Outdoors

8 great pieces of outdoor adventure wear for dogs

By Jessica Faulds Published: July 31, 2018 Updated: June 17, 2022

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Everyone knows the dreaded moment when your pup comes in from the rain and assumes the "shake" position. This anorak will help protect your cottage against the indoor storm a wet dog can create. It may be more stylish than your own rainwear, but who deserves better than your pup? Bonus: this windbreaker will also keep your dog extra warm and cozy on boat rides. [Photo credit: Goodboy]

A cute raincoat for drizzly days

This high-visibility track jacket from Ruffwear helps you keep track of your roving pet even in low light. It's an extremely aerodynamic piece of apparel for pups who love to run, and it has extra reflective streaks on the side so you'll never lose track of your best friend. [Photo credit: Instagram/@kodiak.moment]

This bright track-jacket for evening runs

If you're a hardcore outdoorsperson, you probably have a lot of gear for tough terrain and weather conditions. Why not offer the same to your dog? Hurtta is a dog apparel company out of Finland offering outdoor clothing for dogs that can withstand even the harsh Finnish winters. This combat suit is heavy-duty, yet light and flexible, allowing dogs their full range of motion but also offering heavy protection from rain, snow, mud, and dirt. It's made from breathable fabric so your dog can stay fresh as it runs, jumps, and climbs over any terrain.

A "combat suit" for intense outdoor adventures

Every cottage has one: that person who puts on a denim vest in May and doesn't take it off all summer. Well, this year, that person doesn't have to be a person. This vest lets your pupperino live the life of a denim-clad lumberjack all year. Denim is actually heavily protective, so if you'll be trail running or going through brambles, a vest like this one can actually save your dog the discomfort of getting a coat full of burrs. [Photo credit: Goodboy]

A denim vest for lumberjack-level protection

Most dogs are pretty good swimmers, but when you're going to be far from shore, you want to ensure your pooch has as much safety gear as you do, just in case. For long days out on the water, Ruffwear has this comfy Float Coat, a lifejacket specifically designed for dogs. There are plenty of small extra features that make it clear that the people at Ruffwear are dog owners themselves: the coat fits all sorts of breeds, has reflective trim so you won't lose track of your pup, and even has a handle that allows you to lift your dog easily out of the water. [Photo credit: Instagram/@turquoise.sparrow]

A lifejacket for days on the water

Most clothes are worn for warmth, but the Swamp Cooler is specifically designed to help keep dogs from overheating on sunny days. It does this in two ways: by reflecting sunlight and facilitating evaporation, which pulls moisture away from the body. The vest can be soaked in water before use for extra relief. This is one article of clothing your dog will definitely appreciate. [Photo credit: Ruffwear]

A cooling vest for hot days

Every summer there are those days when the ground sucks up all the sun's heat, turning into a frying pan. Going barefoot on the sidewalk burns, and walking through sand is agony. We humans are usually pretty protected thanks to our shoes, but what about our dogs? Thankfully, there's footwear to protect them too. Ultrapaws' Ultra Cool Boots are breathable dog boots that protect their tender paw pads from the ground on those days when the sidewalk feels like a frying pan. This is one piece of dog clothing that's purely practical — though a dog in boots is pretty irresistibly cute. [Photo credit: Ultrapaws]

Boots for "you could fry an egg on the sidewalk" days

Most dogs are as energetic, healthy, and capable as we are, if not more. So why don't they carry their own stuff? With the Baxter Dog Backpackfrom Kurgo, dogs can comfortably carry their own treats, travel bowls, vests, whatever. That's puppy empowerment right there. [Photo credit: Instagram/@jagermurphster]

A backpack so your dog can tote his own gear

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8 great pieces of outdoor adventure wear for dogs

In most cases, dog clothing is mostly just for us people. While humans love to see a labrador retriever in a tartan kerchief or a bulldog in a jaunty shirt, all dogs really care about is where their next treat is coming from and whether anyone’s planning to bring them for a W-A-L-K.

But guess what? There really are times when wearing clothes can benefit your pup — and not just because it’s super cute. Dog apparel can be extremely helpful in protecting our fluffy friends from the elements and, if they run off, signalling to others that this pooch comes from a loving home.

Just like people, dogs might require clothes that are hardier and a little more outdoorsy for the cottage. Every person has their own perfect cottage outfit. For some, it’s comfy pants and a mustard-stained t-shirt, and for others it’s hardcore hiking wear. For your dog, the perfect outfit is probably one that allows them to run around and play, while also shielding them from unpleasant natural elements. It’s the best of both worlds for humans and our fluffy friends. Now who wants to go for a walk?