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4.7
148 Reviews
5
78% (116)
4
13% (19)
3
7% (10)
2
1% (1)
1
1% (2)
97% Recommend this product (143 of 148 responses)
By Nate P.
Central Illinois
Great vest, but rubbed raw
October 28, 2024
Skid plate itself is nice material and well made. However, it just doesn’t seem to fit my GSP (52#) very well in the chest (very narrow, but deep). The first time out (test run) it seemed to work well, but she only did a couple miles. The next time out when we were actually hunting she did more mileage and the vest rubbed her front shoulders raw. I’ll also take some blame for not paying closer attention to her shoulders and noticing the rubbing before it got as bad. Once the tender areas heal up completely, I’m going to try to see if I can adjust the fit. As noted, it is a very nice vest and would like to use if I can get to fit without chaffing.
By Mike
Washington State
Gun Dog Supply - All You Need To Know
September 28, 2024
The vest was great for Boots and fit perfect. Boots is still young and I wanted something to protect her. Gun Dog Supply ships quickly and has great customer support!
Pros
  • Fit like it said it would.
Cons
  • None
By Ladh
Sierra Nevada Mountains
High Quality Service. High Quality Material. BUT rubbed my dogs chest raw
July 12, 2024
Headline says it all. Gun dog was an awesome shop to buy from. The product not so much. My dogs chest got rubbed raw from the material. I think a softer material sown on inside would help from this. I tried tightening but still rubbed him good. His a working forestry lab mix but a hunting dog may run in to similar issues.
Pros
  • Stonrg Buckles
  • Strong sowing
  • Skid handles sharp stick jagged rocks
Cons
  • May not be able to use product further due to rubbing dog raw.
By Alex
NJ
These things never die
April 12, 2024
I don't quite know how these haven't dominated this particular niche market. They fit a wide variety of dog shapes, are easy to custom fit for each dog, keep their brightness if you regularly throw them in with your laundry, are VERY reasonably priced, and seem impossible to destroy no matter how hard my dogs try. Our GSP wears one from 4 years ago, and we just got another for our ECS. (See photo.) We'll be buying these as long as they make them.
Pros
  • FIT, PRICE, DURABILITY, CUSTOMIZABILITY
By Joe
North Jersey
Great product
January 20, 2024
Great vest fits my 80lb Lab perfectly.
Pros
  • I had your old version of this vest which gave me year of great service. The new vest has Blaze Orange straps which makes my Lab more visible when he is in the thickets. I also love the fact that it was made in America.
Cons
  • None
By Steve
Ohio
Working great so far
December 5, 2023
Works great , very adjustable which is awesome for a GSP with their deep chest. Also no rubbing around his “pits” even after a 4 hour day.
By Wes
Michigan
Great vest
November 7, 2023
This dog vest/skid plate worked great for my 75lb Labrador. It's very adjustable and provided great protection for him and his underside.
Pros
  • Lots of adjustability, protection and great visibility.
Cons
  • The buckles did "walk" a little and loosen up, but it was manageable.
By Robyn
CT
Perfect Belly Protector
November 7, 2023
I bought this for my Vizsla who loves running in the woods. This Skid plate protects her belly and chest all while making her visible. Highly recommended this product.
By Jeff
Ellsworth, KS
Great chest protection!
March 16, 2023
Just another great product from gundogsupply.
Pros
  • Great fit. Easy to adjust. Durable.
Cons
  • None
By Jon
Oregon
great vest
January 25, 2023
This is a sturdy effective vest for hunting and recreation
By Greg
Iowa
Awesome product
January 5, 2023
I highly recommend this product, it's very well designed, adjustable, the fabric is very tough & flexible. It fits both my Labs very well!
Pros
  • All around an excellent product
Cons
  • None
By Greg R.
Golden , CO
Skid plate
December 15, 2022
Shane loves his new skid plate along with the Garmin Sport Pro collar. Found 7 pheasants today, 12 degrees and 4 inches of snow, just right!
Pros
  • Easily adjusted, doesnt bind around chest and legs. Works as advertised.
Cons
  • None
By Jim
Woods of Pa
better fit
December 3, 2022
This worked better than the other style, it does not rub on the front legs.
Pros
  • Very adjustable, I have labs They can have different body shapes,
Cons
  • The harness can get twisted up before you put it on. Can take a little time to figger it out.
By John
New England
Rugged and functional
December 1, 2022
I got this for my lab to wear when we're out in the brush after upland game. He's medium size but very athletic build and a size large fits his chest perfectly. It's a bit loose around his belly, even with the straps cinched in. The good news is he doesn't mind wearing it for several hours and it's cut so that it doesn't rub around his armpits like his last vest. We've only had it out 3 times, but it appears to be holding up well against the brambles and brush. So far I have no complaints.
By Lorene D.
Dayton Nevada
Great product
November 24, 2022
This skid plate is as advertised and was recommended to me for my Brittany hunting. They have great customer service.
By Pete
CT
Mendota Skid Plate Chest Protector
September 29, 2022
Second skid plate - first he outgrown. Easy to apply, made of durable but flexible nylon and easy to clean. Covers the vital areas in the event the dog crashes a fence or runs through heavy briars. Most importantly, its lightweight so he doesn't overheat.
Pros
  • Lightweight to reduce overheating yet durable for protection.
Cons
  • Buckles could be off center of backbone for greater comfort to dog.
By Allen
Idaho
Best protection I have found
September 28, 2022
This chest protector is of good quality and well engineered. My lab is under 80# but required an XL size because of his deep muscular chest. It fits great, would not run this aggressive hunting dog in the sage brush without it.
Pros
  • Good fit when sized right
Cons
  • None
By Jeff
McCook Nebraska
Well made
March 26, 2022
This vest is well-made and adjusts to nicely fit my lab. She has worn it for a couple of training runs and it seems tough and comfortable.
By Andy
East Tennessee
Rubbed the front under arms raw
March 2, 2022
I purchased this chest protector for two reasons: chest protection from briars and sticks, and the other reason was for a little more visibility. Yes, it saved the chest but at the cost of raw and now hairless front legs. We only used it once for fours hours.
By birddogkc
Kansas
I like it. Dog likes it
February 19, 2022
New dog and needed a chest protector. I've previously used Filson, but those are not available. These are and work great. Durable with decent protection and most importantly, no rubbing or irritation under the front legs. Medium was a good fit for my 45 pound setter.
By Tom O.
WA
Skid plate chest protector
January 13, 2022
Fits well. Appears to be well made. Haven't had a chance to use it yet.
Pros
  • Fits well. Well made
By Taylor
Georgia
Great protection
December 5, 2021
This is our second skid plate we have purchased because our GSP outgrew the first one, so we bought the next size up. Love the adjustable straps and it covers the upper and lower chest well, which is sometimes hard to find in products with how deep GSPs chests are. The blaze orange is great for high visibility in brush while hunting. It seems to be comfortable on our dog and not rub her wrong in any places. Highly recommend!
Pros
  • Adjustable, high visibility, comfortable, fits wells
By Larry
Elk River, MN
Orange Dog Vest
November 16, 2021
Vest is very durable and goes on easily! Protects my dogs chest and belly. Helps to keep my dog safe from being accidentally shot. Highly recommend!
By Keith
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Lightweight protection
October 19, 2021
This is my second purchase of the skid plate. It provides protection for my females, keeping them from rubbing their teats raw. Good warm weather vest as it has more ventilation.
By Shelby
Maine
Causes sore spot and hair loss on front shoulders
September 20, 2021
Vest fits as advertised but the neck yoke where it attaches to skid plate is rough and it cause a sore spot and hair loss on both of Buckshot's front shoulders. He wore four times for about and hour each time. Contacted Gun Dog and they suggested hand washing. Will know results soon.
By Kevin
Iowa
Excellent
September 16, 2021
I couldn’t find this kid played anywhere else. Then dog supply had it in stock and it only took two days to get to me
Pros
  • If it?s my dog perfect exactly the protection my dog needs
Cons
  • I haven?t found any
By Cathy
the Green Mtn. State
Excellent
March 19, 2021
Does what it needs to do...protects your best friends chest/belly.
Pros
  • Multiple adjustment. Easy on/off.
Cons
  • wish there was a little cushioning on part that fits close to chest/between front legs - to prevent rubbing.
By Wes
MS
Great Product
March 17, 2021
After some adjusting, the vest worked well. Quality workmanship. Protects dog well. Lots of adjustment which you'll need to make it fit properly and prevent it from moving around.
Pros
  • Works well
Cons
  • None so far
By Cory
Minnesota
Solid item
February 18, 2021
Easy to put on and off protecting belly great for upland
Pros
  • Easy to adjust, visible, good in hot and snowy cold weather, long lasting in the woods or prairie lands
By Jeremy
Traverse City, MI
Turns your dog pink when wet
February 15, 2021
Quality of materials (buckles, fabric, and stitching) used to construct this vest is good, but when the material gets wet it turns my English setters coat pink (which doesn’t come off). This isn’t a problem when the material is dry. Glad I had it on my dog to protect his chest when he jumped through a barbed wire fence this weekend.
Pros
  • Good protection and freedom of movement.
Cons
  • Not color fast. Turns your white dog pink when wet.
By Stuart
Minneapolis, MN
skid plate review
January 27, 2021
I have an earlier skid plate just like this one that I have used for two years while hunting pheasants. It has worked great, easy to put on, rugged material and protects the dog well. A good addition to your hunting supplies. I like it a lot.
By ERIC
VERMONT
GREAT PRODUCT
January 4, 2021
Great visibility and added protection for my GSP, without adding much weight and nothing to over heat the dog
Pros
  • visibility
  • adjustability
  • Very easy to put on
  • great protection for the dogs chest and belly
Cons
  • none yet
By Tony
Connecticut
The best
December 30, 2020
Very happy with the protection the vests provided to my griff. Super strong and looks like it'll last for years. After wasting money on flimsy vests I am now set and have confidence this will protect my baby.
Pros
  • Light
  • Strong
  • Blaze orange is very bright
Cons
  • None
By Mark M.
Missouri
Visibility and protection
December 30, 2020
I initial bought this to provide some safety for my mostly white GSP in the snow. She's very difficult to see with a collar alone. I was worried about her overheating with some of the other designs, which seem to favor duck hunting. I had also previously used a similar vest to this to help with visibility in the snow, but it used velcro to attach so it didn't stay on well when hunting really brushing cover. The Mendota is the ticket with it's buckle strap closures, minimal but sufficient design and tough material. If you have big running upland dogs, this is the best designed dog vest I've seen.
Pros
  • I chose this product for the buckle closures, tough fabric, and that it won't overheat the dog like other designs.
Cons
  • My only improvement would be to have the waste buckle (closest to tail) attach on the side of the dog, because the plastic buckle sits on top of the high point of the spine. I adjusted the straps to help the buckle sit to the side to prevent rubbing, but it's not perfect. Having the strap on one side designed to be longer than the other side would easily solve this problem by making the buckle close on the dog's side. My finger is on my dog's spine in the photo below to help show this.
By jeff a.
CA
A good investment!
December 28, 2020
After an unfortunate incident in the field and a substantial vet bill it seems hindsight is always 20/20. So I purchased this item on several recommendations and am happy with my puppys' comfort and my piece of mind. Easy to adjust and easy to place on my dog.
By Randy
Cedarville, MI
Well made protector
December 26, 2020
This has worked well. Easy to put in and adjust. My setter is about 35 lbs with a deep but narrow chest. Small fits well.
Pros
  • Easy to put on and adjust. Seems well made and durable
Cons
  • None
By John
Northern IL
Mendota Skid Plate
December 23, 2020
Would recommend this product wholeheartedly! Easy to use and protects our Braque Franciase's underbelly wonderfully.
By Rich
St. Michael, MN
Mendota Skid Plate - Orange
December 22, 2020
Excellent fit for my black lab. Second one I've purchased as he outgrew his first. The skid plate offers great protection in heavy brush and also protects against barbwire fences. Would highly recommend for your dog!
Pros
  • Easy on and off. Washable. Great protection for the dog.
Cons
  • None
By Bob
Burlington WI
Good Product
December 21, 2020
I ordered this for my French Brittany (in standard) and it is a good product but, even made as small as possible it is still to large. While hunting, 3 times she came back to me with a front paw hobbled thru the neck space. Wish they made it in Extra Small for the smallest hunting breeds but understand that they would not sell a bunch of them.
Pros
  • Well built, extra layer of cordura to help prevent abrasions and increase durability.
Cons
  • Cannot be made small enough for the smallest of the hunting breeds.
By Anthony B.
Pennsylvania
Mendota Skid Plate
December 21, 2020
Nice fit. One change I had to make was a notch/cut out so my male dog did not urinate on the bottom/skid plate. Dog is a male Lab average size. Well built just a tad long on the bottom.
By JAMES H.
WY
Skidplate
December 20, 2020
Its working good, and appears to be durable enough to hold up.
Pros
  • The fluorescent orange color makes it easier to find my short, mostly black dog in the sagebrush.
By Brian
Charles City, Iowa
Good product
December 19, 2020
This product has good quality and I can expand it as my yellow lab grows. I would recommend this product for anyone
By Dave D.
Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Excellent product!
December 15, 2020
I bought the Mendota Skid Plate Vest for my 2 setters after trying a hook and loop style that didn't fit well and kept coming off. The adjustable straps on the Mendota vest allowed me to custom fit them for each dog and the open design prevented overheating on those warmer fall days. With 50 plus days in a variety of terrains in the grouse and woodcock woods of Michigan's Upper Peninsula the Mendota vest protected my dogs bellies and the handle on the back was great for correcting the dogs during training.
Pros
  • Easily adjustable straps, durable material, highly visible orange color
Cons
  • None
By Jeff
Virginia
Very happy with size L(Large)
November 29, 2020
Very happy with high vis and protection Purchased for my English labrador, black. She's 9mos, solid 65lbs. I purchased for visibility during dear season and as prep for getting pup used to neoprene vest. I really like this vest. She's a waterfowl dog and I like to be able to see her when we are in the brush and field training. I should have purchased long ago.
Pros
  • Visibility
  • Fit
  • Adjustments
Cons
  • None
By #uplandqueen
Southwest Michigan
Better then expected
October 13, 2020
Bought this to help my 10 month old lab when she's running grouse and woodcock. Got it fit to her and haven't looked back. Must have for any upland running pup.
Pros
  • True to size
  • Light weight
  • Good adjusting
Cons
  • A little tough to clean but who really cares.
By Whiskey B.
Wyoming
Exactly what we wanted for our adventurous Bully
October 11, 2020
Believe it or not our athletic English Bulldog loves to grouse hunt with her Chocolate Lab sister. She is a bulldozer through the brush, but her belly was getting beaten up. As her chest is so big versus her length, we got a medium and cinch the back 2 straps together to stop the back strap falling over her hind end, but it is still perfect. It has worked really well.
By Thompson T.
In the Smokey Northwest
A Tank
September 18, 2020
My puddlepointer loves it. She’s a tank in the brush. Have friend that did have a puddlepointer but lost it because of stick in the chest. I don’t want that.
Pros
  • All pros
Cons
  • No cons
By Kurt S.
Iowa
Mendota Skid Plate
September 4, 2020
appears to be well built but at this time have not put it to the test.
By Justin
Albertville, MN
Nice Fitting Vest
September 2, 2020
Fits as expected! Sizing guide was very helpful and better than what i found on Mendota's site. Vest holds up well to abuse and is doing a good job keeping my chocolate lab protected!
By Patrick F.
SD
Review for Mendota Skid Plate - Orange
October 11, 2018

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