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Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest

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Product Description,
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Whether hiking a desert canyon or walking in a city park on a hot day, the Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest will keep your pooch cool and comfortable.

Mesh fabric uses the evaporative cooling process—simply soak vest with cold water and it will dissipate heat as the water evaporates
Top air-mesh layer facilitates evaporation and releases heat, middle layer absorbs and stores cooling water, and bottom layer cools your dog
Light fabric reflects sunlight and heat to enhance the cooling effect
Ergonomic cut offers a comfortable fit that stays in place; adjustable harness with quick-release buckles allow easy on/off convenience
Attachment loop situated between dog's shoulder blades offers a clip point for a beacon light (light sold separately)

Sizing is based on girth. For girth, measure around the widest part of your dog's rib cage.

Small: 23 - 30 in. girth
Medium: 27 - 32 in. girth
Large: 31 - 40 in. girth
X Large: 35 - 48 in. girth

Imported.

Item 771101

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Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest

4.9

(based on 16 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Easy to put on (14)
Good quality (13)
Washes well (10)

Cons

Best Uses

Outdoors (11)
Harsh weather (7)
Travel (4)
Large dogs (3)

- Sizing:
- Feels full size too small
  
  Feels half size too small
  
  Feels true to size
  
  92%
  (12 reviews)
  Feels half size too big
  
  Feels full size too big

- Reviewer Profile:
- Multiple dog owner (7), Single dog owner (6)

Reviewed by 16 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Mar

2009

(20 of 20 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Works Great!

By MissJayJay

from Southern CA

About Me Multiple Dog Owner

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to Put On
Good Quality

Cons

Best Uses

Outdoors

Comments about Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest:

My Lab has a problem with overheating in hot weather. We got this for him at it makes a world of difference. It keeps him nice and cool so he can last on daily walks and longer treks. If you put your hand under the vest while the dog is wearing it, you can feel the temperature differnce right away. As it dries out, just pour some more water on it and keep on going. This vest is a must-have if your dog overheats easily.

May

2009

(12 of 13 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Have EWE HERD how cool this is?

By modibo

from Ohio

About Me Multiple Dog Owner, Shepherdess

See all my reviews

Pros

Functional

Cons

Length

Best Uses

Harsh Weather
Outdoors
Travel

Comments about Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest:

The swamp cooler is part of the uniform our two border collies wear during the harsh summer months working livestock. The dogs are able to work longer and cool down more quickly after all of the work is done (and its time for play!). We give swampcooler vests a five star rating.

I would love to see the back of the coat extended a little for longer, skinny dogs (the medium fits perfect in the chest, but isn't long enough. The large is too big in the chest, but perfect in length).

Aug

2009

(9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

It actually works!

By lacewent

from Portland, OR

About Me Single Dog Owner

See all my reviews

Pros

Adjustable
Easy to Put On
Fun
Good Quality
Keeps dogs cool
Washes Well

Cons

Best Uses

Dog Sports
Harsh Weather
Heat
Large Dogs
Outdoors

Comments about Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest:

I was very hesitant to buy a "cooling vest" for my dog, it seemed like a gimmick to me. I quickly changed my opinion when my poor black dog could hardly withstand a tenth of our usual outdoor time in the 90 degree plus weather. I broke down and bought one at the downtown Portland location (even though it said online only, check with your store). I couldn't have spent the money more wisely, she loves it! It kept her cool and comfortable even in the 102 degree heat for about an hour before needed to be re-wet. The hotter it is, the more wet I leave the jacket.

Usually, by the end of her play time it is filthy, a quick normal cycle (extra rinse, low soap, easy spin) and it looks like new.

Jun

2009

(9 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Incredible Innovation by Ruff Wear

By CoyoteSage

from Santa Barbara, CA

About Me Avid Desert Rat, Cool Dogs R Happy Dogs, Multiple Dog Owner

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to Put On
Good Quality
SunHeat Reflecting Color
Washes Well

Cons

Best Uses

Beat the Heat
Harsh Weather
Keep Core Temp Cooler
Outdoors
Travel

Comments about Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest:

The Swamp Cooler is the ticket to keeping the canine friends healthy, happy and in top condition when the weather might dictate otherwise. Wild dogs do not overheat willingly and neither should domestic ones who accompany their people on sometimes overheating treks. The Swamp Cooler makes this possible and when used sensibly, allows us humans to have the company of our dogs and lessen the risk of heat stroke, heat exposure and a potential emergency. Along with frecuent measured amounts of drinking water, adding hydration to the jacket as the time passes will regenerate the cooling effect and our paw pals will enjoy an extended endurance level. I wouldn't hike here in California without putting one on my pals in temps where I would sweat in 15 minutes or less on the trail.

Apr

2009

(9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Don't leave home without it

By AaronW

from Albuquerque, NM

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest:

My big "shelter mutt" loves to go on runs. In the winter he will go 8 miles without skipping a beat. Despite giving him a spring/summer shave, he tends to run out of gas in half an hour or so. He can now happily go twice as far. We have been using it for about 2 weeks and he still is hesitant to put it on and even runs sideways for a minute or two, but once he catches his stride his ears are standing at attention and his nostrils flare with every smell in the breeze.

Jun

2010

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Could fit better, but works great!

By Piper the Puppy Doodles

from North Carolina

About Me Chocolate Lab

See all my reviews

Pros

Cute
Easy to Put On
Good Quality

Cons

Best Uses

Hiking
Large Dogs
Less humid conditions
Outdoors
Running

Comments about Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest:

My mom bought me this cooling vest for me to wear when we go camping and hiking, but lately she's been putting it on me for our daily runs. I have dark brown fur so the direct sunlight makes me very uncomfortable in addition to the heat. The light blue vest helps reflect back the sunlight and the evaporative cooling effect really helps during our runs. We're waiting until the hottest and most humid part of the summer to see if it still works to pull heat away from my back when there's more moisture in the air.

I'm a big girl (88 lbs chocolate lab, 35" girth), but the large size is still a little big on me. My mom was afraid that the vest wouldn't stay in place when we run or go through the woods, but it seems to be doing very well so far.

PS - My mom also loves the reflective strips because I can be hard to see in the woods at twilight.

Jul

2009

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Best [$] I EVER spent!

By LaLaE Head

from Wilsonville, OR

About Me Lots horses dogs cats

See all my reviews

Pros

Cute
Easy to Put On
Fun
Good Quality

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest:

I finally relented and looked into one of these swamp coolers after my daughter kept bugging me to get our dog a 'cooling vest'. We have a boxer, and spend most of our summer out in the hot, hot Oregon outdoors with horse shows, and other barn activities. This thing is great! Soaked it down, and was a little bit apprehensive as to how effective it really was going to be. But after 2 -3 hours, our boxer was still cool to touch and wasn't panting at all. GREAT product! A must have even if you take your 4 legged with you to run errands, etc. We will be using it ALL summer long.

Jul

2009

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

great product

By patcelia

from phoenix, Az.

About Me Single Dog Owner

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to Put On
Good Quality
Washes Well

Cons

Best Uses

Outdoors

Comments about Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest:

Pat and Celia[the dog]live in Phoenix, Az., so we are no stranger to hot weather. It is not uncommon to have well over 100 days or more daytime temperatures of above 100-110 degrees. This great vest has made our walks more enjoyable, safer because of better heat tolerance. Can't wait to tell other furry friends/owners about the swamp cooler. Happy hikingf!

Jun

2009

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Swamp Cooler ROCKS!!!

By Chocolate Lab Mom

from Minneapolis, MN

About Me Dog Trainer, Multiple Dog Owner

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to Put On
Good Quality
Washes Well

Cons

Best Uses

Harsh Weather
Outdoors

Comments about Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest:

My 9 year old dog has done agility for 6 1/2 years. This year the heat at the outdoor summer trials seem to be getting to him here in Minnesota. I purchased this and used the vest this weekend. Not only did this vest keep him cool, he continued all through the weekend with 85 degree's direct sun and heat!

Aug

2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Good vest

By goldendogmom

from Portland/Bend, OR

About Me Single Dog Owner

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to Put On
Good Quality
Washes Well

Cons

Best Uses

Outdoors

Comments about Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest:

We recently got one of these vests as our Golden boy tends to over-heat on hot/dry days, especially hiking in the high Cascades of Oregon. While the jacket stays wet, it does do a very good job of keeping our guy cool. Unfortunately, we have found on hot dry days (when he needs it the most) it tends to dry within an hour or so; and if we are hiking in a low-water area, we run through a lot of our drinking water to keep it properly hydrated. We are looking for a solution for that. Otherwise, for shorter event uses, or when one has a supply of water to rehydrate, it seems like it would be fine.

it does wash well - by hand and by machine; and I was able to pick out all of the pieces of grass, tree needles, and other things that the coat picked up during a long day of hiking. We did incur one small tear in the surface material, but that was the result of our guy 'dog sledding' down a patch of snow, and wrapping his paws around a tree to stop himself... :)