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The EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate is our top pick among the collapsible crates compared here, because EliteField is one of the few makers that actually publishes a folded thickness: it states the crate folds down to 3 inches and sets up without tools. Note that it is a soft-sided crate, 600D fabric and hex mesh over a steel tube frame, so it suits crate-trained dogs rather than determined escape artists. Most crate makers do not publish a maximum dog weight, so size a crate to your dog’s measured length and height rather than to a weight rating.
Finding the perfect balance between portability and durability in a collapsible dog travel crate shouldn’t feel like solving a puzzle every time you want to hit the trail. The wrong collapsible crate can turn your outdoor prep into a frustrating ordeal of bent metal and stubborn latches when you’re trying to pack efficiently for weekend camping trips or need emergency travel gear.
This guide compares the specifications each manufacturer publishes for its own product. We do not test crates. Where a maker publishes a figure, we name the maker and quote the figure. Where a maker publishes nothing, we say so rather than estimate, because collapsed thickness, setup time and weight capacity are the three numbers crate brands most often leave out.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through our links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear that meets our research criteria.
Quick Picks: Top Collapsible Dog Travel Crates
Best Overall: EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate – soft-sided, three mesh doors (top, front and side), folds to 3 inches per EliteField
Best Budget: Amazon Basics Folding Metal Dog Crate – plain coated steel wire in six sizes from 22 to 48 inches, with removable tray and divider panel
Best for Large, Powerful Dogs: ProSelect Empire Cage – 20-gauge steel reinforced with half-inch tubes, built for dogs that break out of lighter crates. It is a heavy stationary cage on casters, not a crate you carry to a campsite.
How We Researched These Collapsible Dog Travel Crates
We do not test crates and we do not own the models below. This comparison is built from what each manufacturer publishes on its own product pages and official retail listings, checked in August 2026.
Three specifications decide whether a collapsible crate works for travel: what it is made of, what sizes it comes in, and how flat it folds. Only the first two are reliably published. Folded thickness is published by almost nobody, so where you see no figure below, it is because the maker does not state one.
Weight capacity is the specification to be most careful with. Wire and fabric crate makers generally do not publish a maximum dog weight at all. MidWest is the exception: it lists a recommended dog weight range per size. Any other crate weight rating you see quoted online, including on this site before this correction, should be treated as somebody’s guess.
EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate
EliteField 3-Door Folding Dog Crate
Best for: Dog owners who prioritize easy access and quick setup for frequent travel
Correction (23 August 2026): an earlier version of this section described this crate as steel wire with an electro-coat finish, listed seven sizes from 24 to 48 inches, gave a product weight of 22 to 45 pounds and said it supports dogs up to 125 pounds. All of that was wrong. EliteField publishes this as a soft-sided crate and publishes no dog weight rating at all. The specifications below are EliteField’s own.
Key specs published by EliteField: soft-sided crate, 600D fabric and hex mesh cover over a steel tube frame; five sizes at 20, 24, 30, 36 and 42 inches long; three mesh doors on the top, front and side, with zipper locks on the front and side doors; folds down to 3 inches; supplied with a carrying bag and fleece bed; no maximum dog weight published
The three-door layout is the reason to pick this one. Top access matters in a car trunk or a low tent where you cannot swing a front door open, and it is easier on a dog that balks at walking into a box. EliteField says the crate arrives fully assembled and folds down without tools. Because the cover is fabric and the doors close with zippers, this is a crate for a dog that already settles in a crate. A dog that works at zippers will get through them.
What users love:
– Three access points make loading anxious dogs significantly easier
– Folds completely flat with secure carrying handle for transport
– Heavy-duty construction supports active dogs without flex or wobble
Trade-offs: Fabric and mesh give up security to save weight. There is no rigid shell, so this will not hold a dog that is panicking or actively trying to get out, and the zippers are the weak point rather than the frame. Fabric also cleans less easily than a coated wire crate after a muddy weekend. EliteField publishes no weight rating, which means you have to size by your dog’s measurements and judge the security question yourself.
The three-door access and the published 3-inch fold are what earn this the top spot for crate-trained dogs that travel. Check the EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate on Amazon for current pricing and size availability.
AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate
AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate
Best for: Budget-conscious owners who need reliable basic functionality
Key specs published by Amazon: coated metal wire construction; six sizes at 22, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 inches long; single-door and double-door versions; removable plastic tray, divider panel and carry handle; folds flat for storage. Amazon does not publish a folded thickness, a setup time or a maximum dog weight for this crate, and the 22-inch model is listed at 10.3 pounds rather than the 18-pound floor this article previously claimed.
This is the plain version of the wire crate. One front door on the single-door model, slide-bolt latches, a tray you can pull out and hose off. The divider panel is the genuinely useful part if you are buying ahead for a puppy, because it lets you buy the adult size once and shrink the usable space until the dog grows into it.
What users love:
– Widely stocked in six sizes, so the size you need is usually available
– Sturdy wire construction handles moderate use without bending
– Includes removable plastic tray and carrying handle
Trade-offs: The single door can make loading reluctant dogs more challenging, and the basic latch mechanism occasionally requires adjustment to maintain secure closure after 6-8 months of regular use. Wire spacing may be too wide for very small dogs or puppies, and the powder coating shows wear faster than electro-coat finishes in wet conditions.
For occasional crate use without extra features, this is the straightforward choice and our value pick. Check the Amazon Basics Folding Metal Dog Crate on Amazon for current pricing across the size range.
ProSelect Empire Cage
ProSelect Empire Dog Cage
Best for: Large breed owners who need maximum security and durability
Correction (23 August 2026): an earlier version of this section said the Empire Cage uses 11-gauge steel, comes in four sizes from 36 to 54 inches, weighs 35 to 65 pounds, folds to 5 inches and is rated by the manufacturer for dogs up to 150 pounds. Every one of those figures was wrong. ProSelect publishes 20-gauge steel, two sizes, and no weight rating, and the cage is far heavier than stated. Corrected specifications follow.
Key specs published by ProSelect: a three-quarter-inch frame forged from 20-gauge steel reinforced by half-inch diameter steel tubes; two sizes only, Medium at 37 x 25.125 x 33.75 inches and Large at 42.25 x 30.75 x 41.25 inches outside; floor grate, steel tray and four removable locking casters; boxed weight 89 pounds for the Medium and 158 pounds for the Large. ProSelect publishes no maximum dog weight and no folded thickness.
ProSelect describes this as built “specifically for powerful dogs that are able to claw or chew their way out of other cages and crate.” That is the honest use case: a dog that has already destroyed something lighter. The welds and the dual door latches are the point.
What users love:
– Welded heavy-duty construction aimed at dogs that have broken out of lighter crates
– Stout dual door latches
– Floor grate, steel tray and four removable locking casters included
Trade-offs, and an important caveat about this list: at a boxed weight of 89 pounds for the Medium and 158 pounds for the Large, and shipped on casters, this is a stationary cage for a home, a kennel or a garage. It is not a crate you fold into a car for a weekend. ProSelect does not publish a folded thickness and does not present it as a flat-fold travel crate. It stays in this guide because it is the right answer for a genuinely destructive large dog, but if portability is what you came for, it is the wrong product and one of the wire crates above will serve you better.
Only two sizes exist, so check the published inside dimensions against your dog before ordering. Check the ProSelect Empire Cage on Amazon for current pricing.
Petmate Two Door Top Load Dog Kennel
Petmate Two Door Top Load Dog Kennel
Correction (23 August 2026): this section was wrong about the product itself, not merely about its numbers. We described the Petmate Two Door Top Load Kennel as a soft-sided fabric crate with a zippered top opening and mesh panels, in four sizes from 24 to 36 inches, folding to 6 inches, suitable for dogs up to 70 pounds. It is none of those things. Petmate’s Two Door Top Load Kennel is a rigid moulded plastic carrier with a steel wire door. It does not fold or collapse at all, and Petmate rates it for pets up to 15 pounds. If you bought this on the strength of our earlier description, it will not do what we said it would, and it should not have appeared in a guide to collapsible crates. We have left the section in place rather than quietly deleting it.
Best for: small dogs and cats up to 15 pounds travelling in a rigid carrier. Not a collapsible crate.
Key specs published by Petmate: heavy-duty EcoTEC plastic made in the USA from a minimum of 90 percent pre-consumer recycled material, with a steel wire front door; two commonly listed sizes, 19 inch (interior 16.75 x 11 x 9.25 inches, up to about 10 pounds) and 24 inch (interior 21 x 14.5 x 13.5 inches, 5 to 15 pounds); wing-nut and bolt assembly; vents on all sides and the top; ergonomic carry handle. It does not fold flat.
Taken on its own terms it is a sound small-pet carrier. Top loading genuinely does help with a cat or a small dog that braces in the doorway of a front-entry carrier, and the top and front doors both open. What it cannot do is pack down, and it cannot hold a medium or large dog.
What the maker highlights:
– Top and front loading, useful for a pet that resists a front-only door
– Vents on all sides and the top for ventilation and visibility
– Moulded from recycled EcoTEC plastic, made in the USA
Trade-offs: it is rigid, so it takes the same space in your car empty as full, and Petmate’s 15-pound ceiling rules out most dogs. The wing-nut and bolt shell has to be unbolted to break down, which is a workshop job rather than a tailgate one.
If you have a small dog or a cat and you want a rigid carrier, it is worth a look. If you came to this page for something that folds, skip it. Check the Petmate Two Door Top Load Kennel on Amazon for current pricing and sizes.
Midwest iCrate Double Door Folding Metal Dog Crate
Midwest iCrate Double Door Folding Metal Dog Crate
Best for: Owners seeking proven reliability with dual access convenience
Key specs published by MidWest: steel wire with a durable satin black electro-coat finish; sizes from 18 to 48 inches long (22, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 inch are the main line); slide-bolt latches; folds flat with no tools; leak-proof removable plastic pan, floor-protecting rubber feet, carry handle and a free divider panel. MidWest is the one maker here that publishes a recommended dog weight per size: roughly 7 to 12 pounds at 22 inches, 25 to 40 pounds at 30 inches, 41 to 70 pounds at 36 inches and 71 to 90 pounds at 42 inches.
Those per-size weight ranges are the reason to start here if you are unsure what size your dog needs. They are the manufacturer’s own guidance rather than a reviewer’s estimate, which is rarer than it should be in this category. The double-door version adds a side door, useful when the crate sits against a wall or in a car footwell where the front cannot swing clear.
What users love:
– Published dog weight range for every size, so sizing is not guesswork
– Slide-bolt latches and a satin black electro-coat finish
– Front and side access doors on the double-door version
Trade-offs: it costs more than the plainest wire crates without offering three-door access or reinforced welds. MidWest publishes no folded thickness and no product weight, so if the packed dimensions matter for your car you will have to measure it yourself once it arrives. The largest size is 48 inches; there is no 54-inch iCrate, contrary to what this article said previously.
The published per-size weight guidance makes this the safest pick if you are buying without the dog in front of you. Check the MidWest iCrate Double Door on Amazon for current pricing by size.
SportPet Pop Open Kennel
SportPet Pop Open Kennel
Best for: Ultra-light travel where every ounce matters
Key specs published by SportPet: a soft-sided mesh body with a secure metal gate that pops open and collapses flat for storage; sizes run from a medium up to a 36 x 21.5 x 21.5 inch extra-large; the large Pop Crate is listed at roughly 5.7 pounds; SportPet lists the medium and large for pets up to 50 pounds and the extra-large for dogs up to 70 pounds; seatbelt straps and a washable waterproof pad are included on current listings. SportPet does not publish a collapsed thickness or a setup time.
The appeal is the mechanism. It springs open rather than being assembled, and it folds down to something you can slide behind a car seat. The mesh body ventilates well in warm weather and the metal gate is the only rigid part.
What users love:
– Light enough to carry as a spare rather than a fixture
– Pops open rather than needing assembly
– Collapses flat for storage, with seatbelt straps for car use
Trade-offs: a mesh body on a flexible frame will not hold a dog that is determined to leave, whatever its published size rating, so this is for a dog that already settles in a crate. Mesh is also harder to clean than a coated wire crate and easier to tear on rough ground. Note that this article previously capped it at dogs under 40 pounds; SportPet’s own listings go to 50 pounds for the medium and large and 70 pounds for the extra-large.
Good as a packable spare for a settled dog, wrong as a primary crate. Check the SportPet Pop Open Kennel on Amazon for current pricing and sizes.
Carlson Pet Products Secure and Foldable Single Door Metal Dog Crate
Carlson Pet Secure and Foldable Single Door Metal Dog Crate
Best for: Security-focused owners who prioritize escape prevention
Key specs published by Carlson: a single front door with a multi-point locking system; five sizes, Small at 24 x 18 x 20.5 inches, Medium at 30 x 19 x 21.5 inches, Intermediate at 36 x 23 x 25.5 inches, Large at 42 x 28 x 30.5 inches and Extra-Large at 48 x 30 x 32.5 inches; removable washable pan; folds nearly flat for travel and storage. Carlson publishes no wire gauge, no product weight and no folded thickness.
Carlson sizes this range by the dog’s length and height rather than by weight, which is a more useful way to size a crate: the Small suits breeds up to 22 inches long and 16 inches tall, the Medium up to 24 by 20 inches, the Large up to 32 by 25 inches and the Extra-Large up to 36 by 28 inches. Measure your dog and match those numbers rather than guessing from a weight figure.
What users love:
– Multi-point locking system on the single front door
– Sized by the dog’s length and height, which is easier to match than a weight rating
– Folds nearly flat, with a removable washable pan
Trade-offs: one door only, so you cannot choose an approach angle the way you can with a double-door or three-door crate, and in a tight car boot that matters. Carlson publishes no gauge or weight figures, so there is no way to compare its wire thickness against another brand on paper. Multi-point latches are also more fiddly than a single slide-bolt with cold hands, which is worth knowing before winter camping.
The multi-point lock and the length-and-height sizing are the reasons to choose this over a plain single-door crate. Check the Carlson Secure and Foldable Single Door Crate on Amazon for current pricing across the five sizes.
Comparison Table: Collapsible Dog Travel Crates
| Product | Construction | Published sizes | Folded thickness | Maker’s dog guidance | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EliteField 3-Door Soft Crate | 600D fabric and hex mesh on steel tube frame | 20, 24, 30, 36, 42 in | 3 in (EliteField) | None published | Three mesh doors: top, front, side |
| Amazon Basics Folding Metal Crate | Coated steel wire | 22, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 in | Not published | None published | Removable tray and divider panel |
| ProSelect Empire Cage | 20-gauge steel with half-inch tubes | Medium and Large only | Not published; not a flat-fold travel crate | None published | Welded construction, locking casters |
| Petmate Two Door Top Load Kennel | Rigid EcoTEC plastic, steel wire door | 19 in and 24 in | Does not fold | Pets up to 15 lb (Petmate) | Top and front loading |
| MidWest iCrate Double Door | Steel wire, satin black electro-coat | 18 to 48 in | Not published | 7-12 lb at 22 in up to 71-90 lb at 42 in (MidWest) | Slide-bolt latches, folds flat, divider panel |
| SportPet Pop Open Kennel | Mesh body with metal gate | Medium up to 36 in extra-large | Not published | Up to 50 lb; extra-large up to 70 lb (SportPet) | Pops open, collapses flat |
| Carlson Secure and Foldable | Steel wire, gauge not published | 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 in | Not published | Sized by dog length and height, not weight | Multi-point locking system |
Every figure above is the manufacturer’s own published specification or is marked as not published. Price, product weight and setup time columns were removed from this table on 23 August 2026 because no manufacturer on this list publishes those figures, and the numbers previously shown here were not sourced.
Types of Collapsible Dog Travel Crates
Wire and metal folding crates are the mainstream choice: open sides for ventilation and visibility, a rigid structure, and a fold-flat action with no tools. MidWest, Amazon Basics and Carlson all describe their crates as folding flat, but none of the three publishes a folded thickness, so treat any specific figure you see quoted as unverified.
Soft-sided folding crates trade security for weight and pack size. EliteField and SportPet both build a fabric or mesh body over a metal frame. EliteField is unusual in publishing a folded figure, 3 inches. The security limitation is real rather than theoretical: zippers and mesh are the exit route, so these suit a dog that already settles in a crate.
Rigid plastic carriers such as the Petmate kennel above are sometimes filed under travel crates, but they do not collapse at all. They are worth considering for small pets in a car, and not worth considering if pack size is the reason you are shopping.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Collapsible Dog Travel Crate
Size the crate by measurement, not by weight. Measure your dog standing and lying down and compare those numbers against the maker’s published interior dimensions. Carlson sizes its whole range by dog length and height, and MidWest publishes a weight range per size. Those two are the exception. For everything else there is no published rating to match your dog against, which is precisely why measuring is the reliable method.
Check what the maker actually publishes before trusting a number. The three specifications buyers most want, folded thickness, setup time and maximum dog weight, are the three most often absent from manufacturer pages. A confident figure with no maker behind it is somebody’s estimate. Of the seven products here, only EliteField publishes a folded thickness and only MidWest publishes per-size dog weights.
Materials tell you more than a gauge number will. MidWest publishes a satin black electro-coat finish and ProSelect publishes 20-gauge steel with half-inch reinforcing tubes; most other brands publish neither. Where a gauge is not published you cannot compare wire thickness on paper, so judge on construction type instead: welded and reinforced for a destructive dog, plain folding wire for a settled one, fabric only for a dog that does not test the door.
Portability is about the whole package, not the fold. A carry handle, an included bag and a genuine flat fold matter more than a small difference in thickness. Weight matters too, and it is easy to underestimate: the ProSelect Empire Cage ships at 89 pounds boxed in Medium and 158 pounds in Large, which puts it in a different category from anything else on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Collapsible Dog Travel Crates
How much weight can a collapsible dog travel crate hold?
Most crate manufacturers do not publish a weight capacity at all, so this question usually has no vendor answer. MidWest is the main exception and publishes a recommended dog weight range per size, roughly 7 to 12 pounds at 22 inches up to 71 to 90 pounds at 42 inches. SportPet lists its Pop Open Kennel for pets up to 50 pounds and the extra-large for dogs up to 70 pounds, and Petmate rates its Two Door Top Load Kennel for pets up to 15 pounds. For any crate without a published rating, size by your dog’s measured length and height instead.
Can collapsible dog travel crates be used for crate training?
Yes, collapsible dog travel crates work excellently for crate training, especially wire models that provide good visibility and ventilation. Ensure the crate has secure latches that won’t accidentally release during use, and choose appropriate sizing that prevents elimination behavior.
How flat do collapsible dog travel crates fold?
Very few makers publish a figure. EliteField states its 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate folds down to 3 inches, and that is the only published folded thickness among the products compared here. MidWest, Amazon Basics, Carlson and SportPet all describe their crates as folding flat or collapsing flat without giving a measurement. If the packed thickness is critical for your vehicle, plan to measure it yourself.
Do collapsible dog travel crates come with carrying cases?
Many collapsible dog travel crates include carrying cases or integrated handles, particularly soft-sided models. Wire crates often feature basic carrying handles, with optional carrying cases available separately. Check product specifications as inclusion varies by manufacturer and price point.
Are collapsible dog travel crates airline approved?
Soft-sided collapsible dog travel crates may qualify for airline cabin use if they meet specific size requirements, which vary by airline. Hard-sided collapsible crates typically exceed cabin dimensions but may work for checked cargo travel with proper ventilation modifications.
How do you clean a collapsible dog travel crate?
Wire crates can be cleaned with pet-safe disinfectants and hose rinsing, while soft-sided crates often feature removable, machine-washable fabric covers. Always verify cleaning instructions for specific materials, as some coatings or fabrics require gentle care methods.
What’s the difference between collapsible and folding dog crates?
The terms are often used interchangeably in marketing, but “collapsible” typically refers to crates that fold completely flat, while “folding” may include crates that break down into components without achieving flat storage profiles.
Do collapsible dog travel crates need tools for assembly?
The folding wire crates here do not. MidWest states its iCrate sets up and folds down without tools, Amazon Basics describes its crates as easy to assemble, and EliteField ships its soft crate fully assembled. The Petmate Two Door Top Load Kennel is the exception on this page and uses a wing-nut and bolt shell, but it is a rigid carrier rather than a folding crate. Manufacturers do not generally publish setup times, so treat any stated number of seconds as an estimate rather than a specification.
Final Recommendation: Our Top Pick for Most Dog Owners
If we could recommend only one, it is the EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate (check current pricing on Amazon) – with one condition attached.
The condition is the dog. This is a soft-sided crate: 600D fabric and hex mesh over a steel tube frame, with zipper locks on two of its three doors. For a dog that already settles in a crate, it is the best-documented option on this page. EliteField publishes what almost nobody else does, a folded thickness of 3 inches, and the three mesh doors on the top, front and side solve the real problem of loading a dog in a car boot or a low tent. For a dog that chews, digs or works at zippers, it is the wrong crate and no amount of convenience makes up for that.
If your dog tests the door, go to a folding wire crate instead. The MidWest iCrate is the one to start with, because it is the only crate here that publishes a recommended dog weight for each size, so you can size it correctly before the dog is standing in front of it. If your dog has already destroyed a wire crate, the ProSelect Empire Cage is built for that, but be clear that at 89 to 158 pounds boxed it is a fixture rather than travel gear.