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While style is definitely important, texture is what I think about most when comparing men’s bathrobes. As The Strategist’s resident menswear writer, I have tested nearly every variation: soft and absorbent, airy with a waffle knit, crisp and quick-drying. But ultimately the best bathrobe for you depends on when and where you’re going to wear it most. If it’s replacing a towel, you’ll want something made of absorbent terrycloth. If you’re looking to approximate a spa or hotel experience, the fluffier the fabric, the better. For warmer climates (or New York apartments with radiators that work overtime), a lightweight waffle robe could be best. So whenever someone asks me to recommend a bathrobe for their dad or boyfriend, I always ask where they live and how they might use it.
Once I have that information, I can suggest the best bathrobes to wear after their daily shower, by a pool, or in a drafty upstate cabin. Part of my job is keeping up with the latest trends, like a new class of oversize blanket-style robes. But I also spend a good amount of time trying the merchandise, looking at the softness and absorbency of the fabric, the quality of the seams, and details like pockets, collars, and cuffs. I look for an inclusive size range and assess how a robe fits a variety of men (my husband included). And I regularly gather recommendations from knowledgeable and stylish guys who are surprisingly passionate about their own robes. Lastly, I try to make sure I’m recommending something for everyone and that includes price and availability.
What we’re looking for
Fabric
Since bathrobes are all about the sensory experience, fabric is the most important variable to consider. I do not use my own bathrobe to dry off after a shower. But if I did, I would look for a thick and absorbent towel-like robe made of classic cotton terrycloth. For something breezier to wear poolside or around the house in summer, linen, waffle cotton, or seersucker will allow for more airflow. The looser a fabric’s knit or weave, the faster it will dry. Terrycloth is made of millions of individual twisted loops that suck up water like a sponge and let air in so that water can evaporate, but it can still take longer to dry. For softness or extra warmth without much need for absorbency, flannel is the way to go because it has a thick, fuzzy texture that insulates well. Since there’s a lot of variety between fabrics of a certain category, I took note of each bathrobe’s GSM (grams per square meter), which measures the overall weight or density of a fabric; the higher the number, the heavier the fabric. To put it into context, a regular cotton T-shirt averages about 150 GSM, and a sweatshirt is more like 350 GSM. Because they are worn close to the skin and need to breathe, I prioritized bathrobes made of 100 percent cotton or other natural fibers.
Design details
I pay attention to details like color options, deep pockets, belt-loop placement, and robe length. Pockets are a nonnegotiable for me since I carry a phone with me everywhere I go and equate comfort with being hands free. Many people are happy with a classic white robe, but in writing this guide I have prioritized men’s bathrobes that come in a range of colors and patterns. And because not everyone is the same height, I looked for robes of varying length, from knee- or calf-length to those that hit closer to the ankles.
Sizing:
In general terms, bathrobes should fit like a coat: tailored to the shoulders and draped generously from that point down. But I noted any cases in which a robe is designed to fit differently. As with any other piece of clothing, the more sizes available, the more people will be able to wear a given bathrobe. Still, many bathrobes come in combo sizes (S/M and L/XL, for example) that reduce the range of sizes quite a bit. With that in mind, I looked for bathrobes that offer the widest size ranges where possible.
Best bathrobe overall
Fabric: 100% Cotton (450 GSM) | Design details: Two front pockets, calf-length, 5 colors | Sizing: XS–3XL
Parachute is a Strategist-favorite brand, and its classic unisex Turkish cotton bathrobe is one of our writers’ and editors’ most beloved products. It is the platonic ideal of bathrobes: plush, absorbent, luxurious in look and feel, and made with durable long-staple Turkish cotton to keep it at its best for years on end. Longer cotton strands mean fewer exposed fiber ends during the spinning process, resulting in stronger overall fabric. I appreciate the robe’s thickness, which at the highest GSM listed (450) still feels substantial without becoming a burden. The robe is Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it’s been tested and cleared of any harmful chemicals or dyes. But ultimately it gets the top spot on this list both because it’s the best version of a classic bathrobe I have found and because it comes in a wide range of unisex sizes and five different colors. It has a shawl collar, an adjustable belt tie, and two large front pockets big enough for a phone or a paperback book.
Best (less-expensive) bathrobe overall
Fabric: 100% Cotton (380 GSM) | Design details: Two side-seam pockets, calf-length, 7 colors | Sizing: XS–XL
Brooklinen’s super-plush bathrobe is a slightly less expensive and slightly less plush — 380 GSM compared to Parachute’s 450 GSM — than the Parachute classic bathrobe. It is also made of Oeko-Tex certified Turkish cotton and comes in six different solid colors and one limited-edition black and white stripe pattern. Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio has owned this bathrobe for a few months and has had the Parachute bathrobe above for several years. She likes that Brooklinen releases seasonal colors pretty frequently, which is great for folks who want something a little brighter than the traditional bathrobe palette of white, gray, and other neutrals. The currently available stripe pattern in particular is a very appealing option that’s reminiscent of the splurgy Tekla robe toward the end of this list. Where the Parachute has front patch pockets this one has pockets that sit along the side seams, which I find less practical and less comfortable to use; a phone lays flat against your thigh in a front pocket, but swings around aimlessly in a side one. The Parachute also edged out the Brooklinen for “best overall” honors because the Parachute is available in more sizes. But if that doesn’t bother you and you are looking for a lighter-weight plush robe or more color choice, the Brooklinen is a great bet.
Best hooded bathrobe
Fabric: 100% organic cotton (420 GSM) | Design details: Two side seam pockets, calf-length, 2 colors | Sizing: S/M and L/XL
Several of the stylish men I talked to, including actor Lorenzo Pozzan, mentioned boxing-style bathrobes with a generous hood and woven accent trim. This unisex hooded bathrobe from Crate & Barrel is made of 100 percent organic Turkish cotton and can be personalized with a custom monogram. Like a Turkish towel it’s absorbent without being thick, and it dries quickly so you can keep wearing it without feeling damp. The addition of a hood and the fact that it’s made with organic cotton make this robe very appealing. The fabric is very similar to the Parachute Turkish cotton but is a bit less dense at 420 GSM compared to 450 GSM. (It’s still a little denser than the Brooklinen Super-Plush robe.) That said, it only comes in white or gray, and there are just two sizes: S/M or L/XL. It also has side seam pockets. All in all, it’s a decent quality option for anyone interested in a boxing-style bathrobe.
Best waffle bathrobe
Fabric: 75% cotton, 25% viscose from bamboo (GSM not listed) | Design details: Two side seam pockets, calf-length, 7 colors | Sizing: XS, S/M, L/XL
The bumpy, gridded texture of a waffle robe makes it feel light and airy. It also gives the fabric next-level absorbency without the added weight of terry cloth. This unisex waffle robe from luxury linens brand Matouk is what I wear most around my apartment. It is plenty cozy but never makes me feel hot. Like a lot of New York apartments, mine runs hot, and the radiators come on with an impressive, gurgling force. It’s also what my husband and I pack year-round (and both wear) when visiting family and walking from the bathroom post shower to our room. The lightweight cotton-and-bamboo blend (also OEKO-TEX certified) means it packs down flat and helps it to dry quickly so it doesn’t feel soggy if we ever wear it back to back. The one we share is white, but another reason I love this robe is that it comes in seven colors. If I were to buy another one, it would be in this tranquil slate blue. We have the S/M size and it fits my five-foot-seven and his five-foot-11 frame well. It has side-seam pockets instead of my usually preferred patch pockets, but they are still spacious enough for whatever I need to carry and give the lightweight robe a better drape.
Best flannel bathrobe
Fabric: 100% Cotton (GSM not listed) | Design details: Two front pockets and one chest pocket, knee-length, 7 colors | Sizing: S–3XL, regular and tall sizes
L.L.Bean’s plaid flannel bathrobe is an iconic New England wardrobe staple. My father wore one throughout all of the 1990s and still wears one now. The flannel fabric is super soft — the brand brushes it to make it fuzzier — and made of 100 percent cotton. The natural fibers make it both warm and breathable, so it won’t trap moisture against your skin the way synthetic fabrics like fleece do, says Nico Lazaro, editorial manager for Buck Mason, who wore the robe growing up. He says it’s perfect for throwing on after a shower in the winter months or as an extra layer over pajamas when it’s super cold. Like the Parachute bathrobe it has two front pockets, as well as a chest pocket for glasses or matches maybe. It is one of the only robes on this list that is specifically designed for men, with larger sizes of the robe also available in a tall length. The tall robe is about two inches longer overall and has sleeves that are about one inch longer than the regular style.
Best summer-weight bathrobe
Fabric: 100% Cotton (GSM not listed) | Design details: Two front pockets and one chest pocket, calf-Length, 2 colors | Sizing: M–3XL
This is the other bathrobe on this list that is specifically designed for men. The unique puckering on seersucker fabric promotes airflow between the fabric and your skin, allowing you to stay cool and dry in hot and humid climates. This 100 percent cotton seersucker robe from the Vermont Country Store (as classic a New England retailer as L.L.Bean) has two large pockets, a chest pocket, and a classic adjustable belt tie. Because it’s lightweight, it’s a great robe for warmer weather. Lazaro says he’s a fan of the classic baby-blue stripes that give this robe a pool- or beach-appropriate vibe. And he uses the chest pocket to store his sunglasses while lounging around.
Most splurge-worthy robe
Fabric: 100% Cotton (GSM not listed) | Design details: Two front pockets, calf-length, 19 colors | Sizing: XS–XL
Tekla’s unisex bathrobe was enthusiastically recommended by three of the stylish people I spoke to. While not exactly plush, the 385-GSM terrycloth fabric provides plenty of absorbency combined with a supersoft and dense feel. The fit is oversize in keeping with the same boxing-robe style of the hooded Crate & Barrel bathrobe above. Nikolaj Hansson, creator of tennis menswear brand Palmes, has owned the Tekla robe for three years and describes it as a seamless combination of form and function. It makes loungewear look not-dressed up, exactly, but cool, like something you would be eager to show off to important houseguests. And it’s something I can imagine wearing in the winter as well as over a swimsuit in the summer. It is one of the most expensive robes on this list, but seeing as one of the men I spoke to has been wearing it for five years, it’s also a good investment. On the details front, it has a generous hood, two front pockets, and comes in a whopping 19 different colors and patterns.
Best blanket bathrobe
Fabric: Exterior and lining 100% Cotton, Fill 90% recycled polyester quilting and 10% bonding (GSM not listed) | Design details: Two front pockets, ankle-length, 10 colors | Sizing: One size
The Homecoat unisex robe resembles a quilted duvet, and when former Strategist senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson tested it, she described it as a weighted blanket that you can wear. Unlike most adult weighted blankets, it weighs just five pounds instead of the typical ten or more, meaning you can still easily walk around in it. But Adelson says the hugging, soothing sensation is similar. It’s also about an inch thick, so it’s very warm but can also be a bit cumbersome. It is not the robe you wear to be stylish, or to move around quickly. Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa is another fan of the Homecoat and says he loves his so much he puts it on anytime the temperature drops below 50 degrees. He agrees that the weighted-blanket aspect of the Homecoat is comforting, but his favorite part is how smooth the cotton-jersey lining feels against his skin.
Best (less expensive) blanket bathrobe
Fabric: 100% cotton shell with 100% polyester fill (GSM not listed) | Design details: Two front pockets, button closure, knee-length, 3 colors | Sizing: S, M, L
Casper’s unisex blanket robe is snuggly and warm, much like the Offhours Homecoat above, but without the weighted feel. It also costs much less and comes recommended by former Strategist writer Latifah Miles as a warm, wearable blanket that looks stylish enough to wear out in public. Because it’s not as big as the Homecoat, the Casper robe actually drapes on the body. That and the single-button closure, wide armholes, long shawl collar, and sculptural shape make it look a bit more like a hybrid of a puffer coat and a bathrobe. It’s not absorbent, but the outer shell is made of 100 percent cotton so it’s soft on the skin without feeling cloying.
Our Experts
• Karen Iorio Adelson, former Strategist senior writer
• Eva Alt, consultant
• Daniel Brøndt, co-creator of menswear brand Another Aspect
• Nikolaj Hansson, creator of tennis menswear brand Palmes
• Nico Lazaro, editorial manager for Buck Mason
• Latifah Miles, Strategist writer
• Heather Pearson, co-founder of Dande and the Lion
• Lorenzo Pozzan, actor
• Jeremy Rellosa, Strategist writer
• Kapil Sehgal, brand consultant
• David Telfer, creative director of Sunspel
• Jen Trolio, Strategist senior editor
• Alyse Whitney, Strategist contributor
Additional reporting by Jordan Bowman
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