The Best Dog Backpacks of 2024

Oregon-based company Ruffwear is known for trail testing every product it makes. And that testing is readily apparent with its Approach Dog Pack ($110).

This everyday pack offers adjustable straps for a secure and comfortable fit, thanks in part to the integrated harness, which is built for a perfect fit and pack stability.

It also features five points of adjustment to allow for a customizable fit. The radial-cut saddlebags form a compression system that enhances the fit and makes it easier for your pooch to carry loads.

The lightweight materials are durable as well. You won’t need to worry about abrasion or wear when your dog goes racing off into the underbrush to chase a chipmunk.

Overall, we love the Ruffwear Approach Dog Pack for its simplicity and the comfort it provides, even while carrying a load. The top pockets make smaller items like treats and poop bags easily accessible. And the larger side pockets can carry the rest of your gear with ease.

You can even strap larger items like dog beds to the top. There are two leash attachment options, and the padded handle lets you grab your pooch like a duffel bag.

The tactical-inspired Hoppy Camper 2.0 ($37) from OneTigris is built for rough terrain. It’s one of the least expensive packs on this list, but its cotton canvas material makes it one of the most durable as well.

The canvas build holds up well against rocks, brush, and just about anything else your dog will come up against on the trail. The interior is lined with mesh to keep your dog cool and comfortable.

The two main zipper compartments can carry food, water, and bowls. The smaller side pockets can hold waste bags and treats. The top handle is ideal for holding and controlling — but not carrying — your dog.

The understated design is the only real gripe we have with the Hoppy Camper. The brown, green, and black options look sharp, but they’re best used in urban settings. The colors blend in with the outdoors, making it harder to find your buddy if he goes dashing off into the woods.

Recently redesigned and improved by Ruffwear, the Front Range Day Pack ($70), is a superb option for pups needing a well-fitting backpack that doesn’t sacrifice style and storage. Designed for day hikes and explorative adventures, there is plenty of room for water bladders, paw balm, poop bags, treats and gear in this backpack. 

The new Front Range pack has an easier adjustment system with plastic sliders that assist with tightening and loosening while the pack is on your dog. Our tester actually has the older model and can confirm that customizing the fit is much more streamlined in this recent iteration. Gone are the days of lopsided fits and constant readjusting with these added tailor points and buckles. 

Test subject Opa, a 65-pound shepherd mix, tried this backpack out on multiple hikes in mud and snow in Colorado. She wore the size L-XL and it fit her well after some fiddling with the straps and buckles.

Even as she ran through miles of rough sagebrush, the Front Range’s durable materials held up extremely well despite constantly being scratched and poked by the foliage. This is thanks to the 300-denier polyester ripstop that comprises the shell. Better yet, the minimal exterior design made it so she didn’t get caught on any branches, an aspect sometimes overlooked in pack designs.

In terms of weight distribution and support, Ruffwear blew it out of the park with this backpack. The radial cut harness shifts the packed load of the Front Range Day Pack forward and creates a natural compression on your dog’s torso. This keeps the packed weight impressively stable while evenly spreading out the weight so your pooch doesn’t get any hot spots or pressure points while romping about. 

The Front Range backpack is advertised as a day pack, but our tester found that it is better suited for overnight or multi-day excursions due to the larger size and storage space. However, it is typically better to have more space than less when packing for even the shortest hikes. Available only in two colorways, a pastel green and dark black, it would be nice to see Ruffwear offer some more options. 

Between the three secure leash attachment points and overall ergonomic design, the Ruffwear Front Range Day Pack is a fantastic dog backpack for folks seeking plenty of storage space without causing their best friend any discomfort during that next weekend adventure. 

Colorado-based running gear company Ultimate Direction is known for its excellent ultralight running packs and accessories. Its Dog Vest ($80) marks yet another hit out of the park.

This lightweight vest is perfect for your four-legged running partner. The pack is made with a nylon ripstop body and stretch nylon mesh. The multipoint harness system customizes the fit, ensuring comfort. And the top ring keeps your leash securely attached.

Large, expandable side pockets hold food and accessories. Side-stash pockets keep smaller items like waste bags and a leash within easy reach. The included bowl collapses for an easy fit, and zippered bottle pockets mean your pooch can carry your water as well.

Ultimate Direction’s Dog Vest is a great way to keep your dog equipped on long trail runs. At just 11 oz., this pack is ideal for full days on arduous terrain.

If you’re on the hunt for a dog backpack that is both durable and generous with capacity, be sure to check out the OneTigris Mammoth Dog Backpack ($36). For under 40 bucks, this pack certainly brings a lot to the table without completely breaking the bank. 

What we loved? This tactical design is made with a Mil-spec 1000D nylon, making it hyper-durable against any unexpected rips or tears while on the trail. The two spacious 3L pouches with outer bungee pockets provide enough storage for water, food, a bowl, a rain jacket, and other necessities. We found that despite loading up the pouches and taking the dog for an extensive hike, the pack stayed well-balanced on her without leaning one way or another. 

Our one gripe with this dog backpack is that the outer bungees tend to get caught on branches and sticks. Our tester’s dog basically became a walking tumbleweed after one got stuck to the bungees on their hike. However, the strong materials and adjustability still make this pack one of our top picks.

If you’re a hunter or a backpacker planning a weekend trip in the backcountry for you and the pooch, the OneTigris Mammoth Dog Backpack is a surefire choice for its decent packing space, utilitarian design, and versatility.

Kurgo’s Baxter dog backpack ($60) has a highly adjustable fit and padded spine support to make sure your dog is comfortable when carrying a load.

The two large saddlebags provide plenty of room for food, treats, toys, and bowls. Smaller storage pockets are easy to access for smaller items like treats and poo bags.

Details like breathable mesh and reflective strips for visibility make this one of our favorites. And the bottle opener on the chest strap lets your pooch join in on the post-hike celebration. Take note, however, that this pack is a bit on the bigger size, and may not work for smaller dogs.

The rear-mounted leash hook lets your good boy take the lead. If your dog needs a hand getting over some sketchy terrain, you can use the padded handle to help him over the obstacle.

Designed with the aid of a local Colorado veterinarian, Mountainsmith’s K-9 Dog Pack ($75) is one of the best-fitting packs on the market. An adjustable back harness complements the four-point adjustable belly harness. This lets you really dial in the fit for maximum doggie comfort.

The application is simple as well. The pack goes on easily — just throw it over your dog’s head and lift the sides to buckle it on. It makes putting it on an excited pup much easier.

These packs max out at a whopping 16 L for the large size. This means you can carry just about everything you need for a hike and then some — plus some extra weight to slow your zoomer down.

Reflective trim helps you see your pooch in low light. And the single-haul handle on the top lets you help them over technical areas.

Ideal for thru-hikers and backpackers who want to bring their canine companion along, the Mountainsmith’s K-9 Dog Pack is a superb choice.

With such a low price point, the Daypack Dog Backpack ($26) from Outward Hound is an excellent option for day hikers or as an entry-point pack.

This extremely lightweight pack has two large side pockets with smaller stash pockets on either side. The large pockets are expandable, which is a nice touch. This allows you to zip the pockets down to a smaller size when you’re not carrying much. Breathable mesh runs the length of the back, keeping your dog cool on warm days.

One gripe is the stash pockets on the side don’t have closures. They still work well for waste bags and treats, but we don’t recommend putting your keys or wallet in there. Otherwise, this is a great pack for people who want to introduce their dogs to hiking with gear.

It’s on the pricier end of the spectrum, but with Ruffwear’s Palisades Dog Pack ($160), you get what you pay for.

Built with long-distance, multiday adventures in mind, the Palisades has 24 L of space in its largest iteration. Even the smallest pack can hold 12.5 L of gear. It’s also loaded with very smart features, notably the removable saddlebags.

The storage bags unclip without having to remove the entire harness. This lets you give your pooch a rest without having to take off the whole setup.

A third chest strap helps you dial in the fit and minimizes sliding. Cross-load compression straps cinch down your gear when the bags aren’t full.

The Palisades puts a premium on visibility as well. The bright red color is easy to spot, and the reflective strips are complemented by a light loop for attaching a safety light.

The Lifeunion Saddle Bag backpack ($26-28) is the best in class in terms of durability. This simple bag offers everything you need for regular adventures with your pup. Though this pack is relatively small and compact, it offers a ton of organized storage space.

On the outside, the Lifeunion pack sports 600-denier double polyester construction. A built-in rubber handle and a strong D-ring leash attachment provide excellent control on the trail, in the parking lot, and everywhere in between. All of the zippers are high-quality and long-lasting.

For such a durable pack, this fine piece of canine gear is relatively lightweight, thanks to its mesh and polyester construction. The pack comes in three sizes, and dogs between 19 and 100 pounds will easily fit. Even though this pack is quite adjustable, owners of very small dogs will need to look elsewhere.