Grit, road salt and cold wet pavement are harder on paws than most owners expect, and the damage usually shows up at home as licking and chewing rather than as limping outside. Boots are the straightforward fix, provided the dog will keep them on. These fasten with a drawstring and toggle rather than a hook-and-loop strap, which is generally the better bet on a dog that has already learned how to shake footwear off.

The upper is waterproof, so puddles and wet grass stay on the outside, and the sole is anti-slip. That grip is worth having on wet pavement and close to essential on tile or laminate if your dog comes indoors still wearing them. The drawstring band is reflective, so it does a second job on a dark walk: four moving points of light low to the ground register with a driver long before a dark dog does.

• Waterproof upper to keep paws dry
• Anti-slip sole for grip on wet ground
• Drawstring and toggle fastening
• Reflective band around the opening
• Five sizes, in red or black
• Listed product weight 200g

Who it's for: Dogs walked on salted or gritty pavements through winter, and anyone whose route home is reliably muddy.