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Wrap up for autumn dog walks

10th October 2025

We know how much you love walking your dogs, but as the weather takes a turn and dark nights descend it can be more of a trial. Our friends at Cotswold Outdoor gave us tips for making the most of the changing season, whatever the elements throw at you!

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There’s nothing more uplifting than crunching through piles of leaves with your dog during the golden days of autumn but, in order to make the most of your wanderings, whether in the countryside, or just in your neighbourhood, it’s important to ensure that you, and your dog, stay warm, dry and comfortable.

Goodwoof spoke to Lily Fearne who is a store manager at Cotswold Outdoor in Salisbury to find out what she recommends as the perfect autumn/winter walking kit. Lily is the proud owner of two huskies so is often to be found out and about in the countryside where she lives, whatever the weather.

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Visibility

“Autumn is the most beautiful time of year but as the seasons change there are a few things to think about when walking with your four-legged friend. Shorter days mean lighting and visibility become increasingly important as the weather becomes darker and more unpredictable. Walking in the city means that we have a responsibility to keep ourselves, and our dogs visible in the dark. I always pop a head torch in my coat pocket so that I always have a reliable light source to hand. I’ve also bought the Mountain Paws Dog Safety Light for my dogs which reassures me that both I, and others, can see them and, if I’m walking along roads, a reflective item of clothing both on you and on your dog means that you can easily be seen by passing traffic.

Footwear

“It often rains during the autumn months so it’s a good idea to pull on waterproof footwear at this time of year. A waterproof shoe or mid boot are ideal because they’ll repel any dampness but are also nice and light so easy to wear over longish distances. I love the Merrell Moab Mid to walk in as the sole has great traction and the Gore-Tex lining keep my feet dry but well ventilated. The Meindl Respond shoe is another good choice as it’s perfectly waterproof but so light that it hardly feels like you’re wearing anything!

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Light weight

“It’s so easy to get too hot when you’re out and about with your dog – I know that this is definitely a problem for me and the answer is always layering. Finding the right layers is the perfect way to keep dry without overheating. Having a highly breathable waterproof is a great start and I love the Rab Downpour Mountain Jacket. Its Pertex waterproof lining is super breathable and the clever underarm zips are great for dumping excess heat en route. I also love to wear a merino wool top at this time of year; it’s a nice thin layer which helps to regulate your body temperature and is also moisture wicking. I often wear just that under my waterproof until it starts to get much colder.

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Socks

“Specific walking socks will add warmth and keep away moisture to prevent blisters which means that you can carry on walking for miles and miles. I love our Ayacucho Light Hiker Sock – they’re reasonably priced, a good thickness for this time of year to keep you warm and they wash very well too.

Waterproof coat

“All dog owners want to keep their hounds happy and most of us can tell exactly what they’re thinking. If they hate the rain, a waterproof coat might help them to enjoy being out in all weathers more, especially if they also feel the cold. If you have a small dog, or one that has short hair, you definitely want to consider a fleece lined waterproof coat to help keep them warm and dry. I like the Mountain Paws fleece lined raincoat is it does both and is extremely easy to wash and dry too.

Maintenance

When you get home from a wet walk how important is it to make sure that everything’s all dried out properly? Lily says, “Soggy gear smells if it’s not dealt with and it’s best to get it sorted so that it’s all ready for the next walk. Hang waterproofs, dog coats, dog leads and harnesses up in a warm room away from direct heat (we hang ours over the bath!) and do the same for boots. Drying your kit out on or near direct heat could damage the product so don’t be tempted to use a radiator or put anything too close to a fire or log burner.”

It’s clear that walking your dog, whether just around the block or across hills and dales can be just as enjoyable and fulfilling for both of you throughout the autumn and winter months as it is in the warmer days of spring and summer, as long as you’re prepared to embrace the elements safe in the knowledge that you, and your dog, are perfectly kitted out to face whatever the weather forecast has in store.

Find Lily’s recommendations here:

 

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