HexiVent: Why breathability matters for active dogs

Think about the feeling of carrying a backpack during a long hike or run. As your body heats up, the area under the straps and back panel starts to feel warmer, damp, and sticky compared to the rest of your body.

Dogs can experience the same thing with their gear.

Their harness, collar, or backpack sit against their body the whole time. If that material holds heat or water, your dog feels that too. This is why material choice and design matter just as much for dog gear.

Dog gear with good airflow helps prevent unnecessary heat build-up, manages moisture, and keeps your dog more comfortable when the activity gets demanding.

Why airflow matters for dogs

Dogs do not cool down the same way humans do. When the pace is high, the terrain gets steep, or the weather is warm, every layer against their body matters.

Traditional padded dog gear often uses solid foam. It can feel soft, but it does not allow much airflow. That’s fine on an easy or low-intensity walk, but on a run, a long hike, or an obstacle race where your dog gets wet and keeps moving, that same padding can trap warmth and moisture.

If you wouldn’t choose a hiking jacket without ventilation for yourself, your dog should not have to wear gear that traps heat either.

Once you notice the difference, it is hard to ignore. Breathable gear dries quickly instead of staying wet and heavy for hours, and the materials let heat escape instead of trapping it against your dog’s body.

What is HexiVent?

Different materials and constructions suit different activities, weather conditions, and dogs. We designed HexiVent specifically for situations where airflow, fast drying, and low weight matter most.

It is our highly breathable material system for active dogs and their humans. We developed it to balance the qualities that are often difficult to combine in dog gear: airflow, comfort, durability, and lightweight feel.

Matthew Brown, Head of Design and Development at Non-stop dogwear, explains the idea behind it: “We wanted to make it as breathable as possible, so dogs don’t overheat in warmer climates or when doing high-intensity activities”.

HexiVent is built into three layers:

• 3D air mesh on the inside: This is the layer closest to your dog. It lets air move through the fabric and helps pull moisture away from the body.
• Perforated EVA foam in the middle: This gives padding and structure, but because it is perforated, it allows more ventilation than traditional solid foam.
• Nylon scrim on the outside: This adds durability, because we know dogs put their gear through a lot. Rocks, mud, water, pulling, rolling, and scrambling are all part of the adventure, so the outer layer is made to take the beating.

The HexiVent structure is soft and breathable against your dog, yet tough for when the trail hits. Lightweight materials and durable construction give your dog the same comfort and performance you expect from your running gear.

Breathable gear dries faster too

If your dog runs through wet grass, mud, marshes, swims, or gets caught in rain, regular gear can stay wet for a long time. On a short walk, that may feel uncomfortable. During high-intensity activity, it can add weight, create friction, and reduce comfort.

Matthew explains how the 3D air mesh in HexiVent makes a difference:

“If a certain area gets wet, the water disperses and spreads out much faster. In turn, that means that the gear will dry much, much faster than a traditional construction.”

Drying time will always depend on temperature, humidity, and how wet the gear gets. The HexiVent structure helps moisture spread through the material instead of staying trapped in one area, allowing the gear to dry faster and stay lighter during activity.

When should you use breathable dog gear?

For high-intensity activities and long sessions

Choose breathable gear when your dog works harder for longer, such as during running, trail running with your dog, biking, hiking, or obstacle course racing.

For warm weather

When the temperature rises, airflow helps reduce unnecessary heat build-up under the gear.

For water activities and wet conditions

In addition to improving airflow, breathable gear helps water move more freely through the material, so it is less likely to stay trapped. This helps the gear stay lighter, to dry faster, and feel more comfortable during activity.

For dogs that get warm quickly

Some dogs are more sensitive to heat than others. Dark-coated dogs, older dogs, puppies, and dogs that naturally warm up quickly can benefit from breathable equipment.

Stories from the trails

Swiss mountain explorer, Céline Wehrli, spends a lot of her time exploring steep alpine trails with Nova, her Rhodesian Ridgeback. Long climbs, chairlifts, and exposed sections mean reliable gear she can trust is non-negotiable. Nova wears the Rock harness long, where the handle helps Céline support her on steep ascents, and the double strap provides extra security when lifting her.

One of the biggest tests came during a warm summer hike.

“Last summer, we started a hike a little too late, and the temperatures were already almost too warm for hiking. Nova got hot pretty quickly. That’s why I was especially grateful when I noticed that the Rock harness long didn’t add any extra heat.”

In summer, a cool-down in water can be exactly what your dog needs. However, that relief can be short-lived if wet gear stays damp and uncomfortable. With HexiVent, this is something Céline does not have to think about anymore.

“When collars or harnesses used to get wet, they would dry very slowly. On longer hikes, that could become quite frustrating. I really appreciate it when Nova decides to cool off in a mountain lake or stream during a hike: the Rock harness long and the Rock adjustable collar dry extremely quickly afterwards.”

Which Non-stop dogwear products are made with HexiVent?

HexiVent is perfect for dogs that move hard, get warm, get wet, and keep going. Whatever activity you share with your dog, this gear is made to support free movement, comfort and performance from start to finish:

• Dog harnesses: Rock harness, Rock harness long, Rush harness
• Dog collars: Rock collar 3.0, Rock adjustable collar
• Dog life jacket: Protector life jacket
• Dog backpack: Trail light dog backpack
• Hands-free belt: Trail light belt

 

Explore all gear with HexiVent

 

How to wash products with HexiVent

HexiVent was made for dogs that run through dirt, sand, mud, water, and rough terrain. That is why the inner and outer layers are tightly woven: to prevent sand and debris from working deep into the material and keep it easy to clean after messy adventures.

Good washing routines and regular care help your gear perform better for longer. When it is very dirty, rinse off sand, mud, and saltwater before washing, and let it dry away from direct sunlight. Most HexiVent products are machine washable, but check the product’s care label first.