Hiking With Your Dog: A Season-by-Season Kit List

A good hike with your dog is mostly about preparation. Pack right and the whole day flows; forget one small thing and you spend the afternoon improvising. After a few hundred miles of trail with our own dogs, here is the kit we reach for in each season, and why.

Spring: mud, melt and energy to burn

Spring trails are wet, and a soaked dog stays cold long after the walk ends. A waterproof harness that dries on the drive home beats a fabric one that stays soggy for days. Bring a packable blanket for the boot so a muddy dog never sits on a cold metal floor.

• Waterproof harness with a grab handle for slippery ground
• A blanket that wipes clean for the car
• Collapsible water bowl for longer routes

Summer: heat is the real hazard

Dogs cannot sweat the way we do, and hot pavement burns paws faster than most owners realise. Walk early or late, carry more water than you think you need, and watch for heavy panting. An insulated bottle keeps water genuinely cool, which a thirsty dog will actually drink.

• Insulated water bottle with a fold-out trough
• A cooling mat for rest stops and the car
• Early starts to beat the midday heat

Autumn: the golden window

Crisp, dry and cool, autumn is peak hiking season for most dogs. Days get shorter though, so reflective gear earns its place as the light fades earlier each week. This is the season to go further and explore new routes while the ground is firm.

Winter: short, bright and warm

Keep winter walks shorter and brighter. A reflective collar and a warm, waterproof layer make the difference between a dog who loves the cold and one who wants to turn back. Check between paw pads for packed ice and grit after every walk.

Whatever the season, the rule is the same: pack for the weather you will actually walk in, not the one in the forecast photo. Your dog will thank you for it.