Top 5 Best Hiking Boots For Dogs
Are you planning to enjoy your outdoor hiking with your pet?
You must ensure that your dog has the appropriate gear to travel rough terrain with ease and comfort. And when it comes to your dog’s comfort while hiking, you can never avoid hiking boots for dogs.
This is one of the most important things for your beloved pet on the terrain.
Does my dog really need hiking boots?
To answer that, I will have to ask you a question first.
So, my question is, “Do you really need hiking boots”?
Although I know your answer yet, I asked.
I asked this to make things easier for you to understand.
If you can’t walk on rough terrains barefoot, then how can you expect your fur baby to walk those rough terrain barefoot?
Of course, you need hiking boots for dogs.
There shouldn’t be any doubt about buying hiking boots for dogs.
Hiking boots for dogs will help your dog hike on any terrain with comfort and ease.
It will also protect your dog’s paws from any injury.
Now that we are clear that your fur baby needs hiking boots, let me help you choose the best hiking boots for dogs.
Tip: If you need new hiking boots yourself, check out my buying guide beforehand.
What’s most important in a set of hiking boots for dogs?
There are several things to consider while buying the best hiking boots for dogs.
But the material and right size are the most important aspects that you should look for in a set of hiking boots for dogs.
Materials & care
If you have a fidgety dog, getting on and off, their boots can be quite challenging.
You need to look for hiking boots with stretchy material and a wide opening in the cuff.
I find dog hiking boots with two velcro closures (as opposed to one) at the cuff tend to remain in place and offer the best experience on the trail.
If you are going to be hiking in wet conditions, you should also look for waterproof material.
For the sole of the boot, I prefer something thick and stiff.
This helps protect your dog’s paws from sharp objects on the trail and provides good traction.
Find the right size for your dog
Selecting the right size of boot for your dog is important.
Ensure to measure your dog’s feet before buying a set of hiking boots for dogs.
Most hiking boots are sized for their paw width (measured across the broadest part of your dog’s paw).
On the other hand, some brands offer boots with length measurements.
So, check whether the brand you have chosen offers length measurement or width measurement before buying.
If you can’t find the right size for your dog, you can always ask the manufacturer or retailer for help.
Top 5 best hiking boots for dogs
Here is a list of the top 5 best hiking boots for dogs.
With one of these on your pup, you’ll be ready to take on any trail.
Let’s have a look.
Kurgo blaze hiking boots for dogs
The Kurgo Blaze hiking boots for dogs are valued for the money. You are getting a set of enduring technical boots with traction similar to the best hiking boots for humans.
With an approvingly varied lug design on the outsoles and a higher cuff than other boots, the sturdy Kurgo Blaze hiking boots are my choices for technical terrains.
These hiking boots are ultra-grippy.
They will not slide off your dog’s feet.
Pros:
- Secure fit
- Excellent value
- Breathable cuff
- Excellent traction
Cons:
- Heavier than other hiking boots for dogs
- High cuff can interrupt with dewclaws
- It needs a long break-in time
EXPAWLORER waterproof Hiking boots
These boots are flexible, waterproof, and skid-resistant.
They come with an ergonomic shape to maximize your dog’s comfort, using loop and hook fastener straps to provide a tight fit.
Also, it features anti-collision toe caps to help protect your dog’s paws and mitigate the harshness of a crash while hiking.
Moreover, the EXPAWLORER Waterproof Boots for dogs come with grooved soles and a flexible lug pattern, giving your pet better protection and control from cold weather.
Pros:
- Flexible
- Waterproof
- Anti-collision toe caps to reduce the effect of a collision
- Reflective lines to keep your dog visible even in a low-light conditions
- Grooved soles offer good traction
Cons:
- Not durable enough
- The sizing chart isn’t very accurate
Ruffwear grip trex boots
Ruffwear is among the most relied-on brands when it comes to manufacturing hiking boots for dogs.
Ruffwear Grip Trex boots are high-quality and feature a flexible and rugged Vibram non-marking outsole to deliver superb grip on all terrain.
These boots are made using breathable woven air mesh material to keep dirt away and ensure your dog is relaxed and has good ventilation.
Also, combined with contemplating trim for extra visibility at night.
Moreover, they also come with a hook and a loop cinch closure design to provide a snug fit.
Additionally, the gusset structure makes them easy to wear.
Pros:
- Good air circulation
- Has superb traction
- Durable
- The loop cinch closure design keeps the hiking boots stay on
- Features reflective trim for better visibility
- Machine washable
- Gusset pattern makes it easy to wear
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Expensive
Musher’s secret wax for dogs
Musher’s Secret Wax makes your dog’s paws comfortable. It makes things easier for your dog to trod over a hot surface, ice salt, sand, and snow without blistering effortlessly.
It is an ideal solution for your dog who refuse to wear hiking boots.
I use Musher’s Wax protection for my dog to walk my pet around in summer.
This helps protect my dog’s paws from the extreme heat of the pavement.
Similarly, I use this during winter hikes to ensure that my dog’s paws are protected from snowballing.
However, this will not help grip or protect your dog against rocks.
But in case all you need is an easy and quick solution to protect your dog’s feet against the elements. Musher’s secret wax is your dog’s perfect mate while walking and hiking.
Pros:
- Breathable
- Easy to apply
- Affordable
- Protection from ice, hot surfaces, and sand
Cons:
- It does not help with grip
- Not as protective as hiking boots
- Difficult to decide when it is time to reapply the wax
Non-stop dogwear long-distance bootie
This is the kind of dog boot you will find skilled dog mushers utilizing in races on snow, such as the Iditarod.
They are simple yet practical at keeping snow from entering between dogs’ toes.
It’s most suitable for snow.
Thus it’ll get worn out quickly while running or hiking on rougher terrain.
This is made using a stronger Cordura material and is better made to handle gravel or dryland surfaces.
Pros:
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Breathable
- No break-in time needed
- Easy to wear
Cons:
- Not very durable
Tip: Maybe you are interested in my other blog post about the right hiking equipment? Just follow the link.
Happy hiking with your dog!
