The Swamp Cooler works surprisingly well. While wearing the jacket, our dogs are cooler while hiking on warm days. They can hike further, pant/drink less, and will not dive into every shady bush. The Swamp Cooler and the Bark n' Boots keep the sun off their backs and their paws off the hot trail, respectively. When hiking on leash-required trails, we use a harness and retractable or shock corded leash. That way we can run, jump off small boulders, etc. without pulling each other around all day. Unfortunately, the Swamp Cooler does not work with a harness and we have to put the leash on a neck collar. I do wish there was an option with an incorporated harness, or a pass-through area for a harness attachment designed in a way that prevents it from being an evaporation center.

if it dries out, pour water on it and it continues to work. good looking too

Purchased this due to the high heat index in La Paz during September (120). We live in a remote area with stand alone solar and generator backup. Worried about how the heat would affect our little dog. With the Swamp Cooler Jacket/Vest she is in great shape during the hotest of days or nights. She loves it and looks forward to me putting it on her. Amazing how cool her skin stays under the jacket. What a find this has been for our little Sophie!

These do dry out too quickly for outdoors in dry climates but for the use I needed the larger size for, it has worked well. I do wish that the neck had an opening making it easier for people with disabilities and dogs who do not like things going over their heads. Some dogs fit girth wise in a size that makes getting it over their heads difficult and this would fix that problem As much as you alter the boot patterns, perhaps you would consider an alteration to this as well

I have only used it a couple of times but it seemed to keep my dog a little cooler. Fits well. Well made. Good materials.

Easy to use and my dog had no problem walking and swimming with it on! Only wish it were longer to cover his whole back.

Measurements are true to size and it is well worth the price to help keep your dog cool. My dog wore it while she was at the dog park and had no problem running and playing with it on.

I've actually had this product for quite some time and am just now getting around to reviewing it. I live in VT but visit FL regularly with my service dog. He is black and has a tough time adapting to the heat, but this vest (and a set of Bark n' Boots) made all the difference for him. I'm very impressed by how cool his back is under the vest in spite of the hot climate. I've had mine almost two years and it's still in great shape.

We have tried many cooling coats in the past but nothing like the Swamp Cooler. We walk our dogs around campus twice a day and every dog wears a cooling coat. They are a perfect fit designed for canines.

Having a service dog and a job where I work outdoors for the majority of the day. It is a concern to keep him cool. After havin a chance to use this product over several days, I have found it extremely beneficial. It can be easily worn under his Ruff Wear harness and does not imped on his ability to do his job. I am most happy with is purchase, but I think my service dog is happier

My dog hates to walk far in the hot weather - in fact, I can barely get him around the block before he rests in the cool grass! With the swamp vest, he was cooler and enjoyed longer walks. I also felt better leaving him home (with no AC) on hot days with his vest.

The coat looked as it would work well but I was using it at shows to keep my hound cool. I was nervous that it seemed a little wet and that it would wet his coat to much but to my surprise when I took the coat off of him his hair was dry. It worked great and kept him cool until his time to go into the ring. Great product especially for the money!

My 10 year lab really likes it and it fits true to size. My dog is a boating dog and his able to participate longer in the hot sun.

Having a job where I'm outdoors for 8 hours, it is critical that my Service Dog stay cool. With his black coat and a harness on top of that he can get overheated fast. The Swamp Cooler allows me to have him at my side through out most of my work day - instead of off in the distance in the shade. Fit is perfect. Kubos to Ruffwear staff for all of their assistance in answering my questions and concerns in friendly and cheerful manor. You guys rock!!!

I KNOW that I ordered a medium as I would never have ordered a small but I received a small & had to return. Of course, the shipping charge is not refunded, so I ened up paying $15.00 for an item I did not order. A friend of mine also said the same thing happened to her so I am disappointed in the company.

My Staffy's coat is black/brindle, and the AZ mountain sun here is very strong. This makes for one uncomfortable pup in temps above the mid 70's. The cooling vest has solved this problem in two ways. First, and obviously, is the cooling effect from the water. Second, because of the vest's light color, it reflects a lot of heat away from our dog's dark coat. The difference in her comfort outside now, especially during excercise on sunny days, is very clear.

 Very impressed comfort fit  keeps dogs back cool on searches and training

This helped a lot in keeping my little dog from overheating on our usual hour-long walks when the temperature and humidity were both over 90. The cooler was warm when we finished, though, so longer periods of activity might have been a problem. Fit was good in the recommended size based on chest diameter.

I used this product while my dogs worked at the county fair- while it did help, it needed to be recharged frequently. Also, I found that while my male was well within the chest guidelines, the coat only went to just past his ribcage. On my female pup, who "should" have taken a size smaller, the length was just right. I would have also liked to see some coverage maybe in the belly area, where heat exchange is a bit more efficient

Having a Brachycephalic (short nosed dogue) they often have issues with breathing, overheating and cooling themselves properly and the issues are also compounded by large breed dogs that it was critical we find just the right cool coat. I spent weeks researching and kept coming back to ruffwear. Have not been disappointed in my choice. Initially we soak it in ice cold water and ring it out before we place it on our dog. With the temperatures this summer and even a recent trip we just took in the south we have been averaging 87-100+ degrees in very humid climate. The coat may on the outside feel dry, but underneath next to the dog keeps him nice and cool for hours. The color is genius, why doesnt everyone do this! And all cool coats eventually need to be re-wet if outside long enough, what is great about this one is I don't have to drag around a cooler filled with ice water. A spray bottle, or just a bottle of drinking water is sufficeinet for reactivating!

This coat is perfect for those extra hot days when even being outside for 15 minutes is almost too much for a flat nosed breed like a Frenchie.

The product itself is very well-made, but it does not stay cold/cool long enough. It's not very practical to carry a cooler filled with ice water around dog shows and while hiking, just to have to reactivate the coat every 30 mins. We have very humid summers here and I even wore the coat while doing yard work and once it dries, it becomes just another layer & it felt like it was just keeping the heat in.

Our little French Bulldog Boston Terrier cross loves it in our 36 degree Celcius temperature now she can be outside enjoying all of our family activities

We are having a heat wave high 90 temps. This is the only way I've found that I can take my dog out to exercise without her overheating.

We are midway through our second summer using the Swamp cooler vest. We are in central Arizona and usually hike for about 3 hours every morning. It's fairly cool when we head out, so I soak the vest in cold water before we leave and carry it in a diaper bag, along with an ice pack, in my waste pack. When it starts getting hot (about 1 1/2 hours into our hike), I put the vest on my dog. I usually have to re-wet the vest several times, so I carry extra water for this purpose. It does help my dog stay cooler. During the monsoon season when we have higher humidity, it doesn't work as effectively, so I imagine that it would not work well in areas that have extremely high humidity. Also, the portion of the vest that covers the front of my dog's chest is starting to come apart. Maybe this is normal wear and tear, but since we are only midway through our second summer using it, I would have hoped it would have held up longer. In spite of that, I'd still recommend this for dogs in hot climates.

I bought it with great expectations and recomendations. Within less than a half-hour in the Dallas heat (around 95 degrees), the coat was totally hot, although still wet and so was my dog's skin next to the coat. My poor dog began to pant like she was wearing 5lbs of extra fur. I had to take it off of her, carry the hot, heavy wet thing home in my hands, and cut the walk short to get her back into the AC. I wrote to ask if this was usual and if they would do anything about it, and the rep pretty much blew off. I am out $50 and my dog only goes out to do her business and no more real walks until it cools down. I would not reccomend this product at all or ths company.

I find this Cooler a great addition to my summer solutions to deal with over-heating problems and risk here in Az. After one use my dog loves to have it on. After a 2 hour training session in 105 degree heat. I was surprised when I reached under the Cooler and it was so cool. Made me wish I had one for me. My dog had more energy and stayed cooler longer. I love the fact it contain no chemicals for my dog to injest. I do not have to save a spot in my refrigerator too. Just water and if we are out too long I just need to re-wet the cooler. I am thinking of converting the cooler into a summer service dog vest. i know my dog would be a lot happer and cooler if I do. I place the cooler on and go with my service dog and carry water to re-wet the cooler. With the boot on her paws, I think this is one of the best ways to off-set and aid her in keeping cool. I have to say this has been one of the best buys I have ever made and one that really makes a difference in my dog's comfort and care. If you live in Az., I say this is a must buy item.

My Labrador Retriever service dog first tried his out at the Jimmy Buffett concert... it was great. Although it needed to be recharged due to the length of the evening... it worked great even under his working harness. Also great to help with our Treiball Demonstrations so he can keep a cool focus on the game.

I have used this coat frequently this summer and I am very pleased with it. I would like to know the best way to wash it and still maintain it's cooling ability.

We had to drive from Humboldt County to Slymar area with a tempermental A/C and this product saved my Black Baby from baking. She was cool, calm and collect when she had to share the ride back with the new Yellow pup, who was equally comfortable in the small back seat. Just make sure you have a cooler with cold water, it makes a HUGE difference and the coat will last longer.

This is a great product, lightweight, form fitting, my dog can move freely in this and kept her cool while performing Treibball demonstrations in 95 degree humid weather. I did have to recharge it, but our demo was 4 hours long.

The SC allows my short-coated sled mutt to run and mountain bike with me, esp because she won't swim. She stays cool enough for longer runs (over 2 hours), esp when I can get it wet again at creek crossings. Even when it's mostly dry on top it keeps her cooler by reflecting sun from the darker coat on her back. But the outer fabric has torn in three places (up to 3") because she's snagged the jacket on branches - and maybe a fence. It'd be hard to design something practical that could withstand a fence, but it does seem like it could hold up better to branches, etc.

We live in the one of the hottest deserts in calif. so we are really a testament to this product. There are agroup of us who have these for our dogs as we run and hike daily in extreme conditions. The vest works best if you wet it and then stick it in the freezer for about 15 min. as we can not get water cold enough this time of year. My dog is 12 years old and without this vest he wouldn"t be able to do to much in these temps. His fur underneath really stays cool even when his head is hot!!!

My St. Bernard loves his vest. It keeps him nice and comfortable. Today's temperature was 102. He was able to be outside and his tongue wasn't even hanging out. This vest is amazing!

I bought this on a whim last summer after watching my French Bulldog suffer through the heat and hearing horror stories about Frenchies dying from heat stroke in minutes. From day one, the Swamp Cooler has made a world of difference. Thanks to the jacket, my dog can breathe easily and stay comfortable even on the hottest days. Plus, it's great at the beach.

I just got one to test out on my Service Dog Kaelee. I found it very light weight,absorbant and the buckles very durable. Tested it at a training class. many dogs suffer from the 106+ weather here in Az and some days just getting to class can be a problem. Where Kaelee was cool and was able to work longer with less stress. After a 2 hour session I had a few people feel under the Swamp cooler and they were amazed on how cool it was. I was wishing, I had one for myself! I wish service vests could be made of the same material and brought to market. I know Kaelee is going to be a lot cooler anywhere we go this summer. One great product that is keeping my Serice Dog Safe and a lot happier! With dogs that run into brush a lot I would think the outer netting would catch itself on limbs., but for a city dog it's chilling time!

I have only tried it several times, got it for my 11 year old female weim, and she isn't so sure about the whole wearing a jacket sort of thing.... but the heat (115º here a lot) and her age, she needs a little help. Will keep working with her so she can keep up with the six year old male.

Swamp Cooler Coat is a new investment for me and is new to the Ruff Wear line of products. So far I've been able to play with my dogs outside when it's hot with and without this coat to see the difference and that difference is HUGE. Obviously all I have to go on is my perception of how the dogs feel but I can tell you they pant less, WAY less. And their recovery time after playing in the heat is also much better. I would highly recommend this for anyone living in a hot climate.

My GSD does not like the temp over 65 but he tolerates it so much better with his jacket on. It does need to be wet down again after about 30 mins into the walk, but it does keep him so much cooler. He does not mind wearing it at all.

I have used this on our puppy, since they don't thermoregulate as well. It has really helped him on hot days. The neck hole on the XXS (he's a young puppy) is small. It isn't tight, but if you have a thick-necked dog, you will definitely want to size up!

Have only used it once so far. Seemed to keep her cool, glad we came to a river bed that actually had water in it to rejuvinate the jacket because in 110 degree heat in the desert I need to keep the water for us, not keeping the jacket wet. It also got snagged on the brush as we were hiking and dead bush sticks would catch under the jacket and I would have to keep untangling her.

This product works wonderfully. I run with my GWP Sam 4 days a week, training for a marathon. On hot days, Sam sometimes wants to stop and lay down in the shade after about 3 miles. The difference between running with it and without it is huge. Today, we ran 10 miles in low-80 degree heat. When we finished, he wasn't even panting-- not even a little. I gave it a pretty good re-soaking about half way into the run, though I didn't really check to see if it needed it. Medium fits his 55 pound frame very nicely and he's perfectly happy wearing it. We love the Swamp Cooler.

At first the dog tried to shake it off but then he realized it cooled him down and he stopped panting and seemed to like it. It worked really well. I bought a larger size to cover more of him so he can't use it while hunting or running but during rest periods it is great.

I love this jacket! It has been great for my dogs. I was worried that Aspen, my husky, would try to remove it but she has done great with it. I have ordered 2 more for the other dogs.

I bought 2 for my pit bulls for during competitions (flyball and such) where it's warm. I tried them out at a practice and they kept them nice and cool without getting too cold. So I'm now buying them for the rest of the pack!

I was very excited to try this our for my Boston Terrier, who begins to overheat at about 75 degrees. I measured carefully according to instructions, and he was well within the range of xs. But when the item arrived, it barely fit over his head, and was squeezing his neck tightly. I will exchange for another. I guess the lesson is that if your dog has a fat-ish head or a thick neck (like many Bostons do), order a size up.

I love the swamp cooler coat, however; I still needed something to cover my Boston Terrier's head as she would still overheat on our walks if the sun was out & it was over 70 degrees! I contacted several places & no one carried hats for dogs. So, I purchased another swamp cooler jacket & used it to make my own hat for her! Rather ingenious (& a little expensive!) but it was worth it. I used velcro to attach it to the jacket. She looks rather ridiculous, but at least it matches her jacket & it does keep her cool! Now we can go on walks without me having to worry about her overheating. I still carry a bottle of water with me so I can pour water on the hat and/or jacket if she needs more cooling off. Are there others out there that find the jacket isn't enough & a hat would be beneficial as well? Let them know you want cooling hats for dogs & maybe they will start making them! Until then, you'll have to make your own like I did! Also, I wish the jacket was a little bit longer. I had to order an x-small because of her girth, but it doesn't cover her back all the way to her tail. I would have liked it to be a bit longer. Maybe they could make a "long" version, just as we people have "tall". Just a thought!

I bought this for my 4 month old French Bulldog. We LOVE to camp, and I didnt want my pups over heating in hot weather. She was in about 80 degree weather, mostly in shade and she did not pant once! It works like a charm!

Bought this for my beagle/dachshund/hound mix to wear at agility class. Dunked it just before class and she did not pant ONCE. The rest of the dogs looked like Gene Simmons between runs. Granted, Yeti wasn't thrilled about "wearing clothes" to class but she certainly looked happier than her classmates. (Sizing note: They're supposed to fit according to girth, not length. If your dog is between sizes and is active, go with the smaller size. )

Love this product. My boxers run agility, and summer trials are always an exercise in how much cooling equipment I can take with me. Soaking this coat in cold water and having them wear it when they aren't running is really helpful in keeping them cool through our long trial days. I use them in combo with crate fans and haven't had a problem with overheating yet. My boy has had a swamp cooler for 2+ years and I just ordered one for my puppy.

We live in the UAE. It's hot here, really hot. 50 degrees Cesius kind of hot. Without the swamp cooler the mighty Rusty-dog wouldn't be able to walk anywhere near as far as he does. Obviously we aren't taking him out in the middle of the day (waaay too hot for anything) but morning and night we are out there for an hour, walking around the neighbourhood. It's only about 40 at that time. Easy to put on, easy to recharge (tip a bottle of water over it) and doesn't weigh him down at all. Can't recommend it enough.

We got the swamp cooler to help keep our black & white Boston Terrier cool in the summer so she could still exercise. It does help but is a huge pain. It helps mostly because she is black, swamp cooler is light blue. It doesn't stay wet long enough to have that really help. And the absorbent material doesn't absorb that much water, most of it drips off, what doesn't evaporates in 10 minutes or less. It does seem to help our pug if she has been shaved recently, otherwise it just makes her hot. And it causes hot spots on her. Cool Collars have definitely helped a lot more than these.

We rescued a 3 year old German Wirehaired Pointer from Utah. We live in the coachella valley, which gets pretty hot in summer. I'm normally out running by 5am in the summer, but temperatures are up in the 80's by then. My dog is loving this swamp cooler and two more of my running buddies also got some a few weeks ago and are amazed how good this works, especially on black fur. You can just put your hand underneath the vest to feel the difference. Great product. I would definately recommend it.

I run agility with a cattle dog mix. I bought this last summer for our outdoor trials and wore it a few times. It did really keep her cool even after it dried out some. We just had a really hot weekend trial again, and I again put it on her and it worked great. I did rewet it one time, and I don't ring it out much before I put it on her. As for the color that some are commenting on, I like the color because it also reflects the sun away from the dog while we were standing in line waiting to run. My dog was rolling around in the grass and it really didn't show much dirt and I don't worry so much about dirt as I do about keeping her cool. I bought my vest large so my hunting brittany could wear it also, but it doesn't seem to bother my cattle dog at all. She isn't running around in it anyway. I am actually going to purchase another one for my new small, black agility dog.

I have a 1 year old, 100+ lb. Bernese Mt. dog that is notoriously hot. Hawaii is beautiful, but lacks snow, thus this vest is a perfect solution for keeping him cool while he is running around in the sun and surf. I love that it actually comes in a large enough size to fit him, it is easy to use, clean and he seems to appreciate it. Durable and fairly priced.

It is starting to get really hot here, but my dog needs a lot of exercise, so this is the perfect solution for keeping her cool in the AZ heat. I recently hiked camelback with my dog, and I noticed she was panting a lot less than normal! I would recommend this product to anyone!

my BMD hates the summer - this jacket actually allowed him to move around and enjoy parts of the day. The combination of keeping the sun off him, and keeping it wet is great. I plan to get another for my GP by next summer.

The Swamp Cooler is a fantastic product. Parker is 95 pounds with lots of hair, and sensitive to the heat. Most of the summer, I have to walk him where there is a brook or stream to cool off in, but its a bit of a drive. Right in my neighborhood there is no water and on some hot days we have to skip the walk. The Cooler solved the problem! He no longer fusses about putting it on and he gets back home with no heavy panting!
Also, the fit is perfect - great design.
Finally, having a large dog, I was overjoyed to see the price the same for S,M,L.

Lillian seems to feel the heat more because of her fairly thick coat, and short, stocky build. I decided she was the best test subject. I put it on her on a fairly hot day here, high of 107. She was running around like it was in the seventies.

So, the test was a success. The only criticism I can make is the pale color which shows every speck of dirt. However it is very easy to launder.

I did recommend it to a guy in my dog training class, who has an American Bull Terrier,which he shows. He bought one and liked it very much.

Overall I think the product is pretty good. Certainly very well made (as with all Ruff Wear stuff) and does help keep my dog cooler in the blazing sun and heat. Main con is that the mesh material snags easily on briars and it is hard to pull the briars off the mesh at the end of the day. I work my dog for search and rescue, and thereforer she is often searching very thick brush and briar patches, and this vest does not hold up so well against those elements. In the more open areas or for exercising her in urban areas without a lot of brush the cooling effect works great. Just have to know what environments it will work best in.

I was a little skeptical of this product at first, but this fancy jacket has really helped Xerxes in our rather hot days. Even when the jacket seems to dry out on top to my hand's feel, underneath the jacket his body is nice and cool. It really does work. I've also noticed that when we come home from walks/runs/rides where Xerxes has worn his snazzy jacket, he doesn't pant afterwards as long as he usually does. Sometimes he will even fall asleep with the jacket on... within a few minutes he actually starts hiding from the fan and a/c ducts because he is too cold!

He is 65lb. with 29 inch girth, and the Medium jackets fits perfectly.

My favorite parts of the jacket are the nice reflective lines on some of the stitching (an unexpected bonus). Also, the no slip buckles make so it's a secure fit. Also once the jacket is washed the ends turned into his body, making for a more form-fitting fit (Not like the loose edges fit in the photo dog)

Only con is the color, which shows dirt and doggy grime very very well. Even after washing. An ice gray or a light beige jacket colors may help combat this.

I have three swamp cooler jackets that I use on my three tracking dogs. We track lost pets throughout Northern California. Many times we are on the road for several hours at a time, and we work in all types of temperatures and terrains. These jackets keep my dogs cool and able to keep working. I couldn't do my business to help find lost pets without these jackets!

Indiana has been very hot this summer and with the Swamp Coolers we still can take our beagles on hikes.
With beagles they have to be on a leash at all times so they have to wear a harness over their Swamp Coolers. Louise's vest is red from her red harness and Daisy's vest is just dirty. I have washed them but they aren't as bright as they were when they were new. It means that they wear them all of the time. Our beagles and their Swamp Coolers were a hit in Niagara Falls this summer. They are easy to put on and take off. I have to admit that Daisy always has a funny look on her face when I first put her wet vest on her. Gotta love a beagle.

It seems my Boxer cannot tolerate heat above 65 degrees. During walks, she'd lag behind and do what I call the "stop, drop and roll" whenever we came to a patch of shady grass. (Stop, slowly lay down, then roll, roll, roll on her back.) I think this was her way of getting out of the sun. Now when she wears the coat, she walks in front of me and there are far fewer stops to dawdle in the shade.

Does what it says and says what it does. Doesn't get much simpler than that. I'm thinking about sewing pouches along the inside panels to insert some of the freezable gel packs to get more time with the vest, but haven't been out in the heat long enough to need that yet. So far I've been happy with the results after hour-long hikes in 100+ degree temps. Very satisfied with this vest!

Thank you to whoever invented this!I only wish we had it a few years ago. Scooter likes being "cool." The first trial was great because she didn't fight it. Now when we walk in the heat her tongue is not dragging! Happy woofs from Scooter.

On really hot days the city is a sweltering, steaming, nasty place for all of us, but especially for our furred friends. They are so much happier and comfortable with their swamp cooler vests. When the temps go above 90, these vests make walks bearable for them.

My dog is 12 years old and this summer she was really panting with the heat and humidity. After checking to make sure nothing else was wrong, the vet suggested a number of things but one was walking less. My dog loves and lives to walk but it broke my heart to see her struggling so. This vest arrived just before the 4th of July and a string of 90+ days with high humidity. After putting it on, the change was immediate. While we still have to be careful and she does have bad days, our walking distance has doubled since getting the vest. She loved sitting outside while I gardened and now she can again. I just slip on the vest and out we go. By the way, she doesn't like being wet, but I got around that by wetting the vest and just letting it hang on the faucet for about 5 minutes. Enough water drips off so she doesn't think it's wet but it's still wet enough to do its job. (saves having to always squeeze it out)

My Swissie was floating out on his raft in the lake and actually got a CHILL while wearing his cooling vest. Now we just save it for walks. I joke that it works too good, but then again, my dog is a sissy. When we walk out in the 80+ degree weather it keeps the hot sun off his back and keeps him nice and cool. This vest is meant to make your dog more comfortable in the hot weather - not to make your dog "heat-proof" - so just be careful and have fun!

I have had the gel bead coats where you soak them in water, they stay cool for several days. But they are heavy and do not wear as well. Last year we had 100 degree days and I tried both jackets on my dog to keep her cool, and the swamp cooler worked the best, she stayed cooler with the swamp cooler. Most the time you can be by water to rewet it, if a creek or any water source. If you are looking for a coat to keep your dog coolest over all others out there this is the one in my own expereince.

i've used this product almost every day this summer since june and i absolutely love it. i run every day with my dog and last summer i couldn't run 3 miles without her overheating and me feeling guilty for bringing her in the first place. this year it's even hotter (we've had record breaking heat) and i've been running 8-10 miles a day with her and she's stayed cool in her swamp cooler. in response to other reviews, i find it very durable and i wash it in my washing machine about once a week and it's fine. to the people complaining it dries too quickly...why are you wringing it out?? i put the coat on first, then dump about 4 water bottles worth of water on it so that it's dripping and just leave it. the whole purpose is that it works like SWEAT for PEOPLE so the hotter it is obviously the quicker it will dry. the extra water evaporating off your dog will help keep them cool. i also bring her to horse shows and everyone comments that she's the only dog not panting!! i love bringing my dog with me so thanks for a great product that allows her to have fun with me in the summer!!

I use the Swamp Cooler on hot afternoon walks and morning hunt training sessions working with pigeons. It fits well. The Cooler dries quickly, however. To keep the Cooler wet longer, I am putting a Frog Togg towel on the dog's back under the Cooler. Frog Togg material absorbs a lot of water without dripping. I wish the Cooler had Frog Togg fabric on the inside.

We bought this for our solid black Great Dane to use on our backpacking trips. It certainly could have been made with a sturdier harness, I think something along the lines of what they use for the dog packs would be great. The cooler did seem to keep him cool at the lower elevations. We were pretty much hiking near water the entire trip, so lack of moisture wasn't a problem that we noticed. Once again, having the ability to lift the animal and/or attach a leash like on the pack would be extremely beneficial to our hiking adventures.

My dog Buddy is a little poodle whose legs are only 7 inches long. This means he picks up the heat of the pavement or beach sand regardless of what time of day we go out. This cooling vest really helps to keep him comfortable and it's so easy to use. Wet it, wring it out, put it on the dog. Simple. Easy. Stylish. Look for Buddy wearing his vest at: www.facebook.com/pugatthebeach or www.pugsnewsfromthebeach.com

My yorkie gets hot in the sun due to his dark coloring and sporty ways. This baby fits well, goes on easy and seems like it will last a while.

I bought one of these for each of my labs as here in Cali it can get pretty warm. This is a great way to cool off your dog after working them and it seems at times to really mellow him out. I have recommended this product to a number of members on our K9 SAR Team.

I bought this coat for my Newf for a cross country road trip. To get it to fit her neck it is a bit large, but it still helps keep her cool on these long hot days. I stop often and rewet it and feel good that the light color is reflecing the sun's rays. I could have sold a dozen of them on the trip to other travelers!

I was thrilled with this product when I first tried it on my dog. He is a little pug and has a thick coat. He was still cool at the end of the day and I was thrilled. However on day two he developed hot spots on both shoulders where the material had rubbed him and stayed wet against the skin. He is not a hot spot prone dog. I was so disappointed as with a heat sensitive dog this seemed like a great solution. I am returning it for the pug. My other dog is about 50lbs and seems to dry much faster and easier but I am still worried about creating more of an issue. I think if you are working them and it will dry quickly this might work but if wanting a longer lasting slow cool this is not the product. Just a warning I think people should know.

The Swamp Cooler doesn't work as decribed. Disappointed at it's durability. It dries out quickly needing to be rewetted frequently. My dog is a very dark brown double coated Lab and this may attribute to the problem. My solution to the fast drying was learning the exact amount of water to sqeeze out of it before placing it on my dog. I've found that carrying a small round cooler filled with ice water to rewet the cooler works great. But this isn't practical in some activities. And lugging the water cooler around is a hassle. But with my solution the Swamp Cooler keeps my dog nice and cool while all the other dogs are in the shade panting. And he's able to participate in activities even in the hottest part of the day. However the Cooler has another problem. The mesh outer cover picks and gets holes easily. I would recommend the mesh outer cover be made of a product that is much more durable.

A must have for summer.

My labradors are show dogs and this summer the weather is so hot they melt in the show ring...THe Swamp Cooler works wonderful. It really keeps my labs cool in the heat.

I used mine recently on a search and rescue mission. Terrain very rugged lots of berry vines, downed vegation and burrs. The weather was very warm. It kept Dixie cool but like others have stated a magnet for burrs etc. I also got a small tear in it. I could see it being used better to cool Dixie down after we were through searching.

Happy I bought this product especially in utah summers get fairly warm here. We use it when we go on bike rides and walkes. She is defiantly glad she has somthing to keep her cooler in the summer. I would recommend this product to anyone who lives in states with hot climates. Very easy to use and also to put on and love having this product in general. Only thing wish it would keep cooler a little longer than two hours.

When I first put it on Lucy in the house she hated it. Went to her room and laid on her bed and would not move. Today we got to test it outside at an event where she wasn't behaving very well because she was too hot (she is black). I had taken it hoping to get a chance to try it out. Put it on her and she was happy as anything! Immediate relief from the heat for her! My only complaint is that it drips a little bit underneath in the beginning.

Problem with it is I live in a dry climate. After 15 minutes in the sun and dry air, the swamp coolers are just about dry and the dogs are hot again. I have to carry water to resoak, which is why i purchased them in the first place. Upside, good color for black dogs!

Our dogs love their swamp coolers in the hot Colorado sun! Both our dogs have dark coats and hate getting wet (with the exception of when they make the choice to swim), but they don't mind the swamp cooler. Even on the hottest, driest days, I can stick my hand under the swamp cooler after they have already been wearing them for over an hour and find their backs cool to the touch! It's great camping, on hikes, or just hanging out in the back yard on those hot days!

I read all the reviews before purchasing the Swamp Cooler and found them to be accurate and helpful. I have a 5- year-old, sable GSD who becomes hot to the touch after only a short time in the NC summer sun. Before the Swamp Cooler, I could only take him for very short walks, and we could not play frisbee or catch at all. He gained at least five pounds every summer and he was bored and miserable. With the Swamp Cooler, I have been able to increase his daily exercise significantly. The coat fits him perfectly, XL for a 90- pound GSD. Obviously, the fit will vary from breed to breed. A caveat: I don't think wearing the Swamp Cooler translates into "unlimited" exercise in extreme heat and humidity. I limit intense exertion to no more than 15-20 minutes at a time, but it was zero before the Swamp Cooler. Based on information in the other reviews, I will wash the Swamp Cooler by hand, as needed. I tried to think of some way to describe the effect of the coat in "human" terms: It would be like sitting on a hot pool deck in a fur hat with a damp beach towel wrapped around your body. The materials are high-quality and the coat is well-made. I don't mind the adjustable, elastic straps; they permit maximum movement for jumping, etc. I am so grateful for this product. It has changed five months of the year from unbearable to tolerable, and sometimes even fun. Thank you, Ruffwear.

He is a black dog and heats up so quickly in the sun. This vest works wonderfully to cool him down.

If you have a dark brown or black dog (or an older dog) and live anywhere the sun shines warmly, this is the gadget for you. It really works as advertised. Slide your hand under it on a hot sunny day and your dogs back will be cool to the touch. Even in a fairly humid climate this coat works well. We tested it doing search and rescue in swampy Lousiana one August and my Pacific Northwest born and raised GSP stayed cool. It is a bit hard to get clean if it gets muddy or is submerged in mucky water. It's washable but itnever regained its shiny ice blue newness. Also a burr and thorn magnet. Definitely size up if in question. The neck whole is a little small. But still working great after several years.

Our GSP get hot after a hunt or training and this really helps her cool down quickly. She can't wear it during hunts because it is a burr magnet, but it is great for the long car rides home.

This cooler vest it perfect. It saved my 10 mos old GSD. We came from CO where it was snowing to hot East Coast and this kept her cool Highly recommend.

Positives: The heat can be pretty tough on our black brindle Bull Terrier. The Swamp Cooler keeps him cooler, more comfortable, and improves endurance. Recovery time after activity also improved.
Negatives: The straps can be a little bit of a pain to adjust specially when wet since they used elastic rather than straight nylon webbing. Sizing recommendations were also a bit confusing with all the overlap. Would definitely recommend going with a smaller size if you're in doubt. $50 seems a little expensive for the construction and materials.

Our dog is the envy of the neighborhood when he's out an about in his new Swamp Cooler vest.

Our Dane is extremely active except when the temp rises. The heat hits him really hard, except when he's wearing his Swamp Cooler! Then, even in high heat & humidity, he's still ready to play hard.

We're especially pleased that Ruffwear makes a vest large enough for a male Dane with a deep chest--we often have to special order products so they're large enough, not just to fit around him, but to cover most of the length of his back.

My saints need a way to keep cool when out and about and this product does a great job.

It is easy to use and easy to put on/take off.

With a black dog it is very important to think about heat and the sun. Goliath is my first black dog and he gets hot pretty quickly in the hot sun. On the first day i tried this coat every dog at the dog was hiding under the benches and had tongues out that seemed about 50 feet long. i soaked the coat and put it on him and he sprang to life! He was taunting the other dogs to play while they looked at him like he was crazy. Ruffwear i went from a dubious buyer to a believer. Also my dog gets the coat pretty muddy whenever he wears it. After a quick trip in the washer it comes out like it is brand new every time. Thank you for black dog owners everywhere.

I did not know with a great black dog comes great heat responsibility. Black dogs get hot so fast and this coat could not be better. I was dubious at first but after the first wearing i saw the light. At the dog park it was over 100 degrees and every dog including mine was hiding under the table. I soaked the coat in ice cold water and put it on him and he was running around like a normal day! The other dogs were looking at him like he was crazy or a super canine! The only other thing i will say is how it comes out in the wash. My dog plays tough and always gets this coat pretty dirty. Even though the coat it white it comes out looking brand new every time! I cannot see one grass stain or dirt spot! Thank you again ruffwear!

Being made for cold weather doesn't stop my Labs from wanting to go and do during our hot Oklahoma summers. Between agility practice and daily walks, they want to remain active year-around (or rather they drive me nuts if I don't keep them active). Yet when the temperature gets above about 65, they become uncomfortable. Since most of the year is above 65 in Oklahoma, I had to find something to help keep them cool. So I ordered two swamp coolers. I am so happy with them. I'd say there is about a 20 degree difference if I touch their fur under the vest versus the hair not covered by the vest - I'm sure less of a difference would occur if they were yellow, but as a chocolate and a black dog, summer is ruff! But now, they stay cooler, pant less, and recover much more quickly when we return home post-activity. I have already recommended this product to tons of our friends.

I'm a dog handler for Conservation Canines where I work alongside specially trained dogs that search out scat from endangered species. During my time as a handler I've worked in a number of hot environments, including the volcanic foothills of Mount Shasta in Calfornia and the humid plains of Eastern Cambodia. In these extreme environments the dogs simply could not work without the added cooling properties of Ruffwear's Swamp Cooler cooling vest. Our dogs are crazy and love being in the field and often won't bother to pay attention to the temperature; it is up to us to ensure their safety. The Swamp Cooler provides us the peace of mind that allows the dogs to work longer, more efficiently and in some of the most extreme environments without fear of succumbing to heat exhaustion. Like all Ruffwear gear it has bomb proof construction that will hold up to the most challenging of brush. For an added treat we often soak the cooler the night before and freeze it to provide the dogs a little extra relief when we pull it out the next day. :) It takes a few minutes for them to get use to it the first time but the effects are quickly noticeable as they maintain their energy day after day. Thanks Ruffwear for another awesome product!

Tried lots of things to help my dogs beat the heat-my boxers don't do well when it gets 80+. This does the job whether it is wet or dry and my dogs can run beat the heat & go for that mid-day walk without being at risk or miserable.

We usually have our dog wear the Swamp Cooler during long walks/hikes in the summer. It does a great job in keeping her cool and allows her to go longer distances than without it. Also does a great job in keeping the sun off her back.

Things are going well out here in Cambodia. The weather is really hot and we are having a hard time keeping the dogs cool.  I really can not stress how amazing it is to have the swamp coolers. We are going to be running out of waterholes as the season progresses and it is amazing how much more energy the dogs have after putting on the swamp cooler.  Check out our adventures via our facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Conservation-Canines/171836484559

Pippin is my service dog and is with me 24 hours a day. He wears this for trail walks in the summer. With humidity in single digits and our high altitude sunlight, the side facing out dries out within 45-60 minutes, although it stays cool next to his skin longer. The Swamp Cooler also reflects sun which is an improvement from the black fur on his back that absorbs heat! When wearing the Swamp Cooler, he is able to stay on the trail instead of running from tree to tree and doesn't pant as much.