Ski-club balaclavas, waterproof wellies, all-natural nose balm, and more gear to help outdoorsy pet parents get the most out of the season.
by Sean Zucker
December 20, 2021
otsphoto / Adobe Stock
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Seasons may come and go but one constant will remain — outdoorsy people are going to continue venturing outdoors. Whether it’s hiking, camping, or simply taking a walk, people who love nature find a way to enjoy it year-round. Maybe you’re one of these people, maybe your New Year’s resolution is to be more adventurous, or maybe you try to avoid the sun at all costs until it’s at least 60 degrees. Regardless of how you plan to spend your winter, all three demographics share one hope — we want our dogs with us and we want them to be comfortable.
Of course, traveling with a dog at any time is no easy feat — add in chilly temps and you’ve got a real challenge on your hands. It’s certainly not impossible, but our pets might just need a few extra supplies to get through with more ease. Thick sweaters, durable shoes, a warm bed, and even moisturizers (dogs get dry skin in the winter too!) can all help make the experience as enjoyable and risk-free as possible for dogs. So grab your pup and hop in the Subaru: these are 14 cold-weather accessories for your next adventure together.
Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)
If you have a smaller dog, they might not be able to keep up all day on longer walks and hikes. This pet carrier rucksack will help them get through the extra mileage. Plus, its detachable bottom half doubles as a bed so your pup can be relaxed and comfy no matter where you end up.
All the salt that cities hack on the sidewalks to help you avoid breaking your tailbone every winter also burns your dog’s paws. These waterproof rubber boots will protect them so you can both remain upright. Not to mention, they’re 100% biodegradable.
With insulation featuring 250 grams of recycled polyester, this might be the warmest dog jacket available. Its bright, weather-resistant exterior will also give off big Jake Gyllenhaal in Everest vibes, which is peak Gyllenhaal IMO.
Similar to their nose, wintery conditions can have harsh impacts on a dog’s paws. Made with organic beeswax and natural oils, this balm will protect against snow, ice, and salt.
Few things feel more emotionally conflicting than heading out for an exciting day in nature with your dog but needing to use several single-use plastic bags to hold all their food. Wilderdog offers a solution with a bag designed specifically for dog food. Kiss Ziploc and self-eco-shaming goodbye.
If you also went through a Grateful Dead, hacky sack, patchouli-oil-for-deodorant phase in college, you know the one positive outcome of the whole ordeal was learning that Baja hoodies are comfy AF. Don’t let all that time spent at three-day music festivals go to waste — pass the knowledge onto the one individual in your life who doesn’t roll their eyes at your fading “CoeXisT” bumper sticker.
In comparison to regularly walking around town, taking your dog in the woods and on trails requires more variable explorative freedom. At times, it might be open enough that you’re comfortable letting your dog wander far. Alternatively, there will be moments you want to keep them close to your hip. This set includes three individual leashes at different lengths of 16, 33, and 49 feet to accommodate any outdoorsy occasion.
Despite looking doofy in the cutest way possible, many dogs are, let’s say, resistant to wearing shoes. WagWellies® feature open-vented slits that’ll make putting them on easy and your dog rethink their stance on footwear.
YETI has become a staple for outdoorsy types by providing heavy-duty products that’ll hold up in any condition. They’ve now brought their trademark durability to this dog bed with a detachable travel pad for maximum comfort on the road.
Sean Zucker is an editor at The Wildest whose work has also been featured in Points In Case, The Daily Drunk, Posty, and WellWell. He recently adopted a Pit Bull named Banshee whose work has been featured on the kitchen floor and behavioral issues rival his own.