Quick answer
A midlayer (like the Warming Midlayer ECO or Midlayer Overall) adds warmth while preserving movement, making it ideal for active dogs in cold weather. A body warmer uses reflective foil to trap heat and is better for low-activity, senior, or rehab dogs. Choose a midlayer for daily walks and a body warmer for rest or recovery.
What Makes a Midlayer Different from a Body Warmer?
Both midlayers and body warmers add insulation under a waterproof outer layer, but they use different materials and serve different activity levels. Hurtta’s midlayers use fleece, jersey, or jacquard knit to provide breathable warmth that moves with your dog. The Body Warmer uses a reflective foil lining to bounce back body heat, making it more effective when your dog is stationary or has low body heat production.
The key tradeoff is breathability versus heat retention. A midlayer allows moisture to escape during activity, while a body warmer prioritizes warmth retention for dogs that need extra help staying warm.
Comparing Hurtta Midlayer Options
The Warming Midlayer ECO dog jacket adds a foil jersey warming lining (similar to the Extreme Warmer) for extra warmth, plus front leg openings for freedom of movement. It’s a good middle ground if your dog needs more warmth than a standard fleece but still runs and plays.
The Midlayer Overall is a full-body piece made from a jersey-jacquard fleece mix — soft on the inside, smooth on the outside. It’s designed to layer under the Mudventure Overall ECO, so it’s best for dogs that need coverage from neck to tail in cold, wet conditions.
Mudventure Overall ECO
The Razzle-Dazzle Midlayer is a reversible soft fleece jacket with adjustable back length, waist, and collar. It’s the lightest option and works for dogs with thick coats or moderate activity.
Razzle-Dazzle Midlayer
When the Body Warmer Makes More Sense
The Body Warmer overall uses foil material on the inner surface to reflect body heat. It’s elastic and smooth, with an adjustable belt and collar, and is designed for extra warmth under a waterproof jacket or overall. Hurtta specifically recommends it for ageing dogs and dogs undergoing rehabilitation — situations where conserving heat is more important than breathability.
If your dog is less active on walks, has a short coat, or tends to get cold while standing still, the Body Warmer may be the better choice. However, it lacks the moisture-wicking properties of fleece midlayers, so it’s not ideal for high-exertion activities.
Tradeoffs at a Glance
- Warmth vs. Breathability: Midlayers (fleece, jersey) allow moisture to escape during activity. Body Warmer’s foil lining retains heat but traps moisture. Choose a midlayer for walks; choose the Body Warmer for rest or low-activity days.
- Coverage: Jacket vs. Overall: The Warming Midlayer ECO is a jacket; the Midlayer Overall and Body Warmer are full-body overalls. Overall provides more coverage for dogs that get cold easily. For full-body warmth, pick the Midlayer Overall or Body Warmer. For easier on/off, pick the Warming Midlayer ECO.
- Activity Level Fit: The Razzle-Dazzle Midlayer is lightest and reversible; the Warming Midlayer ECO adds foil lining; the Midlayer Overall is warmest fleece option. Body Warmer is best for low activity. Active dog? Go with a midlayer. Senior or rehab dog? Body Warmer is the better fit.
Key Product Facts
- Warming Midlayer ECO Dog Jacket: The soft and comfy Midlayer ECO dog jacket is a lifesaver in cold and chilly weather, and it’s now even warmer thanks to the addition of a unique foil jersey warming lining that you may recognise from another Hurtta favourite, the cold-busting Extreme Warmer. Another highlight you’ll love in this new dog jacket is the front leg openings which give the dog extra room to move more freely. This midlayer offers extra warmth without sacrificing mobility, making it a great choice for active dogs that need more insulation than a basic fleece.
- Midlayer Overall: Perfect for layering and designed to fit under the waterproof Mudventure Overall ECO, the Midlayer Overall will keep your dog warm and protected against cooler temps. Made of a lightweight, functional jersey-jacquard fleece mix, this midseason and winter staple is soft, flexible and comfortable. The smooth, technical knitwear is on the shell side and the soft and warm jacquard fleece is on the inside. The full-body coverage and two-sided fabric make this ideal for dogs that need warmth from neck to tail, especially when paired with a waterproof outer layer.
- Body Warmer: The Body Warmer overall is a multi-purpose product suitable extra warmth under a waterproof jacket or overall. It is also ideal for ageing dogs, and dogs undergoing rehabilitation. The foil material on the inner surface reflects the dog's body heat and provides extra warmth. Smooth and elastic material makes the overall very comfortable to wear. The reflective foil lining traps heat effectively for low-activity or senior dogs, but the lack of moisture-wicking means it’s not suited for high-exertion use.
Which Layer Should You Choose?
Best for
- Active dogs that run and play in cold weather: Warming Midlayer ECO or Midlayer Overall
- Dogs that need full-body coverage under a waterproof shell: Midlayer Overall
- Low-activity, senior, or rehab dogs that need maximum heat retention: Body Warmer
Not for
- High-exertion activities where moisture management is critical: Body Warmer
- Dogs with very thick coats that overheat easily: Razzle-Dazzle Midlayer is a lighter alternative
