DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Ruffwear Float Coat is a premium dog life jacket designed for any water activity — kayaking, boating, river running, beach swimming, and paddleboarding. Born from founder Patrick’s near-miss on the Kern River with his dog Otis, it has been refined across decades of real-water use. Strategically placed PVC-free Gaia Foam and CLPE foam panels support the dog’s natural swimming position — buoyancy is distributed across the chest and belly rather than concentrated at a single point, keeping the dog horizontal in the water rather than nose-down. A strong, low-profile rescue handle above the shoulders is optimally positioned for lifting the dog back onto a boat or out of the water in a single controlled motion. A sheltered D-ring under the handle provides a leash clip-in point for getting to and from the water. Reflective trim and a light loop for the Ruffwear Beacon ensure visibility in low-light conditions. Sheltered buckles resist snagging and stay securely fastened in wet environments.

MATERIALS & CONSTRUCTION

Buoyancy: PVC-free Gaia Foam and CLPE closed-cell foam — soft, flexible, strategically placed across chest and belly panels to support natural swimming position.

Shell: Abrasion-resistant water-compatible shell fabric. Tonal reflective accents throughout.

Hardware: Strong, low-profile rescue handle — optimally positioned above the shoulders. Sheltered D-ring leash attachment under handle. Easy-clip sheltered side-release buckles — remain securely closed when wet. Light loop for Ruffwear Beacon.

Neck: Telescoping neck closure — adjusts across a range of neck sizes within each size.

Sizes (rib cage girth): XX-Small 13–17 in / X-Small 17–22 in / Small 22–27 in / Medium 27–32 in / Large 32–36 in / X-Large 36–42 in.

Colours: Red Sumac, Blue Dusk, Wave Blue — refer to active variants.

Made in Vietnam. Hand wash cold, air dry.

KEY BENEFITS

• Strategically Placed PVC-Free Foam — Supports Natural Swimming Position – Gaia Foam and CLPE panels distributed across chest and belly keep the dog horizontal in water rather than nose-down. Soft and flexible for unencumbered movement both in the water and on land before and after swimming.
• Optimally Positioned Rescue Handle — Safe Extraction Every Time – The strong handle is placed at the dog’s centre of balance above the shoulders — the correct lift point for extracting a wet dog from water in a single controlled motion without tipping or pulling the dog sideways.
• Sheltered Buckles and Telescoping Neck — Secure Fit in Active Water Conditions – Buckles sit sheltered from snagging hazards and maintain closure under repeated wet/dry cycles. The telescoping neck closure fine-tunes fit across the full range of neck sizes within each jacket size.
• Leash D-Ring and Light Loop — Complete Water Safety System – The tucked-away D-ring under the handle allows leash connection when moving to and from the water. The light loop accommodates the Ruffwear Beacon for dusk and dawn water sessions.

FIT GUIDE

Measure around the widest point of the rib cage — just behind the front legs. This is the girth measurement that determines size. The telescoping neck closure adjusts independently within each size for neck variation.

XX-Small (13–17 in): Chihuahuas, Yorkies, small Toy breeds. X-Small (17–22 in): Pugs, Boston Terriers, small Indie dogs. Small (22–27 in): Cocker Spaniels, Corgis, Beagles. Medium (27–32 in): Border Collies, Dalmatians, medium Labradors. Large (32–36 in): Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Huskies. X-Large (36–42 in): German Shepherds, large Rottweilers, large Indie dogs.

When between sizes, choose the larger. Always test fit in shallow, controlled water before any open-water use. The Float Coat is a flotation aid — active supervision is always required.