Biothane Waterproof Dog Gear: The Ultimate Buyer's Guide
Table of Contents
"For maximum durability and hygiene, Genuine BioThane® paired with Solid Brass or Stainless Steel hardware is the gold standard we use at dogIDs. Unlike nylon or leather, it is 100% non-porous, meaning it cannot absorb the bacteria that cause 'wet dog smell.' It's also hypoallergenic, comfortable for your dog, and stands up to Mother Nature better than any other material we've ever worked with. I've been making dog products with waterproof BioThane Beta strap since 1999—I've tried the imitators, only to be disappointed and swiftly return to the original."— Clint, dogIDs Founder1. Why "Waterproof" Isn't Always Waterproof
Many brands claim their gear is waterproof, but there is a massive difference in their materials.
- Water-Resistant (Nylon/Polyester): These use a chemical spray (DWR) that wears off. Once the weave gets wet, it stays wet, leading to chafing, skin irritation, and that dreaded odor.
- Biothane Beta Knock-Offs: There are many and since they look and feel similar, it's often hard to tell the difference unless holding them side by side. The true way to tell is time. You'll see the difference in a month or two.
- Truly Waterproof (BioThane): This is a polyester webbing with a TPU or PVC coating. It is non-porous. Water, mud, and salt sit on the surface and wipe off instantly.
"I've seen so-called 'waterproof' collars that are just nylon webbing with a thin inferior coating or material designed to mimic Biothane Beta. After a month in the field, that coating cracks, and you're right back to a stinky, old-looking, soggy collar. Genuine BioThane is different because it's been tried, tested and improved for almost 30 years and is designed to withstand -20 degree snowbelt winters as well as 120+ degree desert summers. "You get what you pay for", and Biothane Beta strap just can't be substituted."— Clint, dogIDs Founder2. The Hardware Test: Why "Plated" Fails
This is where imitators cut costs. They use "Nickel Plated" or "Zinc Alloy" hardware that looks shiny on Day 1 but pits, cracks, rusts or discolors soon after. There simply is no substitute for solid brass and stainless steel hardware when it comes to top quality dog collars and accessories. Especially waterproof dog collars. They last and look great forever.
| Hardware Type | Rust Resistance | Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Brass | Exceptional | High | Beach/Saltwater & Classic Style |
| Stainless Steel | Maximum | Highest | Strong Pullers & Extreme Weather |
| Zinc Alloy/Nickel | Mediocre | Low | Budget gear (Not recommended for water, especially salt water or pool water) |
The dogIDs Standard: We've seen how quickly plated hardware discolors, cracks or even snaps under the tension of a large breed dog. That's why we refuse to use anything less than solid brass and stainless steel whenever possible (some hardware just isn't available in stainless steel or solid brass) for making our waterproof dog collars, leashes and accessories at dogIDs. The reason we know this firsthand is there are times when solid brass and stainless steel hardware is unavailable. When we substitute whatever we can get that is a closest match, we begin seeing the subtle differences and hearing from customers that their hardware discolored, stained their dog's coat or is starting to rust. Hence we avoid it at all costs. Solid brass and stainless steel is also 2-3 times more expensive than the typical nickel plated zinc alloy hardware used on most dog products. Yep, it's definitely just a profit decision for most manufacturers. "Just make sure it's shiny silver". Not at dogIDs.
Shop Our BioThane Collars – Handcrafted in the USA
3. BioThane vs. Leather vs. Nylon
Which material is actually best for your dog? It depends on your lifestyle, but here is how they stack up after a year of real-world use:
- BioThane Beta: Zero maintenance. Stink-proof. Stays flexible and maintains grip in -20°F (tested in the heart of Minnesota!).
- Leather: Beautiful and so comfy when broken in, but requires some maintenance. Can become heavy and "slimy" when wet; can crack or rot if it gets soaked and dries and is not conditioned regularly.
- Nylon: Lightweight, cheap and available in thousands of colors and designs, but acts like a sponge for swamp water, mud, and bacteria.
4. 5 Questions to Ask Before Buying Waterproof Dog Gear
- Is it Genuine BioThane®? Many "PVC leashes" are stiff and crack in the cold or bubbles/peels in hot sun. The knock-offs will make the same claims but beware, they most likely don't have the real world experience and decades of improvements like Biothane does.
- Is the hardware "Solid" or "Plated"? The majority of pet products on the market use nickel or brass plated hardware. It saves costs tremendously for the manufacturer but the tradeoff is quality. Seriously, there is a huge difference and if the product isn't promoted as having solid brass or stainless steel hardware, the hardware is most likely plated.
- Are the rivets industrial grade? The finished product is only as strong as what's holding it together. There is a big difference between "craft" rivets and rivets intended for extreme strength and use. High quality rivets are not the easiest components to find either. It's one of those things that is learned from years of experience making dog products and connections with the right people.
- Is the D Ring welded? The D ring is a VERY IMPORTANT safety factor in a dog collar, not just something to hang ID tags on. This is the link between you, the leash and your dog. It's also used to tie out dogs too. Many years ago we tried less expensive D rings in our collars. A customer reached out to us with letting us know her dog almost got hit by a car because the D ring on her dog's collar broke. It didn't actually break, it just wasn't welded. However, that was the last time we ever used non-welded D rings in our collars. Lesson learned, trial by fire.
- Is it easy to sanitize? Can you clean it with a simple alcohol wipe or a warm wet cloth? This is the convenience factor that will make you smile every time you are around other dogs and your pup's collar is nice and clean compared to the others. Some things are just easier.
- What is the "Pull Strength"? This is essential for safety with dogs over 50 lbs and strong pullers. Make sure there are specs and that the strap you are considering will hold up to several hundred pounds of force. If your dog is on a tie-out and gets a run at it, that's a lot of force on the collar and leash hardware and straps. Biothane Beta has a tensile strength of 1,000 pounds per inch of width. That is strong. Did you know that it was originally designed and developed for horse team harnesses and reins? If it's strong enough for draft horses, it's strong enough for dogs.
FAQs
Does BioThane get slippery when wet?
No. High-quality Biothane has a "Beta" coating that provides a leather-like embossed grip even when fully submerged. There's a reason we began calling it Soft Grip way back when customers weren't familiar with the Biothane brand.
Can I use BioThane in saltwater?
Yes, but only if paired with Solid Brass or Stainless Steel hardware. Saltwater will corrode plated hardware in a matter of weeks.
Is Biothane strap made in the USA?
Yes, Biothane's headquarters and manufacturing facility is located in North Ridgeville, Ohio.
Does Biothane Beta strap bleed color onto my dog's fur?
Absolutely not. It is completely colorfast, meaning it will never bleed color in any conditions.
Will Biothane waterproof strap irritate my dog's skin?
No, it is very comfortable for your dog to wear and to top it off it's hypoallergenic as well.
Why does solid brass tarnish?
Solid brass tends to tarnish, especially if it is left stationary over time. Some like this patina effect but others prefer it to be shiny like new. If you do prefer it to be shiny bright gold, just use some brass polish or by rubbing it with lemon juice and baking soda to make it look like new.
Is stainless steel heavier than other metals?
Yes, stainless steel is slightly heavier than other metals like aluminum or other steel or zinc alloys. It's not that noticeable but is a factor if lightweight is a higher priority tradeoff over durability and looks.
Are Biothane collars and leashes easy to clean?
They are very easy to clean! Simply run them under warm water and scrub them with a rag or even just your fingers. You can also use mild soap like dish soap if you like. A wet rag also will do the job. Once washed off, the strap returns to it's like-new state.
Does Biothane waterproof strap ever get stinky?
That's the best part about these waterproof collars and leashes! Since Biothane strap is completely waterproof, it does not absorb the microbes that normally cause a leather or nylon collar to get stinky. They are truly odor proof. No stink to worry about if using Biothane collars and leads! The only exception we've found is skunk spray. We still haven't found a material on the market that is completely skunk spray proof. However, at least with Biothane waterproof collars and leashes, the skunk odor will eventually wear off, unlike other materials that absorb the odor more readily.
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