Do dogs REALLY need booties? We see way more dogs wearing booties now, than say 5 years ago. But are they ‘fashion’, or do they serve a necessary functional purpose, too? We’ll break it down for you - City Walks: City sidewalks are often salted during and after snow storms. It’s pretty uncomfortable for the dogs when the salt gets stuck between their paws. Not to mention the dog will track the salt back into the house. (Which, ew.) Also ew, is the city gunk getting all over your pillow when your dog snuggles up for a nap in your bed. We’d recommend ‘outside shoes’ for these dogs. Winter Mountain Adventures: For dogs with long fur, the dreaded ‘ice balls’ are the worse. They form between dogs’ toes and can build up to be pretty large and painful. Developed with insights from veteran sled dog racers, we created these booties specifically to help protect against the ice balls. Folks often ask: “Are my dog’s feet cold?”. Dogs differ so wildly in breed/temperament/size/comfort level, etc, it would be nearly impossible to give a blanket temperature where they get cold. (We’ve all seen the videos of the huskies refusing to come inside during blizzards!). If your dog seems cold, they are probably cold. Booties will certainly help protect their paws from the elements. Summer Mountain Adventures: For dogs who are used to scrambling up peaks and jogging along trails, they won’t need booties. However, paw injuries are super common, and no one wants to be 10 miles from the trailhead with an 80 pound dog with a granite-gash on their paw pad. We always recommend carrying a set of booties in your backpack for this exact scenario. Another common question is: “Will the booties protect from heat?”. If the pavement is too hot, it’s likely too hot for your dog to be outside at all. Heat stroke is an all-too-common occurrence. Always do the 8 second test before heading out with your dog in the summer. If you can’t hold your hand on the pavement for 8 seconds, it’s too hot to take your dog out. TLDR; Grab a set of booties! You won’t regret it.