Bathrobe on the campsite: the comfortable way to the shower
A bathrobe for camping sounds like a luxury at first. Anyone who has ever walked across the wet grass to the shower block in their pyjamas at seven in the morning, or come back to the tent dripping from the lake in the evening, sees it differently. On a campsite the bathroom isn't next door, but a few minutes away. A bathrobe makes exactly these walks more pleasant. However, not every robe fits into a tent or motorhome. Here you will find out what it is worth it for, which material works and how to get it dry on the road.
Contents11
- What a bathrobe is useful for on a campsite
- What a bathrobe for camping should be able to do
- Material: what works for camping
- Getting your bathrobe dry when camping
- In the shower block: where to put the robe?
- Washing your bathrobe on the campsite
- Tent, van or motorhome: how much robe fits?
- Alternative and addition: the bathing poncho
- Packing list for the walk to the shower
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
What a bathrobe is useful for on a campsite
The walk to the shower block
This is the main reason. Slipped on quickly in the morning, without having to get fully dressed first. Back to your pitch after showering in the evening, without your freshly washed hair cooling down in the wind. A robe with pockets also has room for keys, shower token or phone.
After swimming
Many campsites are on a lake or by the sea, or have a pool. Walking back to your pitch in wet swimwear is unpleasant on cooler days. A light robe absorbs the remaining moisture and keeps you warm until you have changed.
Cool mornings and evenings
The first coffee in front of the awning while there is still dew on the grass, or a late evening at the table: a bathrobe over your clothes is a comfortable extra layer.
What a bathrobe for camping should be able to do
- Low weight and pack size: In a tent, van or motorhome every centimetre of storage space counts.
- Quick drying: A dryer isn't always available on site, and almost nothing dries in a tent.
- Pockets: for keys, shower token, phone or hair tie.
- Hood: handy in the wind and with wet hair on the way back.
- Not too long: A floor-length hem drags through wet grass and mud. Knee-length is the better choice on a campsite.
- Colour: Patterned or mid-tone colours forgive grass stains and dust better than pure white.
Material: what works for camping
| Material | Weight | Drying outdoors | Suitability for camping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light, flat-woven cotton | low (Trimita Barok approx. 500 g) | fast | very good |
| Three-layer muslin | low | fast | very good, with hood |
| Dense, heavy cotton | high (DOTWAVE approx. 1.6–1.7 kg) | slow | only makes sense in a large motorhome |
| Polyester, fleece, sheepskin look | medium | fast, but absorbs little water | only as a warm layer in the evening, not after showering |
For most campers, a light cotton robe is the best choice. The Trimita Barok bathrobe is made of 100 % Turkish cotton in a light quality instead of terry, weighs about 500 g according to the product information, dries quickly and has a tie belt and pockets. If you want a hood, go for the Trimita women's bathrobe with hood made of three-layer muslin: airy, quick-drying and with an intentional crinkle texture, so it still looks neat after being rolled up in a storage locker.
Getting your bathrobe dry when camping
The biggest problem on a campsite isn't getting wet, but getting dry. Here's how it works:
- Out of the tent: Moisture builds up in the tent or awning, and a robe will hardly dry there. Hang it on a washing line between a tree and the awning pole during the day, or over the back of a camping chair.
- Ventilate the motorhome: A wet robe in the vehicle increases humidity and encourages misted windows. Better to hang it outside under the awning and open the window a crack.
- Don't pack it away damp: Stuffed into the storage bag still damp in the morning, it will smell musty by the evening. Better to leave it hanging for another hour.
- Shade rather than blazing sun: Light cotton dries quickly even in partial shade, and the colours stay nice for longer.
Detailed tips on line, dryer and heavy robes can be found in the article Drying a bathrobe.
In the shower block: where to put the robe?
Many shower cubicles have only one hook, and the floor is wet. So hang your bathrobe on the hook furthest from the shower spray, or leave it in the anteroom if the cubicle is very small. Never put it on the bench or the floor – it will soak up splash water straight away. A shower bag with a hook is handy: toiletry bag and change of clothes hang at the top, the robe goes over them last. After showering, slip it on over a dry shirt or directly onto your dried skin and walk back to your pitch warm.
Washing your bathrobe on the campsite
On longer stays the robe will end up in the campsite washing machine at some point. Check the care label: wash the Trimita Barok at max. 30 °C and air-dry it, not in the tumble dryer. According to the care instructions, the Trimita muslin robes may be tumble dried at a low temperature, which is handy in rainy weather. A light robe fits well into one load together with towels.
Tent, van or motorhome: how much robe fits?
- Tent: Every gram counts here. A light robe can be rolled up tightly and stuffed into a stuff sack as pillow filling.
- Campervan: Storage space is tight and moisture is an issue. Light and quick-drying is a must.
- Motorhome or caravan: More space, maybe even a hook in the bathroom. If you camp in autumn or winter, you can also take a warmer robe here.
Alternative and addition: the bathing poncho
If you want to change right at the lake or on the beach, a bathing poncho is the better choice. According to the manufacturer, the Travel Poncho PAMPATAR weighs approx. 700 g, can be rolled into its own hood and is expressly designed for camping and van life. Many campers take both: the poncho for the water, the light robe for the walk to the shower. You can read the detailed comparison in the article Bathrobe or bathing poncho.
Packing list for the walk to the shower
- Light bathrobe with pockets
- Flip-flops for the walk and the shower cubicle
- A hanging toiletry bag, so nothing stands on the wet floor
- A towel for drying off, such as the Ocean hammam towel (180 × 100 cm), which dries faster than terry
- A small towel for face and hands, for example the Mini hammam towel Diamant (approx. 90 × 45 cm)
- Shower gel, such as the VEGAN FOX shower gel (200 ml)
- Coins or a shower token if the site charges for hot water
How else you can use hammam towels in a tent and van is covered in the article Hammam towel for camping and van life.
Related reading: Hammam towel for camping and van life: space, drying, multiple uses · Drying a Bathrobe: Line or Dryer, the Hood and Heavy Robes · Water bottle for camping: water supply, hot and cold, cleaning without a dishwasher
Conclusion
A bathrobe on a campsite makes the walks to the shower block, the way back from the lake and cool mornings much more pleasant. The material is what matters: light, quick-drying, with pockets and ideally a hood. Heavy terry or cosy robes only fit into a large motorhome at best. Hung up outside instead of in the tent, a light robe is quickly ready to use again. You will find all models in the bathrobes collection.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bathrobe worth it for camping?
Yes, especially for the walk to the shower block and back from the lake. A light robe takes up hardly any space and saves you getting fully dressed in the morning.
How do I get my bathrobe dry in a tent?
Hardly at all inside the tent. Hang it outside during the day, on a line, under the awning or over a chair. Light cotton dries much faster there than terry.
Which bathrobe is suitable for a motorhome?
A light, quick-drying cotton robe. Heavy models increase the humidity in the vehicle if they dry inside.
Bathrobe or bathing poncho for camping?
The bathrobe is more comfortable for the walk to the shower, the poncho for changing at the lake. If you have room, take both in a light version.
How long should a bathrobe for the campsite be?
Knee-length is ideal. Longer robes drag through wet grass and get dirty more quickly.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam. As a family, we have run the Meri Sauna at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.
