Choosing the best dog backpack for hiking starts with your dog’s chest measurement and the load your dog can carry. This guide reads five packs that dogs wear on the trail, from Ruffwear, Kurgo and Non-stop Dogwear, using only what the makers publish on their product pages.
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.
We do not test products. Everything below comes from the Ruffwear, Kurgo and Non-stop Dogwear product pages, checked on 12 October 2026.
The Five Packs at a Glance
| Product | Sizes and fit, as listed | Carrying, as listed | Price on maker’s store |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruffwear Approach Dog Backpack | XS to L/XL, dog girth 17 to 42 in | 5 L to 21 L; pack weight 0.73 lb to 1.3 lb | $59.99 for a new pack on 12 October 2026 |
| Ruffwear Palisades Pack | XS to L/XL, dog girth 17 to 42 in | 5 L to 21 L; pack weight 15 oz to 1 lb 11 oz | $149.99 for a new pack on 12 October 2026 |
| Ruffwear Front Range Day Pack | XS to L/XL, dog girth 17 to 42 in | 4.5 L to 18.5 L in the size chart; pack weight 0.7 lb to 1.35 lb | $79.99 for a new pack on 12 October 2026 |
| Kurgo Baxter Dog Backpack | Sizes Baxter and Big Baxter; chest 27 to 48 in; dog weight 30 to 110 lbs | Two saddlebags | Check current price |
| Non-stop Dogwear Trail Light Dog Backpack | Sizes XS to XL; chest 15.7 to 42.5 in | Volume 1 L to 12 L; pack weight 167 g to 533 g | Check current price |
Ruffwear prices are the listed prices for new packs on Ruffwear’s product pages on 12 October 2026. Prices change, so check current price before buying.
How We Researched This Guide
We read each product page for capacity, pack weight, sizing, adjustment points, leash attachment points, materials and price. Where a maker publishes guidance on how much weight a dog should carry, the next section cites it by maker.
How Much Weight Can a Dog Carry?
Ruffwear recommends that a dog carry at most 25% of its body weight, counting the pack and its contents, and says a dog new to packs should start with a light load.
For a healthy dog in regular shape that only carries weight occasionally, Non-stop Dogwear recommends a maximum of 5 to 15% of body weight, and says a strong and well-trained dog can carry up to 30% of its own body weight.
Non-stop Dogwear also says a dog should be fully grown, approximately two years of age, and in good shape before it starts to carry weight, and advises you to always start with an empty backpack and add weight gradually over several weeks.
1. Ruffwear Approach Dog Backpack
Suits: what Ruffwear calls “a day hiking and light overnight dog pack.”
Ruffwear lists radial cut, weight-forward saddlebags with “flopper stoppers” to stabilize the pack and contents, and says the saddlebags rest on an integrated harness with a breathable chassis. Ruffwear lists a vertical stash pocket for gear, food and water, and external gear loops for organization. The padded handle and girth straps are there, in Ruffwear’s words, “for controlled and comfortable lifting when your dog needs a boost.”
What the spec sheet says:
- Capacity by size: 5 L (XS), 10 L (S), 13 L (M), 21 L (L/XL)
- Pack weight: 0.73 lb (XS) up to 1.3 lb (L/XL)
- Dog girth: 17 to 42 in across the size range
- Five points of adjustment
- Two leash attachment points: aluminum V-ring and reinforced webbing loop
- Shell: polyester ripstop with DWR and PU coating
- Reflective trim and a light loop
- Care: hand wash with mild detergent, air dry
Drawbacks on paper:
- Ruffwear’s size chart recommends sizing down for a dog in between sizes, so measure your dog’s girth around the rib cage first.
- Ruffwear’s store also lists used packs as separate variants, so check the condition you select at checkout.
Pricing: $59.99 for a new pack on Ruffwear’s product page on 12 October 2026.
Who it suits: In our reading of the specs, dogs on day hikes and light overnights, the use Ruffwear names for this pack.
See the Approach on Ruffwear’s site
2. Ruffwear Palisades Pack
Suits: multi-day trips; Ruffwear says its modular design “is built for multi-day treks.”
Ruffwear says the removable saddlebags “allow for the harness to be worn on its own to lighten the load for stream crossings, trail breaks, or settling in at camp.” The base harness carries low-profile integrated zip pockets, and Ruffwear lists molded and perforated EVA foam back and belly panels, an internal mesh pocket and external gear loops.
What the spec sheet says:
- Capacity by size: 5 L (XS), 10 L (S), 13 L (M), 21 L (L/XL)
- Pack weight: 15 oz (XS) up to 1 lb 11 oz (L/XL)
- Dog girth: 17 to 42 in across the size range
- Six points of adjustment
- Three leash attachment points: aluminum V-ring and reinforced webbing loop on the back, plus a webbing loop on the chest
- Shell: 150 denier polyester with 40% recycled content
- Reflective trim and a light loop
- Care: hand wash with mild detergent, air dry
Drawbacks on paper:
- By the listed capacities, the Palisades size chart shows 5 L to 21 L, the same figures Ruffwear lists for the Approach.
- Ruffwear’s size chart recommends sizing down for a dog in between sizes.
Pricing: $149.99 for a new pack on Ruffwear’s product page on 12 October 2026.
Who it suits: In our reading of the specs, multi-day trips where your dog can wear the harness on its own at camp, since the saddlebags are removable.
See the Palisades on Ruffwear’s site
3. Ruffwear Front Range Day Pack
Suits: what Ruffwear describes as carrying “the day’s provisions on hikes and frontcountry pursuits.”
Ruffwear says the pack combines its radial cut saddlebags with the Front Range Harness platform, with an integrated padded harness and belly strap. There are internal stretch mesh pockets, a low-profile padded handle, and a reinforced webbing loop on the chest that Ruffwear calls “great for redirecting dogs that pull when on leash.”
What the spec sheet says:
- Capacity in the size chart: 4.5 L (XS), 8 L (S), 10.5 L (M), 18.5 L (L/XL)
- Pack weight: 0.7 lb (XS) up to 1.35 lb (L/XL)
- Dog girth: 17 to 42 in across the size range
- Five points of adjustment
- Three leash attachment points: aluminum V-ring on back, reinforced webbing loop on chest, and tow loop
- Shell: polyester ripstop with nonfluorinated DWR and PU coating
- Tonal reflective accents and a light loop
- Care: hand wash with mild detergent, air dry
Drawbacks on paper:
- Ruffwear’s page gives the L/XL capacity as 18.5 L in the size chart and 18L in the capacity list, so check the chart for your size.
- Ruffwear’s size chart recommends sizing up for a dog in between sizes.
Pricing: $79.99 for a new pack on Ruffwear’s product page on 12 October 2026.
Who it suits: In our reading of the specs, day hikes with a dog that pulls on leash, given the chest loop Ruffwear describes for redirecting dogs that pull.
See the Front Range Day Pack on Ruffwear’s site
4. Kurgo Baxter Dog Backpack
Suits: what Kurgo describes as letting your dog “share the load when you’re off on an adventure.”
Kurgo lists eight adjustment points for a near-custom fit and says its two saddlebags “offer liberal room for adventure essentials and balance the load.” The pack has ergonomic spine support, a rear-mounted leash hook, reflective trim, and a large, padded handle on top “for control or extraction.” Kurgo suggests filling it with treats, toys and first aid supplies.
What the spec sheet says:
- Sizes: Baxter and Big Baxter
- Baxter: neck 17 to 24 in, chest 27 to 40 in, dog weight 30 to 85 lbs
- Big Baxter: neck 21 to 33 in, chest 30 to 48 in, dog weight 50 to 110 lbs
- Eight adjustment points
- Two saddlebags
- Rear-mounted leash hook and reflective trim
- Care: machine wash gentle or hand wash, air dry
Drawbacks on paper:
- By the listed dog weights, Kurgo sizes the Baxter Dog Backpack for dogs of 30 to 110 lbs across both sizes.
- Kurgo sizes the pack by neck, chest and dog weight, so take all three measurements before you pick a size.
Pricing: check current price on Kurgo’s product page.
Who it suits: In our reading of the specs, dogs of 30 to 110 lbs by the listed dog weight, with a large, padded handle on top “for control or extraction.”
See the Baxter on Kurgo’s site
5. Non-stop Dogwear Trail Light Dog Backpack
Suits: what Non-stop Dogwear describes as a dog backpack that is “so lightweight and non-restrictive.”
Non-stop Dogwear says the pack is modeled from a dog harness, with a Y-shaped neck and two water-resistant side pockets. Bungee cords on the sides (sizes M to XL only) and on top give extra storage, and the page lists open mesh on the top and Hexivent material on the belly panel. The backpack has four protected side-release buckles and a sturdy handle.
What the spec sheet says:
- Volume: 1 L (XS) up to 12 L (XL)
- Weight: 167 g (XS) up to 533 g (XL)
- Chest circumference: 15.7 to 42.5 in across sizes XS to XL
- Neck circumference: 11.4 to 33.1 in across sizes XS to XL
- Outer fabric: polyester; padding: EVA
- Reflective printing
- Four protected side-release buckles
- Care: gentle machine wash
Drawbacks on paper:
- Non-stop Dogwear’s FAQ answers that the pockets are not removable: “no, the pockets are integrated.”
- The side bungee cords come on sizes M to XL only, per the product page.
Pricing: check current price on Non-stop Dogwear’s product page.
Who it suits: In our reading of the specs, active dogs carrying a small load, given the volume of 1 L to 12 L and the maker’s note on comfort “during active use.”
See the Trail Light on Non-stop Dogwear’s site
How to Choose a Dog Backpack for Hiking
Measure first
Ruffwear sizes its packs by dog girth, measured around the rib cage. Kurgo lists neck, chest and dog weight for the Baxter, and Non-stop Dogwear asks you to measure your dog’s neck and chest circumference and follow its size chart.
Match the volume to the trip
On the spec sheets, the capacity or volume runs from 1 L for the XS Trail Light up to 21 L for the L/XL Approach and Palisades. Ruffwear names the Approach for day hikes and light overnights, the Palisades for multi-day treks, and the Front Range Day Pack for hikes and frontcountry pursuits.
Check the handle and leash points
On the spec sheet, Ruffwear lists a padded handle on the Approach and the Palisades and a low-profile padded handle on the Front Range Day Pack, Kurgo lists a large, padded handle on the Baxter, and Non-stop Dogwear lists a sturdy handle on the Trail Light. On the spec sheet, the Palisades and the Front Range Day Pack each list three leash attachment points, including a webbing loop on the chest, and the Approach lists two.
Compare the prices
Comparing the listed prices, new Ruffwear packs cost $59.99 for the Approach, $79.99 for the Front Range Day Pack and $149.99 for the Palisades. For the Kurgo and Non-stop Dogwear packs, check current price on the maker’s page.
Plan what goes in
Kurgo suggests treats, toys and first aid supplies for the Baxter, and Ruffwear names food and water for the stash pocket on the Approach. For ideas, see our guides to collapsible dog water bowls and dog first aid kits for hiking. If your dog is too small to carry a pack, our guide to backpacks for carrying small dogs on trails covers packs you wear instead.
FAQ: Dog Backpacks for Hiking
How much weight can a dog carry in a backpack?
Ruffwear recommends that a dog carry at most 25% of its body weight, counting the pack and its contents. For a healthy dog in regular shape that only carries weight occasionally, Non-stop Dogwear recommends a maximum of 5 to 15% of body weight, and says a strong and well-trained dog can carry up to 30%.
How old should a dog be to carry a backpack?
Non-stop Dogwear says a dog should be fully grown, approximately two years of age, and in good shape before it starts to carry weight. It advises starting with an empty backpack and adding weight gradually over several weeks.
How do I size a dog backpack?
Use the maker’s chart for the specific pack. Ruffwear measures dog girth around the rib cage, Kurgo lists neck, chest and dog weight, and Non-stop Dogwear asks for neck and chest circumference.
Can my dog wear the harness without the saddlebags?
Ruffwear says the removable saddlebags on the Palisades Pack allow for the harness to be worn on its own. Non-stop Dogwear says the pockets on the Trail Light Dog Backpack are integrated.
Summing Up
Measure your dog first and keep the load within the maker’s guidance. On the spec sheets, Ruffwear lists a capacity of 5 L to 21 L and a padded handle for the Approach, removable saddlebags for the Palisades, and three leash attachment points for the Front Range Day Pack. Kurgo lists eight adjustment points and a large handle on top for the Baxter, and Non-stop Dogwear lists a volume of 1 L to 12 L and four protected side-release buckles for the Trail Light.
Sources
Sources, checked 12 October 2026: Ruffwear, Approach Dog Backpack, Palisades Pack and Front Range Day Pack; Kurgo, Baxter Dog Backpack; Non-stop Dogwear, Trail Light Dog Backpack. Prices change; check the vendor before buying.