It’s really cold out there. How cold is it? It’s so cold, that we sent Kevin Roberts the Outward Hound ThermoVest to review on his dogs so we could stay inside and sip hot chocolate by a roaring fire. (Don’t judge – the cold wind chafes our delicate skin and paws!)
Brrrrrr – it’s really getting cold out there! I’ve spent many years in Winnipeg (up in northern Canada), and the two things that have served me and my pack well are wearing the proper clothing and to keep moving. But I’ve often come across this issue – how does an active dog stay warm and comfortable without scarifying mobility?
Related:Choose A Winter Coat For Your Dog
I have a hard time finding dog coats that keep my dogs warm, while at the same time allow them to move their limbs freely. A puffy jacket might be the ticket for a walk around the block, or a hand-knitted Christmas sweater will do for a dog who stays on the sidewalk. But my dogs run, play and work hard in the cold. Winter is our favorite time of the year and we are outside as much as we can be.
I was eager to try out the Outward Hound ThermoVest ($44.99). This winter vest comes equipped with a thermal fleece and heat-reflective lining to keep the chill out and the warmth in. It’s designed to be slim, compact and only covers the back – the idea being that a dog can still run and move unhindered by bulk and fabric.
Related:Getting Ready To Make The Most Of Winter With Your Dog
The ThermoVest is a thermal heat-reflective dog vest; basically, it helps trap the dog’s body heat. While the vest does not cover the dog’s whole body, this is a great vest for dogs who need extra help staying warm. If you jog with your dog or are out for an afternoon snowshoeing adventure, this vest is the perfect outfit. It comes in five different sizes, and each size is adjustable to the dog wearing it thanks to buckles and ladder locks.
I tested the ThermoVest on River. She is now classified as a senior, and while she is still more active than most dogs half her age, she does feel the cold faster. I appreciated the lack of bulk and that River was able to run and move properly with the vest on. While she was running and play fighting with the other dogs, the adjustable straps kept the vest secure and in place. The vest is also so slim that I was able to couple it with her winter coat in order to add a layer of warmth and boost her outdoor time for truly frigid days.
Another added feature that I appreciate is the pockets on the sides of the vest. While they aren’t large enough to carry much, they offered a surprise bonus – I slipped a couple of Hand Warmers in pockets and added an extra boost of toastiness to the ThermoVest!
The Outward Hound ThermoVest also has a clip on the back of it, so you can attach a leash for jogging with your dog. My dogs are trained to pull in-harness, and the vest warned against using the hook for strong pulling dogs. But for average, non-sledding dogs outside of “Winterpeg,” it’ll be safe for hooking your leash onto the clip.
The Verdict
Would I buy this? Absolutely yes! On a recent snowshoeing trip, River wore the ThermoVest. It stayed on and in place the entire time. I measured the temperature of her body under the coat (using a fancy new infrared digital thermometer I just ordered from Amazon) and I was able to prove that River was much warmer with the coat on. While the temperature outside of the coat was 0 degrees Celsius, inside it was the coat it was a toasty 26°C – proof that the Outward Hound ThermoVest made a huge difference.
River didn’t show any signs of over-heating or of being too warm while she ran and played in the snow. We trekked through deep snow and thick bush, and the coat stayed dry and in position. The coat is so slim and compact that even when we trekked through the thick bush, she was able to move freely! I am extremely happy with this product – I give it 5 paws up!
Note: PetGuide.com was NOT compensated for this review. Our reviewer received an Outward Hound ThermoVest to review. The opinions expressed in this post are the author’s. We provide unbiased feedback of the products and share products we think our readers would enjoy using and learning more about.
