The Kids COBE

We named it the COBE as the idea came from taking the benefits of a great waterproof Coat (CO) and a Robe (BE) and combining them into the perfect outdoor coat. The COBE is a waterproof coat with a sherpa lining so good it replaced my puffer, waterproof mac and changing robe. 10,000mm waterproof outer, full fleece lining from hem to hood, and enough room to pull on a dry layer after a swim if you need to. Built for the school run, the dog walk, the sideline — and yes, a post sea dip robe if that’s your thing. The main thing is you will get lots of wear, it is designed to be elegant and versatile unlike many changing robes.

We named it the COBE as the idea came from taking the benefits of a great waterproof Coat (CO) and a Robe (BE) and combining them into the perfect outdoor coat. The COBE is a waterproof coat with a sherpa lining so good it replaced my puffer, waterproof mac and changing robe. 10,000mm waterproof outer, full fleece lining from hem to hood, and enough room to pull on a dry layer after a swim if you need to. Built for the school run, the dog walk, the sideline — and yes, a post sea dip robe if that’s your thing. The main thing is you will get lots of wear, it is designed to be elegant and versatile unlike many changing robes.

10,000mm is the hydrostatic head rating — the measure of how much water pressure the fabric can withstand before it leaks. To give you a reference point, a heavy rainstorm generates around 8,000mm of water pressure. So 10,000mm means the COBE handles sustained heavy rain, not just a light shower. Coats rated at 2,000-4,000mm — which is most high street waterproofs — are not truly waterproof, more water resistant and will let water through in prolonged rain. The COBE won't. The seams are also sealed, which matters as much as the fabric rating — an unsealed seam leaks regardless of how waterproof the fabric is.

Yes — and this is one of the things that surprises people most when they first wear it. The sherpa lining is a full lining, not a thin decorative layer, and it holds warmth even when you're standing still in cold conditions. Most of our customers wear it over a light long sleeve or a thin jumper and are completely comfortable from October through to March. If you run cold or you're planning to stand on a sideline for 90 minutes in January, a midlayer underneath is worth it. But for a brisk morning dog walk, the COBE alone is more than enough.

About the same weight as a quality puffer — which is to say, you'll feel it, but you won't resent it. The sherpa gives real warmth and cosiness without the bulk of a traditional changing robe. It wears like a coat, not a duvet.

Yes. The outer shell is waterproof and breathable — you stay dry without overheating when you're moving. The sherpa lining regulates temperature better than synthetic wadding, so it works across a wider range of conditions than most waterproof coats.

You can. The relaxed cut, two-way zip and generous length give you enough cover for a quick kit swap after a swim or at the side of a pitch. If changing inside is your main use case, size up for the extra room.

A Dryrobe is designed for one specific job — post-swim warmth and changing in exposed locations. It does that job brilliantly. The COBE is designed for a different job: a coat you wear all day, in real weather, through your actual life. It has a coat silhouette rather than an oversized robe shape, a structured hood that stays up in wind, hand-warmer pockets placed at the right height, and a cut that looks at home in a coffee shop or at a school gate. You can use it after a swim — the two-way zip and generous length give you changing room — but it's not a changing robe that moonlights as a coat. It's a coat, full stop. If your primary need is a dedicated post-swim changing robe, a Dryrobe is the better choice. If you want one coat that handles everything from a morning swim to an afternoon sideline to an evening walk, the COBE is designed for exactly that.

It's what we designed it for. The 10,000mm waterproof rating handles sustained rain — not just a light drizzle — for the full duration of a walk. The sherpa lining keeps you warm when you stop moving, which is most of a dog walk. There are six pockets including hand warmers deep enough for your phone, keys and poo bags simultaneously. The hood stays up in wind. And it can be wiped down or go straight into the washing machine on a cool wash when you get home. After years of testing coats that failed in the field — literally — this is what we built instead.

Yes — it was designed with cold water swimmers in mind as well as everyday outdoor use. The COBE gives you warm, dry cover before and after a dip without the bulk of a traditional changing robe. The two-way zip and generous length mean you can pull on a dry layer underneath without full exposure. If you plan to change inside the coat regularly, size up for extra room. It's become a favourite in the cold water swimming community precisely because it doesn't scream "I'm about to get in the sea" — you can wear it to the water and straight into a coffee shop afterwards.

We size by height first, then by dress size — which is different from most brands, so it's worth checking before you order. Open the Size & Fit tab and measure your favourite coat to compare. Between sizes? Go down for a neater fit, up if you want layering room or plan to change inside it. Our Junior XS fits older kids and petite adults.

The Classic COBE comes in Olive Green and Classic Black— all with the natural cream sherpa lining. The Black Edition comes in Classic Black, Olive Green and Camel with a black sherpa lining, black zip and black rubber badge for a sleeker, more monochrome look. All colourways are designed to be timeless rather than seasonal — the kind of colours that work with everything in your wardrobe and don't date.

The outer shell is made from recycled nylon — waterproof, windproof and built to last rather than built to be replaced. The lining is natural sherpa fleece. We made the choice early on to use materials that perform for years rather than materials that look good in a photoshoot and pill after six washes. The COBE is designed to be worn daily for a decade, not replaced every season.

• It folds into its own bag, which means it fits under a buggy seat or in an overnight bag without taking over. Not a packable technical jacket, but much more manageable than it looks.

• Wipe mud off with a damp cloth while it's fresh — that handles most of what a dog walk throws at it. When it needs a proper wash: 30°C gentle cycle, non-bio detergent, no fabric softener. Hang dry or ten minutes on cool tumble to fluff the sherpa back up. Re-proof with a DWR spray every few washes to keep the waterproofing performing.

• We offer a 30-day returns and exchanges policy. If your COBE isn't right — wrong size, wrong colour, changed your mind — send it back within 30 days of delivery in its original condition and we'll sort a refund or exchange. We know buying a coat online without trying it first takes a leap of faith, so we've tried to make the return process as straightforward as possible. Full details and our returns portal are on our returns page.

• We offer free standard delivery across the UK and Ireland. Orders are typically dispatched within 1-2 working days and we dispatch using Royal Mail 48 Hour tracked. If you need it faster, express options are available at checkout. You'll receive a tracking link as soon as your order leaves us.

• One of our most gifted products — especially in the run-up to Christmas. We offer gift boxes and gift card options so you can send it directly to whoever you have in mind. If you're unsure on size, a gift card lets them choose for themselves.

• Every COBE comes with a 12-month warranty against manufacturing faults. Register your guarantee when you receive it to make sure you're covered — there's a link in your order confirmation.

• Same pattern, same technical construction, same fit. The Classic has a natural cream sherpa lining, white zip and the original embroidered badge. The Black Edition has a black sherpa lining, black zip and a black rubber badge on the sleeve. If you want the coat to feel a bit more dressed up and versatile for evenings, the Black Edition. If you want that cosy cream lining every time you open it, the Classic. Both are equally warm and waterproof.

• Yes — we do custom COBEs for teams, clubs and corporate gifting from a minimum order of five. Get in touch at hello@wildandfreeoutdoors.com and we'll talk through what's involved.