The 8 Best Dog Shoes Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

Unlike humans, dogs do have feet that can withstand walking on all kinds of terrain without shoes. However, this doesn’t mean those doggie paws are almighty. From time to time, they need protection too.

Today’s guide is made to help you with just that. We teamed up with canine experts and after months of research and testing, composed this list of the best dog shoes out there. After testing out dozens and dozens of doggy kicks with our canine companions, we definitely consider ourselves dog shoewear experts!

We’ll start with a guide on choosing proper footwear for your canine companion, and complement this with our dog shoes Australia top list where you will find some of the best dog footwear options available online.

Australia's Best Dog Boots Reviewed

If you’re camping with your dog on a rocky mountain one week and sunbathing on the beach the next, then all-season boots are just what your furry travelling companion needs. These All For Paws boots are a great choice since they’re suitable for all types of terrain and all weather conditions.

These boots are fashionable, but that’s not the only thing that makes them great. I love how the ergonomic shape provides the dog with maximum comfort and paw support, which makes them suitable even for my elderly dog or for injured dogs. What also sets them apart, like from our number two choice, is that they are waterproof, helping to keep your pet's paws dry no matter the season.

The upper part of the shoe is made of breathable mesh with rubberised synthetic leather. This material makes the boots water resistant, so they can be worn in snow or mud. Furthermore, the anti-slip rugged sole is thick enough to protect your dog’s paws from hot concrete, sand, salted ice, thorns, glass or any hazardous surface. This is all great, but the thing our team of researchers loved the most about these boots is how lightweight they are. Your dog will barely feel them, while their gentle paws stay protected.

Finally, these boots feature an expandable closing system with Velcro that makes sure that they stay tight around your dog’s feet. No matter if your pooch is running or even swimming, these shoes won’t move a millimetre. The Velcro tape closure comes with a reflective stripe on top. Along with the boots fluorescent green colour, this will ensure your dog is easy to find even in low-visibility conditions.

These boots from HiPaw are another great option, no matter which type of climate you live in. During the winter, they will keep paws dry and warm, but they’re no less useful during summer days when they protect pads from searing hot asphalt. Good all-season boots need to be light and breathable, but with durable and flexible soles. These boots from HiPaw all are that, and more.

The top of these booties are made of mesh fabric that is both breathable and strong. It allows the paws to breathe during warm weather, while it repels dirt and sand at the same time. On the other hand, the soles and toe tips on these HiPaw boots are covered with rugged rubber, which protects the paws from getting hurt on rocks, thorns or just about anything else dogs might encounter while outdoors.

Unlike our number one choice, these boots feature an extending tongue which allows you to easily slip them onto your pooch’s paws. Its two Velcro straps then secure them around the ankles.

They have a simple design - they come in a red and black colour, with a little yellow paw sticker sewn on the sides. The soles also leave a star print onto the snow, sand or mud, which is adorable.

Every hiker knows that good boots are the key to performance and comfort. This is true for your canine companion too. No matter how thick the pads on their paws are, they can get injured while hiking. This is especially true for dogs who aren’t accustomed to walking on rough terrain. That’s why Ruffwear designed boots for dogs that love exploring outdoors with their human parents.

Something I know from experience is that good hiking boots need to be lightweight, breathable and feature good outer soles. These Ruffwear boots meet all the requirements, much to my dog's joy. The upper part is made of tightly woven air mesh. This material allows the air inside while keeping the dirt out. Once the boots get dirty, you can safely wash them on a cold cycle with a mild detergent.

Our team of testers also appreciated how the wide opening allows you to easily slide the boots on your dog’s paws, while YKK hook-and-loop closure system assures they stay in place. The fastening is hydrophobic, so boots will stay fastened even if they get wet.

The boots feature Vibram non-marking rubber outsoles with a rugged lug design. This means your dog won’t skid even on slippery terrains. There’s also a reflective strip that allows you to see your pooch through the mist and at night. These boots are a bit more expensive than other picks on this list but well worth every coin.

Unlike the doggy boots we have mentioned thus far, they come in red, blue or black colours. You can choose between a 2-boot and 4-boot set.

These boots from Zunea are proof that dog shoes don’t always have to cost a pretty penny. Especially compared to our number three pick, they’re super affordable, and the quality is at par with more expensive options on this list. Our experts think that If you’re searching for everyday dog boots that can be worn both indoors and outdoors, then these Zunea shoes are an excellent option.

Everyday boots need to be comfortable and breathable. The uppers of these boots are made of high-quality neoprene covered with a double layer of mesh fabric. These tiny holes provide airflow so your dog’s paws don’t get sweaty on a warm day.

Zunea boots have rugged anti-slip soles which increase friction and protect paws from hot pavement or slippery ground. These soles aren’t as thick as those on hiking boots, but they’re not designed for rough terrain. They’re more of “city strolling” boots, and as such, they perform rather well.

The boots feature two reflective Velcro straps, which make it easy to put on and off. There are three vivid colours you can choose from with fluorescent green, red and pink, and also come in dark blue and black. This gives you more colour choices than many other dog shoes on this list.

They come in four sizes, suitable for small and medium dogs. When choosing the size, keep in mind that front paws can be even a size larger than back paws. These boots shouldn’t be loose, but shouldn’t be too tight either. In case your pooch’s front paws are notably larger like my dog's, consider buying two different sizes.

These boots from Pawz probably remind you of balloons, and we’ll admit, that’s not far away from the truth. However, they're quite a convenient way to keep your pooch’s paws safe during everyday walks.

These boots feel more like socks than actual shoes, which gives dogs the most-natural feeling since they can sense the terrain they’re walking on. They provide full paw motion while offering protection from lawn chemicals, allergies, hot pavement and even snow.

They’re made of natural rubber, which is easy to clean and dries out fast, so your pooch won’t spread the dirt when entering the house. Rubber material makes the boots stay tight around the dog's ankles. There’s no zipper or straps, which makes them simple to put on.

What’s also great about this material is that it’s plant-based, which makes these boots biodegradable. Keep in mind that rubber wears down after several uses, but that’s why they come in a package of 12. They’re also quite affordable, so you can stash them up at your home.

These boots sound like a perfect match, but there’s a minor drawback our team of expert testers noticed. They might be too tight around some dogs’ ankles, which can cut off blood circulation. The manufacturer advises sizing up if your pooch’s paws are in-between sizes.

Every fashionista knows how important it is to complete the outfit with appropriate boots. And in my opinion, our dogs deserve nothing less. If you’re a proud parent of the chicest pooch in the neighbourhood, then these warm boots from Winsoon are a much-needed fashion element.

Let’s be real, with these boots, your dog will be the talk of the town. I also love how you can get them in black, dark brown, light brown and pink colour. They come in 6 sizes, which are suitable for small and medium dogs. Unfortunately, this is yet another product that doesn’t come in size large enough for big pooches, which many members of our team of researchers lamented.

These boots are made of soft polyurethane leather which is 100% vegan and doesn’t absorb water. This material assures that your dog’s paws stay dry at all times. The rubber soles create friction, so wet or icy surfaces won’t cause your pooch to skid around when wearing these fashion details.

Another thing that sets these boots apart from the others is the fleece liner, which keeps the paws warm even in the coldest weather. These, however, shouldn’t be worn during warmer periods of the year, which means that are not an all-weather choice like many of our other options.

WINSOON boots are lightweight and are easily put on and off. They feature an adjustable Velcro strap that assures a tight fit. The strap has a “Dog” logo on it, which undoubtedly resembles the “Ugg” logo - and so do the boots.

If you own a large dog, then you probably know the struggle of finding suitable products for your pooch. It gets even harder finding boots - it seems that manufacturers keep on forgetting that our large pups need the same things small dogs do.

When it’s cold, it’s cold, no matter how big their paws are. Bark Brite had our big babies in mind, so they made these all-weather boots in a variety of sizes. They even come in a travel zipper case, which is always nice to have.

These are not typical dog boots. They’re made of a breathable neoprene which conforms to the natural paw shape and the design doesn’t restrict the paw movement in any way. In fact, your pooch should barely even feel wearing them.

I love how the soles are made of soft rubber which protects the dog from ice, snow, rocks, hot asphalt, wet surface or even broken glass. There’s even a light inner lining that keeps the paws warm during low temperatures. The boots are waterproof, which makes them perfect for all weather conditions. They shouldn’t, however, be worn for swimming, since water can come in through the shoe opening.

These glove-like boots are easily put on and off. Two Velcro straps allow you to tighten them around the ankles, but the material itself assures they sit right around the paws. Our expert team of testers note that when worn the first time, dogs might walk funny, but don’t worry. Once they get the grip of them, these booties will become a staple accessory of every walk.

Our canine companions grow up too fast. As they get older, they lose the ability to move as swiftly as they used to, so walking over rough and slippery terrain becomes a struggle. They need high-quality boots that are lightweight but durable. That’s where these dog boots from Ultra Paws come in.

These boots are made of tough water resistant nylon, while the top of the toe and sole are covered with a flexible grippy, durable 0.8 millimetre-thick polyvinyl. This material helped my dog maintain traction on slippery floors as well as protected his paws from rough and irritating terrain. They weigh only 60 grams each, so your pooch will barely feel them.

Wide split seam top opening makes putting boots on easy, while two Velcro tapes keep them from moving or slipping. What sets these apart from other options on this list is its foam pad inserts. They are located at the front and the back, right above the metacarpal and metatarsal pad. When boots are tightened, these pad inserts are what keeps them in place and provide a comfortable fit. So even if you accidentally order boots a size bigger, if you strap them tightly, they won’t move a bit.

These simple-looking boots come in red, black, blue and green colour, and you can choose between 6 sizes. I was also happy to discover that caring for them is easy - they can be washed on a cold cycle. To extend the sole life, simply use any footwear sealant product for patching small holes that appear as they’re worn more.

Do Dogs Really Need Shoes?

Most dogs tend to be perfectly fine when walking around barefoot. For this reason, dog boots can seem unnecessary and maybe even annoying for the dog. However, our panel of canine experts note that there are a couple of situations where shoes for dogs can be very helpful. They can make your pooch more comfortable and also help prevent serious injuries. Here are the most common situations where dog footwear is recommended:

Protection from Extreme Weather

During the summer, surfaces like pavement, asphalt, and sand can get extremely hot. Because we tend to wear shoes, humans don’t always notice that. This is why many pet parents don’t realise the danger to their dog’s paws until they end up burned.

Avoiding walks is one option, sure. However, if you want your dog to enjoy outdoor time with you during the summer, then lightweight dog booties are definitely the way to go!

Rough Terrain Adventures

Another situation where dogs could benefit from good footwear is on hiking or camping trips. If you are walking on rough terrain, such as sharp rocks, you’ll want to consider some dog booties.

As an avid outdoors person who brings my dog everywhere, I've come to learn that a set of dog shoes are always good to have on you when hiking with your dog. You never know when you will have to walk through dangerous terrain, the ground gets too hot, or your pooch ends up with an injured paw.

Injured or infected paws

If your dog’s paw already got hurt or infected somehow, a pair of comfy dog shoes can help them start going on walks again sooner.

Things to Consider When Choosing Boots for Dogs

In short, yes, there are numerous situations where dog footwear can be helpful. However, there are also many different kinds of dog booties to choose from. So how do you know which model is right for your dog?

Our panel of canine experts are here to help you figure it all out. Here are some issues to consider:

Proper Fit

When shopping for dog shoes, you want to ensure they will fit well. If the shoe is always moving around, chances are your dog won’t like wearing them.

Finding the right size can be a bit tricky when shopping online, but it is not impossible. Every manufacturer will offer some sizing guidelines to help you measure your dog’s paws and find the right size. In addition to this, look for booties that are stretchy and/or adjustable. That way, you will have some flexibility in terms of sizing.

Comfort

Just like with any kind of dog gear, comfort is key to getting your canine companion to actually use it. If you are looking for dog booties for the summer, look for models with breathable material on top. You don’t want to trap in heat and get the dog sweating (which could hurt their paws even more).

Water Resistance

Especially if you are looking for booties for outdoor adventures, you’ll want to consider whether they are water resistant. Just like with human footwear - it's no fun walking in wet shoes!

Our team of researchers say that there are two options here: finding booties that won’t let in any water or finding those that will dry very quickly when wet. Both options are fine but something waterproof is probably better for cold weather.

My Final Verdict On Dog Booties

Dogs don’t need to wear shoes all the time, but we hope this guide has shown that sometimes these booties can be incredibly useful. If you are looking for a set of quality dog shoes that can work in any situation, then our team of experts recommend the All For Paws All Road Dog Boots.

However, if you want something very breathable for warm weather, they think that the HiPaw Summer Breathable Dog Boots would also be a great choice.

References

1. “Care Tips for your Dog's Paws”. Fetch by WebMD. Retrieved April 22, 2023. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/paw-care-tips-dogs
2. “Paw Pad Burns on Dogs: What to Do”. August 17, 2016. PetMD Editorial. Retrieved April 22, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/paw-pad-burns-dogs-what-do