Best Dog Raincoats of 2025
Waterproof dog rain jackets for walking with your pet
We tested nine dog raincoats to find the ones worth a spot on your four-legged friend’s gear list. Photo by Jae Thomas
Published February 6th, 2025
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Don’t let bad weather keep you from getting outdoors with your four-legged best friend! The best dog raincoats will keep your pup dry and semi-clean, so you’re more likely to take them out on an adventure — even when the weather is bad.
Not all dogs like getting wet, and some long-haired dogs’ coats can get matted and tangled if their coats get wet and muddy. A dog raincoat will keep your dog dry and comfortable, while also decreasing the amount of effort you have to take to get them clean afterward.
We thoroughly tested nine of the most popular dog rain jackets on the market to find out which ones fit the best, are the most waterproof, and are ultimately worthy of a spot on your dog gear list. As a dog trainer, dog sport competitor, and dog show exhibitor, I’m big on functional dog gear. I often don’t have room to bring extra stuff when traveling with my dog to shows or trials, so I need to thoughtfully choose gear that actually works. For jackets specifically, I look at how fit affects a dog’s movement and how well the jacket protects the dog’s coat from the elements. I’ve used a raincoat many times to protect my show dog’s coat from mud and dirt before a big show.
My tester dogs tried out each jacket in heavy snow, melting snow, and muddy conditions. I also simulated rain by testing each jacket in the shower.
My two main tester dogs for this story were Miso, my five year old Border Collie mix, and Dashi, my two year old Rough Collie. I also tested some of the coats on Katla, a three year old mixed breed, and Ruby, Connor, Mimmo, and Gigi — a friend’s pack of Rough Collies.
For folks who are looking for other gear to head out on the trails with their furry friend, check out our Best Dog Backpacks for Hiking guide and our Hiking with Dogs 101: The Essential Gear You Need guide. And if you need to outfit yourself for rainy hikes and walks, check out our guide for the Best Rain Jackets for humans.
We write mission-driven gear reviews. To find the best gear, we combine expert reviews, everyday user opinions, and rigorous independent trail testing—never native ads or sponsored posts. We are 100% reader-supported and may make a small commission from some qualifying affiliate links. Learn more.
Comparison table
| RAIN JACKET | TREELINE AWARD | MATERIAL | TAPED SEAMS? | LINED? | AVAILABLE SIZES (BACK LENGTH) | REFLECTIVE? | MSRP | WATERPROOF RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-stop Dogwear Fjord Raincoat | Best overall Read review |
Polyester 3L membrane | Yes | No | 24-90 cm | Yes | $95-100 | 15,000 mm |
| Ruffwear Sun Shower Dog Raincoat | Best affordable Read review |
Ripstop nylon | Not listed | No | 13-42 in | Yes | $60 | 3,000 mm |
| Hurtta Mudventure ECO Dog Overall | Best for long-haired breeds Read review |
Not listed | Yes | No | 10-26 in | Yes | $97-? | Not listed |
| Hurtta Mudventure ECO Raincoat | Most adjustable Read review |
Not listed | Yes | No | 10-26 in | Yes | $80-? | Not listed |
| Canada Pooch Torrential Tracker | Best for small dogs Read review |
Polyester | Not listed | Yes, polyester/ cotton | 8-29 in | Yes | $41-71 | Water resistent |
| Kurgo Halifax Rain Shell | Most durable Read review |
PU-coated ripstop polyester | Not listed | Yes, mesh | 10.75-30 in | Yes | $45-59 | Not listed |
The winners
Best overall dog raincoat: Non-stop Dogwear Fjord Raincoat
Material: Polyester 3L membrane
Available sizes: 24-90 cm
What we liked: A huge range of available sizes, good waterproofing, lightweight construction, and an easy on/off design make the Fjord Raincoat the best pick for most dogs
What we didn’t like: The lightweight, packable design of this coat makes it feel a bit thinner than some of the other options on our list
The Non-stop Dogwear Fjord Raincoat is not only durable and extremely waterproof, it’s also inclusive, featuring 14 available sizes for toy dogs all the way up to giant breeds. This jacket is available for dogs with back lengths of 8.7 inches all the way up to 37.8 inches (though the two biggest sizes were out of stock at the time of writing).
Non-stop Dogwear Fjord Raincoat
Of the jackets we tested, this coat fit our tester dogs the best. The brand runs true to size, and Non-stop has clearly tested its apparel on multiple different breeds and sizes of dogs. The way this coat fits feels very intentional. This coat features two handy cinch adjustments at the neck and shoulders to keep water out, and can be loosened or tightened around the chest for the best fit.
This was one of the easiest coats to put on and take off. You simply pull the whole coat over your dog’s head (which you can do without bending down if you have a medium or large dog), then you simply fasten the belly strap over your dog’s back. I liked that this jacket only has one clip needed to secure it. The coats with two clips were harder to put on wiggly dogs. To take it off, you don’t really need to bend over either — just unclip the buckle on the top of your dog’s back, then pull the coat back over their head. The only downside to putting this jacket on and taking it off is for head-shy dogs specifically, since it needs to go over the head.
The Non-stop Dogwear Fjord Raincoat offers the best fit for all dog breeds and sizes. Photo by Jae Thomas
During our waterproofness test, the Fjord Raincoat did an excellent job at repelling water. It features a 15,000mm waterproof rating—the highest of the options on this list. Though none of the options we tested had water leak completely through the coat, the Fjord Raincoat was one of the driest after soaking it in water. Other options on the list had visibly wet outers and needed to be dried after use. The Non-stop option could simply be wiped dry, since the water tended to beat on top of the coat instead of soak into the fabric. The middle chest strap did a good job at keeping my dogs’ fronts clean and dry, but they did tend to pick up some moisture on the undersides of their legs in soggy conditions.
This coat was the only option on the list that could be both machine washed and dried. Many raincoats can only be hand-washed and line dried, so the convenience factor with the Fjord coat is huge. You’re more likely to use a dog raincoat if you know you can throw it in the washer and dryer when it inevitably gets dirty. I washed and dried this coat and waterproof tested it again to the same results. I didn’t notice any shrinking or other issues from putting it in the washer and dryer.
The Non-stop Fjord Raincoat allows for free range of movement, thanks to the thoughtful design around the chest and shoulders. Photo by Jae Thomas
I’m generally a big Non-stop Dogwear fan, especially when it comes to range of motion. Most of this brand’s products are designed for outdoor sporting dogs who participate in canicross, bikejoring, skijoring, and other sports, so safe range of motion is paramount. The flapped shoulder covers in the front are two separate pieces, allowing your dog to extend fully, even at speed. The rear is also unrestricted, and though the elastic leg loops keep the jacket in place, they didn’t seem to bother my dogs as they were running and playing.
Among its plethora of extra features, the Fjord coat is nicely lightweight and packable, and comes with a small stuff sack to store it in. It’s fitted with drainage holes in the chest section of the jacket, so that if water does get in from the top (if you didn’t tighten the neck all the way, for example), it will drain out instead of making your dog wet and cold. This jacket also features a leash portal mid-back so your dog can wear a harness under it, reflective trim, and leg loops to keep the jacket in place while dogs run around. It doesn’t feature a hood, which I’m happy about.
The main downside of this coat is that due to its lightweight, packable design, it does feel thinner than some of the other options I tested. The thickness is about on par with the Ruffwear Sun Shower, but the Non-stop Fjord lining was slightly more breathable. I didn’t notice dampness in the lining after letting my dogs run around in it.
In terms of the price, this rain jacket fell in the high range of the options we tested, but it’s by no means the most expensive. I liked that the price range only differed by $5 between the smaller and larger sizes. Sizes 24 through 36 are $95, and sizes 40 through 90 are $100.
Best affordable dog raincoat: Ruffwear Sun Shower Dog Raincoat
Material: Ripstop nylon
Available sizes: 13-42 in
What we liked: At $60, this coat is $40 cheaper than our winner, and has a few minor differences that are flaws — but not dealbreakers — if price is your top priority
What we didn’t like: This coat is slightly harder to put on than our top pick, since it has a buckle that’s fitted into a hidden pocket on each side; only comes in six sizes
This coat is similar in design to our best overall dog raincoat, the Non-stop Dogwear Fjord coat. They both feature neck coverage, leg loops, and a lightweight yet sturdy waterproof shell. The Fjord coat has more neck coverage and slightly more hip coverage than the Ruffwear Sun Shower, and the Fjord is more adjustable with two different neck cinches that keep water out of the top of the jacket. In comparison, the Fjord coat kept dogs’ necks more dry and was less likely to let in water through the neck than the Sun Shower.
Ruffwear Sun Shower Dog Raincoat
The Ruffwear Sun Shower is fairly easy to put on, but was slightly more difficult than our top pick. This dog rain jacket goes over your dog’s head, then features a clip on each side of the dog’s rib cage. The receiving ends of the clips are tucked into small fabric pockets that make them hard to access when dealing with a wiggly dog.
The Ruffwear Sun Shower offers a bit less belly coverage than the Fjord Raincoat, but still covers your pup from their neck to the base of their tail. Photo by Jae Thomas
I generally liked the fit of this jacket on my dogs, and the sizes coincided nicely with the chest girth measurements. However, I wish that the sizing guide of this jacket also included back length, instead of just chest girth. Some longer-backed breeds may be too long for some of Ruffwear’s sizes to cover them from neck to rump fully. I also wish this jacket came in a few more sizes. Though the vast majority of dogs will be covered by Ruffwear’s existing sizing, some toy breeds and extra large breeds are left out.
The Ruffwear Sun Shower did well during our waterproofness tests, despite the lower waterproof rating of 3,000mm compared to our winner’s 15,000mm. After long exposure to moisture, you could see where the coat got wet, but no water leaked through the outer layer of fabric.
The chest and shoulder design of the Sun Shower is similar to the Fjord. Neither restrict a dog’s range of motion in the front. Photo by Jae Thomas
The range of motion on the Ruffwear Sun Shower is the same as the range of motion on the Non-stop Dogwear Fjord. Like the Fjord, the Sun Shower features separate shoulder flaps for each side that allow dogs full extension in the front, and no restriction for rear legs, even with the elastic leg straps attached.
This jacket has everything you need and nothing you don't in terms of extra features. It comes with a harness hole, reflective trim, and leg loops.
One of my only qualms with the Sun Shower is that the buckles on either side are a little bit hard to access. Photo by Jae Thomas
If you’re willing to deal with a little extra work when putting this jacket on, and don’t mind that it’s lower coverage than our top pick, the Ruffwear Sun Shower is a great option that’s a bit easier on the wallet.
Best dog raincoat for long-haired breeds: Hurtta Mudventure ECO Dog Overall
Material: Not listed
Available sizes: 10-26 in
What we liked: Full front, underbelly, and leg coverage keeps dogs with long and curly coats the cleanest in wet, muddy, and snowy weather; high visibility
What we didn’t like: The legs tend to ride up when dogs run, leaving the lower part of the leg susceptible to mud and water; took the longest to put on and take off of all the coats we tested
If you have a double-coated breed, a long-haired breed, or a curly-coated breed, you know that rain and mud are surefire ways to get your dog disgusting (and force you to give them a bath). A high-coverage rainsuit is the way to go to avoid having to bathe your dog constantly during the wet and muddy seasons.
Hurtta Mudventure ECO Dog Overall
I have a Rough Collie, and if you know anything about collies, they have fur for days. Her chest, her “pants” (the hair on her rear) and the feathered hair on her front and rear legs gets horrendously muddy in the rain or after the snow starts to melt here in Colorado. If I don’t cover her up properly, I end up combing mud, dirt, and burrs out for hours after a hike, and sometimes I just end up needing to give her a bath anyway.
The Hurtta Mudventure Eco Dog Overall does a good job at keeping my collie mostly clean, even on muddy hikes. It’s a bit of a hassle to get on and off since you have to lift all four of your dog’s paws up, but the coverage is worth it.
The Hurtta Mudventure Eco Overall has saved my collie’s coat on many muddy occasions. Photo by Jae Thomas
I wish the pant legs on this raincoat came down a bit longer since the legs ride up and basically turn into capris when my collie runs, leaving some of the feathering on her front and rear legs susceptible to dirt and mud. I still end up needing to wipe down a few inches of her legs after a muddy hike, but it drastically reduces how gross she gets in wet and muddy conditions.
The Mudventure Eco Overall is harder to put on than other options on this list since it has coverage of all four legs. You need to lift each of your dog’s legs up to get them in and out of the suit, and the suit fastens with a zipper on one side. This rain suit features cinch closures at the neck, shoulders, and rear to adjust sizing, and has buttons on the bottoms of each of the legs to tighten them. It also has elastic cinches on the inside to shorten each leg — a huge plus for low-rider breeds like Corgis, Dachshunds, and Basset Hounds. It also has reflective logos and trim.
The Hurrta Mudventure Eco Overall features cinch closures at the neck, shoulders, and rear to adjust sizing, and has buttons on the bottoms of each of the legs to tighten them. Photo by Jae Thomas
In terms of waterproofness, this suit will keep your dog dry, but the top layer does tend to absorb water when it’s really wet out. It features a 10,000mm waterproof rating, similar to the non-overall version of the coat also included in this list.
The elastic cuffs on the bottom of each leg also aren’t waterproof, so they get quite wet, making this the kind of raincoat you’d likely need to allow to dry overnight between uses.
I wish that the legs were a bit longer on the Hurtta Mudventure Eco Overall, but the button snaps on the cuffs do a good job of keeping the legs in place. Photo by Jae Thomas
Though this suit offers free range of motion to dogs when running, my collie was able to get her rear legs out of the leg holes a few times, even when they were buttoned to their full tightness. This could potentially cause some movement issues, and is slightly annoying to have to put your dog’s leg back in the suit while you’re out and about.
Despite the minor issues with this coat, it’s still worth it for dogs with high-maintenance coats to keep them clean and dry in rain, snow, or mud.
Most adjustable dog raincoat: Hurtta Mudventure Eco Raincoat
Material: Not listed
Available sizes: 10-26 in
What we liked: This coat offers a tiny bit more coverage than our top pick, and features cinch closures to adjust the size at the neck, shoulders, and rear
What we didn’t like: The closure on the strap is a bit odd and harder to use than a normal buckle, and this coat comes in fewer sizes than our top pick
The Hurtta Mudventure Eco raincoat is very similar to the Non-stop Dogwear Fjord coat, with a few notable exceptions. First, the material feels a bit more heavy weight than the Fjord, it offers slightly more chest coverage than the Fjord, and the Mudventure Eco is also more adjustable than the Fjord. However, the Fjord is more true to size and offers more sizes than the Mudventure Eco, bringing it to the front of the pack.
Hurtta Mudventure Eco Raincoat
Still, the Mudventure Eco is a great raincoat. It offers slightly more chest, hip, and shoulder coverage than our top pick, and is pretty easy to put on (though we preferred the Non-stop’s buckle closure to the somewhat odd plastic closure on this jacket).
In terms of sizing, this coat (and some of Hurtta’s other options, in my experience) runs about half a size to a full size too big. My collie measures slightly under 24 inches from shoulder to the base of her tail, but the 22-inch coat fits much better than the 24 inch coat. I often recommend that folks size down when purchasing Hurtta coats for the first time, especially if your dog is right between sizes.
Though the Hurtta Mudventure Eco raincoat runs big, the vast amount of adjustability makes it a good pick for growing dogs and multi-dog households. Photo by Jae Thomas
This coat has a waterproof rating of 10,000mm, which is 5,000mm less than our top pick. This jacket didn’t have any water leak through during our tests, but it was noticeably wet on the outside after testing. You could see where water hit it after a while of being out in wet weather, whereas the best dog raincoat allowed water to bead off of the surface. This jacket would definitely need to be hung up to dry for a few hours or overnight between uses.
The Hurtta Mudventure Eco runs about a size too big. Dashi measures right under 24 inches from the shoulder to base of the tail, and I needed to pull the cinch adjuster in the rear to make it smaller. Photo by Jae Thomas
Where this coat shines is adjustability. It features one cinch closure at the neck, one at the shoulders, and one and one at the base of the tail to adjust the sizing (the tail cinch is something the Fjord jacket doesn’t have). The Mudventure Eco is a good pick for households with two dogs who are a similar size—you could potentially use it on both dogs by simply adjusting the size depending on who’s wearing it.
The 24-inch size Hurrta Mudventure Eco raincoat fits better on Mimmo, who measures about 26 inches from his shoulder to the base of his tail. Photo by Jae Thomas
Best dog raincoat for small dogs: Canada Pooch Torrential Tracker
Material: Polyester
Available sizes: 8-29 in
What we liked: Full belly coverage is ideal for small and low-to the ground dogs in wet and muddy conditions
What we didn’t like: This jacket is a bit hard to get on and off, since you have to pick up each front leg and Velcro it shut underneath the dog
This was the first dog raincoat I bought for my rescue dog when I adopted her, and it did the job until we found the Non-stop Dogwear Fjord, which fits her better. I used this jacket for over two years, and it held up well to muddy and rainy weather.
Canada Pooch Torrential Tracker
Putting it on is a bit difficult since you have to lift up each of your dog’s front legs, then Velcro the two sides together underneath their chest. However, the slight hassle when putting this coat on pays off with full chest and belly coverage. It’s a great pick for small dogs who are low to the ground and get extra dirty, muddy, and cold in wet weather.
The Torrential Tracker had a good fit lengthwise, but tended to be too roomy in the belly area on thinner dogs. Photo by Jae Thomas
Though the design offers great coverage that will keep dogs clean and dry from the outside, one downside of this coat is that male dogs could potentially pee on or in this jacket because of the full coverage. This is less likely to happen if you pick a size that’s pretty snug around the belly area, so pay attention to the sizing of this jacket if you’re buying for a male dog. I had tester dogs pee inside of this jacket if it was too loose on them.
Even though this dog raincoat has a (in my opinion) unnecessary hood, it also features a button on the hood to keep it from falling into your dog’s eyes. Dogs often find hoods in their faces aversive, so I liked this feature.
The fit of the Torrential Tracker sat a little bit low in the neck on Oslo since he’s very long. This jacket would fit better on smaller, more compact dogs. Photo by Jae Thomas
The inner lining of this material is soft, but during testing, it did get wet when my tester dogs were wearing it in the snow. Because the lining on the inside is thick, it takes a while to dry. I think if the fit was a bit tighter, it wouldn’t have gotten so wet on the inside, since the moisture came up through the arm holes. If you have a thin dog, you may also have this issue.
Though it doesn’t have an official waterproofing rating, this coat repelled water decently in our waterproofing tests, aside from letting water up through the arm holes.
The price on this jacket varies quite a bit depending on the size you choose, and it’s most worth it for folks who are buying smaller sizes and can take advantage of the lower prices. For size 8, it’s $41, for size 10 it’s $43, for size 12 it’s $45, for 14 it’s $47. If you need anything bigger than a size 14, I recommend paying a little bit more and springing for the Ruffwear Sun Shower instead, especially if you have a boy dog.
Most durable dog raincoat: Kurgo Halifax Dog Rain Shell
Material: PU-coated ripstop polyester
Available sizes: 10.75-30 in
What we liked: The super thick and sturdy design will hold up to hiking in rough terrain and playing rough, too
What we didn’t like: This jacket isn’t easily packable due to the heavyweight design, and it only comes in five sizes
If you find yourself (and your dog) hiking in rough, bramble-y environments, you may need an extra durable dog raincoat that won't snag. The Kurgo Halifax Dog Rain Shell is seriously heavy duty, with the thickest and sturdiest material of all the dog rain jackets we tested.
Kurgo Halifax Dog Rain Shell
The material on this jacket feels like a stiffer version of a waterproof duffle bag. It’s made of ripstop polyester, coated with thermoplastic polyurethane for extra waterproofing. The lining of this jacket is a thick mesh lining that’s meant to make it more breathable, but makes the jacket feel even more stiff.
The outer material on the Kurgo Halifax is stiff, and I found that my tester dogs moved a bit more stiffly when wearing it. Photo by Jae Thomas
The sizing of this jacket seemed to favor bigger dogs. My two tester dogs are herding breeds and are barrel chested, somewhat long-backed, and thin, but if you have a more square breed (similar length-to-height ratio), or a breed with a broad chest, this jacket would likely fit them quite well. Breeds I think this jacket would fit well on are labs, Golden Retrievers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs.
I got the medium size for my two dogs, and even when tightened fully, this jacket was quite roomy on both of them, and slightly too short for my Rough Collie. I wouldn’t size up for more back length for her though, since then the chest would be way too big. If you have a dog built like mine (thin herding or sporting breeds), I’d opt for the Non-stop Dogwear Fjord, the Hurtta Mudventure Eco, or the Ruffwear Sun Shower.
The Halifax rain jacket also lacks leg loops, so there’s nothing holding it down in the rear. In my testing, it didn’t blow up in light or medium winds though, since the material is so heavy.
This jacket was most similar to the Ruffwear Sun Shower in terms of putting it on and taking it off. It goes over your dog’s head, then you buckle a strap on either side of your dog’s rib cage. It’s slightly harder to put on if you run the buckles through the side straps as intended.
The buckles on the Kurgo Halifax need to be under the side straps to secure this jacket properly. Photo by Jae Thomas
Related to the stiffness of the material, I found that my dogs were less likely to make sharp turns in this jacket and seemed to walk a bit stiffly in it. The Halifax rain shell doesn’t offer much give because of how stiff the material is, so while it could be a good option for hikes and walks, it may cause some minor range of movement restriction for dogs who are running and playing.
This jacket is nicely waterproof, thanks to the ripstop polyester and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coating. Though it doesn’t have an official waterproof rating, water tended to bead up on the surface of this jacket and didn’t soak in during testing.
Though the Kurgo Halifax jacket does have a collar for additional neck protection, I wish it came up more and could be tightened to keep water out. Photo by Jae Thomas
The Halifax is hand-wash only, and it’s a bit annoying if you actually have to wash it because it’s so stiff. However, since the outer shell is so plasticky, it’s easy to just wipe it down instead of actually washing it. I’d only wash this jacket if the lining got really dirty.
This jacket has a harness leash portal, reflective trim, and has a retail price of $45 to $59 depending on size. If you’re going for one of the larger, more expensive sizes, I’d probably opt for the Ruffwear Sun Shower instead—unless you need an extra-durable coat for the environment you live in and hike in.
Other dog raincoats we tested
Frisco Lightweight Clear Vinyl Dog Raincoat
Material: Vinyl/ PVC Plastic
Available sizes: 10-26 in
What we liked: The dual Velcro design is very easy to put on and off, and is great for head shy dogs who don’t like coats pulled over their heads
What we didn’t like: Though affordable, this jacket had awkward sizing; the hood stayed down the whole time during wear, which my tester dogs found somewhat aversive
Though this jacket is cheap and easy to put on, there were a number of issues with it. There’s not much chest or belly coverage on this coat, which was the issue with all three of the Velcro jackets since they were all designed similarly. My dogs’ bellies and fronts were sufficiently wet and muddy after wearing this while running around in melting snow. This two-Velcro design, however, is good for head shy dogs who don’t like things being pulled over their head.
Frisco Lightweight Clear Vinyl Dog Raincoat
Miso hated the hood on this Frisco vinyl raincoat. Photo by Jae Thomas
The biggest issue with this jacket is that the hood stays dog over your dog’s head the entire time they’re wearing it. Though this keeps their head dry, it was falling into the tester dogs’ eyes and every dog I tested it on found it annoying and aversive. I’m of the opinion that dog coats don’t need hoods—dogs don’t like them, and they never stay on (or they can’t be pulled off, in this case).
This jacket was being evaluated as a budget option, and even though it’s quite a bit cheaper than our budget pick, we feel the budget pick (the Ruffwear Sun Shower) is better suited for most dogs due to its higher coverage, better quality, better range of motion, and extra features like reflective trim, a harness hole, and leg loops.
Material: Not listed
Available sizes: 14-21 in
What we liked: Similar easy on/off Velcro design as the Frisco Lightweight Clear Vinyl Dog Raincoat, and packs down into its own pocket
What we didn’t like: This jacket only comes in three sizes, and even the largest size left most of my collie’s rear exposed to the rain
The Wilderdog Rain Jacket is reasonably priced and easy to put on, packs down into its own rear pocket, and has a removable hood. However, sizing was a big issue with this coat. While our top pick comes in 14 different sizes, this option only comes in three sizes, making it unlikely that any one size will fit your dog perfectly.
Wilderdog Dog Rain Jacket
The three size options are small (back length of 14 inches), medium (back length of 17 inches) and large (back length of 21 inches). My Rough Collie is a medium-sized dog at 45 pounds, but her back length from shoulder to the end of her tail is about 24 inches. That means that even with the largest size of this coat, she’d have three inches of her rear exposed to the elements. Even then, the largest size of this coat seemed far too big for my collie around the chest, with a lot of Velcro hanging off the side when I tightened it to an appropriate size.
The Wilderdog Rain Jacket is reasonably priced and easy to put on, packs down into its own rear pocket, and has a removable hood. However, sizing was a big issue with this coat. Photo by Jae Thomas
Some folks may not mind not having full back coverage, but considering this coat also lacks chest and belly coverage, having my dog’s full rear covered is non-negotiable in my opinion. This isn’t a good option for very small dogs or for medium-large dogs because of the sizing issues. The sizing of the Wilderdog raincoat seems to favor medium-sized dogs with short backs and bigger chests.
This jacket has a 2,000mm waterproof rating, which isn’t the best, but is better than the coats that don’t have one at all.
Material: Nylon
Available sizes: 10-26 in
What we liked: This budget-friendly jacket is extremely lightweight and packs into its own rear pocket for traveling
What we didn’t like: This raincoat was lightweight at the expense of feeling cheap, and lacked some of the thoughtful features of our top picks, like a harness hole and leg loops to keep the jacket in place
If you’re on a strict budget and need a sub-$20 dog raincoat, this Frisco reversible option is an okay choice. It comes in seven different sizes and seemed more true-to-size in my testing than the Wilderdog coat. It’s extremely lightweight and packable, and packs into its own pouch for traveling, but the lightweight construction comes at the expense of feeling cheap.
Frisco Lightweight Olive Reversible Packable Dog Raincoat
During the waterproofing tests, this coat didn’t have any moisture leak through, but some water did get into the rear pocket. The Velcro doesn’t go all the way from side to side on this pocket, so it leaves open holes on each side where water can get in.
Though this jacket is hand wash only, only features a leash hole at the neck, and has some minor waterproofing issues, it’s easy to put on and take off, and only costs $13-$17 depending on the size you need.
This Frisco reversible raincoat isn’t the best quality, but at sub-$20 is an okay option for those on a strict budget. Photo by Jae Thomas
Why your dog needs a raincoat
There are a number of reasons your dog could benefit from a raincoat. The first is simple: some dogs just don’t like getting wet. If you have a dog who refuses to go out to potty in the rain, a raincoat could make the wet weather more comfortable for them.
A rain jacket will also keep your dog dry and clean, and may extend the amount of time between bathing. Double-coated, long-coated, and curly-coated breeds with high-maintenance coats can be a disaster when they get wet. These kinds of breeds can’t simply be wiped down with a towel if they get soggy and muddy. Not only will they get extremely dirty, they also will get tangled if not dried properly. A properly fitting raincoat will keep these kinds of dogs cleaner and drier in wet conditions, so you don’t have to give them a bath and blow dry every day of the rainy season.
Plenty of breeds have naturally water-resistant coats, and stay decently comfortable and dry at the skin level in wet weather. However, the top layer of these dog’s coats will still get wet. That means, without a raincoat you’ll still have to deal with a wet and potentially muddy dog (and wet dog smell) in your house. Raincoats are as much for human convenience as they are for dog comfort and safety, since they’ll drastically reduce the amount of fur that can get wet and dirty.
Rain jackets also do a good job of keeping small and thin dogs warm. Dogs who don’t have a lot of body fat can get cold very easily in the rain, so keeping them dry is the best way to keep them warm.
Some dogs with sensitive skin get hotspots or irritated skin if they get wet and stay wet, so if you’re not going to thoroughly dry your dog after every walk in wet weather, a raincoat reduces the areas on their body that hotspots can form.
Lastly, a dog raincoat is a safety tool for your dog depending on where you live. If you live in the city or go hiking off leash often, a brightly colored raincoat with reflective features will add visibility. This means oncoming cars can see you, and if you hike off-grid near hunting lands, your off-leash dog won’t get mistaken for a deer or other wild animal. A bright, reflective rain jacket is also a great way to let other hikers on trail see your dog more easily.
Buying advice
Waterproofing level
High-quality dog raincoats will often feature a water column waterproof rating. These ratings essentially measure how much water pressure a fabric can take before the moisture starts to leak through the fabric. These measurements are given in millimeters, and the higher the rating, the more waterproof a fabric is.
We found the ratings to be pretty accurate—the coats we tested with higher waterproof ratings allowed water to bead up on the surface of the coat. The coats with the lower waterproof ratings tended to absorb water in the top layer of fabric (without having it soak through to the inner layers). The cheaper jackets on this list often didn’t have official measured waterproof ratings.
For reference, human rain jackets are also measured in this way. Amanda Jameson, writer of Treeline’s best lightweight rain jacket guide says that human rain jackets with 0-5,000mm waterproof ratings are good for “minimal protection in inclement weather” while jackets rated 10,000-15,000 are ideal for occasional thunderstorms. Jameson also says that 20,000mm+ is ideal for protection in heavy rain.
Note that none of the dog raincoats on this list are rated at 20,000mm+. Very few dog jackets with this rating exist on the market, and generally any kind of formal waterproofing rating is better than nothing when purchasing a dog raincoat. Our top pick, however, is rated at 15,000mm and did a good job at keeping our tester dogs dry in a variety of weather and in our simulated tests.
Material quality (e.g., polyester, nylon)
The specific material of a dog rain jacket matters less than the waterproof rating. Generally, dog raincoats are made of nylon or polyester, and some have an additional DWR (durable water repellent) or TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) coating for additional waterproofing. It’s not always disclosed if a dog rain jacket has an outer coating.
Ease of putting on and taking off
If your dog’s raincoat is more of a hassle to put on and take off than it’s worth, you’ll be unlikely to use it. Choosing one that’s at the intersection of fit/coverage and ease of use is key.
Though the jackets with Velcro around the neck and belly are the easiest to put on, they leave your dog’s chest and underside susceptible to mud and moisture. However, these jackets are good for dogs who are head-shy and don’t like things being pulled over their heads. If that isn’t an issue for your dog, I recommend the jackets that pull over the dog’s head, and have a piece of fabric that goes between their front legs, down their chest, and gets fastened with one or two buckles around the belly. This type of jacket (like the Hurtta Mudventure Eco, Ruffwear Sun Shower, and Non-stop Dogwear Fjord) offers the highest amount of coverage for the lowest amount of effort when it comes to putting a jacket on your dog and taking it off.
Fit and adjustability (straps, Velcro, or elastic)
If you’ve measured your dog well and chosen a jacket who’s sizing fits your dog’s body type, adjustability isn’t a huge factor. However, if you have an oddly sized dog (like very thin sighthounds or big, thick bulldogs), adjustability could come in handy. I like to see an adjustable chest size in dog raincoats at the very least.
The closure on the Mudventure Eco is a bit odd. I preferred normal plastic buckle closures for ease of use. Photo by Jae Thomas
Coverage area
Whether you need full-body coverage or partial-body coverage will depend on your dog. If you have a dog with a long, high-maintenance coat like a Rough Collie or a Poodle, getting wet and dirty can be an immediate bath sentence. However, short-coated dogs that are more “wash and wear” can often get away with less coverage, since they can simply be wiped down with a towel if they get dirty.
Generally though, you’ll want full coverage from your dog’s neck to the base of their tail to prevent their core from getting wet and potentially cold. Don’t buy a dog raincoat with a back measurement that’s shorter than your dog’s measurement from their shoulder blades to the base of their tail. I also like neck coverage especially for coated breeds like my collie, since wet “rough” (the hair on the back of the neck) is a recipe for tangles and mats.
Neck to rump coverage ensures your dog stays dry in wet weather. Photo by Jae Thomas
Something else I feel passionate about is that dog coats do not need hoods. You might like the idea of your dog’s head staying dry, but most dogs find hoods incredibly aversive. Hoods often sit too low on a dog’s head and impede their vision. Without properly conditioning them to a hood, you may be setting your pup up to hate their rain jacket. Instead of buying a dog raincoat with a hood, buy one with high neck coverage that you can cinch closed so no water gets in. The top of your dog’s head may get wet, but I’ll guarantee they’ll be happier about wearing a raincoat if there’s not a hood constantly flopping in their face.
Miso hated the hood on this Frisco vinyl raincoat. Photo by Jae Thomas
Insulation for cold weather
All of the jackets in this list are specifically rain jackets without lining or insulation, and are suitable for temperatures between about 20 and 70 degrees in most cases. However, if your dog is very young, old, is a breed without much fat on their body (like sighthounds), or has any health conditions, an insulated dog jacket may be a better pick for cold temperatures.
Most insulated dog jackets are water resistant instead of waterproof, so they may not do well in heavy rain. Look for an insulated dog jacket with a high water column waterproof rating of 3,000mm or higher if you want it to warm and keep your dog completely dry.
Weight and packability
If you and your dogs are frequent hikers, it’s nice to have a packable rain jacket to bring on-the-go with you in case of sudden weather changes. Choose a rain jacket that’s both lightweight and decently waterproof. Some of the options on this list (like the Kurgo Halifax) may be too big and bulky to toss in a hiking pack. Many options either come with a stuff sack or can pack into themselves for ease of transport.
Reflective elements for visibility
Most of the raincoats on this list feature some kind of reflective trim, which makes your dog more visible at night or in rainy conditions. This is a safety feature—cars and other hikers and walkers will be able to see you and your dog better if your pup’s jacket has reflective elements.
Compatibility with harnesses or leashes
If you mostly walk your dog off leash, leash holes on a rain jacket aren’t a huge concern. However, if your dog is a frequent harness and leash user, a leash portal around the mid back area is important so your dog can wear a harness underneath their rain jacket. Some dog raincoats only feature leash holes at the neck, which can only be used for collars.
A reinforced leash hole is ideal for dogs who wear harnesses on walks. Photo by Jae Thomas
In my testing, I found that the collar holes aren’t always placed in the best spot, and often make the leash pull the jacket in weird ways that alters the fit. All of these jackets can be used without using a collar leash hole by simply putting your dog’s collar and leash on and running the collar out of the top of the jacket. A harness hole is much more important in my opinion.
Durability for outdoor conditions
The Kurgo Halifax material is different from the rest of the jackets in this pool. It’s thicker and more durable, but also a bit bulky. Photo by Jae Thomas
If you’re buying a dog raincoat for hiking, note what kind of terrain you and your four-legged friend are going to be in. If you’re planning on hiking through a lot of thick underbrush, choosing a durable jacket that won’t snag is a good idea. All of the jackets on this list performed well in our durability tests, but options with ripstop nylon or polyester shells will be less prone to snagging.
Size and breed-specific design
Measure twice and buy once when it comes to dog apparel. If you have a thin, barrel-chested breed (German Shorthaired Pointers, Vizslas, any of the Belgian breeds, etc.) double check that both your dog’s chest measurement and back length measurement line up with the coat’s measurements. If one of these measurements is wildly off, opt for a different coat or a different brand.
If you have a long dog with short legs (like Corgis, Basset Hounds, or Dachshunds), make sure that the coat won’t be wildly big on your dog around the chest to suit their back length. When it comes to dog apparel, select the brands with measurements that fit your dog’s body type the best.
Comfort and freedom of movement
Your dog needs to be able to move properly in their raincoat, or they may find it aversive. Choose raincoats that have dog range of motion in mind. I like options that have two different pieces of fabric for front shoulder coverage, since it allows full front extension when your dog is running. Avoid overly stiff and heavy fabrics (especially on toy and small breeds) that may impact your dog’s movement or weigh them down.
How to measure your dog for a raincoat
Dog raincoats are often sized by chest measurements, back length measurements, and neck measurements.
To take your dog’s neck measurement, take a soft tape measure or a piece of string or a dog leash and wrap it around the widest part of your dog’s neck. If you use a piece of string or a dog leash, just mark the length and then measure it against a standard tape measure after. You can also measure your dog’s current collar for a neck measurement.
If you have a breed with a big, blocky head (bully breeds and mastiff breeds), it may be more helpful to measure around the widest part of your dog’s head rather than their neck. I’ve had jackets that didn’t fit over a dog’s head before, even though the sizing would technically fit their neck measurement.
The back length measurement is arguably the most important for a dog rain jacket, since the right back length will cover your dog from neck to tail, while the wrong length could leave multiple inches of your dog’s rear exposed to the rain. Measure your dog from between their shoulder blades to the base of their tail for a back length measurement.
Lastly, you may need to take a chest measurement to make sure the back length size you’ve chosen won’t be huge or too small for your dog. Not all back length measurements will adequately line up with chest measurements, and a jacket that’s too big around the chest will likely allow water in from the arm holes. Measure your dog’s chest by wrapping a tape measure, leash, or piece of string around the widest part of your dog’s chest, then up to their back.
Adjustable cinch closures at the neck and shoulders of the Non-stop Fjord Raincoat allow you to customize the fit of this jacket for your dog, and ensure no water gets into the neck opening. Photo by Jae Thomas
Tips for walking your dog in the rain
Make sure your dog is used to their raincoat before taking them outside in it.
Choose well-lit or less muddy areas to walk.
Use a reflective leash or collar for added visibility.
Wipe your dog’s paws and coat after the walk to remove dirt and moisture.
Keep walks shorter during heavy rain to avoid discomfort.
Protect sensitive areas with additional gear, like booties, if needed.
Care and maintenance of dog raincoats
Proper care and cleaning of your dog’s raincoat will ensure that it lasts through many rainy seasons. Similar to human raincoats, always dry out your dog’s raincoat between uses. Wipe down any residual moisture from the outer shell and hang it to dry before storing it.
Ensure you follow the washing directions on your dog raincoat’s tag. If it says hand wash only, don’t be tempted to stick it in the washer for convenience. If you know you’ll never hand wash a dog coat, opt for one that can be machine washed. Some dog rain jackets can be machine dried on low heat, while others need to be laid flat to dry. It’s recommended to wash most dog raincoats with a mild detergent and double rinse them before drying.
Also ensure that you keep your dog’s raincoat relatively clean. A dirty, grimy raincoat won’t do a great job at repelling water, so wash it whenever it gets dirty.
How we researched and tested
After compiling a list of 20+ dog rain jackets based on popular picks from other sites such as Wirecutter, Business Insider, Spruce Pets, and more, we narrowed our testing pool down to 11 dog raincoats. We looked through online user reviews and other media reviews to eliminate any coats that had recurring major issues, like lack of waterproofing or range of motion problems. We then further eliminated two dog raincoats after finding out that they were either being discontinued or updated.
We then created a rubric that scored the remaining nine coats in the following categories to determine the winners:
Ease of use: I put each jacket on and off multiple dogs to determine which coat was the fastest and easiest to put on and take off.
Sizing: I evaluated the recommended sizing versus dogs who should fit the recommended sizing. The best-sized coats were true to size in neck, chest, and back length. Poorly sized coats were often too big in the chest for the back length offered or had similar issues. Some coats had sizing that favored particular dog breeds or body types. I also evaluated the amount of sizes offered to find coats that would fit a vast majority of dogs.
Dog range of motion: I evaluated dogs’ movement before and after putting on each coat, and noted any that restricted movement in the front, rear, or when turning.
Waterproofness: I compared the waterproof ratings of each jacket for those that had them, with 2,000mm being the lowest and 15,000mm being the highest of the testing pool. While it conveniently didn’t rain in Colorado during my testing, I’ve tested the majority of these jackets in the rain previously. I let my tester dogs run around in the snow in these jackets to see how well they protected dogs’ undersides and chests from moisture. To keep things standard for this story, I also simulated a rain test by running each jacket under the kitchen sink for one minute, then rubbing water into it to see if the outer soaked up any moisture. The best jackets allowed the water to bead up on the outside. Most of the jackets in the pool soaked up at least a bit of moisture into the top layer.
Cleaning: After testing the waterproofing of each jacket, I washed and dried them according to the manufacturer’s suggestions and waterproof tested them again to see if washing impacted the waterproofness.
Fabric durability: In addition to letting my tester dogs run and hike in the jackets, I also simulated a durability test. I rubbed each jacket with similar pressure on asphalt for 10 seconds, noting any that showed wear, rips, or tears.
Fastener durability: I tugged on each fastener (where applicable) with a pressure of 50 pounds using a luggage scale. Fasteners that had any give during this test were ranked lower.
Fabric and fastener quality: I compared each jacket to each other, ranking them in order based on how high quality they felt.
Weight and size: Packable jackets got extra brownie points. Being able to toss a dog raincoat in your hiking backpack ensures you’ll actually use it while out on adventures with your pup.
Extra features: I noted jackets that had any extra features, like leg loops to keep the jacket in place, a harness leash hole, reflective trim, and extra adjusting points.
Price: Lastly, I compared the price of each jacket and determined if it was worth the price based on the scores from the above tests.
Each of the coats on this list was tested by my two dogs, my dog show mentor’s four collies, a friend’s cattle dog mix, and another friend’s corgis.
About the author / Why you should trust us
I’ve written and edited numerous pet and lifestyle product reviews for sites like CNN Underscored, Whole Dog Journal, and more. I was formerly the shopping editor at Mashable, covering tech and lifestyle products before leaving to pursue my incredibly niche passion of dog product testing. I have a journalism degree from NYU, and have been involved in commerce writing since I graduated in 2020.
I’m also a dog trainer, dog show exhibitor, dog sport competitor, and I’ve worked as kennel help and a dog show assistant in the past. I teach both behavioral lessons and sport classes, and I compete in AKC conformation, rally, agility, barn hunt, and herding with my two dogs. I basically spend all of my waking hours with either my own dogs or my client dogs.
Related to dog raincoats, I have one dog (Miso, a border collie mix) who hates being wet, and another dog (Dashi, a Rough Collie) who loves it but has a long, high-maintenance coat that gets wildly muddy and tangled after romping around in the wet weather. My two dogs are at the two ends of the spectrum when it comes to rainy weather, and I’ll do anything to make sure Miso isn’t wet and Dashi isn’t constantly covered in dirt, making me the ideal person to test dog coats.
My conformation (dog show) background also gives me a unique view on fit and sizing for dog apparel. Not only do I know the body types and structure of most dog breeds, I also have an eye for movement and can tell when apparel restricts a dog’s range of motion.
Most of my close friends and community are from the dog world, so I also have a huge network of client and friend dogs who regularly help me test products and keep lots of variety in my tester dog pool.
