By In Southern California, the rainy season is from November to February. But we’ve been in a drought condition for so long, I forgot what it was like to have a rainy season. We had lots of greens on the trails this winter, dried up waterfalls in the L.A. area are flowing again, wildflowers are blooming early and in more places, springtime is more beautiful than ever this year.
Our friends at Hurtta North America sent us a Torrent Coat to test in the fall. I wasn’t sure if we would be able to test the jacket to its capacity based on weather history. Oh boy, I was in for a surprise! We had such a good wet season this winter and we just might be out of the long-lasted drought condition after 5-6 years! During these wet months, we got to test our jacket often on the trail and off the trail. In other parts of the country, the rainy season is just about to begin so I think it is a good time to share the review of the product with our readers.
Product Specs
- Size: 8-35″ (click here to see how to measure)
- Color: Raven, Cherry & Hi-Viz Orange (select sizes)
- Retail price: $75
Design – 4/5
- Waterproof and breathable Houndtex® coating
- Quick to line-dry in an airy space
- Perfect for long- and soft-haired dogs
- Adjustable chest strap
- High protective collar
- High-quality 3M reflectors for safety
- Easy to dress
Function – 3.5/5
The material is light and smooth. It has been laminated with a waterproof and breathable Houndtex® membrane. Even during a storm, it kept Xena dry. I like its high collar and that it covers her entire back and chest keeping her dry and warm. The material is very similar to my windbreaker.
It is easy to dress using two buckles. The leg loops kept the jacket in place without restricting her movement. 3M reflectors and the bright pink color were great to keep Xena visible at all times. The Adjustable chest strap worked as expected.
It is supposedly made from the soundless material but that wasn’t the case. Although I did not find it loud or annoying and it has no impact on her movement, the material makes a light whoosh sound when Xena walks. It’s the material rubbing against each other.
My biggest complaint is the tail snap. When it was closed underneath the tail, for whatever reason, Xena had to go #2 every. single. time. Not surprisingly, the poo got on it. Ew! I heard from others that they had the same issue. After using it a couple times with the same result, I gave up and never used that feature again. I just snapped it over her tail and flipped it over on her back or let it cover her tail.
Quality – 5/5
It’s made with high-quality material and the stitching is flawless as I would expect from Hurtta products. I wash it in a front load washing machine in a gentle cycle and air-dry it. The coat comes out of the washer like new and it’s easy to care for.
Fashion and Fit – 5/5
Love the look and fit! The vibrant pink looks stunning against Xena’s black fur. To get the right size, you need to measure the neck, chest and back length. The adjustable chest strap is easy to use and great to get the perfect fit. Xena seems to be comfortable in the coat.
Overall – 4.4/5
Hurtta Torrent Coat is a high-quality performance jacket that is durable for the trails yet very comfortable for the daily walks. It protects your dog from the rain and the wind and keeps her dry and warm. It is suitable for all fur-types. Now only if Hurtta would just fix that tail snap…
Get Our Latest Comprehensive Dog-friendly Trail List Here. Enjoy!
Happy Hiking!
Hiking Girl with Dog 
Xena looks very trendy in her rain jacket, but I feel I should remind you… she is a Lab, and Labs like water! 😉 Ok, my two cents! Btw, check out ‘Trail to Peak’ in wordpress, it has lots of southern CA hikes, and even good backpacking should you ever consider that. Say hi to Xena for me! Happy Trails to you and her.
Haha!! For some reason, Xena didn’t inherit that water loving part of Labs. She acts as if she will melt! Ridiculous, really. You are so sweet. I actually already follow Trail to Peak. Thanks for the recommendation though! I will be happy to pass along the greetings to Xena!~ Have a great weekend, Mike!