Like so many of you, my wife and I are meticulous shoppers. Whether it be online or in-person, we tend to put a lot of research into the things we purchase so that we know we're putting our hard-earned money on the proper products. There are so many options for even basic items like leashes and collars that it's easy to get lost in what we're buying.

We will be writing reviews as we purchase and use these items ourselves. As you do your research for products you're planning to buy, our goal is to add another layer to that research.

Update: We're heartbroken to learn that Pine & Bone are no longer in business. Markus had the pleasure of being their brand ambassador this past year and their bandanas are still our favourite. We wish the owners the best on their endeavours!

Bandanas are a major part of Markus' wardrobe. If you've been following Markus on Instagram, you know how much we love to dress Markus up with bandanas when we go out. Pine & Bone has quickly become one of our favourite brands in a sea of other bandana brands because of their styles and how much they engage with their customers. We recommend checking out Pine & Bone the next time you're looking for a new bandana!

We wanted to share some of those reasons why we’re massive fans of Pine & Bone with you. They have fantastic styles and designs and that’s just the noticeable part. Every season, they release a set of new bandana designs and themes - some of them only for a limited time. The bandanas come in styles that are cute, rugged, outdoorsy/adventure or ones that are based on the seasons. We tend to go with the outdoorsy themed bandanas for Markus since he’s a true explorer at heart. 

Pine & Bone's bandanas use snap buttons to connect the two ends together. Traditionally, other bandanas brands still go with the knot tying at the back, which takes a little bit more time and effort to put on. Pine & Bone was one of the first brands where we started seeing snap buttons, but it is a trend that we’re seeing more today.

At first, we were concerned that the button doesn't give us as much flexibility in case we didn't order the right size. Sizing is less of a concern for traditional bandanas because you can always just tie it tighter or looser. We lose the ability to adjust with the button, so it was important to get the sizing right on the order. We had to measure the width of Markus' neck with a measuring tape and when the bandana arrived, it fit true to size, which was a relief. In fact, Pine & Bone's bandana sits better on Markus than some of the other ones we've tried so far, but we're not sure if it's the shape of the bandana or where the button is positioned. 

Something you might not know because you can’t see it is that Pine & Bone's bandanas are reversible. People always ask us how many bandanas Markus owns because he seems to have so many. The truth is, it only seems like we have a lot because Pine & Bone's bandanas are reversible. We don't have as many as people seem to think. Think about it - for the price of one, we're getting two bandanas or two different looks for Markus!

You can also personalize the Pine & Bone bandana with printed names. Whether you're getting a gift or one for your own dog, getting the name printed on the bandana is a great way to personalize it to make it uniquely yours. It's also a cute way to share photos!

Pine & Bone has given us reason to go in depth on a topic such as bandanas and we’re glad to share about their products with you. They've taken things that people don't normally think about and reinvented it to create not only great looking, but also properly fitting and easy to put on bandanas with their buttons. Most of all, they're proactive and great with their customers. If you’re on the hunt for a new bandana for your dog or if you’re looking for a gift for a friend who has a dog, check out Pine & Bone’s line of bandanas today!

We’re so grateful for your support of The Markus Project. We mostly choose our locations through searching and word of mouth. If you know of a park, trail or location you think we should check out, please share it with us. We’d love to know!