Ruffwear is an outdoor dog gear brand based in Bend, Oregon, founded in 1994. The company is dedicated to creating gear for outdoor adventures and is guided by performance, adventure, and sustainability principles. They are committed to conducting business to maximize the good they can do in the world while being conscious of their impact on the planet.
Lumenglow Dog Jacket
Sturdy but light
A loosly fitting, comfortable visibility jacket from super durable materials.
Disclaimer: this review contains affiliate links, which support Dog Gear Review if you purchase the product after clicking on it without costing you anything extra. Using affiliate links will never compromise us in writing unbiased, honest reviews!
About the Ruffwear Lumenglow Hi-Vis Dog Jacket
The Ruffwear Lumenglow Hi-Vis Dog Jacket combines style with practicality to create a versatile jacket. Designed to enhance visibility in both daylight and low-light conditions, this jacket boasts high-contrast colors and reflective panels that ensure dogs stand out wherever your adventures take you.
Crafted from a weather-resistant and abrasion-resistant shell fabric, the Lumenglow jacket provides a layer of protection against light moisture, and wind. The leash opening is compatible with most harnesses while the relaxed fit and the extended coverage ensure the comfort of your dog during outdoor activities. Easy on-and-off is supported by side-release buckles and a big neck opening.
Adding an extra layer of visibility during low-light conditions, the Lumenglow jacket features reflective side panels and a dedicated light loop for attaching The Beacon or another LED light.
Ruffwear Lumenglow Hi-Vis Dog Jacket Review
We heavily used the Ruffwear Lumenglow Hi-Vis Dog Jacket during the fall to make Zulu more visible on hikes. I have also added it over baselayers when it got cold to provide weather protection and also to prevent the soft base layer from getting caught on thorns and bushes.
The small size Lumenglow was still a loose fit on Zulu - which is how it is meant to fit so it’s easy to add over snugly fitting layers.
I love how it comes in three colors that target different use cases:
- the gray being a dark vest with big reflective parts
- Blaze Orange is a classic high-visibility vest with yellow and orange
- Red Sumac (in this review) still has high-contrast colors but it’s not as overwhelmingly bright as the Blaze Orange so I use it more in urban settings as a casual vest.
While many visibility vests only focus on the back of the dog, the Lumenglow also has great coverage on the underside of the dog that helps to keep the mud and the thorns away from the fur/underlayer. At the same time, it provides great armpit clearance for most dogs.
The material is made of a stronger, “canvas-style” material (600 denier polyester rated at 170 mm) that doesn’t flip up in the wind easily. As you can see in the photo below, it does tend to “stick out” more at the end as the dog moves instead of flopping to the side as many thin visibility vests would. Having buckles on both sides also ensures that the vest stays in place and doesn’t rotate to the side.
The large reflective panel on the side, and the smaller reflective edges on the front and on the back of the neck provide excellent visibility in low light conditions while they still look great and stylish during the day.
The only con that I can mention is the fit of most Ruffwear coats/vests that are designed to be a relaxed fit. On Zulu and on many other dogs the neck section tends to sit lower, covering the front of the shoulders. As the vest has ample armpit clearance, I wouldn’t worry much about shoulder restriction however if you have a dog with minimal hair or sensitive skin, it might start chafing that area over time.
Adding a cinch point to the neck section of the jacket would make it easy to bridge this problem and make it adjustable to better-fit dogs with different body ratios.
Review Summary
The Ruffwear Lumenglow Hi-Vis Dog Jacket is a perfect option for fall hikes, offering a loose fit ideal for layering over snug base layers. Its three color options cater to different settings, seamlessly transitioning from outdoor adventures to urban walks, while features like extensive underbelly coverage and robust construction enhance its practicality.
Despite its relaxed fit, the lower-sitting neck section may pose a concern for dogs with minimal hair, suggesting potential room for improvement with an adjustable cinch point.
To summarize, the Ruffwear Lumenglow Jacket is a high-quality visibility vest that feels durable and should be able to handle any adventures keeping pups safe and comfortable.
It comes in three colors and six sizes and Zulu is wearing a size Small.
Lumenglow Dog Jacket
Sturdy but light
A loosly fitting, comfortable visibility jacket from super durable materials.
Disclaimer: this review contains affiliate links, which support Dog Gear Review if you purchase the product after clicking on it without costing you anything extra. Using affiliate links will never compromise us in writing unbiased, honest reviews!
Zulu’s measurements
Many of you asked for the dog’s measurements in reviews to better understand the different products’ fit, so I’m sharing Zulu’s below for reference.
Shoulder height: 19 inches (50 cm)
Weight: 29 pounds (13 kg)
Widest chest circumference: 24 inches (60 cm)
Neck circumference for collars: 14 inches (35 cm)
Back lengths: 18 inches (46 cm)
