Right boots size
The right pair of boots is neither too loose nor too tight. It should fit perfectly on your dog’s paws, providing both safety and the best level of comfort.
If you’re not sure what boot size to get, you can always measure your dogs’ paws by hand for more accuracy. Place the dog’s paw on a paper flat to get the paw marks, and measure with a ruler. You can then compare it with the boot sizes available in the brand you prefer and get the best size for each of your dogs.
Proper fit
Like with human boots, a good pair of dog boots should fit snug on your dog’s paws. You don’t want your dogs’ slipping and and risking injury due to ill-fitting boots.
It should go on and off easily, have adjustable straps to secure the ankles, and feel comfortable.
A reflective Velcro helps detect the boots easily, although this is entirely optional. This is especially useful when training or sledding at night.
Trail Boots for Sled Dogs: Pros and Cons
With the influx of dog boots, with different materials, and design, it could be quite overwhelming to decide which one is best for your pack. On top of that, some people like to encourage DIY projects if you have a knack for improvised crafts.
For this article’s benefit, we will focus on three different trail boots for sled dogs, and discuss each one’s pros and cons.
330 denier fabrics are known to be lightweight and flexible, which is why these Cordura dog booties are preferred for everyday wear. These are great for beginner sled dogs since it feels like just wearing socks. They’re flexible and comfortable and provide the right amount of protection and mobility. Their sock-like material also makes them breathable booties.
On the downside, Cordura 330 dog boots are not recommended for use in extreme weather as they are not as weather-resistant as other dog boots. It’s also only suitable for dry snow. Melted ice can seep through the boots, which can be uncomfortable for your dogs.
Kipmik Dog Boots are a great choice if you’re looking for low-budget booties for training. They cost as low as $1.50 per bootie and provide excellent traction. They stay on great and feel comfortable for casual everyday wear.
As for the cons, they’re not very durable for long-time wear, they don’t have waterproof fabric, and do not protect against wet salt. These also don’t have a reflective design, so it’s not suitable for nighttime use.
Sled dog races require dogs to wear boots for their safety and protection against terrain, weather conditions, and the race itself. The Iditarod Race doesn’t require any specific dog booties. Dog boots vary in design, size, and durability.
The best pairs of Iditarod race dog booties are made of lightweight Cordura material and reliable non-skid soles. They also feature water-resistant fabric, Velcro adjustments, durable build, and overall comfort. You can quickly tell when booties correctly fit the paws: the dogs can walk and run, as usual.
How to Put Booties on a Race Sled Dog
Our Long distance booties were developed in cooperation with some of the World`s best mushers and is being used by them both on training and races. Elastic velcro ensures the bootie fits any dog and sits well on their paws. Long distance bootie is comfortable for the dog since the material is both light and soft. They provide room for the claws to move naturally while wearing the booties.
We use tightly woven nylon on our booties. The socks like all footwear get worn, but the Long distance bootie is durable on snow. It protects the dog`s paws from abrasion and can also be used on dryland.