Nothing hurts more than seeing our pets suffer. Whether it’s for protection from snow and ice or rough terrain and hot pavement, a good pair of dog boots could keep your pup’s paws in top shape! We tested five popular dog boots to find out which fit and work best.
Whether at home or on vacation, dog boots can make your dog more comfortable on walks and hikes. Maybe the rocky trails take their toll or the gravel roads are too rough for sensitive paws. Unforgiving plants like cacti, goat’s heads, and sand smudges can quickly ruin your day. Seasonal allergies can mean a walk in the grass leads to itchy days. And the weather presents its own challenges with snow and hot pavement or sand!
As dog lovers, we all grieve when we see that tender paw lift, knowing our puppies are in pain. Whether related to terrain, weather, allergies, or protecting local flora, dog boots can make your adventures together more enjoyable.
To help you decide which dog boots are best for your pooch, Hercules and Cool Whip helped test five different options. We hope our research helps you find the paw protection!
Visit our Amazon store to learn more about the products we rely on to make traveling with pets easier, safer and more fun!
Get the right fit
The most important part of buying dog boots is determining the correct size. If they are too big they will fall off and if they are too small they will be uncomfortable.
Once you have decided on the style of dog boots that will best suit your adventures, you will need to measure your dog’s legs and select the correct size according to the manufacturer’s guide.
How to Measure Your Dog’s Legs for Dog Boots
There are four steps to follow when measuring your dog’s paws:
- Lay a piece of paper on the floor and place one of your dog’s front paws on the paper.
- Raise the opposite front leg so that more of your dog’s weight is on the standing foot and it fully expands.
- Trace the outline of your dog’s paw, then remove the paper and measure the widest part of the outline.
- Follow the same steps with a hind leg, as sometimes the front and back legs are different sizes.
Sizing Challenges
If you find that your dog’s front legs and hind legs are different sizes, look for dog boot manufacturers that sell boots in pairs or individually. This allows you to get well-fitting boots, without buying more boots than necessary.
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Finding the Best Dog Boots
Finding the right dog boots means your pup will feel comfortable in them and enjoy wearing them! We’ve tested five popular dog boot brands to help you choose the best one for your pooch.
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Alcott Adventure Boots
The “thrill sniffer” slogan molded into the tread of these boots is a perfect description. Alcott’s dog adventure boots stayed on Hercules as he followed his nose browsing anything and everything in his path!
The front gusset built into the boot makes them easy to slip over the lugs and adjust placement. And the tread is soft yet firm so your dog won’t feel sharp rocks or rough surfaces along the way.
Plus, there’s reflective material on the straps so you can keep an eye on your pup in the dark!
Favorite feature: The double straps combined with the flexible material on the top made these boots the easiest to secure. Every dog is different and Herc has quite skinny legs considering the width of his front legs. With this boot, I was still able to cinch the tops in enough to keep them in place.
Room for improvement: Alcott’s boots only come in four sizes and you need to buy them in a set of four, so you’ll need to buy two sets if your dog needs different sizes for his front and back legs.
Hurtta Outback Dog Boots
Flexibility goes a long way for comfort and fit, and the Hurtta Outback Dog Boots nailed it! The entire boot flexes with your dog’s paws and withstands whatever rough terrain you’re going through.
The inside tag makes it easy to know which boot goes on which lug and also provides a place to write down your phone number in case a boot gets lost.
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Favorite feature: The way these boots open in the front makes them the easiest to put on, which was very useful with Herc’s big meaty paws! They come in five sizes, and you can buy them in sets of two, so you’ll get a good fit for both front and back legs.
Room for improvement: The single strap can be tricky to wrap around in a way that keeps the boot secure while leaving enough exposed hook-and-loop material to stick to.
Kurgo Step-N-Strobe Dog Gaiters
If you love nighttime excursions, Kurgo’s Step-N-Strobe Dog Boots should be your first choice. Red and green LED lights on both sides of the sole flash with every step. Plus, there’s plenty of reflective material to keep your dog visible.
They were great for our rides in the dark and held up well on the trail as well. The tops tighten with a velcro strap and an adjustable bungee cord, keeping the boots in place.
Favorite feature: These were the tallest boots of the bunch, and this feature made all the difference in securing them to Cool Whip’s lugs with plenty of height to get up and over those pesky lugs! They are available in six sizes and can be ordered individually or in sets of four.
Room for improvement: Herc has thick legs and these boots did not fit him, even though they were the correct width according to the size chart.
Pawz Waterproof Dog Boots
Sometimes simplicity is better. And in that case, Pawz dog boots have you covered. The rubber material of these boots is waterproof and durable, so you can trust it to cover an injured pad, cross a hot sidewalk, or protect sensitive paws on a walk.
They’re also inexpensive and easy to pack, so you can put them in a bag when heading to the beach or the park. Cool Whip normally does “high walks” with other dog boots for the first minute or two, no matter how often she wears them – but she barely seemed to notice them once they were on . They are like an extra layer of protective skin.
Right out of the box, the Pawz boots can be snug around your dog’s legs. Stretch the tops (like you would a balloon before blowing it up) to make sure they are comfortable for your pup.
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Favorite feature: They are inexpensive and easy to take anywhere. And each pack comes with 12 boots, so you can leave an extra set in the car, your dog’s travel bag, and your pet’s first aid kit. These lightweight dog boots are ideal for puppies with grass allergies, and they come in seven sizes!
Room for improvement: Pawz dog boots are not strong enough for rough or rocky terrain. And you must keep your dog’s nails short, otherwise they will puncture the rubber.
Ruffwear Grip TREX
A serious adventure in perspective? The Ruffwear Grip TREX Dog Boots can handle it! They are strong and grippy for any surface your dog has to walk through.
Some of the rocks Herc chooses to climb are slick and get a bit slippery. But he never missed a beat in those boots! It looks like a small mountain goat, but with tiny bumps instead of horns.
Boot tops are low cut which can be a plus or minus depending on where they land with your dog’s dewclaws, but Ruffwear also sells dog boot liners to add padding or insulation in cold weather .
Favorite feature: Ruffwear treads deserve the praise here, they are the best of the bunch. These boots also have the best variety, available in three colors and eight sizes. Plus, you can buy them in sets of two or four.
Room for improvement: The top is a bit bulky for the single strap to form a 100% secure fit.
No matter what type of paw protection your dog needs, there’s a dog boot to get the job done! Leave us a comment if your dog has tried one of these boots or if there is a different style you would recommend.
Good adventure !
Visit our Amazon store to learn more about the products we rely on to make traveling with pets easier, safer and more fun!
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