The Best Dog Backpacks of 2025

Dog backpacks are more than cute accessories — they allow your pooch to haul adventure necessities like food and water. Whether you’re heading out for a rugged day hike, a weekend backpacking trip, or just a stroll around the neighborhood, the best dog backpacks can make the journey smoother for both you and your four-legged friend.

Our lead tester, Meghan LaHatte, put these packs through the wringer with the help of her pup, Opa. GearJunkie Editor, Chris Kassar, and her pup, Nala, also put a few backpacks to the test. These pairs frolicked through miles of Wyoming and Colorado backcountry, carefully assessing the comfort, functionality, and durability of numerous dog pack styles.

The Ruffwear Approach Dog Pack ranked as our best overall because it’s simple, comfortable, and durable. If you’re looking for something lighter that’s ideal for your running partner, consider the Ultimate Direction Dog Vest.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Dog Backpacks guide on May 15, 2025, by updating information on our testing procedures. and adding the freshly field-tested Himal Outdoors Dog Backpack, which received our best budget award.

Other Dog Backpacks We’re Wild About

Dog Backpacks Comparison Chart

How We Tested Dog Backpacks

Our Expert Testers

We love our pups here at GearJunkie. And there’s nothing more we love than bringing them along on our excursions, which is why we’ve put good effort into finding the perfect dog backpacks so they can carry a bit of their own kit on the go. No dog is the same as the next, which is why we’ve tested dog packs from across the spectrum to find a pup backpack that’ll work for any furry best friend.

Leading the testing front for this guide is Meghan LaHatte, a contributing writer based in Colorado. Growing up, Meghan can’t recall a day when she didn’t have a dog by her side. This holds true even now, with her two rescues, Opa and Ellie, both large shepherd mixes.

As an avid adventurer who loves to hike and backpack with her four-legged friends, Meghan understands the importance of having the best dog backpack and what works best for different breeds and personalities.

Our Testing Grounds & Process

While testing these packs, we paid special attention to how our pups carried a load, knowing that an uneven carry can be an uncomfortable way for your dog to spend a day. We also noted overall capacity, padding, and comfort, as well as the trustworthiness of the leash attachments, which can all make or break a good dog backpack.

Much of our testing took place while hiking and climbing in Colorado. After miles of trail (and a good number of treats), we’ve assembled our list of the best dog backpacks available today. As new packs hit the market, we’ll saddle up our pups for testing and update our list with the latest and greatest to hit the trails. If you want to fully kit out your dog, check out our guides to the best dog collars, dog leashes, and dog life jackets.  

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dog Backpack

There’s a lot to consider when purchasing a pack for your best buddy. Read on for comprehensive advice on pack size, fit, value, and much more.

Capacity

The whole point of buying a backpack for your dog is so it can carry gear. So, getting a pack that can’t hold much more than a few poop bags doesn’t make sense.

A backpack with a 3 – 5L capacity, like the Ruffwear Front Range Day Pack, usually does the trick here. If you’ve got a beefy dog and you’re going on a multiday backpacking trip, consider a larger pack. We’ve got packs on this list that can go up to 24 L in capacity. For example, the Ruffwear Approach Dog Pack should provide enough space to carry everything your dog needs.

Load Dispersion

Your dog is not going to enjoy carrying an uneven load. If their pack carries weight unevenly in any direction, your dog will, at best, be uncomfortable. At worst, this can cause an injury. Look for a pack that carries its load evenly on both sides.

Also, make sure the weight is carried well from front to back. Any good dog backpack has even capacity on both sides and carries the weight closer to the shoulders for solid support. Due to its compression straps, we were especially impressed by the load dispersion on Ruffwear’s Palisades Dog Pack.

Weight

As a general rule of thumb, a dog should carry no more than 25% of its body weight. Keep in mind that number is the maximum amount. Depending on your dog’s age and fitness level, this number can vary from 10% up to 25%.

Some breeds are better at carrying more weight. Puppies and senior dogs are going to need lighter loads. Keep an eye on your dog while you hike. If it looks like he’s flagging or uncomfortable, be ready to take some of his load and carry it in your pack.

If you are worried about overbearing your pup with weight on that next adventure, try grabbing a backpack with removable saddle bags like the Terrain Dog Lightweight Adventure Pack. This will allow you to remove the bags for periodic breaks without having to take off the entire harness.

Leash Attachment Points

Whether or not you let your four-legged buddy run free on the trail, there will be times when you need to put a leash on. Ensure the pack you buy for your dog has at least one attachment point. Many have two points of attachment — one near the shoulder blades and one on the back near the tail.

And while it only has one leash attachment point, we were ultimately impressed by the Lifeunion Saddle Bag backpack for its super tough rear D-ring.

Many people prefer to use the leash attachment on the front because some dogs tend to pull more when the leash is closer to the dog’s tail. For shorter walks and day trips, consider the simplicity of a dog harness.

Fit & Comfort

Your first concern when shopping for a pack is making sure your dog is comfortable. Look for features like padded straps and mesh material. The padded straps help reduce chafing and irritation during longer hikes. The mesh or sweat-wicking material helps protect your dog from overheating.

Make sure the load is distributed evenly so your dog doesn’t have to compensate for it on the hike. The biggest factor in preventing discomfort is making sure the pack fits your dog.

How to Measure Your Dog for a Backpack

Most websites list the varying sizes and associate them with a dog’s weight. However, dogs come in all shapes and sizes. The best way to fit your dog is to get the proper measurements.

Use a piece of string or a flexible tape measure to find the circumference of your dog’s upper neck, lower neck, and chest. After that, measure your dog’s length from the tail to the chest.

Compare those measurements to the dog pack you’re considering to find the right size. Keep in mind that some packs won’t work for certain dogs, like those with small necks and deep chests. Also, consider your dog’s coat thickness, as that can affect the fit and comfort of a dog pack. 

When you get the pack, try it on your dog and adjust as necessary to make sure it fits. When fitting the pack, follow the two-finger rule. If the straps are snug but leave room for two fingers between the gear and your dog, it’s a good fit. Be sure to keep any fur out of the zippers or buckles to prevent any pinches or itchiness for your pooch.

Tips for Using Dog Backpacks

Start With Short Hikes & Low Weight

No matter how fit your dog is, carrying a lot of weight over a long distance right away will come as a shock. Just like training for a long run, it’s good to ease your dog into carrying a pack. If you find your dog is wary or skittish of putting the backpack on, try giving it treats and positive reinforcement when pulling the pack out for use. 

Once on, start with short walks with an empty backpack. This will help your dog get used to wearing a pack. Then, add weight and distance as you go.

If you’re planning a specific trip, it’s a good idea to work your way up to distances and weights close to what your dog will carry on the trip. As the trip date approaches, keep adding distance and weight. This can go a long way toward ensuring that your furry friend enjoys his time outside.

Keep It Snug & Secure

Nothing can ruin your hike like chafing and irritation. The same goes for your dog. Make sure the pack fits properly and securely, following the two-finger rule above.

Straps can loosen as you hike. Make sure you check your dog’s straps occasionally and adjust them as necessary.

Pick the Right Size Pack

A huge part of avoiding chafing and hot spots is ensuring your dog’s pack is the right size. Most websites offer different sizes according to weight. This is a good start.

Compare the specs listed on the pack’s website to ensure a good fit. Then, when you get the pack, check its fit before you go out.

Adjust the straps so you can fit two fingers between your dog and the strap. This ensures a snug fit that isn’t too tight.

Know Your Dog

Weight and size are only two factors when deciding on the right pack for your dog. When shopping around, consider factors like age and health.

Puppies and senior dogs need to carry less weight. Consider a smaller pack that can hold around 10-15% of your dog’s weight. The same goes for if your dog is out of shape or recovering from sickness or injury.

Disposition is also a factor. If you have a more rambunctious dog, consider a burlier harness and a sturdy top handle. This will help you keep control of your dog if you encounter other animals on the trail.

Price & Value

Of course, shop for a dog backpack that fits within your budget. In general, more expensive packs tend to have more bells and whistles. But there are many quality packs in the mid-to-low price range. Expect to spend from $75 to $100 for a comfortable, durable pack that sports some solid features. Larger, more feature-rich packs can cost closer to $150.

Budget

At less than 40 bucks, these backpacks are great for day hikes and lighter use. Our top budget pick, the Himal Outdoors Dog Backpack ($30), is also one of the most durable, and it has a lot of room and some handy features.

Mid-Tier

Expect to spend $60 to $100 for a comfortable, durable pack with solid features. Packs such as our top value pick, the Wilderdog Dog Backpack ($69), and our best overall pick, the Ruffwear Approach Dog Pack ($99), fall in this range. They’re long-lasting, easily and highly adjustable, and extremely comfortable so Fido can adventure for the long haul.

Premium

Larger, more feature-rich packs like the Ruffwear’s Palisades Dog Pack can cost closer to $150. It offers large capacity carrying options, comfort and visibility features. However, if you’re not going on multi-day adventures often, this may be overkill.

If you’re unsure what kind of pack to get for your dog, look at the budget options listed above. You can always start with an inexpensive pack and upgrade when you know what features you want. If you’re not sure what kind of pack to get for your dog,

Frequently Asked Questions