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GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE BEST DOG BACKPACK AND HOW TO USE IT
There’s nothing like watching your dog leap over rocks, splash through streams, and charge up mountain trails at your side. With the right backpack for dogs, they’re not just following, you’re chasing trails together. Carrying their own food, water, sleeping system or first aid supplies gives your dog a purpose and lightens your load.
From day hikes to multi-day camping trips, this guide will help you find the perfect dog hiking pack and answer every question before you hit the trail.
How does carrying a backpack benefit my dog?
Apart from making your dog look like the best trail buddy on earth, dogs like to have a job, and carrying a pack gives them this sense of purpose and transforms the hike into meaningful work. Physically, it builds strength, balance, and endurance through low-impact resistance. Mentally, it offers focus and stimulation. This combination results in a more confident, well-rounded dog, which ultimately makes your dog happier and strengthens your bond.
What can a dog pack be used for?
Dog backpacks come in various sizes and styles, but all serve a central purpose: letting your dog share the load.
Common uses:
- Hiking & backpacking: Carry water, food, toys, first aid kit, camping and sleeping gear.
- Running & trail running: Lightweight packs ensure hydration when water sources are limited and access to a first aid kit and booties if needed.
- Strength training: Build muscle and endurance with low-impact resistance, great for multiple dog sports or injury prevention.
- Search & rescue: Pack essential items to assist people in need and field missions.
- Everyday utility: Carry mail, small groceries, or daily items.
What makes a good dog backpack?
Backpacks should be as carefully designed for dogs as technical packs are for humans. Our Product director, Sebastian Plur Nilssen, shares what separates good from great:
- Stability: The pack must stay steady while your dog walks, runs, and jumps, minimizing shifting.
- Free movement: Shoulder clearance is essential, especially for technical terrain. Packs should be shaped and fitted in a way that allows your dog to move freely and naturally, ensuring their stride remains smooth and unrestricted.
- Smooth & padded: No hard seams or rough points should come in contact with your dog. Padding should protect the body from internal content.
- Smart weight distribution: Weight must rest over the front legs, where dogs are strongest, and never on the spine or throat. Elbows should remain free.
- Durability: Unlike human packs, dog backpacks are much more exposed to wear and tear, especially as dogs move much lower to the ground. Their packs regularly rub against rocks, rough vegetation, and trail debris and can even be rolled on when dogs rest or play. Choosing a pack made from durable, tear-resistant materials ensures that the gear stays intact and the contents protected - even in the middle of a long hike, far from any easy fix.
- Breathability: Adding a backpack over your dog can increase their heat load, as it covers large areas of their body. Packs must ventilate heat effectively to keep them safe and comfortable. Using light-colored, breathable materials helps reduce heat absorption and supports better airflow, lowering the risk of overheating on warm days or during intense activity.
- Ease of use: Quick on/off transitions matter on the trail. Choose a model with reliable buckles and adjustable fittings that can be handled quickly.
Which backpack is best for my dog?
Choosing the right dog backpack for your dog depends on your activity type and the duration of your adventures.
For strength training, any well-designed backpack can work. The key is selecting one with enough volume to match your training goals.
For day hikes & speed – Trail light dog backpack
The Trail light dog backpack is designed for active dogs on day hikes and fast-paced activities. This ultralight pack (351 g in size M) moves fluidly with your dog, with streamlined pockets that avoid shoulder interference and a built-in Y-shaped harness that is highly adjustable and maintains stability without restricting movement or breathing.
Its standout feature is breathability: the Hexivent mesh on the belly and upper panels ensures airflow and quick drying, while the reflective grey color reduces heat absorption. The ergonomic handle adds control and support for technical terrain.
Discover the Trail light dog backpack
For overnight hiking trips - Trail quest dog backpack
When you're venturing out for a weekend hiking trip, the Trail quest dog backpack provides the volume, comfort, and smart storage your dog needs to share the load. With 16 liters of storage (in size M), its two large soft-lined compartments can carry food, water, a jacket, sleeping gear, and first aid supplies. Dual top pockets offer convenient access to high-use items like treats, a leash, or booties.
The built-in Y-shaped harness guarantees ergonomic movement, while a smart compression system minimizes bounce and lifts the load away from the shoulders. Adjustable straps - both inside and outside the compartments - allow for a truly custom fit. Whether your dog is climbing up hills or walking along open trails, the fit stays stable and centered. Rear and neck leash attachment points give you flexible control options on the move, and the sturdy handle offers reliable lifting support when navigating obstacles.
Discover the Trail quest dog backpack
For expeditions and treks – Amundsen pack
If you are planning to go backpacking with your dog on a multi-day trek and need the most durable and reliable backpack for your dog, the Amundsen pack will never disappoint. This explorer’s performance pack offers massive storage capacity (30L in size M) with two rolltop saddle bags reinforced at the bottom by aramid fiber, to resist abrasion from thorny vegetation and rocks.
A durable ripstop cover shields the bags and includes two quick-access top pockets and a transparent window for a compass, map, or contact information. The highly adjustable compression system lifts weight off the shoulders and elbows, preserving your dog’s freedom to move. With multiple adjustment points and a sliding leash loop, it stays balanced even when your dog pulls with power.
Can any dog wear a backpack?
Healthy adult dogs of any size can wear a backpack if it fits properly. But there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Young dogs (<2 years) should not wear a loaded pack to protect their joints. They can wear an empty pack to get used to it.
- Senior dogs may benefit from wearing a pack, but keep loads light to avoid strain.
When in doubt, consult your veterinarian.
How much weight can my dog carry?
The amount of weight a dog can carry varies with their size, fitness level, and training history. Begin slowly, letting your dog wear an empty pack before gradually adding weight.
As a general guide:
- Beginners: 5-10% of body weight
- Active dogs: 15-20% of their body weight comfortably
- Experienced, strong dogs: 30-50% of their body weight, with proper conditioning
You can seek advice from your veterinarian to help you determine how much your dog should carry and set up a training plan if needed.
How should a dog backpack fit?
A dog backpack should fit snugly to avoid twisting, chafing, or breathing restrictions. Here’s what to check:
- Chest bone: The lowest point of the neck opening should sit directly on your dog’s chest bone.
- Armpits: Ensure enough room behind the front legs so your dog can move freely without rubbing.
- Chest & shoulders: For medium-sized dogs, you should be able to slide two vertical fingers between the straps and their body. Adjust accordingly, more space for larger dogs, less for smaller ones.
- Ribs: Side straps should lie along the rib cage and never past the last rib. If heading downhill, tighten the straps slightly to stop the pack from sliding forward.
Balanced weight is key to comfort and keeping injuries at bay. Before putting the backpack on, rest it on your arm or thigh when sitting, to check whether one side is heavier. Once your dog is wearing it, observe how it moves for the first few minutes. If it leans to one side, add small rocks or items on the lighter side to balance it out.
How to pack a dog backpack?
- Start by laying out all your dog's gear and organizing it into two piles of roughly equal weight.
- Place heavier items at the front of each saddlebag, as close to your dog’s shoulders and body as possible. This supports efficient load bearing and reduces strain on the spine.
- Fill out the rest of the space with the lighter items. Avoid placing sharp or hard-edged items next to the body to prevent pressure points.
- Tighten the compression straps after packing to stabilize the load, keeping it secure and clear from your dog’s shoulders and elbows.
Pro tip: Pre-portion food in sealed bags for balance and convenience. Carry fragile or important items like electronics or medication in your own backpack.
How Non-stop dogwear backpacks keep shoulders free
Our larger backpacks are purpose-built with advanced compression systems that lift the load away from your dog’s shoulders, preserving natural movement and long-term comfort, even over rugged terrain. In the Trail light dog backpack, the sculpted shape is specifically engineered to avoid interference with the front legs.
Every element is developed through rigorous testing and careful iteration by our product development team to ensure that fit, function, and freedom are never compromised. The result is gear that performs under pressure and supports your dog in every step of the adventure.
Are dog backpacks waterproof?
Hiking packs for dogs, much like human ones, are not fully waterproof. However, they are treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish that shields the contents from light rain without trapping moisture inside. This keeps the backpack lightweight and more comfortable for your dog. For full waterproofing, store gear in dry bags inside the compartments. It’s a smart idea, especially if your dog enjoys cooling off in puddles.
How long can my dog wear a backpack?
Most dogs can comfortably wear a backpack for 1-3 hours at a time, depending on temperature, terrain, and weight. Always include rest breaks and check for any signs of discomfort along the way.
How to clean my dog’s backpack?
After muddy or sandy adventures, rinse out the inner lining to remove particles that could cause chafing. Let it air dry in a well-ventilated space. For a deeper clean, empty all pockets, close zippers and buckles, and loosen any cords. You can machine-wash the backpack at 30 °C in a laundry bag with low tumble, or simply handwash it.