Features:

  • COOLING VEST: A vest that provides sun protection and evaporative cooling, keeping your dog cool; Perfect for hot summer activities like hiking, walking and camping
  • THREE LAYER COOLING: Outer layer reflects heat and facilitates evaporation; Middle layer absorbs and stores water; Mesh lining keeps your dog dry and comfortable
  • MAXIMUM SHADE: Vest style provides good coverage and UPF 50+ protection; Side-release buckles make it a breeze to put on and take off
  • HARNESS-COMPATIBLE: Integrated leash portal when the Swamp Cooler is worn over a harness; Compatible with most dog harnesses, including our Front Range, Hi & Light and Web Master
  • REFLECTIVE TRIM: Low-light visibility for additional safety; Integrated light loop for attaching The Beacon light (sold separately)
My dog’s favorite article of clothing!

I don’t often write reviews - unless I feel like I’ve been ripped off - but this thing is too good not to. I have a 3 year old male Belgian Malinois and if I don’t exercise him daily he will drive me nuts until I do. I have one of those plastic ball thrower things and I run him pretty good. He likes to cool off in a puddle when he gets a chance and my wife is not real keen on having him in the house until I wash him off. I saw this vest and debated getting it because I didn’t figure he would tolerate wearing it. When I received it I tried it on him to check the fit and, sure enough, he tried to take it off. The next day I wetted it down, put it on him and immediately threw his ball. He went for the ball. After a good workout I started to remove it and HE DIDN’T WANT ME TO TAKE IT OFF until he had totally cooled down! Honestly - he loves this thing and so do I.

Everyone's happy!!

This cooler vest was purchased as a gift for my nephew's service dog aimed at relief from the heat in Florida, especially during the summer months. Poor Fuse, the service dog, would go into a dark closet and lie on her back with her belly exposed when she got home to cool off from the heat. Her paws also got burned from the concrete so I purchased this cooling vest along with a pair of Ruffwear all-terrain boots. I had them shipped to my nephew, so I cannot comment on packaging, quality, etc. but I do know the cooling vest really helped. It was put on immediately, and it was recommended by the vet. I did ask my nephew about his review, and he just said that he was happy. That is enough for me … him happy and his service dog taken care of and pampered ... worth every penny for that!!

So far so good

Now my dog can go out in the 100+ degree heat. I also use it along with the "Kool Collar" filled with ice cubes. Easily adjustable, and doesn't fall off while running. Ordered Size Medium. (Girth 28/29in.; Neck 16/17in; Body Length 25in.; 55lb Boxer)

Surviving the Heat in AZ

I was extremely hesitant about buying this cooling vest after reading the mixed reviews on here. However, I am pleased with my purchase. I live in AZ and it's particularly hot here with temperatures reaching 122 degrees. I bought this vest for my 8 year old pit bull/ lab mix. I am fortunate to be able to take my dog into the office everyday so, of course at lunch time he comes along with. During the summer it's so hot and miserable to do anything outside. I did some research and even contacted Ruffwear to see if the "Swamp Cooler" cooling vest or the "Jet Stream" cooling vest would be best for our climate. Ruffwear customer support directed me to the Swamp Cooler, saying this is best for longer walks and retaining water. I have had this vest for a week and I am in love. I wet the vest (making it soaking, and wringing out lightly), then I place it into a plastic grocery bag and stick inside the freezer. When lunch time comes around I pull the vest out of the freezer and stick it on my pooch. I also get cold water and re-wet the top of the vest while its on his back. Let me tell you, I have never seen my dog more excited and energetic once that vest is on. He rarely runs in this horrible weather (nor do I condone it) but, as soon as the vest is on he wants to sprint everywhere!!! Without this vest he usually only lasts about 15 minutes before he is done with the heat and panting uncontrollably. Now, we can be outside for the whole hour and the heat doesn't bother him as much. I saw a lot of people upset at the fact they can't see when the vest is drying but, you can. The grey material obviously is a tad darker when it's wet and you can see patches of the vest starting to dry. You definitely have to keep applying water if you are outside for long periods of time. I usually just dump a bottle of water on him halfway through and he gets his energy back. I also read a lot of people complaining about the material and how its very easily snagged. This is 100% true, the material reminds me of workout clothes, which is also lightweight and easily snagged. My pups vest was snagged the instant he lifted his leg against a palm tree. I wish the material was more sturdy but for $60 to keep my dog cool in this unbearable weather, that's priceless. This was one of the best purchases I made for my dog.

Malamute-type mutt got to camp in 80*+ weather!

Our new addition to the family is at least 15 yrs old and has THICK fur. We think she's a malamute/shepherd kind of thing. Well, we wanted to see how she'd do car camping but I knew it was likely going to be HOT when we went, so I got this in preparation and I'm sooo glad I did! She didn't care at all when I put this on her and it really did seem to cool her. We got it wet a total of 3 times throughout the damn hot day (it was ~84* for about 5 hours) by wetting it under a spigot and *trying* to wring it dry (it holds water really well!) and also by pouring a bit of water on the vest while she was laying down under her tarp. I kept putting my hand under the vest and was really surprised to feel how cold the vest was underneath! After a couple of hours even her fur was chilled... but the vest didn't even get her fur damp. She still spent most of the hot daytime napping in the shade with a fan blowing on her face but I wasn't nearly as freaked out about the idea of her getting heat stoke because the vest was really working. I love it. Also, the Large vest was the perfect fit! It was easy to adjust and put on and take off of her. She weighs about 65 lbs and has an average build for her assumed breed mix.

Great product for hot weather

My dog was struggling with the summer heat even on our walks after sunset. First time I put this on her and I noticed a big difference. No more huge tongue dragging on the ground or wanting to lay down. She generates so much heat that the vest is dry by the end of our hour walk but her fur underneath is cool and her ears are cool so it works.

Worked well on a 150 lb. Newfoundland

Got this for my 7 year old, 150 lb. Newfoundland. Size XL. She measured 44 inches and the chart said XL went up to 42 but it was fine and not snug at all. Seemed to work really well. We typically don't go for our daily walk unless the temperature is below 80º and/or low humidity so that meant some late night walks - or none at all on some days. I followed the directions and soaked it in cold water. Clipped right on her with no problems whatsoever. It was just at 80º and breezy when we went out for our 30 minute walk. It seemed to really help. You can't say it put a spring in her step but the vest actually felt as cool when we came back as when we put it on (the wicking action from the breeze?) and she was much cooler under the vest. Perhaps on hotter days/longer walks I will bring along a jug of water to refresh it. But I think it was helpful.

It really works!!!

This vest is beyond amazing. I have a year and a half old 102 LB Czech GSD and live in NC. It has been brutal spring/summer, with heat indices over 100 for days now. I don't take the pup out for walk in the woods until 7pm. Before I bought this vest he would only be able to walk maybe 1 1/2 miles and drag towards the end. I tried wetting down his back and chest before and during the walk but anyone that knows the coat of a GSD, that is senseless--they are virtually waterproof. The first time I put this vest on him I swear I heard him go "Ahhhhh." He can now walk his usual 3+ miles without any sign of stress. I rewet the vest about half way through. I keep the vest in a large cooler with water in the garage refrigerator so it is ready to be worn at a moment's notice. He waits patiently while I put it on him...he knows how good it makes him feel. I just wish Ruffwear made a cooling vest for humans!

Great fit for my dog and keeps him MUCH cooler

I got this for my 9 year old, 67lb American Bulldog. When it's hot outside he doesn't want to leave the shade and it's been getting in the 90s with 100% humidity lately where I live. This vest seems well made. At the time of this review I have machine washed it 4 times on gentle cycle and it still looks great. After a few uses it gets a bit musty unless it is left outside in the sun to dry or hung over an air conditioning vent. It does a great job of keeping my dog cool and I don't have to towel him off after using the vest. It took a few days to find the perfect adjustments for him so that it wasn't too loose or restricting. He doesn't love wearing it but he tolerates it well enough. When we go for walks sometimes he throws himself onto the ground shoulder first like he's trying to knock the vest off. It has held up quite well. It just gets a little dirty and crooked. When we get to the dog park I just wet this with a water hose, wring it out, and it keeps him cool for about 30 min before I feel I need to wet it again. If you don't wring it out it may drip and my dog doesn't like the feeling of the water dripping down him like sweat. On extra hot days I carry and ice cold bottle of water with me and use that to keep the vest cool. ** I have heard these aren't suitable for certain breeds such as Huskies. Something about their double coat trapping in heat when wearing things like this.

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