We already recommend two lightweight robes on this list — waffle and linen — but those don’t offer the absorption or the dexterity that the H by Frette Pique Kimono does.
This robe is similar in sleeve length and texture to a taekwondo dobok. Its densely woven fabric gives a little more coverage than waffle or linen, and the short sleeves don’t impede mobility, even in the kitchen. Of all the robes we’ve tested, this is the one we wore to take on a day’s worth of chores.
Generally, piqué, or Marcella, is cotton woven with fine ribbing. It’s breathable, durable, and easy to care for.
This robe is so tightly woven that we can hardly even find the threads of its seams, let alone see any coming loose after three washes and hours of wearing.
In a size large, the Pique Kimono falls a couple of inches below the knees and the sleeves sit about a third of the way down the forearms, well above the wrists, on someone 6’1″. The square pockets are easy to access and sturdy enough to hold a smartphone, though they’re probably not big enough for most Kindles.
This is a pleasant robe for year-round wearing and a happy medium between plush and waffle or linen fabrics. Thanks to the impressively tight weave and durable nature of piqué, we wouldn’t be surprised if it outlasts many other best bathrobes for men we’ve tested. The only downside might be that some people might not like how close fitting the fabric is.