A dog walking coat is a must-have for any outdoor adventures with your pooch when it’s cold and wet. In our opinion, there’s nothing worse than coming back from a walk with your pup and you’re both feeling damp and chilly. That’s why it’s important to be armed with all the best dog walking accessories to ensure you’re ready to tackle whatever the elements throw at you.
A dog walking coat is just as important as a good quality pair of walking boots when going on walkies with your pooch. As every person in Britain knows, the weather is very unpredictable, and you're more than likely to get caught in a shower when out on a dog walk, so having a dedicated coat will keep you warm and dry. Don't forget to choose one that has plenty of pockets, too, so you can keep the things you're going to need regularly to hand, like pocket-friendly treats and poop bags.
Best dog walking coats at a glance:
• Best unisex dog walking coat: dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve - View on dryrobe
• Best dog walking coat for women overall: Alaskan Women's 3-in-1 Long Waterproof Jacket - View on Mountain Warehouse
• Best dog walking coat for men overall: Dusk III Mens Ski Jacket - View on Mountain Warehouse
Whether you're after a fully insulating, waterproof jacket or a lightweight jacket you can pop in your bag just in case you need it, we've got you covered. Here is our list of our favourite dog walking coats that offer different features to make sure you're protected in all kinds of weathers. Just don't forget to pick up a waterproof dog coat for your pooch to ensure they're also kept nice and dry on walkies.
Best unisex dog walking coats
Best unisex dog walking coat
dryrobe.com
Although a dryrobe is made primarily for those who take part in open-water swimming and watersports to help them dry off and give them enough room to get changed, dryrobes have grown in popularity with dog walkers and lovers of exploring the great outdoors. This is due to its weatherproof design, with its waterproof outer and fluffy inner. The inside of the coat will help you to stay super warm and will make you feel like you're being hugged like a fluffy cloud as you walk with your pooch and you'll also be shielded from any showers as it's made using water-repellent technology. The dryrobe also gets brownie points from us for being produced with 100 per cent recycled fabrics.
The dryrobe comes in 18 different colours, with the brighter colours available being a great choice to improve your visibility when you're out walking on frosty mornings or foggy evenings. It's also available in sizes S, M, L and XL but keep in mind that's designed to have an oversized fit to allow room for people to get changed underneath so you may find it to be slightly too chunky to wear for a quick stroll around the block. Based on over 17,000 reviews, the dryrobe is rated highly for the fit and length as well as the warmth and waterproofing it offers, which is why it averages at 4.9 stars out of 5. 19 per cent of reviews rave about the overall quality of it too.
Pros
- Super warm fleece lining and waterproof and windproof outer shell
- Internal A4-sized pocket, waterproof internal phone/wallet pocket and two external zipped pockets for all your things
Cons
- As they're designed to have an oversized fit to allow people to get changed from wet clothing underneath, some may find it slightly too chunky to wear
Sizes: | S-XL |
Best dog walking coat for women
Best dog walking coat overall
Providing three ways to wear in one, the Alaskan Women's 3-in-1 Long Waterproof Jacket from Mountain Warehouse is a versatile coat that provides full weather protection. It has an outer waterproof shell and an inner warm lightweight jacket that can be worn together or separately depending on the level of warmth you need. It's breathable with an adjustable hood and cuffs, and it's been thermally tested to -30°C, so it's definitely going to help you feel snug when you're out walking your pup in the cold. It's also waterproof and tested up to 10,000mm of rainfall so it's suitable for wearing during heavy showers.
There are a lot of things about this coat that customers online but by far the biggest thing is the versatility of it. Customers love having the option to wear the long coat or lightweight jacket separately to suit the conditions of their dog walk or to put both of them on together when they need the extra warmth and weather protection. The opinions on sizing are mixed as some reviewers felt it came up small but others had to size down, so we'd recommend double-checking the size guide before ordering.
Pros
- Three ways to wear it, so you can wear it in different weather conditions
- Waterproof and tested up to 10,000mm, so it's suitable for heavy rain
Cons
- Mixed opinions on the sizing, some reviewers felt it came up small, but others had to size down
Sizes: | UK 4-28 |
Best dog walking jacket for women
www.regatta.com
For those days when you head out and it's dry, but by the time you get halfway around your walk, it's raining, this Women's Corinne IV Waterproof Packaway Jacket is ideal. It's lightweight and packs away into its own pocket so you can stash it in your dog walking bag and get out when needed. The jacket may be lightweight but it's well equipped to keep you protected from the rain. It's waterproof and breathable, with a water-repellent finish while allowing moisture to escape through the fabric. It also has taped seams to stop water from getting into the coat while you're wearing it. The trim on this coat is reflective too to enhance your visibility in low-light conditions.
This coat is available in 12 different colours and comes in sizes UK 8-26. There are a couple of negative reviews of this jacket that say the sizing runs small so they've had to size up once or twice so keep that in mind but overall, customers gave this waterproof jacket five stars for being lightweight, stylish and packable.
Pros
- Lightweight and packs away into a pocket so you can take it with you on walks and get it out if needed
- It is water-repellent and breathable with taped seams, to allow moisture to escape through the fabric and prevent it from getting inside the coat to keep you dry
Cons
- Some reviewers say sizing runs small, so you may need to size up
Sizes: | UK 8-26 |
Best women's dog walking coat for weather protection
Waterproof, breathable and windproof, the Berghaus Women's Maitland Gore-Tex Jacket is made with everything you need to keep you protected from rainfall during wet and windy dog walks. It's crafted with a two-layer Gore-Tex membrane that rainwater will bead straight off of, keeping you dry and comfortable in even the worst conditions. The adjustable hood, hem and cuffs mean you can alter the fit to your preference and shelter your body from the cold.
This coat has an average rating of 4.8 stars out of five on Amazon, with both its comfort and quality getting a big thumbs up from customers online. Opinions do differ on the fit with some saying it's a little on the smaller side but others say it fits perfectly. We also think the coat's sizing range could be more inclusive as the smallest size is a size 8 and the largest a size 18.
Pros
- The fabric the coat is made from is designed for rainwater to bead straight off of to keep you dry at all times
- Has an adjustable hood, hem and cuffs so you can alter the fit to suit you and shelter your body from the cold
Cons
- The coat's sizing range could be more inclusive as the smallest size is a size 8 and the largest a size 18
Sizes: | UK 8-18 |
Best budget dog walking coat for women
For those on a budget, you get a good quality dog coat for under £60 with the donhobo Women’s Waterproof Jacket. It has a waterproof coating as well as windproofing to keep you dry and warm on dog walks on rainy, snowy or foggy days. The adjustable cuffs and detachable hood mean you can customise the fit and look of the coat to suit the weather. With two front pockets, one chest pocket and one secure pocket, there’s plenty of space to put all the walking essentials for you and your pup.
This coat has over 2,800 reviews and with an average rating of 4.4 stars, there's a lot that Amazon customers like about this coat. The thing that crops up in reviews time and time again is how great value for money it is, with customers happy about the quality, warmth and waterproofing it provides for the price. Opinions differ on the fit, with some saying it's a little shorter in the body than expected but others finding the sizing okay. It's worth pointing out that it's hand wash only too in order to protect the waterproofing on the coat.
Pros
- Waterproof and windproof to keep you warm and dry
- Plenty of pockets to store all of your dog walking essentials
Cons
- Hand wash only to protect the waterproofing of the coat
Sizes: | XS-XXL |
Best dog walking coat for men
Best dog walking coat for men overall
The Dusk III Men’s Ski Jacket is perfect for braving cold, wet weather on your daily dog walks. Designed with a snowproof fabric that is treated with a water repellent, it's designed to keep you dry no matter the forecast. A light fleece lining and padding ensure comfort and warmth, even in freezing temperatures as low as -30°C, making it ideal for long strolls in winter conditions. Adjustable cuffs, hood, and hem provide a secure fit, keeping cold winds out while you stay comfortable, while the two side pockets offer convenient storage for essentials like doggy treats and poop bags or your phone.
Receiving positive feedback for its warmth, comfort and value, the Dusk III Mens Ski Jacket is a great option for those looking for a dog walking coat to wear during cold, wintery walks at a great price point. The odd one or two customers point out that it's more water-resistant than waterproof so there is a chance you could get a bit wet on heavy downpours but for most rain showers, you should be covered.
Pros
- Fleece lined and padded to ensure comfort and warmth in temperatures as low as -30°C
- Adjustable cuffs, hood and hem for a secure fit that keeps the cold winds out
Cons
- One or two customers point out that it's water resistant than waterproof so there is a chance you may not be completely covered in heavy downpours
Sizes: | XXS-4X: |
Best warm dog walking coat for men
www.craghoppers.com
Looking like cold conditions for your dog walk? No problem when you're wearing the Men's Lorton Thermic Jacket. It's designed to keep you cosy with its advanced ThermoAir+ insulation, which means it'll lock your body heat inside the coat so you stay toasty throughout the duration of your walk. With all that warmth inside the coat, you may be worried that you'll overheat as you chase your furry friend through the park but this shouldn't be an issue as the material of the coat is also breathable to prevent that. It's also got a dual-layer of waterproof fabric that will keep rain and drizzle at bay and it's wind-resistant too to keep the icy gusts out. The comfy stretch fabric doesn't restrict your moment and you and your pup will be happy to see it's got five handy pockets that are the perfect size for stuffing with treats.
Reviewers appreciate the fact that this coat keeps them so warm, making it a great choice for dog walks in the winter. As you may expect from a coat with a good layer of insulation, some customers did find that it was a little bulky but overall, they thought the coat was well-made and comfortable to wear.
Pros
- Designed to lock body warmth inside the coat to keep you toasty throughout the duration of your dog walk
- Made with a double layer of waterproof fabric to keep rain and drizzle at bay
Cons
- Some reviewers found the coat to be a little bulky as it is so well insulated
Sizes: | XXS-5XL |
Best waterproof dog walking coat for men
Make your dog walks a breeze, no matter the weather with the Antarctic Extreme Waterproof Mens Down Jacket. Rain? Sleet? Heavy winds? Whatever is on the forecast, the Antarctic Extreme Waterproof Mens Down Jacket is equipped to help you tackle it. It's tested to handle temperatures as low as -40°C and the fabric is fully waterproof down to 5,000mm with taped seams for complete rain protection. The hood even is lined with a faux-fur trim to keep things cosy while adding a touch of style to the coat.
The exceptional warmth and comfort this coat provides are praised by customers in the reviews online. Customers appreciate features such as the waterproofing to keep them dry and the deep pockets for keeping hands warm and storing essentials. Some reviewers say the sizing comes up big, so you may wish to size down but we'd recommend checking out the size guide first.
Pros
- Fully waterproof down to 5,000mm to keep the rain away
- Tested to handle temperatures as low as -40°C so it's exceptionally warm
Cons
- Customers say this coat runs big, so you may want to size down
Sizes: | XXS-4XL |
Dog walking coat FAQs
What features should I look for in a dog walking coat?
When choosing the best dog walking coat, there are a couple of factors you’ll want to think about to make sure you’re choosing the right coat for your needs.
Waterproof or water-resistant material
We all know that the great British weather can be unpredictable, so if you opt for a coat made from waterproof or water-resistant materials, you’ll be prepared for any wet conditions you may encounter and stay dry during rainy walks.
Insulation for warmth
Planning on walking your dog in chilly weather? Look for a coat that has plenty of insulation to ensure you stay warm in the cold.
Reflective elements
Make sure you and your pup can be seen in the dark and other low-light conditions with a coat that has reflective strips or accents to enhance your visibility.
Pocket or storage compartments
From poop bags and dog treats to your keys and mobile, there are a lot of things to take with you on dog walks, so to eliminate the need for a separate bag or additional accessories, opt for a coat that has plenty of pockets or storage compartments.
Easy to clean
It’s not just your pooch who will need a clean after a muddy walk, you may find your coat covered in splashes of muck too. With that in mind, choose a coat that is machine washable or at least can be wiped clean so you can keep your coat looking fresh.
Durability
As most dogs need to be taken on daily walks, you should consider a coat that is made from high-quality materials for longevity and to withstand regular wear and tear.
Design
While practicality is important, you’ll also want to think about style. You’ll be more likely to reach for it if the coat reflects your personal taste so think about whether you prefer a classic outdoor look or a more modern, fashionable design that can be worn for other occasions too.
What do you wear on a dog walk?
What you wear on a dog walk will obviously depend on the weather, where you're going on your walk and how long you're going for, but here's a general guide on what to wear to ensure you're comfortable in all conditions.
Appropriate footwear
Choose comfortable and supportive footwear that will be suitable for wherever you’re going on your walks. Trainers should be fine for a quick walk around the block but a quality pair of men's or women's dog walking boots or shoes will be needed for countryside walks or long distances. If it’s wet and muddy, consider a pair of waterproof walking boots to keep your feet nice and dry.
Weather-appropriate clothing
If it’s chilly outside, make sure you’ve got plenty of layers on to keep you nice and warm. We’re talking a base layer, fleece and jumper, plus your waterproof/windproof jacket. Don’t forget walking gloves, a hat and a scarf when it’s particularly cold.
When heading out in the summer, opt for lightweight, breathable clothing to help regulate your body temperature. You may also want to consider wearing a sunhat and sunglasses too.
Comfortable bottoms
Wearing jeans and tailored trousers can be restricting, so choose leggings, loose-fitting trousers or shorts that will allow for ease of movement during your walk.
Visibility gear
Heading out at night or in low-light conditions? Wear reflective clothing or accessories, such as a reflective vest or armbands, to make sure you and your pooch stay seen.
Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.