New dog owner - clothing recommendations please

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I have a new rescue dog who I love with a fierceness I thought I'd only feel for my children! We walk twice a day plus a late night wee walk for five mins. We're out in all weathers & seasons, on country tracks & pavements...and muddy fields. What clothing would you recommend for me? And footwear too. I'm a budget so either want things that are good value or are a good investment & will last. My coat in particular makes me really hot & doesn't keep me dry when it rains!

Thanks (and reading the advice on these threads has been SO helpful)!

I always recommend Aigle neoprene lined wellies. Not the cheapest but super comfortable and they last really well much better than the fashionable Hunters. I've worn mine every day for the last 10 months I average 15 000 steps a day in them and they look like new and they give good support to the ankle when walking over rougher terrain.

Spending money on keeping dry to me is an investment

I prefer any coat with gortex - usually expensive but does keep me dry and should last a long time if looked after and reproofed. I am always hot when walking dogs so only need it to keepthe wind out and the rain.So tend to have a one layer coat but there is always room to add another layer if it is really freezing. My musto coat has lasted the longest and kept me the driest.

I prefer walking boots to wellies but I guess it does depend on where you walk etc. Again anything gortex personal choice on brand but I like Berghaus or Salamon. I do have to replace boots regularly but I do rack up the miles. If the waterproofing does go you can get months out of them by using waterproof socks - otter or sealskin.

I like Acai trousers and kid myself they are alright if I need to be doing normal stuff and not dog stuff. They are waterproof and comfy.

If you work out cost per wear on my clothes I think I am in negative equity.

@IseeScottishhills

I always recommend Aigle neoprene lined wellies. Not the cheapest but super comfortable and they last really well much better than the fashionable Hunters. I've worn mine every day for the last 10 months I average 15 000 steps a day in them and they look like new and they give good support to the ankle when walking over rougher terrain.

I was going to advise the same. Walking miles every day in the chilterns and these are the best! Had them years. Don’t touch hunters.

A good waterproof warm coat will be a lifesaver, preferably one you can layer. I would go for one with a hood as well...

I love leggings with pockets for phone/doggy snacks especially in summer

My lead has a poo bag dispenser, which is fab as well for making sure you never forget any!

I normally wear a decent pair of trainers (new balance at the moment) so decent socks are also a must 😹😹

I wear Woof Wear short yard boots all year if it’s wet , reasonably priced and very comfortable . If it’s particularly muddy and I need long boots I wear Dublin river boots , not so cheap but very comfortable and last well . I also wear a hat as opposed to using a hood on a coat .

Thank you everybody. Sounds like it is worth splashing out on quality gear rather than looking for bargains!

I bought Acai trousers in the winter. Mine are thermal-lined and waterproof and have been a godsend. I wear them to do covid clinic outdoor volunteering and also for dog walks. I'm about to put them on again to take our hounds out. I bought a waterproof baker's boy had from Village Hats and that's been great too.

Get a good goretex jacket, with a proper wired hood. Not a warm one, but big enough to layer under as appropriate.

My legwear preference is walking trousers which are easily washable, light for summer, lined for winter.

And for footwear, I prefer walking boots or goretex trail shoes to welly type boots... I like hill walking not just dog walking. My dog wouldn't want to go through mud deep enough to require wellies and I wouldn't want him to!

Wellies: Mole Country Store own brand; they say they'll replace them if they leak within a year, but mine last about 18 months and cost c£45. I know people who wear Aigle and rave about them but I just use woolly socks for extra warmth.

Also have a pair of Merrell waterproof trainers that have lasted years. Really handy when the ground is a bit muddy and the grass wet but you don't need wellies.

Coats: I have a Regatta riding jacket with a hood that goes into the collar. Keeps out rain and wind so ideal for the weather at the moment. You'll also need a waterproof winter coat if you run cold like I do.

I've accrued loads of other kit over the years (gaiters, various waterproof trousers, boots, hats) but waterproof footwear and a waterproof coat for winter and summer sets you up.

If you want a bargain, I'd suggest looking at Ebay for good waterproof coats - as long as there is no damage, they will be fine and you will get a better quality second hand. Always a hood! I also wear walking trousers as they dry easily - jeans are the worst if you get caught in the rain. I'm still working on the footwear as everything I try seems to wear out so fast.

I have always get gore tex jackets, I find them more waterproof and breathable than cheaper waterproof technologies.
I prefer gore tex walking boots than wellies for wet weather, much better for walking than wellies for my feet.
For really wet weather is got some cheap waterproof trousers that go over my jeans, these are just cheap peterstorm and not breathable but are fine for when it's pouring.

It's all about the terrain youre mainly walking on I primarily walk by rivers/sea last winter the water in places was nearly at he top of my Aigle wellies, and thick deep mud lasted for ages, walking boots would have been hopeless. On occasions I climb the steps hills round my house the going is dry most of the year round my angle wellies are ok but walking boots would be better.
I second Gortex jackets particularly Musto ones again not cheap but worth every penny.
Don't forget scarf gloves I wear the fingerless ones so that you can open poo bags/gates/clip the lead back on easily etc and a hat I wear a wool stetson but we get a lot of wind here and it does get blown off sometimes.

Footwear - invest in waterproof socks!!

Cheap walking boots or trainers are then still an option as are more supportive than wellies for long distances.

Any 100% waterproof long coat that you can layer up underneath.

I also love my down lightweight jacket as it can be tied around my waist. We go to the beach a lot and it's off and on most walks 😂

I wear Ariat Langdale (leather wellies) .. they are fab, very comfy and only got wet inside once.. when I did a Vicar of Dibley and stepped into what I thought was a deep puddle... up to my knickers

When not covered in mud they are also smart country boots :D

Decent welly socks.. essential in winter.

I have a good (long..bushmans) raincoat, a lightweight rain coat and a fleece lined 'not pouring with rain but I'm freezing my ass off' coat for different weather conditions. Deep pockets are a must for poo bags, treats, whistle, phone...
I also wear a really stupid wide brimmed waxed hat in rain because I wear glasses!

I have Aigle Parcours wellies as well, but didn’t get the neoprene lined ones as I thought I would find them too hot. Just as well, because I find the normal ones ple tray warm enough, verging on too warm at the moment. They have really good soles so are great for all kinds of terrain, much better support and grip than the Hunters I upgraded from.

I have a lovely toasty waterproof coat from Didriksons (Annette Parka) for the winter, and a lighter waterproof from Seasalt for spring and autumn:

www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/waterproof-jackets-raincoats/all-rain/porth-mellin-waterproof-coat.htm?utm_source=google+&productid=71209&lgw_code=11383-169932B006&cm_mmc=google--Smart-Shopping--CoatsJackets-_-169932B006&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8cSN4MrH8AIVjdnVCh0LBAq1EAQYASABEgJGlfD_BwE

I don’t spend this kind of money on my normal clothes, but I figure I wear this stuff most days and it’s the difference between being comfortable or miserable during the many cold, windy, rainy walks.

Alternatively train your dog to refuse to walk in wet weather and prefer to stay home and sleep instead, my Princess won't walk in more than light drizzle if it starts after we've set off!

Ha ha @RandomMess - I like your style! Good idea re ebay. And I'd never heard of waterproof socks!

@RandomMess those Ariat boots are gorgeous!

I don’t find wellies support my feet very well but have found Brasher walking boots to be great over the winter.

I bought a fairly cheap, military type, long poncho off Amazon. It’s waterproof, not too hot and can be worn over a coat in the depths of winter. I do look a bit of a twit in it, but I’m not too bothered.

I have very wide feet so have found wellies difficult - I now use Dunlop mens tall (bog standard) wellies and thick socks. Thes cost about £15. I already had a waterproof coat.

I find you need clothes with good pockets - poo bags, training treats, phone etc

Fleece lined leggings in winter - warm and quick to dry if wet. If it's really pouring (Wales here) then I wear cheap waterproof trousers that I've had for years

@RandomMess

Alternatively train your dog to refuse to walk in wet weather and prefer to stay home and sleep instead, my Princess won't walk in more than light drizzle if it starts after we've set off!

Obviously not a spaniel 😂

NRTFT so they've maybe been mentioned but the Açaí summer leggings are great.
I bought a pair recently for dog walking and will be purchasing a thermal winter pair too later in the year.
Very supportive and showerproof. They wipe clean in between washes.

If you don't want to get them then a pair of waterproof over trousers are a must for bad weather.

Can I ask a question about the Aigle boots to those who have them please? Are they comfortable on your ankle bones? I have ordinary wellies at the moment and they always seem to rub my ankles.

Op definitely get some waterproof trousers, I'm about to don mine now for a rainy dog walk.

@MissyB1

Can I ask a question about the Aigle boots to those who have them please? Are they comfortable on your ankle bones? I have ordinary wellies at the moment and they always seem to rub my ankles.

Op definitely get some waterproof trousers, I'm about to don mine now for a rainy dog walk.

I find them fine, though I've never particularly had that problem with other wellies, such as Hunters. If it helps, the "foot" of the Aigle is much more solid than cheaper wellies, almost like a walking boot.