Arcadia Trail Outdoor Dog Gear Buying Guide

Written by: Richard Rowlands, Pet Health Expert

Exploring the great outdoors is a healthy and enjoyable way to spend some quality time with your pup. But before you head out on your next adventure, it's important to pack the right outdoor dog gear. In this guide, we'll provide some practical tips for choosing functional, hardwearing outdoor dog gear that will keep your canine companion safe.

Arcadia Trail’s line of outdoor dog gear include harnesses, collars, backpacks, boots, water bottles and collapsible bowls, raincoats, cooling vests, and lifejackets.

 

 

Arcadia Trail Dog Harnesses

A harness is a great option for pet owners looking for an alternative to a traditional collar. They distribute weight evenly across your dog's body, reducing strain on the neck and back. Harnesses also feature adjustable straps and easy-to-use buckles so they can be easily put on and taken off. To clean your harness, simply wipe it with a damp cloth.

Choosing the Best Harness

There are many harness designs to choose from, but we recommend choosing a harness that's brightly colored with reflective strips. When selecting a harness, measure your dog and check the manufacturer's sizing guide to ensure the perfect fit. Sizing should allow room for 2 fingers to fit between the item and the dog.

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Burgundy Arcadia Trail Lightweight Dog Harness on an Australian Shepherd

The Arcadia Trail Lightweight Dog Harness is an excellent option for any dog owner looking for a lightweight, durable, and functional harness. It features front and back D-ring leash attachment points, high-visibility reflective piping, and a strong grab handle for convenience and safety. The well-made harness is also water-resistant and easy to clean.

 

 

Arcade Trail Collars and Leashes

A collar is a simple item of outdoor dog gear that helps you guide your dog and keep them close to you. A good collar should be brightly colored, durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean. You may also want to choose a reflective or LED collar for increased visibility at night.

Pair your collar with an adjustable, waterproof Arcadia Trail leash. The hands free leash can be worn around your dog's neck when it is not in use. Grab the handle, and your dog is back on-leash in an instant. Be careful not to pull too hard while using a collar and leash because they can injure your dog's neck. It's also important to choose a collar that's the correct size for your dog. Like the harness, sizing should allow room for 2 fingers to fit between the item and the dog.

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Green Arcadia Trail Waterproof Dog Collar product image
The Arcadia Trail Waterproof Collar has high-visibility nylon webbing with a plastic non-porous coating. The stink-free collar features lightweight aluminum hardware, including a buckle, D-ring, and O-ring.

 

 

 

Arcade Trail Backpacks

Backpacks for dogs are designed to carry outdoor essentials, including sunblock, treats, and a first aid kit. Some backpacks have spaces for water bottles and small pockets for treats and toys. When using a dog backpack, please make sure not to let your dog carry more than 25% of their weight.

How To Choose a Backpack

When choosing a backpack, make sure it has ample storage space, a handle, easy-to-use buckles, and a sturdy leash ring. It's also a good idea to choose a backpack that's brightly colored and reflective for high visibility. Refer to the manufacturer's size and weight recommendations to determine the best fit for your dog.

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Blue Arcadia Trail Expandable Backpack Harness on an Australian Shepherd
The Arcadia Trail Expandable Backpack Harness is lightweight and comfortable with two zippered, expandable saddlebags. It fits your dog securely while offering plenty of room to store treats, waste bags, a first aid kit, and more. The backpack has water-repellent fabric and breathable mesh. It also features an easy leash attachment point and a built-in waste bag dispenser for dogs on the go.

 

 

 

Arcade Trail Boots

You keep your feet protected outdoors, so why not do the same for your dog? Boots are perfect for dogs that hike, run, bike, and explore with their owners. They can be worn year-round, but are especially useful in extreme temperatures.

Boots protect your dog's paws from hot or cold surfaces, twigs, thorns, broken glass, and even crawling insects. Dog boots are not just fashion items;, they are designed with lightweight, breathable fabrics that are comfortable enough to be worn all day long. Many dog boots also feature quick-drying, water-resistant material, durable rubber soles, and straps that help keep the boots firmly in place.

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Brown and white medium sized dog wearing blue Arcadia Trail Warm Weather Boots on four paws
Arcadia Trail Warm Weather Boots  protect your dog's paws from hot surfaces and terrain. The boots combine safety and comfort, with breathable mesh, non-skid bottoms, adjustable straps, and reflective trim.

 

 

 

Arcade Trail Water Bottles & Collapsible Bowls

A water bottle and collapsible bowl are essential items for any outdoor trip. Choose a water bottle and bowl that are portable, lightweight, and made from safe, non-toxic materials. Water bottles and bowls should also be easy to clean, easy to dry (to prevent mold growth), well designed, and lightweight. If your dog is an aggressive chewer, you might want to avoid silicone bowls.

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Arcadia Trail Collapsible Dog Bowl with product tag and carbineer

The Arcadia Trail Collapsible Bowl is available in 8 oz or 16 oz sizes. It can be used for both water and food, and is lightweight and easy to clean. The Arcadia Trail 2-in-1 water bottle with bowl is also an excellent option. It has a 27 oz capacity that can hold enough water for a long journey while preventing spills or leaks.

 

 

Arcade Trail Raincoats

Prepare for bad weather by packing a raincoat for your dog. Raincoats help prevent your dog's fur from becoming wet and muddy while you're exploring the great outdoors. There are a wide variety of designs to choose from, and many raincoats include handy features such as detachable hoods and a reflective trim.

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Orange Arcadia Trail High Visibility Rain Coat on an Australian Shepherd dog

A good raincoat should be lightweight, water and abrasion-resistant, highly visible, and adjustable. The Arcadia Trail High Visibility Raincoat features waterproof and ripstop material. It comes with a built-in name tag and storage bag, and is available in 6 sizes to fit most dogs.

 

 

Arcade Trail Cooling Vests

Cooling vests are perfect for hikes, road trips, and short strolls during the hot summer. They are designed to protect your dog against heat stress and are especially helpful for thick-coated dogs. Cooling vests use an evaporative process – most vests feature a 3-layer cooling system; a comfortable inner layer that pulls surface heat away from the skin, a middle layer that holds water, and a wicking outer layer that facilitates evaporation. 

How Do Cooling Vests Work?

Simply wet the vest with water and place it on your dog. As the vest heats up in the sun, the water evaporates creating a cooling effect. Look for lightweight, breathable, well designed, and durable vest. A good cooling vest should also feature a sturdy leash attachment point.

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Gray Arcadia Trail Cooling Vest for Dogs on an Australian Shepherd dog
The Arcadia Trail Cooling Vest comes in 6 sizes, with a storage bag and a built-in name tag. It also offers visibility at night with a reflective trim and webbing.

 

 

 

Arcade Trail Life Jackets

A life jacket is a floatation device that's indispensable for boating, kayaking, or paddling trips. Irrespective of whether your dog is a good swimmer or not, it makes sense to invest in a life jacket. It also features sturdy handles making it easy for you to safely pull your dog out of the water.

How Do You Put the Life Jacket on?

Your dog will step their front two legs into the life jacket. You get adjustable straps for securing the life jacket to your dog, and quick-snap buckles that make it quick and easy to strap on and slip off the jacket.

Choosing a Life Jacket

A good life jacket should be lightweight, comfortable, durable, and made from abrasion-resistant materials. It should also be highly visible, even in dim light. Always check the manufacturer's size and weight recommendations when choosing a life jacket for your pup.

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Red Arcadia Trail High Visibility Life Vest for Dogs on an Australian Shepherd dog
The Arcadia Trail High Visibility Red Life Jacket is a must-have for the active water dog. The bright fluorescent collar and reflective trim offer visibility day or night. The jacket features two layers of foam for maximum buoyancy. It's made from durable ripstop material, with woven fabrics that are resistant to tearing or ripping. The well-designed life jacket also features a sturdy leash attachment point and rescue handle.

 

We hope you enjoyed our outdoor dog gear buying guide. Please stay safe and have fun while enjoying the outdoors with your dog. And don't forget to pack essential items, such as bug repellent, sunscreen, and water.

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