The Best Dog Backpacks

The Best Dog Backpacks
Hikers and dogs go together like peanut butter and jelly. Carrying all of your canine's necessities while on the trail isn't always as sweet. Strap a dog backpack onto Fido and let him heft his own supplies. Dog backpacks range in size and shape from little urban travel packs to full-blown saddlebags with hydration packs, bear bells and expanding pockets. Find the pack that's right for you and make hiking with your best friend even more enjoyable.

Convenience

Kyjen, Quick Release
Kyjen's Quick Release dog backpack is one of the handiest travel inventions you'll come across. Not only does this saddlebag pack have multiple adjustment points for a perfect fit, the pack is independently attached to the harness, allowing you to remove it without unbuckling the harness.

Wenaha, Explorer II
For camping and overnight trips, the Explorer II is your best bet. Its large side pockets expand to comfortably carry bulkier gear. The Explorer II's well-padded saddle and wide-opening top flaps make extended trips much more convenient.

Durability

Wolf Packs, Banzai
The Banzai is a little higher on the price scale, but you definitely get the quality you pay for. This tough pack fits snugly to your dog, is made of durable, waterproof Kevlar and has brush guards to give you and your pooch a hike free of snags.

Ruff Wear, Palisades
This pack is the cream of the crop for dog backpacks. Its plush mesh saddle, abundance of pockets and durable material are enough to make it one of the best of the best, but the integrated hydration system with spigot puts the Palisades pack over the top.

Under $50

Kelty, Chuckwagon
This classic saddlebag style pack is a good product at a good price. For an under-$50 dog backpack, the Chuckwagon has a surprising amount of useful features, including a removable bear bell. The pack weighs less than a pound, sports padded buckles and comes equipped with reflective tape for night or urban travel.

Cool Paws, Day Trekker
This nifty little dog pack is made for day hikes and shorter outings with your dog. The attachment easily and sturdily clips onto an existing harness. The packs attach separately to the attachment, allowing you to easily remove them. It is a perfect pack for carrying the bare necessities.

Article Written By Jake Kulju

Jake Kulju is a Minneapolis-based freelance outdoors writer with 10 years' experience. He is an outdoors guidebook author for Avalon Travel and his work is regularly published in "Outdoor Traditions Magazine" and "Naturescape News." His nature-based poetry is published in "Poetry Canada" and "Farmhouse Magazine." Kulju holds an English degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Write for Trails.com
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