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10 best dog-walking coats for men and women: From lightweight to waterproof styles

A practical pick if you’ve got a pet pooch, you’ll want to shop these reliable outerwear options

Helen Wilson-Beevers
Tuesday 06 February 2024 17:29 GMT
We tested different styles and designs, to cope with all weathers
We tested different styles and designs, to cope with all weathers (The Independent)
Our Top Picks

Having a dog means navigating all-weather walks, and taking your pet pooch for a stroll come rain or shine. The exercise and companionship boost of this daily trip can’t be underestimated, and while you might not always feel like it, walking regularly is a brilliant activity for both body and mind.

While stretching your legs might feel like a wellbeing move during the sunnier months, it’s safe to say wet or windy days can dampen both the dog and walker’s enthusiasm. Although, this does make getting warm and dry afterwards with a hot cuppa all the more satisfying.

Planning an adventure with your four-legged friend means having the right footwear, such as donning wellies if you’ll be tramping through the mud, or stocking up on supportive trainers for pounding the pavements. Meanwhile, when it comes to clothing, layers and pockets are always a plus for keeping hands cosy, while also containing treats and bags.

But one of the most practical purchases, when it comes to being a dog owner, is a reliable coat – whether you live in a town, city, by the coast or in the countryside. Being kitted out with the right outerwear is key to navigating those day-in, day-out dog walks, whether you go for a puffer coat or wax jacket.

With that in mind, we’ve been testing out an array of dog-walking coats for men and women. Covering everything from lighter layers to full-length down, in different shapes and colours, there’s something for everyone on our list, whatever your style or practicality preference.

How we tested the best dog-walking coats

We’ve been testing a selection of dog-walking coats for several months, spanning different styles. To make the list, they had to be comfortable, weather-proof, warm and wearable on walks. Read on for our full tried and tested round-up of the best dog-walking coats for men and women.

A selection of the coats we tested
A selection of the coats we tested (Helen Wilson-Beevers)

The best dog-walking coats for men and women for 2024 are:

  • Best overall – Helly Hansen women’s tundra down coat, sparrow grey: £252, Hellyhansen.com
  • Best budget dog-walking coat – Regatta men’s thornridge II waterproof insulated jacket, ash black: £31.95, Regatta.com
  • Best for clever features – Barbour women’s classic Beadnell wax jacket, olive: £239, Barbour.com
  • Best for adaptability – ACAI waterproof multiway jacket, steel: £129, Acaioutdoorwear.com
  • Best for travel – Kathmandu epiq men’s down jacket: £220, Kathmandu.co.uk

Helly Hansen women’s tundra down coat, black

Helly Hansen.jpg
  • Best: Overall
  • Sizes: XS-XL
  • Hood: Yes
  • Showerproof: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Knee-length and thick collar for warmth

A knee-length, surprisingly lightweight down coat, we chose the black shade but it’s also available in sparrow grey and green. What’s unique about this snuggly coat’s down element is that the padding is presented in a zig-zag design, rather than horizontal lines.

A clever detail our tester immediately appreciated is the contrasting black zip closure, which runs up the side, rather than through the middle of the coat, from the waist upwards. Meanwhile, below that, there are poppers to keep the coat shut, so this meant our legs had full flexibility to move mid-stride while staying cosy.

The collar kept our neck warm, and its attached hood is also satisyingly roomy, so we could wear a hat underneath it too. The coat has been treated with a water-repellent coating, and we stayed completely dry during a long drizzly dog walk. We noted that the versatile coat feels smart enough to wear on days out and for trips to the office, as well as stomping through muddy fields with our pet pooch.

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Regatta men’s thornridge II waterproof insulated jacket, ash black

Regatta men’s thornridge II waterproof insulated jacket, ash black.jpg
  • Best: Budget buy
  • Sizes: S-5XL
  • Hood: Yes
  • Showerproof: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Waterproof material offers extra protection from the elements

This waterproof jacket comes in an array of colours, including navy, green, blue, black and red. A lightweight coat that lends itself well to long walks, our tester found they could easily layer it over thick jumpers – so this is an all-season outerwear option.

The waterproof material has extra protection from the elements, thanks to taped seams too. Windproof as well, there’s a generously sized hood, which our tester pulled up during a wet and windy walk. In terms of storage, we noted the small internal pocket is handy for keys or loose change, while there are two sizeable zip-up compartments on each outer side too.

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Barbour men’s classic Beaufort wax jacket, olive

Barbour men’s classic Beaufort wax jacket, olive.jpg
  • Best: Timeless buy
  • Sizes: 34-50
  • Hood: No
  • Showerproof: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Versatile for the countryside and city

This wax jacket is well suited to dog walks in the countryside and the city, while being a versatile buy to wear in different weathers. Our tester found the olive shade suited any outfit, and we particularly liked the tartan print peeking through for an extra stylish edge. This inner layer is made from cotton, so it’s comfy too, whether wearing a base layer or jumper underneath.

The corduroy-lined collar comes complete with popper fastenings, so it can be rolled back to fully reveal this material. The coat is packed with several similar design features, and there are multiple decent-sized pockets for storing dog-walking stuff. These include moleskin-lined pockets, which our tester popped their hands in for warmth on the go. Most of all, our tester rated this coat for how robust and hard-wearing it is, with the outerwear buy being one we think should last for years to come.

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Barbour women’s classic Beadnell wax jacket, olive

Barbour women’s classic Beadnell wax jacket, olive.jpg
  • Best: For clever features
  • Sizes: 4-22
  • Hood: No
  • Showerproof: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Casual boxy fit

This classic wax jacket is a town and countryside staple, and the stylish olive shade is synonymous with Barbour. Our tester noticed the coat has a casual, boxy fit, which is ideal for throwing on over any outfit to head outside. We also liked folding over the sleeves to reveal a pop of the tartan lining. The corduroy collar adds a smart edge, while there’s a detachable storm fastening feature to secure this coat across the neck during windy weather too. Our tester used this helpful addition for extra warmth.

Meanwhile, the central zipper is robust and feels long-lasting, joining this coat’s overall hardy composition. As with the men’s Barbour entry, there are moleskin-lined pockets for keeping hands warm, and deep front pockets with enough room to house a purse, keys, and phone.

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Mountain Warehouse aurora women’s down jacket

Mountain Warehouse aurora women’s down jacket.jpg
  • Best: For warmth
  • Sizes: 4-28
  • Hood: Yes
  • Showerproof: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Super snug

A thick padded piece, this down jacket comes complete with a large fur-trimmed hood, which our tester found to be super snug. The black shade is a classic colour, and there’s also khaki to choose from too. Fully waterproof, it features taped seams for extra security against the elements, and our tester said she stayed nice and dry during a rainy dog walk.

The medium length would work well if you prefer coats that don’t reach your knees, as this shape offers optimum core warmth. Its breathable fabric doesn’t feel too bulky, and there are spacious waist pockets, as well as an internal zip pocket, to fill with dog-walking bits and bobs.

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ACAI waterproof multiway jacket, steel

ACAI waterproof multiway jacket, steel.jpg
  • Best: For adaptability
  • Sizes: XS-XL
  • Hood: Yes
  • Showerproof: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Clever functionality

This steel-coloured waterproof coat features drawstring cords for an adaptable fit and, straightaway, our tester liked the A-line shape. Also coming complete with a removable hood and double pockets on each side, the lining is extremely soft and comfy. As well as the main zip, there are poppers on top too, so our tester was protected during a downpour.

Because it’s lightweight, the wet coat didn’t take too long to dry off afterwards either. Another plus is how light the coat is to carry, so storage and transportation is easy. This coat will be brilliant for spring as well – the clever design ticks a lot of functionality boxes.

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Mountain Warehouse concord extreme men’s down long jacket, black

Mountain Warehouse concord extreme men’s down long jacket, black.jpg
  • Best: For pockets
  • Sizes: XXS-4XL
  • Hood: Yes
  • Showerproof: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Sizeable front pockets

A waterproof jacket complete with four sizeable front pockets, there are black and blue shades to shop. Additional features include a detachable hood, which our tester found useful for keeping dry and warm during snowy or drizzly dog walks.

Taped seams meant our tester didn’t see any droplets of rain seeping through during a downpour either. The jacket’s down filling is made from duck feathers, and our tester felt cosy while out and about with his dog on a freezing cold day. Plus, we found the fabric and shade smart enough for wearing while commuting to work too.

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Free People Pippa packable puffer jacket

Free People Pippa packable puffer jacket.jpg
  • Best: For colour choice
  • Sizes: XS-XL
  • Hood: No
  • Showerproof : Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Lightweight
    • Vegan down

This lightweight puffer jacket comes in a wide selection of bright and muted colours, including berry, watermelon, white, mauve and the uplifting hot pink shade our tester reviewed. The coat is soft and comfy to wear, while its vegan-friendly down offers welcome warmth which isn’t too heavy. It’s shower-resistant and we tested this during dog walks on drizzly days, in which light rain didn’t permeate this outer layer and our reviewer remained dry.

If you’re taking this coat on a day trip or travelling further afield, a big bonus is that it’s packable and can be easily squished down to fit into a bag or backpack. There are poppers on the cuffs which can be fastened or left opening, depending on your preference. The jacket has simple side pockets, as well as a handy inner zip compartment for storing your keys, dog treats and other essentials.

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Kathmandu epiq men’s down jacket

Kathmandu epiq men’s down jacket.jpg
  • Best: For travel
  • Sizes: XS-XXL
  • Hood: Yes
  • Showerproof: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Multiple pockets
    • Cosy

A cosy down jacket which is available in design options featuring one or two colours, our tester chose the harvest/black combination. It comes in a drawstring pouch for packing the coat away when travelling or simply for easy storage. The pockets are lined with a cosy material which kept our tester’s hands warm on a chilly walk, and there’s a water-repellent finish meant we stayed completely dry during a downpour.

It has two side pockets and two inner compartments, with one of which featuring a zip. Our reviewer has been sporting the versatile and warm coat on daily dog walks, as well as to work and during weekend outings.

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Columbia omni-tech ampli-dry shell jacket, black

Columbia  omni-tech ampli-dry shell jacket, black.jpg
  • Best: Lightweight layer
  • Sizes: S-2XL
  • Hood: Yes
  • Showerproof: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Lightweight for layering

This lightweight coat is ideal for wearing with a T-shirt on warm days or layering up with thicker layers during the winter. It fastens up using a central zip and features a roomy hood which kept our tester’s head dry during showers. Plus, the coat is completely windproof and waterproof if you’re heading out during inclement weather. Our tester lives in Northumberland and can testify this coat kept them dry on a rainy and windy day walking the dog.

It has several zip-up pockets for storing dog-walking essentials and the coat goes up to 2XL in sizes available, too.

  1.  £145 from Asos.com
Prices may vary
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The verdict: Dog-walking coats for men and women

For a warm and stylish coat that made our tester feel like they were wearing a duvet, we love Helly Hansen’s tundra down coat. Meanwhile, Barbour’s classic Beaufort and Beadnell wax jackets are a timeless and durable outerwear investment. For adaptable wearability that will work particularly well in spring, we’re fans of ACAI’s waterproof multiway jacket, and Kathmandu’s epiq men’s down jacket is also a cosy, versatile option.

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