It started, as most GUNNER products do, with a problem.
One cold morning in the Mississippi Delta, Addison Edmonds was trying to wrestle a zipper-locked neoprene vest onto his excited labrador retriever, Gunner. It was pitch black. It was freezing outside. Gunner was bouncing with excitement. And the vest just wouldn’t cooperate.
“That was the moment I realized we needed something better,” Addison said. “Something that actually works in the kind of conditions we hunt in.”
That morning in the Delta, he got fed up. So he went home, sketched out a better idea, and started building.
What followed was a multi-year R&D effort to reimagine the waterfowl dog vest from the ground up – something built for dogs who go hard in the field and owners who won’t settle for good enough.
Chevy | British Lab | 65 lbs. | 4 years old
Years in the Making
While the GUNNER Waterfowl Vest officially launched in November 2025, development started back in 2018. The project saw multiple pauses and restarts as priorities shifted and production partners changed. But it always came back to one goal: make the best-performing hunting dog vest on the market.
“We knew we didn’t want to just slap our name on a generic neoprene vest,” says Colton, GUNNER’s R&D Manager. “It had to solve real problems. And it had to feel like a GUNNER product.”
In total, the team went through over eight distinct prototypes – plus dozens of iterations within each version. They tested vests in layout blinds, 10-degree mornings, and deep Mississippi sloughs, even 50 mph winds in the North Dakota prairie potholes. Dogs ranging from large Boykins to big Labs wore them in flooded timber, dry fields, and icy creeks. Failures happened. Feedback was blunt.
“We tested this thing in layout blinds, 10-degree mornings, and some old frozen Mississippi Delta catfish ponds. If it could hold up in those conditions, it could hold up anywhere.”
Addison puts it simply: “I don’t mind failing if it gets us to the right result.”
Only when the vest passed the toughest field conditions and internal standards did it earn the GUNNER badge.
Field-testing the vest prototypes
Solving Real Problems in the Field
Early on, the team listed every issue they had with traditional vests:
Impossible to put on in the dark with an excited lab
Zippers freeze, jam, or just not line up right
Neoprene holds water and hair
Vests smell and mildew
Poor fit requires cutting or customizing
No protection against debris or stubble
The handles on a traditional vest stick up so high, the dogs cant back into a dog hide without the whole blind being forced out of place
Not a great way to connect a tether for the younger, possibly breaking dogs
Then they set out to solve them, one by one.
Easy On/Off:The intuitive six-point adjustment system and G-hook hardware make fitting simple, even with gloves on.
Thermal Regulation: The 5-Layer Performance System stabilizes warmth, sheds water fast, and reduces wind chill.
Custom Fit:Flexible construction, pocketed straps, and field-ready adjustments eliminate the need to cut for fit.
Durability:No zippers or velcro. Abrasion-resistant TPU outer shell. Built to last season after season.
Protection: Reinforced chest plate guards against stubble, sticks, and surprise debris.
Dexter | American Lab | 85 lbs. | 3 years old
“It’s the least frustrating vest I’ve ever used – and the highest performing one I’ve ever seen a dog wear."
Addison Edmonds, GUNNER Founder
Field-Tested. Dog-Approved.
Before launch, GUNNER tapped a trusted group of friends to test the prototype in real-world conditions. From sub-freezing mornings to back-to-back retrieve days, the feedback helped dial in every detail — down to the way the vest dries overnight and resists hair buildup.
The result? A vest that works harder for your dog and for you.
It even solved the smallest frustrations, like preventing hair buildup and frozen buckles.
This vest was designed to protect your dog and keep him warmer. But it was also built to make your life easier.
Whether you’re headed to the blind or breaking ice at first light, this vest is built for the dog who’d do the same for you.
It’s not just a vest. It’s 10+ years of field testing and frustration turned into something that works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Waterfowl Vest fit my dog?
Fit Range: Ideal for most waterfowl dog breeds like Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, German Wirehaired Pointer, Drahthaar. For medium breed recommendations, call 1-844-GUNNERK or email our CX team.
What's the best way to clean the Waterfowl Vest?
Rinse with fresh water after each use. Use mild soap and soft brush as needed. Hang to air-dry fully before storage
What fit adjustments are on the Waterfowl Vest?
Six adjustment points for a dialed, secure fit across chest and shoulders. Once adjusted, use “set-and-forget” straps for consistent performance. Designed to clear most e-collars comfortably. For ideal fit, follow the two-finger rule around the neck.
What is the Waterfowl Vest made of?
GUNNER's 5 Layer Performance System™ works to keep your dog warmer in the field. With a TPU abrasion-resistant shell, insulating Ariaprene® foam, drainage mesh + wind barrier, and air-resistant interior liner, the Waterfowl Vest is a major upgrade from traditional neoprene vests.
