About Hurtta
Hurtta was founded in Finland with the goal of offering products that can protect dogs from the elements. Today they are among the best-known dog gear brand around the globe! They create well-designed, durable products that will last for a long time regardless if you use them on steep trails or strolling on city streets.
Do dogs need boots?
The question of whether dogs need boots is a common one among pet owners. The answer, however, isn’t straightforward as it varies from dog to dog and depends on various factors.
Different types of boots serve different purposes. For example, boots can protect a dog’s paws from extreme temperatures, such as hot pavement or cold snow. They can also prevent paw drying and cracking caused by salted roads during winter walks. Additionally, boots can provide traction on slippery indoor surfaces and protect paws from sharp objects on rocky terrain.
The decision to use boots ultimately comes down to your dog’s individual needs and sensitivities. Some dogs may require boots more than others, depending on their breed, size, age, and health conditions. It’s essential to observe your dog’s behavior and how they react to different terrain and temperatures to determine if boots are necessary.
We wrote an article about things to keep in mind when using boots on hikes over the summer since there are just as many pros as cons around the topic. We also have another article on the different types of winter boots, the differences between summer vs. winter boots, and much more.
If you want to read more educational posts, check out our Articles page!
What size of boots does my dog need?
When it comes to choosing the right size of boots for your dog, it’s essential to follow the sizing guide provided by the manufacturer. Most companies provide sizing instructions on their product site, so be sure to check before purchasing.
To measure your dog’s paws accurately, place a sheet of paper on the ground and have your dog stand on it. Lift the opposite leg to put weight on the paw you want to measure and draw lines on both sides of the paw. You can then measure the distance on the paper later without causing any stress to your dog.
Some companies ask for the paw’s width, while others size based on the paw’s length, so it’s crucial to check the sizing guide for each brand.
It’s recommended to measure all of your dog’s paws since the front paws may differ in width from the back paws. You also need to ensure a snug fit, as loose-fitting boots can cause your dog to lose balance and chafe their feet.
Avoid the common misconception that leaving the straps looser or ordering a size larger will make the boots more comfortable for your dog. Just like hiking in oversized boots, ill-fitting shoes can cause discomfort and pain for your pet. Therefore, aim for the most precise measurement possible for optimal comfort and performance.
The details of the Hurtta Outback Boots
The Hurtta Outback Boots are weatherproof but not waterproof. The top layer is made of Softshell, but the boots’ front is reinforced for durability and protection. It also features 3M reflectors for visibility at night.
The back of the boots has a wide velcro section to secure the straps.
The bottom is thicker but still flexible, non-slip rubber that provides excellent grip on slippery surfaces or steep trails.
The sides open up almost all the way, making putting them on the dog’s paw much easier. This split design also ensures that the material doesn’t fold under the straps and chafe the paws.
The boots are lined with a material that seems to be fleece, and they have no sharp/rough edges inside that could hurt the paws. This is helpful to avoid chafing and also insulates somewhat. The recommended temperature range for using the Outbacks is between 0 and -25C (+30 and -15F).
The Outbacks are very well-made and designed down to the smallest detail. They have 3M reflective lining running along the edges; they are reinforced where needed but kept lightweight and soft on the top.
The height of the boots is perfect on Mia to keep the carpal pads clear. Some boots end right under the carpal pads and end up chafing it on a longer hike.
Hurtta Outback Boots Review
These boots come in pairs that allow you to choose a different size for the back and front paws, which is necessary for many dogs. When selecting the size, I measured Mia’s paws at least ten times over two days because I did not want to believe that there would be two size differences between her back and front paws. On paper, it was clear that she needed XL for the fronts and M for the back, so I went with that.
As you see below, there is a considerable size difference between XL and M, and Mia did NOT need an XL despite the ranges in the size chart. Boot sizes are always tough to measure, but I feel the sizing of the Outbacks is especially hard to get right.
We sent the XLs back and received L for the front paws. I tried on the mediums for the front, and they were just a tad too small. Fine for very short walks but not comfortable for anything longer. On the other hand, the large boots are just a tad too big for her front paws, making them somewhat slide down and rotate unless the straps are very tightly secured. You can see on the photo below how they are not a snug fit on the paws after running around a bit.
The issue also could be that the measurements and sizing use the width of the paws - which seems fine on Mia - but it seems they leave more wiggle room for the length. Everyone I talked to and had sizing issues said that the boots ended up being too big, so I would recommend to size down if your dog is between sizes - even though companies usually recommend sizing up. It feels there is a significant jump between sizes, and the next size will be disproportionally long if your dog is on the lower end of the size range.
Sizing up and not tightening the straps enough can cause the boots to rotate, especially if you let your dog off-leash while wearing them. This only happened with us the first time we used them, after that I got a much better feeling of how tight and snug they need to be for a more secure fit.
A well-known problem with the Outbacks is the lengths and the design of the straps. They are way too long on most dogs and tend to flap around, getting stuck on something. Dogs can even step on the excess straps on the front boots, making them fall off. There is a reasonably big velcro panel on the back, but it’s just not big enough, or the velcro is not strong enough to hold the straps if you have to bring it around one more time.
If both sides of the straps were covered with velcro, you could attach the end over the first layer, although it would probably collect a lot more dirt and would be hard to use after a while.
Another solution could be to add a velcro panel to the front as well, so there is not only one connection point for the straps. We haven’t used these boots in snow yet, but I suspect icy, hard snow would push the straps from the back velcro after a while since that part of the boots are the most exposed to the constant chafing of an ice layer on top of the snow.
The solution that many of you shared with us was to tuck in the end of the straps under the previous layer. This does the trick, but it’s not easy to pull them through even on Mia-sized boots, and I can’t imagine doing it on a smaller dog for daily walks. It gets pretty time-consuming to sit there trying to get the straps tight enough while also leaving room for the end to go under it.
These boots also come in a left and right design, so if your dog has different sized boots for front and back, there will be only one boot that fits one paw. This is great to provide the ideal fit but looking for the right boot makes putting them on somewhat longer.
A smart detail is to have a section for the phone number in the boots in case your dog would lose them somewhere.
The Outbacks are surprisingly lightweight and flexible, and Mia seemed comfortable wearing them. Putting them on is fairly easy with the big opening, but securing the straps takes some time. Even after using the “tuck-in” method for the straps, I needed to stop from time to time when they got loose again.
It feels this could be a great product, but they need just one more round of planning to solve the problems with the straps.
Review Summary
I have mixed feelings about these boots. The choice of materials is excellent all around; they are durable, beautifully made, and protect while still being flexible, allowing free movement and a good grip on the terrain.
The sizing and the velcro straps are the weak points of these boots, and it seems it would be easy to come up with a 2.0 design to fix them. I talked to a few people about their experience with these boots, and they already had the same opinion years ago. The straps should be either shorter, or the design needs to be modified to secure the entire length of the straps.
These will not be an issue for some dogs, and it might even be fine, especially if you walk the dog on roads, on a leash, but I don’t think it can handle more serious hikes in mud or snow as is. I hope they will update this design because it does have the potential to be a fantastic boot!
Where to buy?
You can find the Outback Boots on Hurtta America’s website, and on Amazon. They are also available through other sites and retailers in most countries.
Disclaimer: this review contains an Amazon affiliate link, which supports Dog Gear Review if you purchase the product after clicking on it without costing you anything extra. Using affiliate links will never compromise us writing unbiased, honest reviews!
