Reviews > Animal Companion Gear > Dog Wear > Muttluk Dog Boots > Kathleen Waters > Initial Report

Initial Report: All Weather Muttluks ® from Muttluks, Inc.
301 Danforth Road, Toronto, ON M1L32

Contents:
Biographical Information
Product Information
Arrival Information
First Impressions
Test Plan

Name: Kathleen Waters
Age: 53
Gender: Female
Height: 5'4" (1.63 m)
Weight: 128 lbs (58 kg)
Email address: kathy@ring.com
City, State, Country: White Lake, MI USA

Name: Molson
Age: 10
Gender: Neutered/male
Breed: Mixed, medium size
Weight: 50 lbs (23 kg)

Backpacking Background: My husband and I started hiking/backpacking about 5 years ago on a gorgeous fall day, starting with Mt. Hahn located just north of Steamboat Springs, CO.

Since then, we have returned to Colorado, mostly to the Vail Valley area twice a year, both summer/early fall and winter to play outdoors - we snowshoe in the winter.

When we are home in Southeast Michigan, we make it a point to hike 2 or 3 weekdays, usually 6 to 8 miles (10 to 13 km) and then one whole weekend day. Our weekday hikes generally take place in the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, which is a decent mixture of moderately steep hills and flat terrain, heavily wooded. Our weekend hikes can end up being anywhere!

We are planning to start overnight backpacking this spring and have a trip planned to Puerto Rico in May 2004!

Model: ALL WEATHER MUTTLUKS® :

1. Available in rain slicker yellow; Made with breathable, waterproof Hydroflex coated fabric;
2. The leather toe cover (available in sizes M-XXL) offers protection and durability for larger dogs; with the Cordura® Nylon toe cover available for smaller dogs (sizes Itty-Bitty to Small);
3. Self-tightening Velcro® straps allow for an easy, secure and quick fastening that ensures a snug and comfortable fit;
4. 3M Scotchlite™ reflective material on the back of the Velcro® strap provides safety for dogs by offering nighttime visibility;
5. The comfortable stretchy cuff is versatile and easily adapted for dogs with short or long legs;
6. The boot bottoms are made from treated, water and salt resistant leather;
7. The entire boot is stitched with heavy-duty industrial bonded nylon thread;
8. Available in eight sizes to fit breeds from Chihuahuas to Great Danes and everything in-between;
9. Distinctive and reusable cloth mesh packaging can be used for storing or washing Muttluks, or for general storage;
10. Muttluks come complete with a paw-fitting chart that makes it easy for pets to be sized on the spot and offers strong sales support at retail.

Manufactured: 2004
MSRP: $35.16 (US)

Product Information (from tester)
Size: medium (per website chart)

The All Weather Muttluks® arrived May 11, 2004 via Federal Express in a standard non-padded envelope. Enclosed were a packing slip, marketing brochure and the 4 yellow and black Muttluks®. The Muttluks® were stored in a black cloth mesh storage bag. The storage bag was complete with a large fabric logo sewn into the side of the bag and a drawn-string closure. The logo tag indicated that All Weather Muttluks® are "high quality boots for dogs" and that the product was manufactured in Canada. The advertising brochure included "The Muttluks Story," Fitting Instructions, Washing Instructions and a Paw Fitting Chart.

First Impressions

The construction of the Muttluks® consists of 6 parts sewn together; sole, toe cover, foot top, back, cuff and ankle strap. The soft black leather soles, toe covers and nylon stretch cuffs are black. The top of the paw boot and a connecting back strip is a bright yellow fabric. The Velcro® ankle straps are black with a reflective strip across the top. The ankle straps are adjustable through a D-ring.

All seams appear to be even and sewn tightly with no loose threads. The seams are not taped but are not lumpy or obtrusive.

Since Molson is used to wearing boots, I did not follow the instructions on how to put the Muttluks® on. The boots slid on very easily and the Velcro® strap system made a perfect fit a cinch! The "paw" of the boots fits a bit large, but not objectionably so and the cuff comes up high on Molson's leg. As easily as the boots go on, so too, they come off after the ankle strap is undone.

The first real test will come this afternoon when Molson and I go out for a walk in the rain!

Test Plan

Molson and I will walk at least 3 miles (5 km) everyday, rain or shine.

Testing will be right here in southeast Michigan mostly in my subdivision on blacktop road surfaces during the week and in local state parks and recreation areas, particularly Pontiac Lake Recreation Area in Waterford, Michigan on the weekends. The predominately hard dirt-packed trails in PLRA are moderately hilly through hardwood forests and meadows. Elevation barely tops out at 1000' (305 m) and the temperatures will most likely range from 30 to 80 F (17 to 44 C) over the next six months. Depending on when the test actually starts, we might even "get in" a few snow trials. Molson is already used to wearing booties in the winter to protect his pads against ice, salt, etc., so I'm confident that we will have no issues with acclimation to the Muttluks.

Molson and I will test the Muttluk® dog boots thoroughly including the following:

How well do they fit? Is the chart on the website accurate?
How easy are the boots to put on and take off? Are the directions clear and easy to follow?
Do the Velcro straps adjust easily? Do they get tangled in the dog's fur?
Do they grip walking surfaces or will the dog slide on surfaces such as hardwood floors and ceramic tile?
Do the boots stay on throughout walks? Wet/Dry? Caked with mud, etc.?
Do they hold up to water as in rain and/or puddles and how well do they dry when exposed to moisture?
Do they soil easily? Do they stain?
How easy are they to clean? Can they be cleaned on the trail? Will they dry overnight?
How durable is the fabric? The stitching?
How do the Velcro straps hold up?
Generally, how well do the boots hold up to daily use on hot blacktop?

Reviews > Animal Companion Gear > Dog Wear > Muttluk Dog Boots > Kathleen Waters > Initial Report