Most dogs, like their human owners, love outdoor activities. Dog owners often prefer to take their dogs with them on their hiking, backpacking or camping trips. One of the major factors to consider is how to carry the necessities such as food and water for the dog. Dog backpacks (sometimes referred to as dog packs) are the perfect item to consider in such cases. These backpacks are specially designed gear for dogs to carry items such as their food, water and toys, and anything additional during the outdoor trip. So which are the best dog backpacks and how to pick the right one for your dog? Read on.
Picking the right dog backpacks is often a challenging task. In this article, we list some of the best dog backpacks available online. We will also look at the major factors to consider while choosing the best dog backpack for your dogs. Please note that dog backpacks are primarily meant for medium to large framed dog breeds such as Husky, German Shepherd, Terrier, Beagle, Great Dane, Mastiff, Labrador and Bernese dogs.
For some more dog backpack options and buying advice, you can also check out our friend GloboSurfer’s (https://www.globosurfer.com/) article on the best dog backpacks – https://www.globosurfer.com/best-dog-backpacks/.
And if you are instead looking for a dog backpack carrier to carry your pooch on the outdoor adventure, check out our article on the best dog carriers.
Best dog backpacks list
Some of the best dog backpacks for hiking and backpacking are listed below:| Picture | Product | Weight (oz.) | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Outward Hound DayPak Dog Backpack | Varies from 6.4 ounces for small to 11.2 ounces for large | - A light-capacity backpack with saddlebag design - Comes in Small, Medium and Large Sizes with 4 expandable pockets - Features adjustable straps & breathable mesh harness for maximum comfort & fit | |
  | Ruffwear Palisades dog backpack | Varies from 28 ounces for small to 33 ounces for Large | - This high-end backpack is made with waterproof nylon. - Offers features such as removable saddlebags, two collapsible water bottles, and a load compression system - The package contains two 1-liter collapsible hydration bottles - Can be used with or without the saddlebag as a vest | |
  | OneTigris Cotton Canvas Dog Pack | Around 24 ounces | - One size backpack for medium to large dog, made with high density cotton. - Comes with or without leash. - Comes with two main zipper pockets and 2 front pockets. | |
  | Mountainsmith K-9 Dog Pack | Varies from 13 ounces for small to 20 ounces for large | - An adjustable backpack with saddlebag design - Comes in Small, Medium and Large Sizes with 4 expandable pockets - Equipped with air mesh panels that provide increased ventilation to the canine body. - Can be shipped to selected international locations | |
  | Outward Hound Kyjen Dog Backpack | Varies from 10.2 ounces for small to 20 ounces for X-Large | - This popular backpack has saddlebag design and is made with waterproof nylon. - Comes in Small, Medium Large and X-Large Sizes with detachable pockets to take the load off during stops. - Breathable meshes make it comfortable for the dog to carry the pack. | |
  | Lifeunion Backpack for Dog | Varies from 7.1 ounces for medium to 13.4 ounces for X-Large | - Well designed saddlebag backpack made with high quality waterproof nylon - Comes in Medium Large and X-Large Sizes - Has 2 pockets on each side and reflective tapes for better visibility. | |
  | Pettom Two Use Dog Travel Backpack | Varies from 10 ounces for small to 28 ounces for Large | - Saddlebag backpack made with scratch-resistant polyester making it waterproof. - Comes in Small, Medium and Large Sizes with 4 expandable pockets - Can be used with or without the saddlebag as a vest. | |
  | Ruffwear Approach dog backpack | 14 ounces for medium | - This popular backpack has weight-forward saddlebag design made with high quality waterproof nylon - Offers 5 sizes ( XX Small to Large) and features 5 points of adjustment. - Has 2 pockets on each side and reflective tapes for better visibility. | |
  | Kurgo Baxter Dog Backpack | 15 ounces for medium | - This heavy duty dog backpack has a weight-forward saddlebag design, with two non-removable pockets. - The backpack features 8 adjustment points and reflective trim strips. - The backpack comes in six vibrant colors. - Backed by hassle-free Kurgo Lifetime Warranty against manufacturer defects | |
  | Cesar Millan Dog Backpack | 16 ounces for medium 18 ounces for large | - Uniquely designed backpack with weight-forward design. - Made with water-resistant fabric with mesh cushioning for maximum comfort. - Features large pockets on each side with a center buckle to keep things secure. - Comes in a single, reflective color. |
Which are the best dog backpacks and what our picks are?
Ruffwear Palisades Pack – Editor’s choice pick for best dog backpack
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Ruffwear Palisades Pack is really the top of the line dog backpack which provides exemplary features for a multi-day dog trip and beats its closest rival Ruffwear – Approach Full-Day Hiking Pack on this account.
This dog backpack is made of high-grade waterproof nylon and comes in three sizes – Small, Medium and Large/X-Large. The weight of the backpack varies from 28 ounces for small to 33 ounces for a large backpack.
This dog backpack features an improved webmaster harness frame with four points of attachment. It also offers features such as removable saddlebags, two collapsible water bottles, and a load compression system making it really comfortable for the dog to carry the load over a longer duration.
In addition, the dog backpack comes with two 1-litre collapsible hydration bottles and has 2 zipper pockets on each side. The dog backpack also features external loops to add additional lightweight items to the backpack.
OneTigris Cotton Canvas Dog Pack – Best cotton dog backpack
Buy It on Chewy
When it comes to most comfortable backpack for your dog, OneTigris Dog Backpack would probably find a place among the top options, simply because of its building material – 100% high-density cotton, which provides excellent air circulation – an important factor especially in summers.
The OneTigris backpack comes in a single size and weighs around 24 ounces. It is advertised to fit medium to large dogs with a weight ranging from 30 to 120 lbs., meaning it would fit most outdoor friendly breeds. With a bunch of strap setups, you can adjust the saddle bag backpack safely as per your dog’s girth and weight. The backpack has a vintage look and feel and comes with two spacious main zipper pockets. Additional storage space is provided by the two front pockets which you can use to store goodies, travel bowls or small items. OneTigris offers two options for the backpack – with a leash or without a leash.
The one concern you may have with this backpack is that because it is made of cotton fabric, it is not waterproof. Still, for normal weather conditions, your dog would appreciate the comfort.
Outward Hound DayPak Dog Backpack – Best value pick for dog backpack
Buy It on Chewy
Outward Hound DayPak Dog Backpack is a decent dog backpack for its price. It is a light-capacity backpack that follows a saddle bag design.
This dog backpack comes in small, medium and large sizes with the weight varying from 6.4 ounces for small to 11.2 ounces for the large backpack. It offers convenience and storage space with four expandable pockets and a D-ring clip, which can be used to clip your dog leash.
It comes in two vibrant colors – blue and green. It’s reflective accents and vibrant colors enhance visibility. In addition, it has adjustable straps and breathable mesh harness, making it comfortable for the dog to wear.
Dog Backpack Accessories
One of the most common accessory to go with the dog backpack is a compact food and water bowl. These bowls come in two categories – nylon fabric based and silicone plastic based. The nylon-based bowls are extremely flexible and generally lighter than plastic based bowls. Plastic-based bowls are also collapsible and dry quicker than nylon based bowls. While selecting a plastic dog bowl, always check that the bowl is listed as BPA free and dishwasher safe.
Some of the options for food and water bowls available in the market are listed below:
- Outward Hound Port-A-Bowl Dog Food and Water Bowl
- Doggone Dish Collapsible Travel Pet Bowl
- Mr. Peanut’s Collapsible Dog Bowls
- PETLESO Pop-up Pet Bowl Travel Bowl
Another important accessory to consider is a dog hydration bottle. Such hydration bottles fit smartly in your or your dog’s backpack bottle holder and have a cup attached to the lid.
Some of the best options available in the market are listed below:
- H2OK9 Dog Water Bottle & Travel Bowl
- Gulpy Water Dispenser for Dogs
- FlyffyPal Dog Water Bottle & Collapsible Pet Food Bowl Kit
- Water Rover Bowl and Bottle
Helpful Tip: When deciding the best dog backpack, keep in the mind what the average weight of the animal for that size should be and not the weight of your dog. That way you would almost always pick the correct dog backpack.
Dog backpack for small dogs
As mentioned above, the dog backpacks that we listed are meant for medium to large dog breeds that weigh in excess of 25 lbs. So what about small dogs such as Dachshund, Corgi and small Terrier breed dogs that weigh less than 25 pounds but love the fun of trail? For such dogs you are probably better off by getting a harness with a pouch or get a dog carrier to carry your dog on the trail. But if you still want a dog backpack, you can check out the following options. Just ensure that you do not overload the backpacks, as small dog breeds are more prone to joints stress.
- OneTigris K9 Dog Backpack: Premium small/medium dog backpack with a 1000D Nylon construction. Features nylon mesh-lining, YKK Zippers, and quick release buckles. Suitable for dogs with Neck Girth: 8″-22″ and Chest Girth: 13″-25″.
- Petsfit Dog Backpack: Comes in small (for dogs up to 15 lbs.) and medium size( for dogs up to 50 lbs.). A perfect dog backpack for small dogs.
- SarahTom Pet Backpack: Comes in three sizes for dogs up to 30 lbs. A popular choice for urban and camping backpack.
- Alfie Pet Oliga Backpack Harness: More of an urban backpack for dog parks.
How to pick the best dog backpack for your dog?
Picking the best dog backpack can often be a challenging task. It is worthwhile to reiterate that dog backpacks are primarily meant for medium to large framed dog breeds such as German Shepherd, Alaskan, Terrier, Beagle, Great Dane, Mastiff, Labrador and Bernese dogs.
While how the dog would respond to a backpack would also depend upon its comfort level with a vest leash and its exact physical condition and age, there are a few factors that are worth considering before picking the best dog pack for your dog. These major factors are listed below,
- Size and Weight of the dog
- Building Material of the dog backpack
- Design and weight of the dog backpack
- Accessories and miscellaneous considerations
Size and weight of the dog
The size and weight of the dog is probably the most important criteria to consider while picking the most suitable dog backpack. Most of the dog backpack options listed above come in different sizes to cater to different sizes of dogs, however some dog packs such as OneTigris Cotton Canvas Dog Pack primarily come in a single medium/large size. The most important measurement besides the dog’s weight is the girth of the dog. Refer to the image and the following video to find the correct size of the dog.
Image courtesy:Outward Hound
Building material of the dog backpack
The building material of the dog backpack is extremely important for its durability and usage. Primarily dog backpacks are made up of high density cotton, high grade polyester or nylon. The cotton dog backpacks such as OneTigris Cotton Canvas Dog Pack provide excellent air circulation, but are not waterproof by default. Polyester and nylon dog backpacks such as the Ruffwear Palisades Pack and Ruffwear – Approach Full-Day Hiking Pack are fully waterproof. Cotton dog backpacks can be provided some water resistance by spraying them with waterproofing spray, but such arrangements can often be slightly uncomfortable for the dog. So depending upon the weather and your trip plans, you can pick the right material for your dog backpack.
Design and weight of the dog backpack
Most of the dog backpacks follow a saddlebag design. Some dog backpacks have evenly balanced pockets on both sides, while others such as Ruffwear – Approach Full-Day Hiking Pack and Ruffwear Palisades Pack have weight-forward saddlebag design. Depending upon the dog breed and how active your dog is you can pick the right design of the dog pack.
The weight of the dog backpack is also an important consideration. As per the standards, a dog should normally carry a load of around 10-12% of its average weight and never more than 15% of its weight. So lighter the backpack, better it is to distribute the load evenly. Light capacity dog backpacks such as Outward Hound DayPak Dog Backpack weigh anywhere between 6.5 to 11.5 ounces, while heavy-duty, more durable dog backpacks can weigh around 25 ounces. In general, the dogs are pretty comfortable with the weight of the backpacks if they have been properly trained for outdoor activities.
In addition, many dog backpacks feature detachable pockets which can be safely removed during rest stops and bridge crossing or breaks.
Accessories and miscellaneous considerations
Most high-end dog backpacks come with useful accessories. For example Ruffwear Palisades Pack comes with hydration bottle. Some dog backpacks have leash included models also available. These additional accessories make the backpack an attractive buy as you would not have to worry about these items while planning your trip.
In addition to the accessories, some miscellaneous considerations that can help in considering the best fit are:
- Air mesh panels and breathable back portion provides better ventilation to the dog.
- The colour and reflective tapes can help in better visibility during evening and overnight hikes.
- High grade zippers for pockets make it easier to open the pockets during loading and unloading.
- 4-5 point adjustable strap arrangement at the chest and girth of the dog would help in ensuring that the backpack fits securely and comfortably to the dog.
The following infographic summarizes all these factors to consider while choosing the best backpack for your dog:
Share this infographic on your site:
Things to Remember
Keep the following things in mind while using a backpack with your beloved canine companion:
- Select a dog backpack based on the weight and girth size of your dog. For in-between situations, “size-down” while picking the appropriate dog backpack.
- Try to fill the saddlebags on the backpack evenly, so that there is almost equal weight on both sides.
- Your dog may resist wearing a backpack initially. Start with smaller weights and progressively increase the load as your canine gets comfortable.
- Carrying a dog backpack means that your dog will get worked up more quickly. A 15-min walk with a filled backpack is equivalent to around 30 min without it. So keep this in mind while planning your trip.
- Consult your vet if your dog shows some early signs of exhaustion or discomfort while wearing a backpack.
For more information, you can check out a suitable resource for backpacking with your dog. Some of the best ones are available here.
Final thoughts on the best dog backpacks
In this post, we looked at some of the best dog backpacks available in the market. While the best dog backpack for the dog depend on personal preferences, type of activity and weather conditions, we looked at some of the major factors to consider while picking the best suited dog backpacks for your dog or as a gift for somebody else. Do let us know how you found this article and if you would want us to consider anything else. Best wishes for your next backpacking or hiking trip with your favourite pet pup!
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