Field Report: Muttluks Inc. All Weather Muttluks "Dog Booties"
Date: July13th, 2004 Manufacture Information Name: Muttluks Inc. Website: http://www.muttluks.com	Product Information Manufacture: Muttluks Inc. Model: All Weather Muttluks Year of Manufacture: 2004 Color: Yellow & Black Size: Medium MSRP: $35.16 (US) Listed Weight: N/A Measured Weight: 4.7 oz (133 g)

Field Test Results

I've managed 2 multi-day trips with my dog thus far, and numerous short hikes.  My impressions thus far are mixed.  The primary purpose for the Muttluks were to protect my dog's feet while on long extended trips.  Generally she begins to get sore feet after a couple days of heavy hiking, unfortunately my dog accompanied trips have been 3 day trips.  One trip was early in June with about half the trip on snow.  The other trip was primary cross-country with little snow.  Portions of both trips proved to be compromised while using the Muttluks. 

On the early trip we encountered considerable snow.  Fortunately the snow was soft, thus didn't chew up her feet.  Using the Muttluks compromised my dog's ability to climb, but more importantly they compromised her ability to traverse down the steep sloops.   My dog is about 80 lbs (36 kg) and while carrying a 13 lb (5.8 kg) pack, she just seemed to lack traction when we hit steep off-trail sections.  Had it not been for the pack, she most likely would have done fine with the Muttluks.

The cross-country trip also proved to be compromised by the Muttluks.  Sections of the terrain were so steep that on several occasions the Muttluks rotated upside down while scrambling through the rocks, thus she was actually walking on what is considered the top/nylon section of the boot.  Additionally she had difficulty scrambling with them on.  Under normal trail conditions there were no issues. Shallow stream crossings never seemed to be an issue, and as it turned out she never had them on when we came to deep stream crossings.

Other than rotating upside down a couple of times while scrambling they never came off.  She doesn't appear to mind wearing them and posed no issues while on trails.  For the few miles she has worn them, they show little/no wear.  The leather bottoms thus far appear to be very durable.  Putting them on is straight forward and requires little time or effort.  During my initial report I questioned the location of the cinch strap, thus far they seem to be positioned correctly.

Field Test Locations And Conditions

I have a 4 year old collie that is about 80 lbs (36 kg).  I try to run with her a couple of times a week on pavement, and take her on all the hikes and packing trips I can.  I start her out with 8 lb (3.5kg) packs early in the season and work her up to 16 lb (7 kg) on long or slow trips.  Her feet always take a beating and I resort to aspirin to get her out of the back country.  I’ve also learned to tie her up in camp and not let her leave camp with me, otherwise her feet just don’t make it through the long trips.

Most of my packing is on rough rocky trails in the Idaho Sawtooths, Challis forest, and central Idaho.  Sore feet are not a new phenomenon for my pack animals, as I have the same issue with my llama.  This is my third dog and I’ve had the same issue with all of them.  I cover a lot of ground when I’m out and leave the trail often.  My collie is always anxious to leave on a trip, so either she is very dumb or rapidly forgets about the sore feet from the last trip.  Even though she might get sore feet on the trail, she loves the outdoors.  Give her a little aspirin and she is on your heels for the next few hours enjoying the adventure.

Use of the boots will be primarily for on-trail rocky conditions.

Summary

Pros:

• Easy to install

• Do not interfere with dog's trail hiking ability

• Appear to be durable

Cons:

• Compromised dog's ability to scramble on steep terrain

Tester Information & Background

Name: Andy Rad

Gender: Male

Age: 47

Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Weight: 165 lb (75 kg)

Email: aisrad@cableone.net

I started backpacking 21 years ago, mostly 3 day trips with at least one 7 day trip per year.  By backpacking, I’m referring to summer, winter camping, and fall hunting.  About half my trips are light weight solo and the other half with my family.  I own a llama that was purchased when my 3^rd child was 2, some 10 years ago.  This allowed me to continue backpacking as a family activity.  When I’m not with the family/llama I tend to take less-traveled trails or bushwhack the hard mountainous terrain in and around Idaho.  In recent years I’ve begun substituting a collie for the llama.  The majority of my trips are in central Idaho, with a few into northern Idaho, eastern Idaho, and eastern Oregon.