What I wear dog walking
Dog walkers know how to stay cool dog walking. Spring and summer are almost here. Are you prepared to stay cool and walk on, even in the steamiest weather? If not, are you ready to shop?
As a dog walker, I look for three things in activewear, it needs to fit, it needs to be engineered for mileage and sweat, and it has to look good. The good news is that activewear is for everyone, not just dog walkers.
If you could use a few good-looking, pieces of cool, breathable clothing, this post is for you.
Since the apparel I purchase for warm weather dog walking is comfortable and wears like iron, it may be a bit more expensive but worth every penny.
I usually post fun and interesting things about dogs, puppies, etc., but today’s post is for your dog’s human, you. Full disclosure: WalkOn is not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned below.
Starting At The Top – Moisture Wicking Shirts Keep You Cool
Form function, and fashion to stay cool and walk on
Unless you don’t mind freezing in airconditioned spaces wearing damp clothing, moisture-wicking fabric is the answer to a Virginia summer’s most ghastly, humid weather. Because my goal is to stay cool while dog walking, moisture-wicking fabric is my favorite tool in the stay cool toolbox.
The capillary action of moisture-wicking fabrics allows moisture to evaporate, which, in turn, cools me down. Regardless of how much you love your favorite, old, cotton t-shirt collection, start adding in a few moisture-wicking shirts and get moving. You won’t be trapped in soggy clothing that feels awful and, quite frankly, looks pretty unappealing too.
We live in a go-go-go society and because of this, most of us require our activewear to pull double duty. For example, on any given day I may be grooming a horse, running errands, and walking dogs.
Because of my varied, hectic schedule, I need my clothing to be versatile and sturdy, which means that the fewer wardrobe changes throughout the day, the better.
Since I’ve been buying moisture-wicking apparel for years, I’m noticing a trend in my buying habits; I keep going back to the same companies, Title Nine and REI.
Title Nine
At Title Nine I find clothing that works for me, that fits me, that fits my lifestyle, and that looks good. In addition, Title Nine is a woman-owned and run company in California and their story is inspirational.
REI
Because REI carries a huge selection of clothing and equipment, it is my other go-to for athletic clothing; they have something for everyone.
Tasc Performance
In researching “moisture-wicking fabrics,” I learned that not only is bamboo sustainable, it is also moisture-wicking AND antimicrobial, which means this line of tech clothing will keep you smelling fresh. I’ll be trying out some bamboo clothing from Tasc Performance this summer. Don’t worry, I’ll get back to you on the freshness factor!
Pockets
The only way to stay cool and walk on is with pockets!
Because purses and backpacks are unwieldy and easy targets for thieves, one can never have too many pockets when dog walking or pursuing fitness goals. While pockets won’t help me stay cool, they will help me walk on with the supplies I need, including an item meant to ward off stray, possibly aggressive dogs. So, some form of pocket is a prerequisite for my dog walking wardrobe.
What’s old is new – & cool
Fabric that keeps you dry and comfortable is a plus for any piece of activewear, including shorts, leggings, and–skorts. Yes, I said skorts. They’re back in, apparently. If you’ve never heard of a skort, hop on over to Title Nine. Title Nine has a great selection of super cute athletic skorts that will keep you comfortable. Oh, and they have pockets, so skorts satisfy the prime directive to stay cool and walk on.
Stay cool in capri pants
Even though I’m the boss at WalkOn, “dog walker” is one of the many hats I wear. If it’s not hot enough for a skort, this lovely pair of capri pants is my favorite for comfort and…you guessed it…pockets.
Yes, yes, capri pants are considered by some to be the mom jeans of the boomer generation. While I may ditch the offending khaki capri pants, I will not jettison the fashion altogether because capris keep me cool, they have pockets, and the shorts-wearing days are behind me.
Count your eyeballs lucky; boomers could always wear something else to draw the ire of the fashion police, which brings me to tights.
Stay cool tights
When I am not wearing one of my WalkOn hats, I’m riding my horse.
Equestrian apparel is very technical; I can buy pants that zip, tights with elastic waistbands, full seats, partial seats, and the list goes on. I happen to prefer Kerrits Ice Fil Full Seat Tights, which are basically tights with loads of technical bells and whistles. If I plan to go to the barn after walking dogs, I wear my favorite riding tights to walk the dogs.
Equestrian fashion may not be for you, however. Still, consider adding athletic tights to your wardrobe. Because they are a very comfortable way to ramble about, you can walk on forever. My go-to tights are The Trailhead Tights from Title Nine.
Again with Title Nine?! Yes, for good reason; they are cool, comfortable, attractive, and they have pockets. Their clothing moves with me, which is important because I move a lot in general, and while dog walking in particular.
Since I’m bending, reaching, jogging, stopping, and starting constantly, I need garments that will move with me and not against me. If a piece of clothing pinches, I’m miserable by the second dog walk. So, yes, Title Nine is my favorite activewear store. Thank you, Title Nine founder Missy Park!
Footwear that stays cool & keeps you walking in comfort
My footwear choices to stay cool and keep walking are:
New Balance running shoes – there are several models from which to choose. What I like about New Balance is the side-to-side stabilization. If you pronate or supinate, these shoes are a great choice.
As a result of this lateral stabilization, the New Balance shoes really improve my way of walking and, therefore, my overall comfort.
Brooks running shoe – Brooks shoes feel give my feet a gentle hug. They are lightweight, stable, and they look good.
REI carries Brooks shoes, but not all Brooks shoes are breathable, so keep that in mind while shopping.
ON Cloud all-day-wear shoe – it is the most technical shoe I have ever worn and ticks a lot of boxes for me.
This shoe is breathable, lightweight, easy to put on and take off, and has a unique, attractive look.
Given the shoe’s unusual design and look, I receive compliments and questions about my Cloud shoes all the time.
In spite of the shoe’s sole being a trap for small stones, I love this shoe because it is the sole’s design that makes each step a mini foot massage.
When it comes to sustainability, the latest iteration of the Cloud shoe, the Cloud 5, is made from 44% recycled products. Woohoo! My 7th pair is on the horizon. Yes, yes, I love these shoes!
Let’s see what Ryan of “Ryan’s Running Reviews” has to say about the ON Cloud 5:
Cool socks that keep you walking
Bombas socks continue to stand the test of time and mileage. Not only that, but they come in loads of fun styles. These socks really hold up too, so I don’t mind paying a little more for them.
Beyond putting out a great product, Bombas is a real leader in the social responsibility space. For every pair of socks that Bombas sells, they donate a pair of socks to the homeless. Now the company has expanded this program to their shirts and underwear product lines.
Pacas socks are woven from alpaca wool. Wow! These are some great socks.
These have got to be the softest, coziest socks I have ever worn, hands down.
In spite of the warmth these socks provide, they cut down on friction, so you can truly keep cool and keep walking.
In addition to their sturdy socks, Pacas carries a wide range of products made from alpaca wool.
Without a doubt, Pacas are my favorite new product discovery of 2021. Check them out!
Walk on & get shopping
What do you wear while walking your dog in warm weather? Please share in the comments section. I’m always on the lookout for great gear.
With a bit of luck, we may have a Covid light summer. I hope so anyway. Happy shopping and stay cool and walk on!
Once again, WalkOn is not affiliated with any of the retailers included in this post, so all of the items described are things that I actually use and love.
