20 Best Hiking Backpack For Dogs (2023 Updated)

Bought this to carry our 13+ year old terrier – she loves to hike and walk but runs out of energy and we need to carry her. After looking at numerous pet carriers this was the only one with space for her 17 lb body to fit comfortably.

PRO: The main compartment is well designed, the full mesh sides are great to keep your dog from over heating. And our dog loves sticking her head out of the zipper mesh window on the side while we are hiking with her.

The pockets are helpful for carrying her water and some snacks. CONS: if you plan on using for hiking (as was our intent) it does not work. We had hoped the hip belt & shoulder straps would have been similar to our multi-day packs.

But, the hip belt is not substantial enough to help lift some of the weight off of your shoulders – so with all the weight on your shoulders the straps really dig in making it extremely uncomfortable.

The lack of support made it very hard to carry the pack for longer than 15-30 minutes. (Also, one of the inside snaps broke after the 2nd use. ) The design is good – not great. It would work fine for carrying your pet on a plane or for subway travel – but not for extend periods of time.

I received this as a present and it’s been the most wonderful gift! I have an approximately 10lb 15 year old pup who loves to hike but tires after some time on the trail. This is the perfect solution! She gets so excited when she’s told to get in her backpack- she learned how to curl up so the zipper stays away from her tail.

The backpack comes with a water bowl that attaches to the bag, several awesome pockets, two ways to zip open for her to look out, and has a way to secure her inside so she can’t jump out. It’s a perfect size for her.

While I haven’t traveled with her lately, this would be perfect for bringing her on an airplane. One user mentioned that it doesn’t have padding. This is true. I put a nice towel down in the bottom so she can be comfy and she really likes this.

In terms of my comfort, there’s a nice (removable) waist strap and chest strap and good quality shoulder straps. It is very adjustable and doesn’t have a frame but does have padding on the back. I’ve always been a fan of Timbuk2 products and this is no exception.

Very well made and a wonderful product for my little lady!.

I have a 13 lbs muttalufagus and he’s totally into it. It’s so much easier having his weight distributed on my back using the backpack as opposed to all of his weight on my shoulder if using a messenger bag.

The quality is definitely what one has grown to expect from a messenger bag company. However, if given the option, there are things I would change about this bag: I would make it much wider so my dawg could turn around easily and completely be able to lay down without being “forced” to use the mesh window for head space.

That window takes some getting used to. For example, if you cut around a corner navigating through some obstacles, you could easily knock his little block off if you weren’t hyper aware. Let’s be real though, if you weren’t hyper aware, you wouldn’t be looking for the best bag for your fur bottomed companion.

I would add a lot more storage options without diminishing the alloted space for my dawg. For instance, I’d add pleated pockets and a functional large water bottle pocket. No, the water bottle pocket is not functional at all unless you’re using a toddler sized sippy cup.

Not even a 20 oz bottle will stay in there. I would also add a separate compartment to stow MY gear. That being said, this is still hands down, the best dog bag on the market. The velcro used is positioned correctly so not to become a fluff magnet.

The bottom has an internal plastic platform to keep the bottom of the bag flat, which is actually accessible for cleaning if needed. The mesh pup window has a little stash spot into the interior of the back portion so it’s not smacking my dawg in the face when left open.

There are snaps at the top of the bag that allow the top of the bag to remain unzipped. The bag is reinforced to prevent sagging. Of course, all of the mesh providing the necessary ventilation. I have spent seeminly endless hours trying to find the best dog bag for our adventures.

This one is it, nothing else even remotely compares. Buy it.

We checked out this item multiple times. Went back and forth and weren’t sure if we wanted to spend the money; I’m so glad we did. Our baby boy Arlo loves his backpack. We take it any time he’s along.

We put his favorite toys, snacks, and blanket inside. It’s so spacious and well made! The collapsible water and food dishes are a bonus!!!!.

I really appreciate how easy this backpack makes packing my dog’s things for travel. All of the little compartments and additional bowls/mats are very thoughtfully designed and really make my life easier.

Now, when we travel for a weekend or so (we have a big standard poodle), we can fit everything he needs into this bag including ziploc bags of food, toys, poop bags, blankets, etc. That poop bag dispenser on the side is so handy too!!.

I’ve taken the backpack with me on hiking trips and it has been very convenient. I have a large German Shepherd and every now and then we would need to stop and give him water whenever we need to rest.

This is also good on long trips as well, as the bowls are convenient for him to eat from. The bag has large spaces for his food, treats, and water.

I ordered a medium for my 55lb mixed breed dog, and even on the shortest strap settings, it is a touch loose. which, based on the measurements, I anticipated the medium would be perfect or even a little too snug.

I can’t adjust the front yoke portion to be in the correct spot, so wish there was greater adjustability on the strap that goes between the front legs to move the yoke further down. As other reviewers mentioned, if either side of the pack is not 100% balanced, it will slide.

I think if the harness had been separate from the pack portion (like another model Ruffwear has), it would be more stable. I do love the streamlined design. It’s perfect for a day hike when you’re unsure of the area and want to be certain you’ll have enough water, or if you want your dog to get accustomed to wearing a pack in general.

The handle is great, I used it a few times to help my dog navigate over large rocks on the trail.

This is a GREAT dog pack! We have a tall, narrow and active 65 pound mutt who is constantly leaping off rocks and running through brush and banging it into trees. No matter what, it stays put better than any pack I have ever tried.

In the summer, we take the bladders out and stuff it full of food- it can hold roughly a weekend backpacking trip worth, or, in the winter, she carries her first aid kit and water bowl/water. The handle on the back is perfect for strapping booties to the outside.

My only issue (and it happens with our other larger ruff wear pack is that the straps chaff her armpits raw. I solved the problem by purchasing sheep wool halter covers from a horse magazine (they look like wool tubes that have Velcro so you can strap them around anything) I cut them down to size and the wool protects her delicate bits.

As a bonus, the wool helps keep the other larger pack from slipping around as much.

Comfortable fit, lightweight, seems durable but have only been using it a few weeks. Love the keepers on the waist belt to keep the straps from dangling. Like the whistle on the chest strap – makes me feel a bit more armed walking to/from work in the city at night.

Glad there is an open pouch option in the front that can be tightened at the top by straps. My last backpack had side mesh pouches and I found over time they stretched and things fell out. I lost a few water bottles on the train.

I can use this front area for my 1 ltr water bottle and my reusable coffee mug and then tighten the top so they don’t fall out but still have easier access then opening the whole pack to get at those items.

I had a hard time finding a waist belt which is super important for me to secure the weight close to my body and prevent neck pain. I felt like I had limited options in the Dakine line when looking for a waist belt, especially in the campus/school type packs.

I would rather the customized pouches be geared towards school/commuting use rather than a skiing or sport pack. So I found it hard to choose a good compromise between the sport packs that provided the waist belt I needed with the laptop/books/commuting items space and pouches.

Overall, I’m happy with the backpack but it is much smaller than I’m used to so I feel a bit compromised on internal size at the end of the day.

I’ve been getting back into a variety of outdoors activities. The Canyon has been my choice for longer day hikes for about a month now. It’s a top loader so it basically becomes a stuff sack for everything from extra layers, snacks, bug spray, two-way radios, you name it.

Trekking pole loops are helpful and the additional floating storage is great for those things you need quick access to. There is a zipper on the floating panel for maps or gloves. It’s been pretty handy and comfortable for the most part, but it can get a little warm on the back on sunny days away from the trees.

It comes ready for a vertical shaped hydration pouch, but I easily inserted a lumbar style 3L hydration pouch in there too. Just be aware it won’t be able to hang on the notch that usually secures it to the backpack.

A helpful improvement would be to include a similar lifted panel design from the Drafter biking pack, to get better airflow around the back.

I recently decided to replace my Clive backpack which I had been using every day for 16+ years (miss that company!). I chose Dakine because I know they make quality products that are comfortable. I had a Dakine camera backpack once and it was the best camera bag (please make them again).

I have only been using this bag for a couple of weeks and so far so good. I order online so didn’t get to try it on first and I find the shoulder straps sit a little wide but easily fixed with the chest strap.

Love the water bottle pocket that has flex but a solid bottom so it won’t easily wear out. The zipper pocket down the side (which was a surprise when I received the bag) provides easy quick access, hopefully won’t become a problem in the future.

Overall I am extremely happy with this purchase, another fantastic product from Dakine!.

Excellent sturdy piece of kit. We have two dogs, one able to walk long distances and a puppy who we have to limit their walks to ensure the healthy development of her joints. This allows us to take both dogs on hikes, carrying the puppy until on flat, let them run and play, then back in the bag.

She’s too small for the size we bought now but growing weekly, easily prompted up with a cushion. I was reluctant initially due to the price and longevity for a growing labrador but its helped us take her on adventures and make memories she couldn’t until she was older usually.

Side pockets hardly fit a credit card. The adjustable torso dug into my back. Not good for combo backpacking and carring a dog. Just not enough storage and poor exterior design. Side mesh storage to short and bottles fall out easy.

Company needs allot of improvements on this product, they should get with osprey. I have 30,000 miles hiking experience.

Bag is sturdy and well put together, the material is nice and the metal zippers/decorations are strong. The straps are adjustable, and held well, until I filled the bag full of really heavy items to test how much it could withstand.

The pop up bowls are great, and so are the insulated containers. The entire bag is insulated which is a plus. The poop bag holder works great and doesn’t tear the baggies. The little included velcro divider is neat, and offers a solution to keep items seperated in the bag.

Overall we really liked the bag and will keep taking it to our trips out at the park/lake.

Literally worth the buy. I love this bag and carry it everywhere. I had purchased the shoulder one from the same company a few years ago and when I found out they upgraded it and made this one I couldn’t resist.

It’s super deep and can fit so much. Super convenient with the 2 food carry pouches and the the 2 travel bowls with the mat. The only thing I wish they would have done was made the front part ,where the travel water bowls go, into a pocket to put things instead of having it open.

You can’t really put anything in there even though it zips because when you open it for the bowls everything would fall out. They should have put a piece of material there as a pocket and it would’ve been super awesome.

Other than that, it’s sooooooooo worth it. I don’t carry a pocket book anymore because I use this. BTW I have a service dog so that’s my reason for always carrying this. It makes everything with having a dog so much easier.

Service dog or not everyone with a pet should get this especially for airline travel as well. Wouldnt let me upload a picture sorry.

I’ve now had this backpack in my house for two weeks. It STILL has a very strong chemical smell to it (from the foam in the bottom maybe?). The design is nice and sturdy; the frame doesn’t collapse like other brands I’ve read about.

I have no problem with the straps or the way the pack sits on my back, even when weighted – and I’m a *ahem* very well-endowed woman. Here’s what I would change: the top mesh piece hangs down into the carrier when unzipped, but should be able to velcro flat to the back wall of the carrier so that the fuzzy passenger can peep out the top easily (there is a leash-like strap anchored inside, so that fuzzy passenger won’t leap out).

Also, while I like the tear-resistant mesh, it makes it tough for fuzzy passenger to see the big beautiful world out there, hence my desire for her to be able to peep out the top. I don’t think I’d use the carrier without the front mesh zippered closed (see picture) because I don’t think my fuzzy passenger would feel safe being that exposed and much more likely to fall or jump out – even with the aforementioned leash.

She does like to play in the carrier in the comfort of the living room while the “front door” of the carrier is open and rolled up. Overall, if you can afford to spend more money on a carrier with one of those clear, window-bubbles in the front, do that.

If not, this is a good, less expensive alternative.

this carrier is amazing! I ended up using it to drive cross country with my cat and she loved it! she’s pretty petite so she had enough space to stand up and stretch but spent most of the time just curled up sleeping.

the mesh is pretty thick so it was hard to see her through it, usually I would just unzip it a little to peek at her, but I think that’s part of why she liked it so much – it’s pretty dark in there all zipped up which probably made her feel safe, but the multiple mesh openings let her see around her easily.

as a backpack it is fantastic, the buckles on the front made it super stable and not shaky while I walked around and also took some of the weight off my shoulders and made it more comfortable for me to carry.

I love that it has multiple openings too, I usually pick my cat up and put her in through the top and then let her venture out on her own through the front which seems to work well. it was definitely worth the money, it’s super sturdy and well made and my cat loves it, I leave it out in my room and sometimes she naps in it like it’s a covered bed! definitely recommend if you’re on the hunt for a good backpack carrier.

TranslateShow in original languageSlitesterk kløv som rommer mye. Supert med mange muligheter for stramming og tilpassing. Eneste minuset er at det er vanskelig å få festet den og tatt den opp om festene ligger inni den “platen” som er under hunden.