How Do I Choose a Dog Backpack?
If you want to take your pooch on adventures but want them to carry their own stuff (including poo bags!?)... then let's talk all things dog backpacks and which one is right for your four-legged best friend.
How you choose a dog backpack depends on what activity you'll be doing, like hiking (overnight or just for the day) or trail running.
Ruffwear has four options of dog backpacks that vary in size and purpose, with different features to go with them. They are:
Trail Runner Dog Running Vest.
Here's a table to give you a quick run through of what pack you should choose for your pup:
Let's break the pack with a bit more detail here:
The Best Dog Backpack for Day Hikes - The Front Range Day Pack.
The Front Range Day Pack combines two things that Ruffwear are most known for - the Front Range Harness (which is by far the most popular Dog Harness at Further Faster) and their radial cut saddlebags.
This pack is form-fitting, padded in all the right places and supports efficient load carrying with enough space for the essentials, like a foldable trail bowl, treats and of course that thing we mentioned earlier that they can carry themselves....
The Best Dog Backpack for Overnight Hikes - The Approach Dog Backpack.
The Approach Dog Backpack is the perfect pack for those long day hikes or those overnighters where you don't need too much gear.
The weight of the radial cut saddle bags is over your dog's shoulders, and they are attached to a breathable harness; this means more pack stability and comfort for your pup!
There is enough space in the vertical stash pocket to keep things like food and water close to your dog, and of course enough room for toys too!
The Best Dog Backpack for Multi-Day Hikes - The Palisades Dog Backpack.
The Palisades Dog Backpack is the biggest in the Ruffwear range, and you can actually remove the saddlebags from the harness for side missions without your dog's gear - How good!
The harness is highly breathable and comfortable, and the pack even comes with two 1L collapsible hydration bladders for your dog to carry his or her own water. There is even a compression system within the saddle bags to stop your dog's gear from flopping around, too!
The Best Dog Backpack for Trail Running - The Trail Runner Dog Running Vest.
The Trail Running Dog Running Vest has been designed like your own Trail Running Vest. It is highly breathable, comfortable and most importantly, comes with two Hydrapack Softflasks that you can zip into two side-pockets so your dog can stay hydrated on the trail.
There is room to store a portable dog bowl and dog poo bags in a zippered pocket too!
Some of the most frequently asked dog backpack questions we get are:
How much weight can a dog safely carry?
A dog should not carry more than 25% of its bodyweight, and you have to build it up to that point. Not just dive straight in.
Puppies should NOT carry any weight, but you can get them used to the backpack with no gear in it.
How should a dog backpack fit?
A dog backpack should fit tight enough that it doesn't slip, but loose enough that you can fit three fingers between the dog and backpack harness. Pay close attention to your dog's armpits (behind their front legs) to make sure the backpack and harness aren't rubbing or are going to rub here.
If you're not sure where to start with sizing, check out this great video from Ruffwear about how to measure your dog to get the right size backpack:
All the beautiful images supplied by Ruffwear, all the words, totally our own.
The Best 4 Backpacks for your dog:
1. The Front Range Day Pack - Best for day hikes and everyday use.
2. The Approach Dog Backpack - Best for long day hikes and light overnighters.
3. The Palisades Dog Backpack - Best for Multi-Day hikes, it's the biggest backpack you can get from Ruffwear.
4. The Trail Runner Dog Running Vest - Best for Trail Running or hot days when your dog needs extra water.
If you liked this blog, make sure you check out this one: How to start Trail Running with your Dog. – Further Faster
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