Lots of reasons to love this vest. See "Pros," below. Our 60-lb German Shepherd mix loves to romp through the woods. I added a reflective strip to each side in case, worst-case scenario, we have to seach for our dog in the dark.

August 2024 received a call from a breeder who had a 4 yr old female GSP who needed a home. I have had GSP's for over 40 years and love the breed so I agreed to pick up this little lady whose name is Pumpkin. I live on a 20 acre farm that is fenced with barbed wire. See where this is going? Well Pumpkin is a typical high energy nose to the ground adventurous girl who also happens to be little like 43 lbs of spitfire. She can fit through anything. At least she thinks she does. After 2 trips to the vet for punctures and wounds I had to do something. I saw this vest, liked it, ordered it and the rest is history. She still goes through barbed wire but not a scrape on her. I highly recommend as it is Pumpkin and puncture proof.

I recently bought two of the Sylmar Body Guard Vests in Orange for my Golden Retrievers. I first bought one Medium size to use for my older dog, but it was too small in front to allow movement for his front legs. His measurement behind the legs is just under 31 inches, which puts him right at either the Medium or the Large. The Medium fits my more fieldy younger Golden very well who measures at 30 inches behind the legs. He may still need a Large when he gets older, but the Medium fits him fine now. I ran my older dog with his Large on for retriever marks the other day, and he had plenty of space to move in the front. The second two clips fit my older dog just fine on the Medium Size, but the Large Size offered the movement that he needed in the front. My younger dog hunted with his Medium on the other day. Looking forward to watching them both hunt with their vests on again soon.

The fit is a little different. Seems a bit long. I run a Chessie on pheasants in some nasty brush. He hasn't had any complaints with this vest. It does provide good coverage and protection.

I've used the Sylmar vest on my setters for over a decade and have never needed to repair or replace them, only purchase new vests for new dogs. Sturdy enough for heavy grouse cover, saves their chest from being pricked to death by weeds like starthistle, and reduces the burrs that get into their armpits and chest. It's an excellent product.

With my new pup, I wanted to make sure he had the protection he needs for hunting in tall, heavy sagebrush and this vest does the trick. The added bonus is the bright colors makes it easier to see him and to ensure he's not mistaken for any game animals, as our seasons overlap.

Durable material, good fit, great design. I really like how my dog, Ruby, steps into the vest and the buckles are on top, which makes for a quick and convenient launch. Breastplate fits well and should protect Ruby when we hit the fields this fall!

I love these vests - this is the second one I have purchased. I measured my dog (Vizsla - 46 lbs) and the chart said to order a medium but it was to large - exchanged for a small and it fits perfectly. His measurements were right at the borderline of small and a medium. Small fits perfectly with plenty of adjustment in the buckles still. I like how the size is now listed on a tag on the vest - this will save a lot of time next time I order one.

Overall, this is one of the best and most rugged vests I've used. Very durable material and easy to put on the pooch. It stays put once on. As for fit, I see some opportunity for improvement. The neck doesn't fit great. Its a little loose. Allows debris to get in. A neoprene section might solve that. Extending the belly pan would also be helpful. It doesn't go far enough back to protect all of the dog's lower belly.

These are great vests. I have more than one so I can rotate and wash if needed. They offer great protection and visibility. My setter runs through the brush and I have not ever had any durability issues. Another plus is they are Made In USA. My dog is about 54 pounds and wears a size medium.

Great product great price and customer service

I love this vest for my dog! I just went 'live' with it at a recent pheasant hunt. She moved easily as she ran the fields retrieving over 65 bird's, remained protected in the heavy cover and under brush. It was easy for me to spot her while she worked (orange vest). She has tried a couple other vests and I could not get the fit I wanted for her. This one was different! Thanks for a great product!

I've only had this on my dog a couple of times - she's not a fan of wearing clothes but she tolerates it. I wish it extended a little further back to protect her whole belly. She loves to run through the brush, and climb rocks. I am always fearful that she will injure herself - this helps alleviate my fears. The next time she crashes over a fallen tree she might be glad she's wearing this too. I also like the fact that it's a bright colour. There are hunters where we hike and this will let them know she's not a game animal.

I purchased this because my first vest from Dan's Briarproof bit the dust after one season of hunting every weekend in the Ruffed Grouse woods of Northern Michigan. That vest was alright, but where that vest lacked, this vest certainly makes up for it. This vest covers more of the side of the dog, making the dog more visible. Additionally, the third buckle is extremely useful and seems well stitched together (this is where Dan's skid plate was seriously lacking). The third buckle helps fit around the dog's chest, allowing our Brittany to fit into this vest perfectly, with a small space between the front of the vest and her neck. Finally, the material seems pretty comparable to Dan's, except on the underside of the dog where there is much more protection and thicker material.I wish I could give this 4.5 stars if possible, as I think there is a little bit lacking in design. It would be fantastic to see elastic around the neck area so it hugs the dog's body better. While hunting in Michigan, you run into snow more often than you would like, and with the decent size opening between the neck and the vest, a good amount of snow finds its way into the vest, which we found made the dog cold more quickly.

I run these vests on both of my Field Bred English Cockers. One vest is 5 years old and still in use.( I attach a bell to the most rear - ward strap to keep the bell further from their ears )

According to the sizing chart if you are between sizes use the smaller version. Well my 41 pound English Setter was in between so I originally ordered the XS. It was too tight in the arm pits. Super easy to exchange and now have the small. Much better fit. Has enough room where it won't bother her armpits. Chest covering sits a little too open and will probably catch a lot of seeds and junk. I may it tailored just to take up the slack. In my opinion the are mandatory for English setter's and GSPs where they are hard charging through all the brush and downed timber looking for grouse. A puncture to the chest or abdomen would certainly wreck you day.

This vest works great, our brit adjusted quickly and its helped to reduce cuts and scrapes.

In our last year's pheasant hunt out west three of our dogs got ripped up by barbed wire. So before our second trip out west we ordered two Sylmar vests. They were awesome. If you measure your dog and order the correct size there is minimal adjusts to make them fit nicely. A bonus is that the straps make for easy lifting when helping a dog into the truck.We liked the vest so much that I ordered three more for my other dogs. So now my whole pack has one. Can't go wrong with this vest.

I had a different brand vest that I used for another Brittany that we had but never really liked the fit. Following the sizing guidance when I ordered the Sylmar I originally bought an extra small and it was very tight on our new Britt who is a couple of weeks from being 1 year old. I sent that back and got a small which fits very well. I like the fit of the Sylmar better than the one I already had because it is shaped more to the dog's body and really seems to allow her to run and jump obstacles without any issues. The only issue was having to return the first one and the additional postage.

One of the few quality vests that have a size small enough to fit my Boykin. Keeps her protected from the thorns and burrs. I did have a local seamstress add a nylon strap and d-ring so I could attach her ID tag and bell. Also a good thing to have in case I need to use a leash without having another collar around her neck with the e-collar.

This is a very well-made vest. I bought size medium for my two female American Labs. One weighs 65 lbs and the other 58 lbs. The adjustment straps are easy to use. I previously owned vests made by Browning and Cabela's. The buckles tore off the Cabela's vest. The material used for the Sylmar vest seems heavier. This vest still needs to stand the test of time and use, but I am pleased with the fit, material, and construction. Watch the company video on fitting the vest to the dog. Nicely done.

I have two Britanys that I use to hunt pheasant, grouse, and woodcock. The product fits well and looks substantial. Season starts in October and will use the product then for the first time. I used another brand last year and was not satisfied. These vest look made much better. I like the material.

I love this vest. It's easy to put on my dog and it's very durable. I believe this will help keep her safe outside while she runs around. Ordering and shipping was fast and easy.

A great choice for overall protection of your hunting companion. Works well on cool mornings and mid day in 30-60 degree temps. Keeps their chest underside safe from burrs, thorns, branches, or most any other potentially irritating or dangerous objects. Light weight and visible. Well worth the price.

Had narrow vests for my gsps to wear while in the woods. My gsp had a run in with a branch, which his original vest did not protect him. I bought these to help prevent injuries, and so far I think they will be very beneficial. Bought size medium, dogs do not seem to mind them.

I walk my dogs everyday at a local land trust. They run loose and thru bushes and brush. Any other vest I got would be torn in no time. I got this vest and it is fantastic. Shows no wear and tear and also keeps his belly and chest clean when it's muddy. I liked it so much I got one for my neighbor's dog who frequently comes with us. Love it! Also easy to put on and clean up.

The vest worked out great. The adjustability is key. I had a cheap vest with Velcro and always had problems. When you get in the bush after ruffed grouse it's cheap insurance to prevent injury.

My dogs are constantly getting cut from barbwire fencing and cattails, this vest is the best I have found to protect them.

Fits great and adds the brightness needed to see my dog in the brush. Protects his chest area well.

I paid attention to the sizing guidance and it fits my 6 year old GSP perfectly. We had an instance on Christmas eve where my dog had caught its side on something and tore open a 3 x 6 inch area. After paying that vet bill I decided a durable vest like this was a small investment. I haven't noticed any weird rubbing and my dog doesn't mind wearing it. Doesn't impact its mobility at all and is reasonably easy to put on. This thing is durable and well made and I can assure you my dog has put it through the paces already, tearing through heavy brush and downed trees at full speed. I can hear her scrapping through the woods and this gives me a piece of mind. My dog doesn't go out in the field or woods without this, simply too large or a risk of incurring another $1000 vet bill. Get this, you wont be dissapointed.