Our Final Verdict
We give the Proviz Explorer Dog Vest a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.
Quality: 4.8/5
Variety: 4.8/5
Effectiveness: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Walks are an important part of your dog’s day-to-day life. Along with being a fun activity for your pup, they provide much-needed mental and physical stimulation that all dogs love. But if you like taking your dog for early morning or late evening outings, it can be hard for drivers to see your furry friend on the road.
That’s why Proviz created the Explorer Dog Vest. The Explorer Dog Vest is one of three products in Proviz’s line of reflective dog coats and is a great walking accessory for dog owners who enjoy adventuring with their furry friend at dusk or dawn. As an internationally recognized sports brand, Proviz is known for their high-quality reflective gear, like cycling pants, running shirts, and hiking backpacks, but they also have a few products for dogs as well.
My Goldendoodle, Micah, tested out their Explorer Dog Vest, and it’s been a great product to have. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and perfect for days when we’re out before the sun comes up or after it goes down. If you’re looking for a high-quality reflective vest for your pup, the Explorer Dog Vest is a great option.
About Proviz
Proviz is a multi-award-winning sports brand based in London. The company was started when two brothers were commuting to work by bike and realized the need for reflective cycling products. After dedicating time and research to finding the right manufacturers, they decided to build a brand dedicated to making light-emitting and reflective cycling gear.
Since their founding in 2008, Proviz has grown into one of the most innovative sports brands in the world, selling everything from cycling jackets and hiking pants to running backpacks and dog jackets. While their products mostly consist of reflective athletic gear for humans, they also have a few products for dogs.
What Inspired Proviz’s Line of Reflective Dog Products?
The idea for reflective dog gear was inspired by a Proviz customer who was walking his dog one night when his dog slipped out of his leash and ran into the road. The owner ran into the street after his dog and thankfully was wearing a Proviz jacket of his own. After the drivers who stopped for him said it was the reflective jacket that saved his and his dog’s life, the owner emailed Proviz and asked if they could design a reflective jacket for dogs, and they did!
Who is the Explorer Vest Best Suited For?
This is an ideal walking accessory for dogs of all sizes. It’s designed to keep your dog visible and safe in darker lighting and is great to slip on your pup before early morning or late evening walks. It’s also ideal for your dog to wear anytime there’s low visibility outside. Being a vest, the product is not meant to keep your dog warm or dry and is best worn on warm, dry days.
Explorer Dog Vest Overview
Whether you and your dog are early risers or like adventuring after dark, the Explorer Vest helps your dog stay visible no matter how light it is outside. Between the innovative technology and functional design, the vest has all the premium features you need to keep your dog safe when you’re on the go.
How it Works
The vest is easy to use. It slips over your dog’s head so the black section is on your dog’s chest and the grey section is on their back. There’s a buckle on each side that loops under your dog’s front legs and fastens on their side. The straps are adjustable and the vest comes with a lead hole on the upper back for you to slip a leash into if your furry friend is wearing a harness.
After you put the vest on your pup, they’re all set. If you take your dog out during the day, the vest is light grey, but once it starts getting dark, it glows bright white when light reflects off it.
Materials
The material is lightweight. It’s made of 100% polyester and has a perforated outer layer for ventilation. The perforated layer is super thin and has small holes in it to keep your pup cool. It also has woven fabric underneath for added durability.
While the vest is not waterproof like Proviz’s other dog jackets, it has the same Reflect360 technology, which makes it highly visible in low-light conditions.
Sizing
The vest is designed to fit dogs of all sizes (toy breeds to German Shepherds) and is offered in sizes XS to 2XL. The straps are adjustable as well, so you can tighten or loosen them for a better fit.
Micah is a 54 lb Standard Goldendoodle and measures 28 inches around his chest and 26 inches from his neck to his tail. Based on his measurements, I ordered a large, but I could’ve easily sized down to a medium. I have the straps adjusted as tight as they’ll go and he still has plenty of room.
Shipping and Returns
Orders are shipped from Proviz’s UK warehouse within 24 hours and take anywhere from 1-6 business days to be delivered depending on where you live.
If you change your mind and decide the product isn’t right for you, you can return the item for a refund within 14 days.
In Summary
Pros
- 360-degree reflectivity
- Adjustable straps
- Ventilated outer layer
- Durable
- Machine washable
- Highly visible
- Great quality
Key Features
Reflective
The vest is made with Reflect360 technology, which is a special material that has reflective glass beads embedded in it. The glass beads are designed to maximize visibility from all angles so your pet is seen no matter what direction they are facing or what angle light is shining on them from.
Adjustable
The vest has two straps that wrap under your dog’s legs and buckle on each side of their chest. The straps are adjustable and have an elastic stretch to them for optimal comfort. The elastic material is soft on your dog’s skin and is stretchy enough that it moves with your pup while they walk, run, jump, or lie down.
Stylish
Reflective vests are designed to be bright, bold, and visible no matter how light it is outside. This is great because you want your dog to be seen, but it can also be a downside if you’re not a fan of your dog wearing neon colors.
Proviz does a fantastic job of making their products effective and stylish. The Explorer Vest comes in a subtle grey color that looks light grey in daylight and glows bright white when light reflects off it in the dark.
Is the Explorer Dog Vest a Good Value?
The vest is a great value. Along with being practical and effective, it’s made with high-quality materials and designed with your furry friend in mind. The reflective material is the same Reflect360 technology used in human gear and it works wonders at keeping your dog visible.
The cost is reasonable as well. Whether you get a size XS or 2XL, the vest costs $28.00, which is a lower price point than many competitor products.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Proviz ship internationally?
Proviz offers worldwide shipping. Delivery times will vary depending on where you live.
How do I wash the vest?
The vest is machine washable. For best results, wash it inside a bag or pillow case on a delicate cycle using soft detergent and let it air dry. Make sure the vest is not over a direct source of heat while drying.
Is the vest waterproof?
The vest is not waterproof.
Our Experience with the Explorer Dog Vest
I love taking Micah on daily walks, but depending on the time of year, it can get dark in the morning and evening. I haven’t used reflective gear on Micah before, but it’s definitely something I’ve considered, especially since I live in a rural area where there’s not much light on the road.
After shopping around for reflective dog gear, Proviz stood out for their innovative dog jackets and their stellar reputation. Along with being an award-winning sports brand, they have three reflective jackets designed for dogs: The Waterproof Dog Coat, the Waterproof Fleece-Lined Dog Coat, and the Explorer Dog Vest.
After browsing their collection of dog products, I decided on the Explorer Dog Vest. I wanted something simple and lightweight, and honestly, I don’t walk Micah in the dark when it’s raining or freezing cold, so I didn’t feel the need to get the waterproof jacket or fleece-lined coat.
I was excited when the vest arrived because it was exactly what I was looking for. It has a minimalist design that slips over your dog’s head and buckles around their chest. The buckles are durable and the straps are soft and stretchy, so you don’t have to worry about chafing on your dog’s chest or legs. It’s super lightweight as well.
My main concern when ordering a reflective jacket was that it’d be too hot. I typically walk Micah in the early mornings and late evenings when the weather is warm, so I didn’t want him overheating with it on. So far, the Explorer Vest has been perfect. The material is thin and it has a perforated outer layer that keeps Micah cool.
One of my favorite things about the vest is that it looks sleek. A lot of reflective dog jackets are brightly colored, and I didn’t want Micah wearing neon colors every time I took him for a walk. The Explorer Vest is great because it’s subtle and stylish. It has a classy design that isn’t bulky or cumbersome, and the reflective layer is light grey in the daylight, which is a perfect neutral color.
Most importantly, the vest works extremely well. It’s highly reflective in low-light environments and glows bright white when light shines on it at night. I was surprised by how effective it was the first time I took Micah out. I initially tested the vest’s reflectivity in my backyard before going on the road and the second I pointed a flashlight at Micah’s back, the vest was glowing. To say I’m impressed is an understatement and I wasn’t the only one who was blown away by it either.
While I was out with Micah, a dog owner saw the vest and told me they were impressed by how effective it was. They said they’d been looking for a reflective coat for their black dog and after seeing the vest on Micah, they were going to get one.
Conclusion
Proviz’s Explorer Dog Vest is a great product. It’s high quality, stylish, and durable and does a great job of keeping your dog visible and safe when it’s dark out. I was impressed with how visible Micah was in the dark, and I have peace of mind knowing drivers can clearly see him when we’re walking near the road.
