call, I know.

Pockets

The pockets on this thing will make you smile. It’s got four waffle-fleece-lined pockets in the front, a Napoleon/chest pocket, and a large internal underwear stash pocket.

I rarely needed to bring a bag most times I used it. It could fit my water bottle, Kindle, phone, camera, wallet, snorkel, and mask, and still have space to warm my hands (or shove more stuff in). After swimming, none of my electronics got water-compromised when wearing the robe.

Those hand-warmer pockets are a dream

Fit

Being a vertically challenged 5”2 (which is generous), I am no stranger to odd fits and hacking at a garment with scissors. Don’t worry, the Pursuit Robe didn’t meet any sharp edges, it would be diabolical to alter something so finely crafted. But boy, did I want to.

The women’s smallest size and regular length (S/R) ran quite long for me, even though that’s the recommended selection in their size chart. I had to roll up the sleeves and the hem fell at an awkward below-knee length.

Took a bit to get used to the silhouette

It felt more like an oversized trenchcoat, a feeling that intensified once I loaded up the pockets.

Since there are no smaller dimensions than that, I think the S/R size would better fit someone at the 5”4 height and onwards. But like I said, not a stranger to odd fits, and the practical features of the Pursuit Robe will still have me reaching for it in my wardrobe.

Sustainability

Red Equipment is a certified B-Corp (just like us!), and they’ve released a 42-page positive impact report for 2023. These are a couple of massive green lights to see from a brand.

As for the Pursuit Robe itself, it largely uses recycled polyester in its construction. Recycled polyester isn’t exactly the perfect textile, but still keeps plastic out of landfill by giving it a second life.

The real winner here is the PFC-free Durable Water Repellent (DWR) waterproof coating on the outer membrane!

PFC-free brings added peace of mind

PFCs are ‘forever chemicals’ used notoriously to waterproof gear, and they can build up in our bodies and the environment which may lead to potential health risks.

Read more: Your Rain Jacket is Probably Harming the Planet

It isn’t disclosed how exactly they’ve waterproofed the robe, but it is great to see that it’s PFC-free.

Price

I’m not going to pretend like this is a cheap piece of gear. It’s essentially $349.95 for a really practical jacket.

Given the impeccable, intuitive design with its many little luxuries and sustainable construction, I do think it’s fairly valued on Red Equipment’s part.

But as a consumer, I can see how this isn’t at the top of everyone’s wishlist.

The Pursuit Waterproof Lightweight Changing Robe Jacket has an incredibe array of features that cater to a wide range of settings, but I think a more specific type of user is truly seeking this garment out.

Either, it’s the individual without a warm rain jacket who wants a day-to-day piece that can do it all. Or it’s the super-active swimmer who needs a change room/towel/backpack on the go.

If you already have a pretty good rain jacket or puffer and aren’t really into water activities, I don’t see you considering this as your next must-have.

Final Thoughts

I think Red Equipment’s Pursuit Waterproof Lightweight Changing Robe Jacket is truly a design marvel that carefully considered the needs of the wearer.

It succeeds in being a performance-minded do-it-all jacket robe, and I loved taking it out on water activity days.

You’ll get the most wear out of it in the transitional seasons, but it will still be a warm welcome during winter.

Photos by @trailtoby