RED REVOLUTION 3-IN-1 PARKA

£349.95 Single solution to the coat-vs-change-robe question?

When a brand asks us to sign an NDA before even telling us about a new product – and then puts in a top-secret zoom call to finally tell us about it – we tend to sit up a little straighter as it usually means something interesting is coming our way. And so it was with the Red Revolution.

This new parka is designed as a ‘modular hybrid’ coat, which combines luxury styling with outdoor performance. As such, it gives you a technical waterproof outer shell with a removable fleece ‘liner’ coat that can be worn together or seperately.

Initially we were struck by how heavy this coat is – pulling it out of the box it really is a weighty number – but it came into its own after a cold swim, when we pulled it on in lieu of our usual changing robe and were amazed by how snuggly and warm it was, that weight translating into a real hug. But what about the functionality for swimmers? Well, although oversized (sizing is based on height, with male and female versions on sale), the coat as a unit isn’t really the right level of oversized for wriggling out of soggy swim kit. If you remove the fleece lining though, that can be used as a changing robe, then the bigger, quilted, layer added back on top.

Attention to detail is superb with handy poppers, fleece-lined pockets and toggles everywhere you look and the waterproofing was second to none. It is expensive, but if you are looking to replace both your changing robe and winter coat and want to be really warm and toasty, then it might just be worth your investment.

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VERDICT Not really a change robe or a coat – but a very warm and techy hybrid