Changing Ponchos
Filters
10 products
Changing Ponchos and Poncho Towels for the Beach and the Water
A changing poncho is a large hooded towel with a head opening that you pull on over your head and change underneath, without holding a towel around your waist. It's also called a poncho towel, surf poncho or changing towel. After a swim, a SUP session or a surf, it dries you, warms you up and covers you on the beach, by the lake or in the car park.
Our range includes terry ponchos made from a cotton-polyester blend and a thick 100% cotton poncho. All have a large hood and pockets, and some add longer sleeves, a kangaroo pocket or a pocket with a waterproof zip. For little ones, see our kids changing ponchos.
Why a Poncho Instead of a Regular Towel?
- Hands free – the towel won't slip, so you can change without help.
- Privacy – the loose cut covers you down to the knees, even when you take your swimwear off.
- Warmth in the wind – the poncho stays on when you get out of the water and the breeze picks up.
- Hood – covers wet hair and ears, where you lose heat fastest.
- Pockets – keys and phone stay to hand, not in the sand.
Which Changing Poncho Should I Choose?
| Activity | What to choose |
|---|---|
| Beach and swimming (long days by the water) | hooded terry poncho + front pocket |
| Surf and SUP (getting out of a wetsuit) | poncho with side openings + chest pocket for keys |
| Cooler days and evenings | thick cotton poncho or a style with longer sleeves |
| Phone and keys by the water | poncho with a waterproof zip pocket |
| Travel and backpacking | microfibre towel that packs down small |
Cotton, Terry or Microfibre?
| Fabric | Properties |
|---|---|
| 100% cotton (400 g/m²) | most absorbent and warmest + heavier, slower to dry |
| Cotton-polyester terry | absorbent and soft + dries faster than pure cotton |
| Microfibre | light and compact + quick-dry, less warm |
GSM (grams per square metre) tells you how heavy the fabric is. The higher it is, the thicker and warmer the towel. A 400 GSM cotton poncho is as thick as a good bath towel, and you can wear it as a warm layer by the water too.
Surf Ponchos for Surfing, SUP and Water Sports
After a surf or SUP session, the hardest part is peeling off a wet wetsuit in the wind. In a poncho both hands are free, and the side openings let you reach your shorts or swimwear underneath. Longer sleeves give you more privacy, and a kangaroo pocket warms your hands. Keep your phone and documents safe on the beach and on the boat in a dry bag. For water below roughly 18 °C, see our wetsuits.
Changing Poncho or Beach Towel?
A poncho is better when you change outdoors or when it's windy, because it stays on. A large classic beach towel is better for lying on the sand. For travel and backpacking, a microfibre towel is the most practical, as it's lighter than cotton and dries fast. Don't confuse a changing poncho with a rain poncho: a changing poncho soaks up water, while a rain poncho keeps it out.
Women's and Men's Ponchos – What Size Do I Need?
Changing ponchos are mostly unisex and one size, cut wide and long enough for women and men to change underneath. Our terry ponchos are around 108 cm long and 88 cm wide. Choose the thick cotton poncho by height: M for 151–172 cm and L for 173–192 cm. A poncho should reach at least your knees, and the sleeves should let you pull your arms inside. You're welcome to try them on in our shop in Ljubljana.
Who Else Is a Changing Poncho For?
- paddlers, surfers, kitesurfers and wing foilers,
- lake and sea swimmers,
- families spending the day at the beach,
- travellers and campers,
- anyone who changes by the car or on a beach without a changing room.
How to Care for a Changing Poncho
Wash your poncho before first use. Wash it at 30 °C with similar colours, without bleach or fabric softener, which reduces the absorbency of terry. Don't tumble dry it. After the sea, rinse it in fresh water and let it air dry before packing it in your bag.
Related categories
Kids changing ponchos · Rash guards & UV shirts · Boardshorts · Wetsuits · Dry bags · Rain ponchos