Price Range: $50 - $100

The Ruffwear Approach is a durable, lightweight dog backpack that securely utilizes comfortable straps with five separate points of physical adjustment. The heavy-duty fabric is intentionally designed to remain highly breathable in hot tropical environments, and it cleverly features a thick padded handle running directly along the spine.

Why it's Onboard

Our Australian Shepherd, Rose, comes along for all of our outdoor adventures, and you will generally notice her wearing this exact pack when we’re out - it carries her water and some first aid gear. Having tried a couple other designs, we love this specific backpack so much that we actually keep a second, brand-new replacement aboard, just in case anything ever happens to her original one.

Real-world Verdict

Despite being constantly dragged up sharp rocks and completely submerged through muddy waterholes, the fabric has lasted well, and the back handle makes it easier to give her a boost over obstacles. After 5 years of near daily use she has managed to wear a couple holes in the side, but one fabric patch later the bag is up and running. The zippers are fine, the back handle has held strong and there’s no corrosion on the metal lead connector.

If your dog isn't used to wearing a pack, always start them out completely empty to slowly build confidence. It’s also important to follow the manufacturer's advice and ensure your dog never carries more than 25% of its total body weight.

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