Best Dog Cooling Vest: Evaporative Vests and Cooling Harnesses

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Learn more

A dog cooling vest is a wet layer that draws heat away from your dog’s back as the water evaporates, and shades them from the sun. We did not test these cooling vests ourselves. The test results on this page come from two independent reviews: Treeline Review, where a dog trainer tested ten vests on hikes, walks and paddleboard trips and measured each dog’s surface temperature after three minutes in the sun, and Rover, whose reviewer’s dog wore the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler at home in a heatwave and on a fifteen mile hike. Material, sizing and care facts come from the makers.

A cooling vest does not prevent heatstroke. It can help a dog stay more comfortable on a warm walk, but it does not make hot-weather exercise safe. If your dog shows signs of heatstroke, cool them with cool (not cold) water and get them to a vet straight away.

The short answer: for medium and large dogs, Treeline Review picked the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler vest, which cooled its tester dog the second best of all the vests it tried, and Rover found it held up on a long hike. If your dog wears a harness anyway, the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Harness puts the cooling layers and the harness in one. For a head-shy dog, the Back on Track Cool on Track coat fastens with hook and loop straps instead of going over the head.

How we chose: every pick is current on the maker’s own site and is covered by an independent review site, named next to each pick. We did not test any of these vests ourselves, and we do not list prices or star ratings.

Heatstroke: what vets say

VCA Animal Hospitals calls heatstroke an immediate medical emergency. Dogs cool mainly by panting, and flat-faced breeds such as pugs, boxers and bulldogs are at greater risk. The AKC lists early signs such as heavy panting, rapid breathing, excessive drooling, bright red gums and tongue, and skin that feels hot, and says a vet visit is essential even if your dog seems to recover, because heatstroke can cause damage that is not visible.

The RSPCA rule is “cool first, transport second”: stop your dog moving, cool them, then take them to your nearest vet. It also says dogs are 10 times more likely to have heat-related illness when out in hot weather than from overheating in cars. Both the AKC and VCA say to use cool, not ice-cold, water. VCA also says not to cover an overheated dog with wet cloths, which can stop the heat escaping, so do not put a cooling vest on a dog that is already showing signs of heatstroke. For everyday summer care, see how to keep a dog cool in summer.

How cooling vests work: evaporative, reflective and phase-change

• Evaporative: the most common type. You soak the vest, wring it out and put it on; as the water evaporates it pulls heat away. Treeline Review says these work best in hot, dry air and less well in humidity, because damp air slows evaporation. You need water with you to re-soak it.
• Reflective: an open-weave, aluminized fabric that reflects sun and heat away, similar to shade cloth. Treeline Review found its reflective pick light and packable, but its evaporative cooling did not last as long.
• Ice pack and phase-change: vests with packs you cool in a fridge or freezer. Treeline Review explains that phase-change materials absorb heat as they change state, like a melting ice pack, and stop cooling once they have changed. They need more planning, so it stuck to evaporative vests.

The picks

Best for medium and large dogs: Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Dog Cooling Vest

The Swamp Cooler has three layers: a wicking outer layer that reflects heat and is rated UPF 50+, an absorbent middle layer that holds water, and a mesh lining. It goes over the head and closes with side-release buckles, has a leash portal on the back, reflective trim and a loop for a clip-on light. You size it by girth around the widest part of the rib cage, and it washes cold on a gentle cycle (Ruffwear).

In Treeline Review’s test it cut the tester dog’s surface temperature from 172 to 91.5 degrees in three minutes, the second best result, and it dried at a middling pace, holding water long enough to keep working. Its long back suits bigger, longer dogs, though it can shift when a dog runs and feels a bit bulky. Rover‘s reviewer saw their dog pant less at home and on a two-day hike, with no chafing, and the vest washed clean afterwards. Rover notes that it needs water to re-soak and is less useful in very humid weather.

Best for dogs that wear a harness: Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Harness

The Swamp Cooler Harness builds the same three cooling layers into a harness with a padded handle, six points of adjustment, reflective trim and three leash points: an aluminum V-ring, a back loop and a chest loop for dogs that pull (Ruffwear).

Treeline Review points out a common mistake: a harness worn under a cooling vest keeps much of the vest off your dog’s body and adds a second layer, which can make a dog hotter. A cooling harness avoids that. It named this its best pick for active and working dogs, with cooling close to its top pick. It covers less of the back than a vest, and some owners found their dog sat between two sizes, so measure carefully. For harness fitting, see how to measure a dog for a harness.

Best for head-shy dogs: Back on Track Cool on Track Cooling Dog Coat

The Cool on Track coat has a breathable mesh shell and hook and loop straps around the chest and belly, so nothing goes over the head. Soak it, squeeze it out and put it on; no freezer is needed. Back on Track says not to put another coat over it, to hand wash it, and to keep it damp, because the lining can crack if it is bent while dry (Back on Track).

Treeline Review named it its best affordable vest: it brought the tester dog’s surface temperature down by over 70 degrees. The lining soaks up so much water that it needed more wringing out, took the longest to dry and could leave a dog wet rather than cool in the wrong weather. The mesh is not the most durable, and Treeline Review found the damp-storage instructions fussy.

Other vests the testers rated

Treeline Review’s best overall vest was the Non-stop Dogwear Cooling Vest, which gave the biggest temperature drop in its test and has large reflective side panels; it also liked the Non-stop pull-on version for running. It found the Canada Pooch Cooling 2.0 easy to put on, the Kurgo Core Cooling Vest middle of the pack and quick to dry out, and the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Zip the weakest at cooling, though light. We have not added these to our catalog: the review sites link the Non-stop vests to other shops, not Amazon, and the others did not test as well as our picks.

What to look for

• Fit and contact: Treeline Review says a vest should be snug and cover the core and most of the back; a loose vest that does not touch your dog will not draw heat away.
• Sizing: measure chest girth at the widest part of the rib cage and check the maker’s chart. Treeline Review found sizing inconsistent on some vests.
• Drying time: too fast and you re-soak it constantly; too slow and it stays wet instead of cooling (Treeline Review).
• Harness: avoid layering a vest over a harness; choose a cooling harness or a slim vest made to go under one (Treeline Review).
• Reflective trim: useful on early morning and evening walks, the cooler times of day. See our best dog light for night walks for more.
• Coat type: Treeline Review says a vest works best on a double-coated dog once it has shed its undercoat for summer, and helps dark, short-coated, white and hairless dogs that are more sensitive to the sun.

Tips for using a cooling vest

• Soak the vest, wring it out well and put it on before you go out; re-soak it when it dries.
• Let your dog try it dry first. Rover‘s reviewer found their dog was less wary each time.
• Walk in the cooler parts of the day, carry water and keep walks short in the heat. Treeline Review says heat-sensitive dogs should not be out long at 80 degrees or above, even with a vest.
• Check the ground. Hot pavement can burn paws; our best dog boots guide covers paw protection.
• At home, give your dog shade, water and a cool place to lie, such as one of our best dog cooling mat picks.
• Wash and fully dry the vest before storing it, unless the maker says otherwise, to avoid mildew (Treeline Review).

Heading out on the trail? See our best dog backpack for hiking picks, with how much weight a dog can carry and why to ask your vet first.

FAQ

Do cooling vests for dogs really work?

In Treeline Review’s sun test, the best vests cut a black dog’s surface temperature by 70 to 85 degrees within three minutes, and Rover‘s reviewer saw their dog pant less. They help most in hot, dry weather. They do not prevent heatstroke, and they are no substitute for shade, water and walking at cooler times.

Can a cooling vest make a dog hotter?

It can if it is used wrongly. Treeline Review warns that a harness under a vest adds a layer and keeps the vest off the skin, and that a vest that stays soaked in humid weather may just leave a dog wet. Back on Track says not to cover its coat with another coat.

Should I put a wet vest on a dog with heatstroke?

No. VCA says not to cover an overheated dog with wet cloths, as this can stop heat escaping. Cool your dog with cool water as the RSPCA and AKC describe, and contact a vet straight away.

Do cooling vests work on double-coated dogs?

Treeline Review says they work best once the dog has shed its undercoat for summer, because the vest needs to be close to the skin. On a full winter coat, a vest helps less.

How long does a cooling vest stay cool?

It depends on the vest and the weather. On a hike at about 86 degrees in dry air, Treeline Review’s Non-stop pull-on vest lasted about two hours before it dried out. Carry water to re-soak it.

For more on hot weather, read how to keep a dog cool in summer, our best dog cooling mat picks and the dog leash, harness and carrier buying guide.