Cool gear for hot weather
Heat waves and sweltering summer days are upon us! We believe a happy dog is a dog outside, and no one wants to forego an adventure because it’s too hot. Check out some of our top gear for hot weather!
The Swamp Cooler™, Jet Stream™, and Core Cooler™ use evaporative cooling to keep dogs cool even as the mercury climbs.
HOW IT WORKS
How does evaporative cooling work? When you step out of a lake, you may notice a cool feeling when your skin first hits the air. This is evaporative cooling! Ruffwear cooling gear creates the same effect by combining a wicking outer layer that facilitates evaporation, a middle layer that holds water for evaporation, and a comfortable inner layer that transfers the cooling effect to your dog.
See it in action: With the help of Ruffwear dog Ellie and FLIR thermal imaging technology, we put our cooling gear to the test.
Ellie doesn’t slow down for much, and with Ruffwear cooling gear, she doesn’t need to.
Before: Ellie’s external temperature before adding the Swamp Cooler Vest was 106° F / 41 C.
After: Ellie’s external temperature after adding the Swamp Cooler vest was 74.3° F / 23.5 C.
So, what’s the difference between the Swamp Cooler, Jet Stream, and Core Cooler? All three products use the same evaporative cooling technology, but they’re designed for different activities.
SWAMP COOLER™
The Swamp Cooler works great for hiking, walking, camping, and more casual activities. It has a leash portal, so it can be worn over top of the Front Range Harness or Web Master Harness.
JET STREAM™
The Jet Stream is designed for fast and light endeavours like trail running or mountain biking. It has a performance fit with a side-zip closure, and it fits well underneath a harness or pack. The light and sleek Jet Stream uses shade-providing spandex over the back, while a three-layer evaporative cooling chest panel disperses heat from the dog’s core.
Both the Swamp Cooler and the Jet Stream have a UPF rating of 50+, meaning that they’ll protect light coloured, short-haired dogs from getting sunburned.
CORE COOLER™
The Core Cooler is an add-on that cools dogs, adds additional support when lifting and assisting, and further stabilises packs and harnesses. This three-layer chest panel uses evaporative cooling to efficiently pull heat from the dog’s core during warm temperatures and high intensity activities. The Core Cooler is compatible with these harnesses and packs:
PROTECTING PAWS
Hot weather means hot pavement, which can be harmful to paws. We recommend using the Grip Trex™ boots to protect paws while walking on hot surfaces. The Grip Trex are built with a Vibram rubber outsole that provides great traction on any terrain and a breathable mesh upper that provides ventilation and keeps dirt and debris out. The Grip Trex are a great boot option for summer!
SEEKING REFRESHMENT
As temperatures peak, sometimes the best option is to head for water. The Ruffwear Float Coat™ is a fully-featured canine life jacket with strategically-placed closed cell foam panels to support a dog’s natural swimming position. The strong handle is optimally positioned for assisting dogs in and out of the water, whether onto a boat, kayak, SUP, or dock. To top off the fun, check out our floating toys — the Lunker™ and the Hydro Plane™.
