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.
Vert Jacket
Light & Warm winter coat
A well-insulated winter dog jacket with leg loops and leash opening.
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About the Ruffwear Vert Jacket
The Ruffwear Vert Jacket is a warm winter dog coat, providing warmth in cold and wet conditions. It is designed to withstand wintry mixes, and its extended, waterproof coverage over the hips and thighs ensures protection against the elements.
The jacket has high-loft recycled polyester insulation keeping dogs comfortable and active even in chilly weather. The fur-resistant polyester lining makes cleanup and maintenance easy while the reflective accents provide visibility in low-light conditions.
Constructed from a windproof, waterproof, and breathable 70 denier nylon ripstop outer shell with a PVC-free PU finish, the Vert Jacket boasts a 10,000 mm rating. Its relaxed fit provides extended coverage without compromising comfort. The leg loops prevent the jacket from shifting in gusty winds, while the leash portal allows the use of a harness under the coat.
Ruffwear Vert Jacket Review
The Vert Jacket is such a versatile, low-maintenance, but warm jacket that it got the most use among the coats we tested in this season. We have used it on most morning walks as it is easy to slip over Zulu’s head and use the two buckles to secure it (unlike the coats that require you to pull the dog’s legs through the leg opening). Zulu also wore it in the car while traveling or waiting during training, and of course on many hikes.
I really like the materials, the hidden side buckles, the colors, and the overall design. When used in wet conditions, Zulu stayed dry under coat but the top material did not repel the water and some always soaked into the material after the first few uses - especially into the chest piece. This is a common thing I see with most dog coats and can be improved with the addition of a spray-on or wash-in water-repellent treatment if you want to see the water actually beading up on the material. As always, be sure to choose a product that is safe for dogs and works with the material if you want to attempt it.
The coat still dried quickly but the weight of the water can make the chest piece hang lower while you are out keeping it away from the under-chest area instead of keeping it warm.
I think the part going under the ribcage could be a bit longer to provide better coverage on the underside of the dog as it seems to end around the middle of the chest area on most dogs.
When it’s very windy, I use the leg loops to keep the end of the coat from flipping up, but otherwise, it stays in place pretty well even without them. The coverage around the hips is great and it has just the right amount of cut-up for the dogs to keep their tail up. Some other coats provide a longer back leg coverage but this compact design seemed to stay in place well, and did not rotate or move away from the dog as much as some other coats with an extensive section over the tights.
Zulu is wearing a Small coat which fit her pretty well overall. Due to her deep chest, and small neck, the neck section sits a bit low that was especially visible once she dropped her winter fur mid-season. This is a common problem with harnesses and coats on Zulu because her awkward ratios put her outside of regular size ranges.
The only feature I was missing from this jacket was an adjustment point around the neck. Even just one cinch point would allow to tighten the neck opening, creating a slightly better fit for the forward leg movement.
I did not see the low-sitting front restricting Zu when moving, as the looser fit of the coat had enough extra material to compensate for it but it’s very easy to notice in the photos that it should sit a bit higher up on her front.
Ruffwear Vert Jacket Review Summary
The Ruffwear Vert Jacket is a lightweight, packable but also well-insulated winter jacket. It is beautifully made of great materials. You can choose to quickly put it on with the side buckles or opt for a more secure fit by also using the leg loops. Both the inner lining and the outer shell are easy to clean and most dirt/hair can be just easily brushed off after drying but you can also machine wash it on a cold setting which makes this winter coat a low-maintenance option for any winter adventures.
It comes in two colors and six sizes. Zulu is wearing a size Small in Canyonlands Orange.
Vert Jacket
Light & Warm winter coat
A well-insulated winter dog jacket with leg loops and leash opening.
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)
