Explore All Winter Long–Outfitting Your Dog for Hiking in the Winter
A closer look at a few of our favorite jackets–the Hurtta Extreme Warmer vs. the Hurtta Expedition Parka
Disclaimer: The opinions in this blog article are solely my own, validated through our own personal experience and testing. We were gifted an Expedition Parka from Hurtta America last fall; and any additional jackets mentioned in this article were purchased.
A closer look at the front of the Expedition Parka (left) and the Extreme Warmer (right)
It’s getting to be that time of year! So far here in Michigan, the temps have been staying fairly warm–mostly 20s–30s–and actually, this is my crew’s FAVORITE weather to be outside in (minus the fact that they can’t swim and we haven’t had an abundance of snow yet!!)
But on occasion, when the temps drop to 10°F and under–combined with wind–and sometimes ice or snow–on particular days it's not too fun to be outside for too long without the proper protection, for me, AND for the dogs. While I can barely coax them inside now (the cement makes a GOOD cooling bed, don’t ya know?!) in those conditions, they don’t even want to head outside to potty sometimes let alone enjoy getting out for a walk or a hike. If you have dogs, you know that can make for some pretty pent-up energy, so here are a few of our favorite items that we’ve tried and tested that help make our time in the cold more enjoyable!
Before we get TOO far–I know what you’re thinking–does my dog ACTUALLY need a winter jacket or any added protection? And in my case, isn’t putting a jacket on your double-coated dogs complete TORTURE? Well, that depends on a few things–the most important in particular being your own individual dog. Some dogs with dense double coats actually PREFER hiking in the winter and snow without a jacket. Breeds like Bernese Mountain Dogs and Siberian Huskies were literally bred to survive and thrive in cold, snowy conditions. And in perfect conditions, most dogs will be just fine enjoying a hike in colder temps without using added protection–especially if the sun is shining.
But, just like humans–different conditions call for different protection, and our goal here is usually to get outside no matter the weather, because sometimes, we don’t have the luxury of waiting around for the sun to shine. Depending on your dog and its breed/coat type, here are a few additional things to consider and why we personally like to use a jacket on our dogs on colder days during the winter.
Is your dog USED to frigid cold and wind?
I am going to make an assumption here, but if you're reading this blog, your dog is probably your hiking buddy/do everything together companion. That means they more than likely live inside and are used to consistent temperatures inside your house, regardless of the weather they may experience where you live. Depending on their coat type, (take my Goldens, for instance)–they DO have enough natural protection to head outside for a quick walk or potty break. But if you are heading out for a hike and plan to spend a few hours outside in the cold, a lot of times they just aren’t USED to that exposure for longer periods of time, and they can get cold depending on the amount of time you spend outside. It’s important to know your dog and what they can handle!
A lot of times, if it's a nice sunny day with snow on the ground, the heat reflection off of the snow is enough to keep them nice and toasty and we don’t need any added protection, other than paw wax to keep the snow from building up in their paw pads.
But in soggy snow that can make your dogs natural coat wet, added wind chill, and the absence of sun (which has been making our outdoor FEEL temperature hit the negatives for consecutive weeks the past few years in Michigan) you can have a recipe for disaster fairly quickly if you head out for too long. A jacket can protect from not only from the wind, but also from a wet coat in key body areas like the chest and torso which helps to keep your dog’s body temperature regulated for a longer period of time.
Of course, if your dog is exposed to this type of weather regularly, their tolerance is probably much higher and a coat is not necessary at all!
Is your dog older or do they have any health issues that may make them more sensitive to the cold?
Barley, our eldest Golden, recently turned eight this year, and although he still gives it his best every single day he’s out hiking with us, sometimes his arthritis can get the best of him. I noticed a few years back that he wasn’t able to go as long in the cold as he did when he was a young pup; he would stop frequently for breaks, was much stiffer, and he had a terrible time with his paws. He would end up holding them up the air or running on three feet by the end of the hike, which is a HUGE indicator the cold was starting to affect him much more than it used to.
As dogs age, their bodies go through a multitude of changes–including changes to their coats and wear and tear on their muscles and bones. It’s important for us to keep him as active as we can for as long as possible, and sometimes adding an extra layer that helps his body regulate his normal temperature is a big part of that. In the cold, keeping the bulk of his body warm and dry is the most important. It keeps his blood flowing throughout the rest of his body; most importantly his legs and paws where his arthritis is. Warmth increases the pliability of the muscles and connective tissue, which increases joint flexibility and decreases joint stiffness.
I have also noticed that keeping a layer on all three of my dogs can help to keep the awful “snowball” buildup away from forming on their paws. Making sure that your dogs body temperature stays regulated helps to keep their bodies warm enough that the temperature of their feet stays warm, making it harder for ice and snow to build up on their fur. We keep their paws trimmed short in the winter and also do use a paw wax, but depending on the snow type and air temperature, sometimes that alone isn’t enough to keep the ice off of their paws. It’s not foolproof by any means; and you should still have paw protection available. Sometimes we still need boots. However, it’s comparable to keeping yourself warm on a hike–if I have on enough layers and stay warm due to activity, a lot of times I prefer to hike without gloves because my hands stay warm anyway because my core areas are regulated and pushing heat out throughout the rest of my body.
Will the weather be changing when you’re out on your hike?
This one probably seems like a no-brainer–but if there’s a chance the weather will be changing while you’re out on a hike, it’s always best to be prepared for any situation. I’d personally rather have too much protection vs. not having enough (doomsday me likes to prep for the unknown). Hiking in the winter can mean getting stuck in a white-out or sudden freezing rain–so while there are a multitude of OTHER items you should have with you to ensure you can stay safe in cold weather, for the sake of this particular blog article, would your dog be able to stay warm and dry if you were stuck outside or in your car for hours at a time if something went wrong?
Owning Goldens, I also have learned to prep for them getting wet and dirty while we’re out on any hike. Yes, they will dip their feet in the water if there’s ice–and yes, if they want to, I let them. They also do a lot of rolling and sliding and if the snow is wet, it can make for a pretty saturated dog by the end of any hike. It’s important, however, to be conscious of what a wet dog and a low air temperature can do, and for my dogs–they get cold. All three of my dogs have a different coat type–but all three appreciate the extra protection when their coats are saturated and the air temperatures are freezing in our area. Moe will visibly shake, making it easy to tell that he needs a little help or he’s ready to go home without a jacket. For the other two, the signs are harder to visibly see; but I can tell when they are ready to go home or go inside as they start sticking closer by me. Having a jacket on them beforehand helps to ensure the key parts of their body stay warm and dry. It’s also important to be ready to put your dogs jacket on–or to take it off–at any given time during your outing.
And just because I feel like I need to add this disclaimer–you should NOT leave a completely saturated coat on your dog while hiking. Just last week, Moe went for a dip in the lake with his jacket on–so it came off and back to the car we went. See, you’ve got to be ready for anything! Visible shivering in ANY dog can also be a sign of hypothermia, so make sure to watch for signs your dog may be uncomfortable and act accordingly.
Now that we’ve covered the basics on if a coat is something you should consider for hiking in the winter, let’s cover a few of my favorite outdoor jackets and why I choose to use them on our crew all season long!
Hurtta Expedition Parka in Buckthorn
Back view of the Expedition Parka
Hurtta Expedition Parka
The Expedition Parka was developed specifically for short haired dogs and dogs without undercoat, but in colder conditions, is also suitable for double-coated dogs. It is labeled as waterproof and windproof; and is listed as being suitable for temperatures ranging from -20°F and 30°F.
As with all Hurtta items we’ve used so far, the fit of this jacket is superb, and with added points of adjustment including the back length, adjustable neck, and belly strap, you can ensure the jacket is completely adjusted to fit your individual dog. The front of the Expedition Parka also has two expandable cutouts near the front legs that allow for full range of motion and a zipper opening that you can attach a leash to a harness under the coat.
The interior of the Expedition parka is what I would call a waffle-like lining; It seems to hug the dogs coats but is also breathable. The outer shell is made from a waterproof linen like fabric that comes in 4 stunning colors–Buckthorn (Orange), Beetroot (Reddish-Pink), Bilberry (Blue) and Blackberry (Dark Grey/Black).
What I like about this jacket
This is the best fitting jacket we have in our stash by far. My dogs all have relatively similar measurements, but are all able to wear the size 24” jacket and I am able to adjust each individually from there to ensure they each have a perfect fit.
I like that the interior fabric of the jacket hugs the dogs in all of the right places; it doesn’t slip or slide around like the Extreme Warmer sometimes can. I also love the cutouts on the front of the jacket–Cassie and Barley have a larger, blockier chest area, and the Expedition Parka allows them to have enough room up front while still fitting to a tee everywhere else.
I love the vivid colors (we recently upgraded Moe from Blackberry to Buckthorn) so that I can see the dogs clearly when out and about in the snow. Keeping track of all 3 off leash can be a lot when I’m alone, so this helps me identify who is where at all times. The colors have a nice subtlety to them, though; they’re not neon by any means like the Orange on the Extreme Warmer is which makes them much nicer to photograph. The exterior fabric is also very sturdy; the dogs are constantly running through underbrush or getting in some pretty heated play brawls while we’re out and about, and the jackets still look brand new after a multitude of use. I don’t feel like I need to worry about them playing too hard in their jackets while they are wearing their Expedition Parka–it’s all around a really sturdy jacket.
What I don’t love about this jacket
My only marks against the Summit Parka are that it seems to rub the dogs more in between the legs and at the top of the neck between the shoulders when compared to the Extreme Warmer; which most likely has to do with their longer coats as it was created more for dogs without double-coats to begin with.
I also don’t know that I would technically label it waterproof–in wet snow, the exterior shell does become noticeably saturated, although we have yet to have it soak through in any area. I also notice the snow sticks to the interior fabric a bit more than it does on the Extreme Warmer; the smoother fabric interior seems to wick that away, while the waffle material starts to build up and freeze if it becomes wet.
Hurtta Extreme Warmer in Coral Camo
Adjustable snood for ear warmth
Hurtta Extreme Warmer
The Extreme Warmer is Hurtta’s all around warm weather-proof jacket. It’s Hurtta’s warmest coat available that provides warmth to your dog in key areas by reflecting the dogs body heat with its signature foil lining. It is labeled as being suitable for temperatures ranging from -20°F and 30°F.
The fit of this jacket is also something that makes us come back to Hurtta time and time again; with adjustment areas available on the chest, torso, and back, one single Hurtta Extreme Warmer can fit all three of my dogs almost perfectly with small adjustments. They also stock sizes starting at 12” and run all the way up to 30”, meaning you’ll be able to find the perfect fit for your individual dog.
The Extreme Warmer has more coverage on the chest, belly, and neck area; and it also includes an adjustable snood you can pull up over your dog’s head to keep their ears warm if the temperatures are extra frigid. It has snaps on the back flaps of the coat that you can close for additional back-end coverage, but we usually leave those open. It also has the zipper opening that allows you to attach a leash to a harness under the coat. The extreme warmer also has large reflector areas on front and back sides of the jacket, making this great for using in low light or dark situations.
The interior of the Extreme Warmer is what makes this jacket my favorite out of the lot. It’s made up of a smooth fabric that has heat reflecting foil inlaid throughout. The outer shell is made of a very soft suede like fabric that makes this jacket perfect for camping on colder nights as well as trudging through the snow.
The newest Extreme Warmer Eco is said to be more waterproof than the original; we’re still testing that out for ourselves, but we’ve never had a problem with water penetrating the outer shell. It’s also got a new filling, which has a bit of a heavier feel to it when compared to the original Extreme Warmers we have. The Eco version is also made from 100% recycled polyester, which I love!
The Extreme Warmer is available in fun patterns and a multitude of colors. They’re still bright for added visibility, and also super cute–I’m a huge fan of the Coral and Park camo!
What I like about this jacket
Truth be told, the Extreme Warmer was the second jacket we ordered after using the Summit Parka’s for some time. Originally, I was worried the jacket would be too thick and bulky for my double coated dogs; but I was pleasantly surprised to see that the overall thickness was similar to the Expedition Parka overall and not big or bulky at all.
After a lot of use in a multitude of situations, the Extreme Warmer is the jacket we grab for more often than not, hands down. The dogs just seem more comfortable in it–and I like how the foil lining glides over their own coats vs. grabbing on like the Expedition seems to do. I also regularly feel under the dogs jacket’s to make sure they’re not too warm under there–and I am consistently surprised to discover that their temperature seems more regulated when they’re wearing the Extreme Warmer vs. more warm overall when they have on the Expedition Parka.
I like that we’re able to bring them along as only one item when we’re heading out for a trip; they are comfortable enough for the dogs to sleep in, but also great to have if we’re going to be hiking in the cold or snow and know the dogs will need some added warmth.
What I don’t love about this jacket
The chest on the Extreme Warmer (and especially in the updated version) can be a bit tight in places, so I did end up sizing up for Barley for that reason alone. On certain dogs, I can see how the front panel could restrict a dog's movement; but we’ve gotten around that issue by just getting different sizes.
The only other complaint I have is that in certain situations, the foil lining is so smooth it can sometimes need more adjustments to keep it from sliding off of either side of the dog while you’re out and about.
Hurtta Expedition Parka in Buckthorn
But my dog doesn’t NEED added warmth; what now?
If you’re certain your dog doesn’t need any added warmth, but would still benefit from protection from the rain and wind, Hurtta also has a multitude of additional options available. We’ll dig in on another blog comparing our favorite rain gear soon; but in the meantime, check out our favorite, the Monsoon Jacket–comparable in fit and style to the Extreme Warmer and also waterproof and windproof without the padded foil lining!