The Best Dog Jackets

The average outdoor sports enthusiast is hard-pressed to find a better companion for hiking, skiing, swimming and other sports than a dog. Many dogs love the outdoors and the chance to spend time exercising with you. Like you, though, dogs can get wet and cold when exposed to the elements, so consider a dog jacket to keep your dog safe.

  1. Fleece Jacket: Ruff Wear Climate Changer

    • A leading name in canine accessories for the outdoors, Ruff Wear offers a line of leashes, backpacks, booties and clothing for dogs. The Climate Changer Fleece Dog Jacket adds an extra layer to protect your dog from the cold. It's made from Polartech recycled fleece. The jacket includes reflective tape around the edges to make your dog more visible in the evening. Daily Hiker reviewed the jacket and found the materials and construction to be of high quality.

    Life Jacket: D-fa D-FD

    • The DF-D (Doggie Flotation Device) from New Zealand brand D-fa is a life jacket for your dog. While most dogs take to water like fishes, it is possible that dogs can become fatigued or overwhelmed when swimming, and the DF-D provides protection in this case.

      Amy Jurries, the outdoor and gear enthusiast behind The Gearcaster, tested the DF-D on her Labrador retriever Lola and said of the jacket: "I can't get over how well designed, well cut and well made is every item of D-fa dog gear, down to the last detail. Traditionally built Lola weighs around 68 pounds and a size large fits her absolutely perfectly. The D-FD will be a staple for Lola this summer up at the lake in Wisconsin and Tahoe."

    Cold Weather Jacket: Ruff Wear Cloud Chaser

    • In a piece detailing cold-weather tips for dogs, Gear Junkie featured the Ruff Wear Cloud Chaser as an option for keeping short-haired dogs warm and protected. A little more weatherproof than the Climate Changer, the Cloud Chaser features a windproof upper, waterproof treatment to shed snow and rain, and fleece lining for added warmth. A single zipper makes putting it on and taking it off your dog easy.

    Rain Coat: Boneheads Waterproof Raincoat

    • Listed as a top-rated product by Petco, the Boneheads raincoat protects not only your dog's body, but also his head (assuming he'll actually keep the hood on). The nylon waterproof coat is lined with cotton to keep your dog comfortable, and the Velcro straps make it easy to put on and adjust. Eighty reviewers on Petco gave the coat an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 paws.