The Pockets on the Stravaig Robe - Every One Explained

You know that moment. You've just hauled yourself out of the loch, arms still tingling, and you need your phone to let someone know you're alive. Or your car key. Or a dry sock. Something. And you're standing there in your robe, damp hands rifling through a bag on the ground while the wind picks the warmth straight off you.

That's not a swim problem. That's a pockets problem.

The Stravaig robe has four of them. Here's what each one does, and why you'll use every single one.

The two outer pockets: fleece-lined, zipped, and exactly where your hands go first

The moment you pull your robe on, your hands find the outer pockets. That's the point.

There are two large, fleece-lined, zipped outer pockets - one on each side, sitting comfortably at hand height. Yes, they hold things. But more immediately, they're where you shove your hands when you're standing on a beach in November wondering what you've done to yourself. The fleece lining means warmth hits within seconds. That matters when you've just come out of cold water and your fingers have basically stopped working.

The zip keeps everything secure while you're moving around. Car keys, a wee bit of cash, a lip balm - they're not going anywhere.

What to keep here: keys, a snack, hand warmers, anything you want fast access to while your hands thaw out.

The internal chest pocket: waterproof, zipped, for your valuables

Inside the robe at chest height, there's a zipped internal pocket with a waterproof lining. This is where your phone lives.

The reason it's internal is simple: even if the outside of your robe is getting soaked - rain, splash, someone's enthusiastic labrador - the chest pocket stays dry. The zip seals it properly. Your phone, cards, and anything else you'd be devastated to lose are protected regardless of what the weather's doing.

It sits flush against your chest, so there's no bulk. You barely notice it's there until you need it.

What to keep here: phone, bank card, car park ticket, anything irreplaceable.

The large internal open pocket: big enough for a hot water bottle

This is the one that makes people do a double-take when they find out about it.

Inside the robe, there's a second large internal pocket - open at the top, with a waterproof lining. It's substantial. Not "fits a few things" substantial. Fits-a-hot-water-bottle substantial.

Think about that for a second. You fill a hot water bottle before you head to the water. You tuck it into this pocket when you get out. It sits against your body, warming you from the inside while you strip off your wetsuit, find your dry kit, and try to remember where you put your shoes. The robe holds the heat against you. You warm up from two directions at once.

That's the kind of feature that only ends up in a robe when it's designed by people who actually get in the water. Not a box-ticking exercise - a genuine, thought-through detail.

It's also plenty big enough for a spare hat, dry socks you want to grab quickly, or anything else you want within reach without unzipping anything.

What to keep here: a hot water bottle, dry socks, a spare hat, snacks you don't want to dig around for.

Quick summary: the four pockets, clearly stated

For anyone who wants the plain facts:

1. 2 large outer pockets - fleece-lined, zipped, one on each side. For warming hands and quick-access kit.
2. 1 waterproof internal chest pocket - zipped, at chest height. For valuables: phone, cards, keys.
3. 1 large internal open pocket - waterproof lining, no zip. Big enough to fit a standard hot water bottle. For anything you want against your body or within easy reach.

Four pockets. All of them useful. None of them an afterthought.

If you're ready to get properly kitted out, take a look at the Stravaig changing robe product page.