Neoprene Dog Vest (Which one?)

[Greg]

Which manufactures neoprene vest do you prefer?

[AD18]

I got the Cabelas brand and it seems ok. Cabelas let me take him right in the store to try them on. Got the perfect fit after all the other customers were done playing with him.

[franklauzon]

I'm putting so look see into the Avery Boaters vest, that way I can grab her and get her in the boat if anything were ever to go wrong...

[Mike Bons]

I am not sure if it matters what brand you get. The most important thing is to make sure they fit properly. I have a browning one which is good, but if you are going to be working out of a boat I believe the Avery one has handles on it that will allow you to pull the dog into the boat a little easier.

[krakadawn]

As Mike said make sure it fits properly-not tight but also not loose with gapping sides. I have used those with velcro only fasteners and those with velcro and a zipper. I am a little cautious using the zippered model when dogs are in heavy marsh/bog and out of sight on some retrieves. With the velcro model they can get free;however the zippered vests are fine in open water-if I had to own just one I would find a well fitting velcro fastening model.
Jim

[Kevin Hannah]

The handle on the Avery one seems likie a good idea but I don't know how well it would work. All I do with mine when he gets back to the boat is grab his collar as he raises his front feet into the boat and provide the leverage he needs and a little pull to get him back in the boat. If using the handle you need to haul the entire weight of the dog in.

JMHO as I have only had a vest without a handle and a big dog.

Kevin

[rleclair]

The first vest I ever invested in was one from Cabelas - it was great but forgot it on a dock somewhere at Long Point.

We have tried two others - Browning and ???? - both seem to have a loose fit and would sometimes slip off.

I have again purchased a Cabelas vest as I think they are the best fitting (especially with a big dog like mine). This is another problem - getting the correct size!!

Good luck.

[Greg]

Thanks everybody :)

Yeh I measured my dog. She has an 18" neck and a 29" chest. So I bought the one that is on sale at Bass Pro Right now. I had to get the one with 19" neck cause the next one down was 17".

I can tell you their sizes are way off. There is atleast a 4 inch gap at the bottom of her neck and the body is tight.

[yellowlab04]

your best bet is a velcro modle in 5mm after u see all the rips in your vest youll be glad that u dont have handles for the dog to get hung up on just one more thing to go wrong in open water its okm but most times i cant see where handles are a benafit besids if your feeding right u dont need a vest till late in the season when u dont want to be getting your hands wet