8 Best Dog Boots for Hiking in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
Updated on
Sometimes you want to take your furry friend with you on a nice long hike, but either the terrain is a little rough or the weather a bit extreme.
Fortunately, we live in an age where dogs are rightfully treated like royalty, and this extends to hiking. Dog boots for hiking should not be written off as a novelty but instead, looked at as another way to spend time with your furriest pal.
In these reviews, we will go over the eight best dog boots for hiking, so you can keep your dog’s paws safe and protected. We’re off to the reviews!
Click to Skip Ahead
A Quick Comparison of Our 2024 Favorites
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall | QUMY Waterproof Anti-Slip |
|
Check Price | |
Best Value | Petilleur Breathable |
|
Check Price | |
Premium Choice | RUFFWEAR Grip Trex |
|
Check Price | |
PUPWE Rugged Anti-Slip |
|
Check Price | ||
Bark Brite Neoprene |
|
Check Price |
The 8 Best Dog Boots for Hiking
1. QUMY Hiking Dog Boots – Best Overall
Just one look at these dog hiking boots, and you’ll be impressed by the craftsmanship and how substantial they look. The good news about these is that they are easy to put on and take off. Considering that it will probably take your pup time to get used to these, this is definitely for the best. These boots are meant to protect your pup from a variety of dangers, so you can feel confident that your dog will be safe from thorns, extreme heat, or extreme cold. The soles look much like those you would see on the bottom of a pair of hiking boots for a human.
The design of these boots is quite brilliant, and most customers report having their dog trained to use them in as little as 10 minutes. There are other advantages: They are great for older dogs with arthritis who need a little extra grip on slippery floors. They are also wonderful if your dog is not supposed to itch for any reason. Eventually, your pet will not only get used to them, but they will also be excited to put them on, as it means playtime is just around the corner!
The only downside to this product is that they sometimes cause blisters. When using, pay extra attention to your pet to make sure they aren’t struggling, and if they are, remove the boots immediately. Overall, these are the best dog boots for hiking available this year.
- Great for dogs with arthritis
- Great for all weather conditions
- Won’t fall off
- Can cause blisters
2. Petilleur Breathable Dog Hiking Shoes – Best Value
This is another all-weather and all-terrain dog hiking shoe. The top straps will make sure that these don’t fall off, as well as make them easy to put on or take off. Ice doesn’t stand a chance, as the bottom grips are quite serious! Made of Lycra, these boots are comfortable and breathable. An added perk is if you have an especially rambunctious pet who enjoys clawing up furniture, you can put a stop to that!
These shoes are a little more susceptible to falling off, but for the most part, they stay put. You may also find that if you have a tiny dog, Petilleur might not have anything in their size. It seems to be worth an email to see if you can get custom-made ones, though. These can also cause blisters, so stay on the lookout! Even with these flaws, it’s hard to call anything else the best dog hiking boots for the money on the market right now.
- All-weather/all-terrain
- Great for harsh conditions
- Comfortable and breathable Lycra construction
- Causes blisters
- Won’t fit very small dogs
3. RUFFWEAR Grip Trex Dog Boots – Premium Choice
These dog hiking boots are the real deal. They actually look like boots made by a notable company for humans. These dog boots are specifically made for hiking. With an adjustable top strap, these can be put on and removed quite easily, even if your furry one is a bit feisty. The sole is incredible in its detail and instills confidence that these are indeed great shoes for tackling a mountain. Made with breathable mesh, these will be comfortable for your pup for longer hikes while also keeping out dirt or debris that might want to sneak in there. To really push these over the top, Ruffwear added reflective paneling so you can keep track of your dog.
These boots can be a little uncomfortable for dogs with dew claws, but there is one easy way to fix that: dog socks!
- Easy to put on and take off
- Made specifically for hiking
- Mirrors a popular human shoe in design
- Bad for dogs with dew claws but you can get them socks
4. PUPWE Dog Booties
This is another pair of dog boots that mimic a pair of human boots. Though made out of water-resistant material, these are a less substantial boot and meant more for casual wear than for hiking. These are particularly good for older dogs who have issues with mobility or fall easily on slippery surfaces. The soles are durable, and these boots are easy to put on and take off.
Some people have issues with sizing, as these run a bit large, but the customer service staff is known to be helpful and friendly. Just send the first pair in, and they will send you the right size back. It also seems that this is a popular brand of dog shoe and they sell out fast, so if you see them available, make sure to snag a pair while you can!
- Meant for casual wear
- Good for older dogs
- Easy to put on and take off
- Good customer service team
- Sizing issues
5. Bark Brite All Weather Neoprene Dog Boots
This is a good product, but these are less dog hiking shoes than just gloves for your dog. They offer the same protection but are significantly less substantial, being made from neoprene. Still, your dog will be well protected against the elements while having flexibility to stretch their paws. The sole is made of rubber and is both puncture and water-resistant. Made to keep your dog safe from the elements, they also don’t allow dirt or rocks in, so your dog can feel comfortable. These are especially good as water shoes.
While these boots aren’t the easiest to put on, they are pretty good at staying on. The inside is lightly lined to make sure there is a certain amount of temperature control, and two reflective strips ensure that you and your buddy won’t lose sight of each other (you should be wearing reflective strips as well!).
Be aware that these boots can cause blisters. They are also probably the least durable of any doggy hiking boot on this list so far.
- Water-resistant
- Made from neoprene
- Good water shoes
- Cause blisters
- Not very durable
6. PG.KINWANG Dog Boots
These are similar in style to a couple of the boots already on this list, which means they look fantastic. Though advertised as waterproof, these boots’ insides are lined with velvet, so that’s a bit of a contradiction. The soles are meant to give your dog grip and look very much like the soles of hiking boots. With a Velcro strap at the top, these shoes are easy to get on and get off of your pet. Sizing is not certain with this company, as it seems like they don’t exactly have a template. Our recommendation is that you trace your dog’s paws and send it directly to the company.
One issue with these boots is that they have a hard time staying on the dog! Other than that, these are high quality, and if you get a pair that fits your pet just right, you shouldn’t have any issues at all.
- Velvet lined
- Good traction with the soles
- Hard to stay on
- No real size chart
7. Xanday Breathable Dog Boots
Sizing of these boots is tough to figure out, but when you get the exact right size, these seem to be comfortable for your dog and stay on perfectly well! This is another pair of all-weather boots. They are good enough for hiking, but they work especially well if you live in areas with extreme summers or winters.
Unfortunately, the grippy stuff at the bottom isn’t so grippy. It’s kind of like a slick plastic that can cause dogs to slide around more than they already would on slippery surfaces.
- Great fitting
- All weather
- Not so grippy
- Hard to find the right size
8. PROPLUMS Waterproof Dog Boots
Though as adorable as all the rest, these dog boots are actually hard to get on your dog! That does mean they also stay on pretty well. Made of waterproof material, these boots are another all-weather offering. One of the more creative uses we’ve heard for dog boots is using them on rafting trips so your dog doesn’t pop the raft! You can also put them on injured paws. The boots don’t have healing properties, but they do allow for a clean environment where no germs or bacteria can get in.
While these boots are good for putting on an injured dog, they can also cause injuries. Make sure the sizing is right, and if your pup objects, maybe try a different pair of boots.
- Good for floating
- Good for injured pups
- Can injure dog if not sized right
Buyers Guide – Choosing the Best Dog Boots for Hiking
These reviews demonstrate that not all dog hiking boots are made the same. As with any object or item being purchased for your pet, you want to make sure that safety and well-being are foremost. What are other things you should look for in the buying process? Let’s take a look.
Fit
Fit is important because if you buy your dog ill-fitting boots, you risk them getting blisters or even worse, injuries. While doggy shoe sizes is a relatively new thing, a few of the more established brands have detailed charts to help you through the sizing process.
Durability
We all know that dogs like to play rough, so you’ll want to look into the durability of the dog hiking boots before buying.
Ease for the wearer
How quickly will your dog be able to adjust to their new hiking boots? That will be up to your dog, but it is worth experimenting. The more quickly a dog adjusts to their boots, the more likely they will not only enjoy them but also become attached to them!
The wearer
While dog hiking boots are awesome for dogs who can still make it up the mountain, they are also wonderful for older dogs who have issues with traction. If this is the case, you might not need a pair of heavy-duty boots, but just something that creates a little friction between your pet and the ground.
Looks
How much attention do you want? Because if you have a dog with hiking boots, you are going to get a great deal of attention. How much attention does your dog want? Your dog wants all the attention. Get them a pair of dog hiking boots.
Our Dog Boots for Hiking Selection Process
When it comes to selecting products, Hepper has a committed team of writers and editors who work closely with licensed veterinarians to find the very best in today’s market. Together, they consider customer feedback, brand reputation, veterinary expertise, and whenever possible, hands-on testing. We aim to select and review the highest-quality products to help you make informed choices that meet both your and your pet’s needs.
Why Trust Hepper?
Since 2007, Hepper has been a trusted and growing online brand and resource with the edge of creating and retailing our own line of cat furniture, toys, and gear, and pet consumables, giving us valuable insights into how to choose dog boots. Our driven team of pet-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to empowering our readers to make the best decisions for their animal companions. Our priority lies in providing top-notch information and recommendations. Our team is genuinely invested in the health and well-being of all pets worldwide, believing that expert knowledge is crucial for achieving this goal.
In Conclusion
It’s easy to stumble onto a product like this and immediately dismiss it as a novelty, but these boots and shoes have wonderfully practical and healthy benefits. Can you imagine going for walks barefoot in Arizona in the summer? Neither can we. We hope that these reviews are a good guide to figuring out what boot would suit your pup. Whether you have a mountain dog or a dog who simply likes the hot sand of the beach, there is something here for everybody.
Which do you think you’ll get? It’s hard to argue against our top pick from Qumy, but there’s also our premium choice from Ruffwear. We are thrilled to help you with your purchase, as we loved writing these reviews!
Related reads: