Muttluks All Weather Dog Boot Review

Bottom Line

The Muttluks All Weather dog boots are a well rounded alternative to heavy, traditional, rubber-soled boots or dog mushing booties that wear out quickly. We were quickly impressed with the performance of these boots when backpacking near the Santa Rita mountains in southern Arizona. To start, they fit our 12 pound tester dog better than any other boot we have tried for her size. These boots are easy and straightforward to use. They prevented our tester dogs from getting any cactus stuck in their feet. 

During comparison testing, we found out that these boots have average traction and breathability features. However, they do a fantastic job of protecting the dog’s feet from hazardous items on the trail. That’s one reason why these boots sit near the top of our list of the best dog boots.

One thing to keep in mind is that the small version of this boot is made with a coated nylon sole while the large dog boots have leather. There is also a price difference between the sizes. Speaking of price, we found the price on the Muttluks All Weather dog boots to be pretty expensive. They are worth it, but they are definitely one of the more expensive models we tested.

How We Tested

We used these dog boots with our tester dog, an 11 year old Border Terrier, while backpacking in southern Arizona. The boots were used on both dirt roads and the Arizona Trail in dry conditions at the end of December.

FIT

We love that the Muttluks All Weather boots accommodate a wide variety of feet, have a sock-like design that reduces the chances of rubbing, and can be paired with Muttluks’ sock liners. In order to better compare the fit of a wide variety of boots, we assigned points to each model based on factors such as adjustability, sizing options, design that is friendly to a wide variety of feet, and add-on options like liners. 

The Muttluks performed above average thanks to a few factors. First, they make boots that fit a spectrum of dogs – from the smallest adventurers to the largest. Most other brands have limited sizing, either excluding small dogs, large dogs, or both. We also appreciate that their small dog boots are actually well fitted. Many small dog boots we have tried are not shaped very well for small feet, but these fit like a glove. 

Another point in the Muttluks favor is the ability to pair them with a brand-specific dog sock. These liners make it easier to put the boot on, add warmth, and improve the fit by preventing rubbing. This is especially true around the dew claw. Though we didn’t give bonus points to these boots like we did to the true mushing boots, it’s easier to obtain a good fit in the Muttluks All Weather than most of the rubber boots we tested – thanks to the minimalistic design and sock-like shape.

DURABILITY

The durability of the Muttluks All Weather boots falls around the middle of the spectrum. They are more durable than a fabric mushing boot but less durable than a rubber-soled boot. After hiking about 10 miles near the Santa Rita mountains in Arizona, we noticed a few small spots on the toes where the fabric had worn away. There is a double layer of fabric at the toe of the boot, so the yellow fabric underneath was just visible. 

This seems a bit quick to start showing wear, particularly given the price point. However, it is an improvement over mushing-style boots we have used – which seem to wear out even quicker. 

One thing to bear in mind is that we tested the Itty Bitty sized boots, which have a nylon-coated sole. Larger sized boots have a leather sole, which will typically be more durable. Regardless, there are many other qualities that make up for this slight deficit.

TRACTION

Traction is an area where the Muttluks All Weather boots perform surprisingly well, surpassing some hiking-specific boots – even without dedicated tread. We put these boots on our traction testing device to see how well they grip the surface of a rock at steeper and steeper angles. We filled each boot in our test with an equal number of coins to provide some weight and then placed them on a flat rock that was attached to the end of a lever arm. We slowly raised the arm until the boot started to slip. We recorded the angle measure and compared it to the other boots in our lineup. 

The Muttluks had one of the steepest angle measures of the boots we tested. We were a bit surprised that it beat out a few models that sport dedicated tread for hiking. However, the nylon bottom of the Itty Bitty boot does have some texture to it. When using this boot in the field, our tester dog did not have any trouble jumping up on objects such as logs or rocks.

BREATHABILITY

The Muttluks All Weather boots have average breathability. They’re made with heavier fabrics than traditional mushing boots yet lighter soles than rubber-soled boots. 

To compare the breathability of the various boots in our lineup we dunked each of them in some water until each model was soaked through. We then attached each boot to a hanger and placed it up high so that the boots could dry. After checking in on the boots, the Muttluks were right in the middle as far as drying time. This is reasonable as there is more fabric to hold moisture on the Muttluks than their mushing boot counterparts. However, the rubber on many of the dedicated hiking boots end up trapping the moisture in the boot resulting in a longer dry time. 

PROTECTION

For protection from abrasive and sharp objects, the thick sole of the Muttluks All Weather makes a fabulous choice. We tried our best to rip or pierce the soles of these boots with a key, razor, knife, and sewing needle. None of them were able to penetrate the boot. When used in southern Arizona, we also did not have any problems with cactus spines piercing the boots. These results make the Muttluks our top choice for protection from hazardous objects.

EASE OF USE

It can be a bit challenging to get dogs’ feet past the upper, fitted portion of the boot, but otherwise the Muttluks All Weather boots are easy to put on. 

When we timed how long it takes to put on one of these boots, it took about 19 seconds per boot. This time was surprising to us at first. When we had used these boots while backpacking, they felt difficult to get on. When we practiced a bit more we realized that the problem is the form-fitting upper portion of the boot. It can be a bit cumbersome to stretch it open enough to get the toes inside while holding the foot. Once the boot is halfway on, the process becomes easier. The boot slides right on and the strap is easy to adjust.

Should You Buy the Muttluks All Weather boots?

Muttluks All Weather Boots are a great, all-around piece of gear. They fit well and have good enough traction as well as durability for hiking. They can also be paired with Muttluks MuttGators for use in powder. They are warm enough for snow but breathe for hot days. One of our favorite things about the Muttluks is that they fit small dog feet well – making them an excellent choice for fun sized adventurers. Due to their steep price, we would not recommend the All Weather boots for emergency use or for anyone unsure if their dogs actually need boots.

What Other Dog Boots Should You Consider?

Not quite what you are looking for? Check out our full list of the best dog boots. Here are a few others we like:

Ruffwear Grip Trex: We love the Grip Trex boots for their hiking specific design. They have a Vibram rubber sole that provides both incredible durability and good protection. These boots take more finagling to get the right fit but will last for many miles.

Non-stop Dogwear Protector Boots: Like the Muttluks, the Protector boots blend many of the benefits of a mushing boot with a rubber soled one. They have increased durability over a mushing boot but take a long time to dry.

dogbooties.com 1000 Denier Cordura: People looking for a simple design, particularly for use in snow or emergencies, will appreciate these sock-like mushing boots. Just don’t plan to use them for many miles without having replacements ready to go.