Want to get a new vest for my dog, her current vest has had it. Want to get a nice one and have fitted for her, I know BradyBuck is an expert on this..

Seems like if his opinion was the one you wanted...that someone should show you how PM works.

I always liked the Avery (I know you can't get one of those) because of the handles...so I'd buy the one that had handle cut outs on top.

Not sure I want handles, they can get caught on limbs. Another reason for a good fitting vest.

This is my dogs current vest, this thing has had it!

The best thing to do is get a neoprene vest and tailor it. I’ve had a drake one, Avery and the game winner from Academy. Neoprene is neoprene, the top Velcro and zippers are a bit nicer on the Avery and drake ones.

There are mixed reviews on any of the Velcro types.

Get a vest that fits around the chest/body.

Pinch up the access material in the neck and arm holes. Mark and cut out the triangles that form when you pinch up the access material, put back together with neoprene cement, for extra strength you can sew with waxed string.

I have found it’s the only way to actually get a vest to fit accurately without it looking ridiculous by having a giant neck hole and cutting away most of the material around the arms.

If you tailor it this way you’ll have a very nice fitting vest and the dog will be dry everywhere the vest touches.

I bought the cement off of Amazon. Also there are adjustable vest as well. Momarsh makes one and Dive Bomb as well if interested in that route.

Bought a momarsh one for my pup. They’re made to be totally adjustable. The top handle can be “stowed” if you don’t want/need it.

Real world reviews on the momarsh adjustable vest….

Some may have a better experience but most adjustable vests have terrible reviews

I do like momarsh products, I have talked to Ira a few times over the years. I'm going to go to cabela's where I can actually see and feel some. Last time I felt an Avery vest, it was so thick and stiff, I seemed like a really hard canvas over the 5mm neoprene, that is great for durability, but probably not that comfortable, and makes it harder to swim in. Tara's current vest I really like, soft, 3mm, very flexible. That vest is probably 15 years old, Molly wore that vest...

I don't get it --------- what does the vest do??? I"ve never seen a dog wear one, and I"ve probably hunted with dogs more than anyone else on this forum.

Really, so you are like duck hunting dog expert? Well if I have to tell you what a vest is for that says enough about you.

I have the adjustable and the ones that I made corrections on as well. Honestly, most the time I don’t even use one. Bought the Momarsh one because of the hype and it does adjust and fit well. It is a pain if I would want to use it on multiple dogs and adjust it each time. So I have it fit for my larger of the 4 and will use it on her if needed.

I'm thinking find the one I want, and taking it to seamstress and having is custom fitted and sewed.. I really do not want to cut it/sew it/cement myself, but it may come to that.

Years ago I had an Avery "boater" vest for my chocolate dog. It fit well without much alteration (maybe just lucky with my dogs size/build). I just looked and they still make them. They have a nylon web harness sewn inside so you can pick the dog up by the vest if needed, or help get on a stand, etc.

Do they even make 3mm vest? I don’t want 5mm, that is too much JMO. Looks like everything is 5mm these days, my 3mm vest was great.

I don’t need a handle, Tara gets on dog stand fine, in and out of the boat fine, but with a stiff 5mm vest it might be needed lol.

I have rig’em right. It’s well built but don’t love flop in the neck. My dogs odd size since he is so broad chested though, might fit better for a lab

I just use mine when there is ice to protect from cuts so it doesn’t get used much.

Cabelas used to make one I really liked back when I had Labs. I have a 3mm I bought at Bass Pro that is labeled Red Head. I have to fit vests for my versatile dogs due to the deep chest and small waist. It is easy. Put the vest on the dog. Mark where it fits the dogs chest. Measure from the base of the tail to the back of the vest. Measure how big around the dog is. Do this every 4” till you get to where it fits. Unzip and lay the vest flat. Measure and mark each place on the side seam. Subtract the size you need. Mark 1/4 of the distance above and below the seam on each side. Connect the dots and cut out the piece from both sides. Sew it back with dental floss. Seal the seam with neoprene cement that is used on wet suits. Do the same on the neck. My tight coated dogs don’t need a vest in Texas. They are helpful when we waterfowl hunt up north in single digit temps and high wind. A seamstress could probably get a better fit but what I end up with is not bad.

That is a big statement booskay.

He also has a gun safe decoy with bags of concrete in it. I think we should pull up a chair and learn a few things!!!!

That’s the best way to do it! Velcro wears out and still never really fits correctly.


As far as the question about why to use a vest.

If your vest is properly fitted it will keep a dog warm and dry wherever it covers. My dogs would be fine without one on most days but it makes them much more comfortable on those very cold mornings duck hunting.

When you use that cement, do you put it just on the neoprene to connect it, or do you also put it on top of the canvas/clothe on top of the neoprene? Does that make sense? If you have some pics would be great. Also looking smoky’s pic, looks there is a hole above the front shoulder that you would pinch up, cut, cement to close?

3mm vests below...

This one looks like it has a big arm hole from the pics...$24, can't really go wrong. Lots of good reviews...
https://www.gundogsupply.com/dokken-xtreme-neoprene-dog-vest.html

Cheap like the other, not many reviews...
https://www.gundogsupply.com/mudriver-du-economy-dog-vest-blades.html

I really like 3mm, just think 5mm is overkill.

Looks pretty good really...

I like that last one Guy.