REASONS TO BUY
Top-notch flotation
Very secure
No flapping strap tails
Available in 6 sizes
REASONS TO AVOID
Not breathable
Stiff
Pricey
Ruffwear Float Coat Review
A well fitted canine flotation aid with the right amount of coverage to protect your pup without hindering their movements
Credit: Sara James
RELATED: Best Life Jackets of 2024
Our Verdict
The Ruffwear Float Coat is our top choice for pups due to its fit and ease of adjustability. This is one of the most straightforward jackets to put on your dog and is equally simple to cinch down to get that snug fit. The sculpted panels of the Float Coat provide just the right amount of buoyancy without hindering movement via unwanted excess bulk. This jacket is easy to run, jump, swim, and sit in. With a low profile handle on the top of the spine, velcro straps to manage any dangling straps, and a loop for a light, this is a well-designed and durable jacket and, as a result, costs a bit more than most of its competitors. To compare it to the competition, check out our article on the best life jackets.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Ruffwear Float Coat | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | | | |
| Price | $89.95 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $60 List $59.95 at Amazon | $94.95 at REI | $70 List Check Price at Amazon | $45 List $44.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Easily adjustable with a durable design for a secure fit and supreme flotation | This is a breathable and well-made option for your pooch, though it has less flotation than other options | A great value for a solid, comfortable paddling jacket | A child's PFD that is designed to be comfortable when sitting and effective when floating | Surprisingly comfortable, this super adjustable high mobility jacket is straightforward and functional |
| Rating Categories | Ruffwear Float Coat | NRS CFD Dog Life Ja... | NRS Vapor | Stohlquist Child | Stohlquist Fit |
| Fit (30%) | |||||
| Comfort and Mobility (25%) | |||||
| Quality of Construction (20%) | |||||
| Features and Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Flotation (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Ruffwear Float Coat | NRS CFD Dog Life Ja... | NRS Vapor | Stohlquist Child | Stohlquist Fit |
| Intended User | Dog | Dog | Unisex | Infant ( <30 lbs) Child (30-50 lbs) |
Unisex |
| Manufacturers Stated Intended Use | Dog safety | Dog safety | Paddling | Canoeing, kayaking, sailing | Paddling, general boating |
| Entry Style | Over-the-head, bottom clip | 1 neck and 2 bottom clips | Side entry, side clip | Front zip, 1 chest strap, between the leg strap | Front clip |
| Wear Type | Top and bottom flotation | Top and bottom flotation | Vest | Vest | Vest |
| Sizes Available | XXS (13-17") XS (17-22") S (22-27") M (27-32") L (32-36") XL (36-42") |
XS (14-21" chest, < 12 lbs) S (20-24, 13-24 lbs) M (25-31", 25-59 lbs) L (30-36", 60-79 lbs) XL (35-41", > 80 lbs) |
XS/M (30-42") L/XL (42-52") XL/XXL (50-56") |
Youth (30-50 lbs) | Youth (50-90 lbs) Youth L/Adult XS (75-125 lbs, 27-33" chest) Universal (30-52") Adult XL (48-60") |
| Size We Tested | Large (30-37") | Large (30-36") | XS/M (30-42") | Youth (30-50 lbs) | Universal (30-52") |
| Measured Weight | 18 oz | 13 oz | 27 oz | 12 oz | 13 oz |
| Foam Type | Foam buoyancy cells | Not specified | Soft foam | PVC and PE foam | PE foam |
| Main Material | Nylon | 420-denier ripstop nylon | 400D urethane-coated ripstop nylon shell, 200D nylon liner | 200D nylon | 200D nylon shell, 200D oxford liner |
| Claimed Designed Buoyancy | No rating provided | 6.4 lbs | 16.3 lbs | 8.38 lbs | 16 to 18 lbs |
| USCG Classification | N/A | N/A | Type III | Type III | Type III |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Ruffwear Float Coat was our favorite flotation vest for our canine companions. Striking the winning balance for ease of use, flotation, and freedom of movement, our dogs seemed quite comfortable in this life vest, and we were comfortable knowing they had suitable protection. Available in a whopping six sizes, there is a Float Coat that is right for your pup.
Performance Comparison
The Ruffwear Float Coat provides buoyancy on top AND underneath your dog for extra security.
Credit: Sara James
Fit
The Float Coat provides the same secure fit that humans expect from their PFDs, except it is designed to fit the unique profile of your dog. The two girth straps offer 7 inches of adjustability around the torso, helping to ensure that the jacket is well contoured to the dog's body with no unnecessary gaps. An additional adjustment point at the neck of this jacket enables you to telescope the vest's collar to suit your dogs' dimensions. This option was particularly appreciated for pups with relatively broad chests compared to the rest of their body.
The adjustability of this jacket means that it can grow with your dog. We have seen a dog grow over four years, gain 30 pounds, and still fit into the same Float Coat. Out of all the canine PFDs we tested, this one is available in the most sizes (six), covering XXS (13-17 inches) to XL (36-42 inches). Regardless if you have a Chihuahua or a Great Dane, there is a Float Coat suitable for their next aquatic adventure.
Swim, jump, or run, this jacket doesn't hinder the movement of your dog.
Credit: Sara James
Comfort and Mobility
In order to ascertain the comfort of the dog PFDs in our lineup, we utilized the WAG test. The Float Coat was a top performer, with our dog's tail wagging positively throughout the test. This was definitely not the case with all the PFDs we tested. Although the Float Coat delivers ample flotation and provides a lot of coverage, it does not look cumbersome on the dog. This isn't the lowest profile dog PFD we tested, but is still a comfortable option. The ease with which you can slip this jacket on helps to avoid any agitation before the adventure begins.
The contoured profile of this PFD does not interfere with movement on land or in the water; our doggies testers could still swim, run, jump and frolic as if they had nothing on.
This PFD passed the comfort test, our dog's tail was always wagging when this vest was on.
Credit: Sara James
Quality of Construction
The shell of the Float Coat is made of 800-denier ballistic polyester, so it should be able to withstand whatever rough and tumble play your dog puts it through. Throughout our testing period, we had no concerns with this jacket's quality and think it will last for many years to come. We have seen previous models of the Float Coat last over five years so we are pretty comfortable that the newer designs will have a similar longevity
Our dogs really like to put their gear through its paces, not only swimming in their PFD but play-fighting with other dogs, running through marshes, rolling in puddles, and squeezing through bushes. At the end of our testing sessions, the eye-catching "Blue Dusk" color finish of our jacket was more like a " Brown Mud ."Luckily this PFD will tolerate a gentle wash on a cold cycle.
The telescoping neck suited the build of our dog and was adjustable for his furry friends that aren't quite so broad.
Credit: Sara James
Features and Versatility
The low-profile handle on the top of this PFD is well-positioned and padded. It is not the beefiest handle we came across in testing, but it was ample to haul our 80-pound wet canine companion out of the water. In addition, it is streamlined enough not to present a huge snag hazard.
The velcro tabs are helpful so you can avoid dangling straps. In addition, we appreciated the D-ring attachment point so we could transition to using a leash on land. There is also a nifty fabric loop on the handle designed for you to attach a light for low-light adventures.
The handle is low profile but leaves plenty of space to get a secure hold on your dog.
Credit: Sara James
Flotation
The Float Coat wraps around your dog's torso, providing strategic flotation that supports their natural swimming position. If your dog is not yet a water lover, this support can help encourage water confidence. For the more adventurous hounds, this PFD would be suitable for swimming in aerated water and is designed to provide similar flotation to an Adult human Type III life vest.
Ruffwear does not assign a weight rating to their doggie PFDs, and the USCG is not yet interested in certifying this piece of gear. However, when compared side by side during our in-house float testing, the large Float Coat provided more flotation than the other large doggie PFDs we tested in this review.
Once secured, this jacket will stay on regardless of what your dog chooses to get up to.
Credit: Sara James
Should You Buy the Ruffwear Float Coat?
The Float Coat is the one we reach for when we want to bring our dog along for playtime in the water. It has become a total hit with our testers, and our doggo now gets excited when we take this jacket out of the closet as he knows it's a sign of fun times to come. The Float Coat is more expensive than the other dog vests we tested, but it also outperformed them all. This jacket's ease of use and peace of mind make it well worth the cost if you plan to take your dog on some water-based adventure.
A comfortable and practical option, this jacket stood out all around.
Credit: Sara James
What Other Life Jackets Should You Consider?
If you'd like to save a few bucks, we also really like the Astral Bird Dog. The NRS CFD Dog Life Jacket is an equally viable option for even cheaper, though it's not as fully-featured.
—
Sara James
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