Warm, soft and comfy: the surf poncho by Follow
12.9.2025
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Pictures: Siri Schubert
On campsites, they’re pretty much a standard item of clothing: surf ponchos, i.e. bath towels to cover up with. My new favourite is the Towelie by water sports brand Follow.
As a water sports enthusiast, I’ve been using surf ponchos for years. They’re mobile changing rooms, towels and something you can wrap around yourself when you’re feeling chilly. Lately I’ve been seeing these giant wearable towels not only on beaches and riverbanks, but also increasingly on campsites and at swimming pools. Like bathrobes, they’re handy to throw on when you’re heading to the shower, only they look cooler.
Surf ponchos are also great when you’re travelling. However, most models I’ve owned have one disadvantage: they’re made of cotton, which make them quite heavy. Not ideal if your luggage space is limited. They also took a long time to dry.
This made me go on a search for alternatives. Watersports brand Follow provided me with their microfibre Towelie for testing purposes.
The practical bag is a plus
The poncho comes in a water-repellent, transparent bag. This means it stays small and will fit easily into a rucksack or suitcase.
It also has the advantage that you can pop your wet poncho, bikini or trunks in it after use without getting the dry clothes in your rucksack wet.
Lightweight and comfortable
The poncho doesn’t weigh much and is soft and cuddly thanks to the plush microfibre it’s made of. In fact, I was even wearing it to lounge about on my sofa over the weekend because it’s so comfy. Its fast-drying properties are a plus if you’re using it by the sea where humidity is high.
This combines all the features that are most important to me in a surf poncho for travel. It’s lightweight and compact, reliably absorbs moisture so that drying off is fast, and the poncho itself dries really quickly, too. The fact that it’s cuddly to boot is the cherry on the cake.
Lacking side openings
The only thing I wish this poncho had is cutout sides. This would make it even easier and more discreet to change out of your bikini or swimming trunks into dry underwear in public places. Sure, you can manage fine without, but cutouts would just make it a tad better.
The poncho is machine-washable at 40 degrees. Wash the red model with similar colours at first, as the colour bleeds a little.
In a nutshell
This surf poncho is ideal for travelling or trips to the lake
Towelie from Follow is available in red, grey and brown with stripes. There’s also a children’s version. We currently have the grey, striped and kids version in our range.
The poncho is lightweight, quick-drying and pleasantly soft – all of which are great features for travelling. It provides privacy when changing, keeps you warm after swimming or doing water sports and reliably absorbs moisture when drying off. Thanks to its plastic bag, the surf poncho is also easy to transport when it’s wet.
It’s made of plush microfibre and is machine washable at 40 degrees. However, the red poncho will bleed colour a little at first, make sure to wash it with similar colours.
What would make the poncho even better for changing in public places are side openings to discreetly slip into a bikini or swimming shorts. But if you’re using it on a campsite or at home as a dressing gown alternative, you won’t miss this.
Pro
- Lightweight
- Fast-drying
- Made of cuddly plush microfibre
- Includes plastic transport bag
- 3-in-1 bathrobe, bath towel and mobile changing room
Contra
- Openings on the side would’ve been handy
- The red bleeds the first time you wash it
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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