From sun-soaked trails to exposed summits, summer terrain demands more. But that shouldn’t mean your dog has to miss an adventure. Engineered cooling gear from the Swamp Cooler™ Collection helps keep your dog comfortable, cool, and better equipped during warm-weather outings.

How? Through the power of evaporative cooling. Just like the refreshing effect humans feel after stepping out of a lake, Ruffwear’s Swamp Cooler™ Collection works by soaking up water, then releasing it slowly as it evaporates. This process draws heat away from your dog’s body and helps lower their surface temperature.

Let’s learn about why dogs benefit from evaporative cooling, how our Swamp Cooler™ Tech works, and which product is right for you and your dog’s next adventure.

Why dogs benefit from evaporative cooling

Unlike humans, dogs have few sweat glands (mostly in their paw pads) and rely primarily on panting to regulate body temperature. Their smaller skin surface area limits heat loss through evaporation, making it harder for them to cool down efficiently in hot weather. Our cooling gear helps mimic the natural evaporative cooling process, providing your canine companion with relief in hot conditions. For your dog, that can be the difference between staying at home and joining your epic hike.

How Ruffwear’s Swamp Cooler™ Tech Works

Ruffwear’s cooling gear manages hot temperatures through our patented three-layer Swamp Cooler™ Tech construction. This technology absorbs water and facilitates evaporation, effectively cooling the surface temperature of your dog. We've put our gear to the test in our studio-turned-lab with the help of some office dogs, a FLIR (Forward Looking InfraRed) camera, data gathering tools, and plenty of treats. The results speak for themselves: On average, dogs experience a surface cooling rate 6X greater than their baseline natural cooling rate when wearing our cooling gear.

To tap into the cooling effect, just soak your Swamp Cooler™ gear in water, wring it out, and you’re off. If it dries out while you're on the go, re-wet it with a water bottle or a quick dip in a stream to recharge.

The Swamp Cooler™ Collection

Wondering which product is right for you? That depends on what you and your adventure buddy are getting into. We offer five cooling products all suited for different purposes, whether you’re going on a run together or embarking on a multi-day trek.

Swamp Cooler™ Vest

The Swamp Cooler™ Vest is the cornerstone of the collection and our fullest coverage cooling option. It’s equipped with side-release buckles for effortless on/off functionality and a leash portal, allowing it to be worn over a harness. The three-layer construction offers UPF 50+ coverage and cools the back, chest, and belly.

Swamp Cooler™ Harness

For pups who prefer a more minimalist approach, the Swamp Cooler™ Harness offers cooling relief in a sleek, harness-style design. Designed with hot summer hikes in mind, this harness keeps your dog cool without sacrificing mobility or comfort while also providing UPF 50+ protection from the sun.

The Swamp Cooler™ Harness boasts a padded handle for balanced and comfortable lifting and a load-dispersing chest/belly panel. It also features three leash connection points, including a front leash attachment point, an aluminum V-ring, and a reinforced webbing loop on the back, ensuring a secure and reliable connection during outdoor pursuits.

Swamp Cooler Zip™ Vest

The Swamp Cooler Zip™ Vest offers the same cooling power as the original Swamp Cooler™ Vest, but with the added convenience of a zipper closure for easy on and off. Perfect for dogs who may be a little hesitant about wearing clothing, this vest provides all-day comfort and protection from the sun.

The zip vest offers a sleek vest-style design, tailored for fast and light athletic pursuits. Its form-fitting cut ensures agility and freedom of movement, while the mesh lining effectively wicks away moisture, keeping your dog dry and comfortable during the day’s activities.

Swamp Cooler™ Neck Gaiter

Swamp Cooler Core™ Harness & Pack Add-On

Lastly, for dogs who love to carry their own gear, the Swamp Cooler Core™ Harness & Pack Add-On combines the cooling power of the Swamp Cooler™ Vest with the functionality of a harness and pack. With roomy pockets for storing essentials and a built-in hydration bladder sleeve, this is ideal for long days on the trail.

With convenient hook-and-loop sleeves, the Swamp Cooler Core™ Harness & Pack Add-On offers effortless attachment to compatible packs or harnesses, ensuring quick and easy on/off functionality. Compatible with Ruffwear’s Approach Pack™, and Palisades™ Pack, it seamlessly integrates with existing gear setups for added versatility and cooling comfort during outdoor excursions.

No matter which product you choose, you can rest assured knowing that your canine companion will stay cool, comfortable, and protected from the summer heat with Ruffwear's Swamp Cooler™ Collection.

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FAQs

Q: How long does the cooling effect last before I need to rewet it?
A: The length of cooling time is dependent on conditions in your area; like humidity, temperature, sun exposure, etc. The Swamp Cooler Harness and Vest both absorb a large amount of water and cool for a longer duration when compared to smaller cooling accessories like the Swamp Cooler Neck Gaiter. To maximize the cooling effect, rewet when dry as often as possible.

Q: Does it work in humid climates?
A: Our Swamp Cooler technology works through evaporative cooling, so if humidity is high in your area it may not work as effectively as it would in drier conditions. The outer layer of the harness will also still protect your dog’s skin against heat and UV rays.

Q: How do I clean it?
A: Wash in cold water with a gentle cycle, using mild detergent. Air dry.

Q: What's the difference between the Swamp Cooler Harness and the Swamp Cooler Vest?
A: The swamp cooler harness is an all-in-one cooling solution. It’s a harness with built-in cooling and three leash attachment points. The Swamp Cooler Vest is a separate layer that can be worn over an existing harness and does not include leash attachment points.

Q: Will it chafe or rub my dog under the arms?
A: No, you can expect it to fit as well as our other harnesses.

Q: Does it work for long-haired or double-coated dogs?
A: Yes it does.

Q: Can this be used to keep my dog cool in a car?
A: The Swamp Cooler Harness is designed to be used outside and on adventures with your dog.