Our dogs are our everyday companions, joining us on frosty morning walks, snowy mountain missions and hot summer hikes. Yet some of these adventures might pose challenges to paws – from snowmelt chemicals to hot surfaces to frozen trails. For those seeking paw protection from the elements, Ruffwear offers three styles of dog boots – the Grip Trex™, Polar Trex™ and Summit Trex™.

COMPARISON VIDEO

Each boot is designed with features geared toward assisting in different environments. Here, we’ve broken down these key features to help make choosing the best boot for your activity a snap.

SUMMIT TREX

• Weather-resistant paw protection
• Everyday use

The Summit Trex offer wet weather protection – moisture and debris stay out with the weather-resistant ripstop boot upper, while the non-marking outsole offers traction and paw protection from abrasive surfaces and snowmelt chemicals. Plus, the hook-and-loop cinch closure system is reliable and secure for keeping boots on your pup.

POLAR TREX

• Winter traction and insulation
• Great for skiing, snowboarding

The Polar Trex is our winter-specific boot, offering traction and insulation. They’re ideal for snow days, including skiing or snowboarding. The pullover stretch gaiter, with its zippered closure, keeps the boots on and weather out, protecting paws from the elements. This boot’s upper features a waterproof, windproof, breathable, soft-shell fabric. For the outsole, we’ve partnered with Vibram® for Icetrek® rubber in a winter-specific lug pattern to provide superb traction on frozen surfaces. The Polar Trex also features low-light visibility with reflective trim.

GRIP TREX

• All-terrain paw wear
• Great for backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, trail running and hot surfaces

To protect paws in extreme environments and varied terrain, consider the Grip Trex. The tightly woven air mesh upper makes the boot breathable even as it keeps dirt and debris out. The Grip Trex also features a Vibram outsole with a rugged lug design, providing flexibility and traction on varied terrain. The hook-and-loop cinch closure system is reliable and secure, and reflective trim offers low-light visibility.

All of Ruffwear’s boots are available in eight sizes and in sets of two or four. To learn more about which size is best for your dog, check out this guide.

 

We're big fans of Ruffwear. One reason is that they have spent years crafting a variety of jackets built to perform no matter what winter throws your way. 

But which style is right for your dog?

SLEEVES, OR NO SLEEVES?

CHOOSING THE RIGHT COVERAGE

Jackets with sleeves provide more coverage and more warmth. This style works well in really cold temps, for short-haired dogs who need a little help staying warm, or for long-haired dogs who get snowballs that form on their underside.

For dogs with a varied shape (i.e. broader shoulders, thicker chest, neck or legs), jackets without sleeves can sometimes be easier to fit. And since they use buckles instead of zippers, they’re easy to put on – great for aging or squirmy dogs.

WHAT’S THE WEATHER?

CHOOSING THE RIGHT WARMTH AND WATERPROOFNESS

Winter has it all - cold temps, dry weather, mixed precipitation, powdery snow, blustery winds. Each Ruffwear coat has key features mindfully matched to take on the varying challenges of exploring in winter weather. 

• Waterproof/water-resistant material: great for rainy weather, wet snow conditions
• High-loft, synthetic insulation: adds warmth in cold temps, dry snow
• Fleece lining: adds warmth and comfort. Fully fleeced jackets (Fernie™, Climate Changer™) work as standalone insulation in dry, cool conditions, or a layering piece in colder conditions.
• Un-lined shells: good for mild temps, windy conditions, or light rain

Inclement weather or certain activities may call for a combination of these features, either in one jacket or as a layering system. Check out the video for a more in-depth look at each jacket and what Ruffwear's designers had in mind when developing them. The chart below compares key features in each style to help point you in the right direction.

COMPARISON CHART

HOW DO THE JACKET FEATURES STACK UP?

Check out our selection of delicious vegan dog treats!

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You know how they say you are what you eat? Well, businesses don't really eat... but we do consume. And we help our clients consume from other businesses. If we are what we consume, then we have to admit that we are just... pretty darn awesome. That's because, as a small business, we pride ourselves on doing business with small companies who are mission-driven, just like us-- companies that believe in sustainability, fairness, equality, quality and, well, dog happiness. We cannot vouch for the practices of every company whose products we use or sell, but there are certainly some businesses we work with that really wow us with the way they operate. Here are some of the brands we sell in our shop that we think are doing particularly awesome things:

 

West Paw

West Paw, is a B Corp that designs and manufacturers all its toys and treats in Bozeman, MT. They guarantee every product they meet -- if your dog doesn't like it, or it doesn't hold up, they will take it back, no questions asked! Their proprietary Zogoflex rubber is eco-friendly; their stuffed toys are filled with stuffing made from recycled bottles. Everything they make is BPA and phthalate-free, non-toxic and FDA compliant. On top of all that: They pay their employees to help clean and maintain the local public dog park.

Found My Animal

Found My Animal, which makes gorgeous leashes, collars, beds and bags in upstate NY, donates part of the proceeds from their sales go to support animal welfare and rescue organizations. They also list adoptable dogs on social media and on their site. Their motto: If you cannot adopt, foster. If you cannot foster, donate. If you cannot donate, volunteer.

 

Planet Dog

Planet Dog, based in Maine, is a founding member of the Pet Sustainability Coalition, an industry organization made up of companies committed to accelerate the process of creating sustainable, Earth-friendly products. Their Orbee-Tuff line, which includes one of our students' favorite toys, the Snoop) are made in the USA, which minimizes emissions from overseas transport.  Two percent of every sale goes to their Planet Dog Foundation, which funds programs that train, place and support working dogs helping people in need.

 

Ruffwear

Ruffwear, which is based in Bend, OR, makes awesome gear and toys (all made from natural, petroleum-free, sustainable rubber), specializing in harnesses and other accoutrements designed to support working dogs and their handlers. Through its Ruff Adventure Dog Adoption Program with Ruffwear covers the cost of adoption fees and travel expenses for newly adopted dogs from the Kanab, Utah sanctuary Best Friends Animal Society, and gives adopted dogs a new Ruffwear collar and leash to go home with.

 

K9 Sports Sack

This Utah-based small business, which specializes in front-facing dog backpacks, donates a portion of its profits to rescues and shelters as part of their "No Dog Left Behind Promise."

If your dog is a training addict, chances are he is eating A LOT of homework. That means you want to make sure that you're selecting treats that your dog is going to enjoy. But there are other factors to take into consideration as well. Here are some treats that tick important boxes. 

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