How To Backpack With Your Dog
We've pulled together the ultimate guide to introducing a dog to backpacking. Ready to hit the trail and unleash your next adventure?
Our Best Dog Packs for Backpacking
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Palisades™ Pack
A top pick for dogs hitting the trail for a multi-day trek. It has the largest carrying capacity of our packs, removable saddlebags, and two 1-liter collapsible water bladders.
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Approach™ Pack
Plenty of room for the gear needed on full-day hikes and even those overnight treks. A great option when the packing list is shorter or you're looking to keep your dog's load a little lighter.
Explore All Dog Backpacking Gear
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BackTrak™ Dog Evacuation Kit
Emergency Dog Sling & First-Aid Muzzle
Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars60 Reviews
Video Clinic: Backpacking With Dogs
Ruffwear Ambassadors Nathan and Turkey joined us to talk about all things backpacking: gear, tips, training, and the scoop on their 120-mile backcountry trek together in the San Juan Mountains.
Dig Deeper: More Trail Resources
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How to Camp With Your Dog
Introducing your dog to camping is a great place to start if you're thinking of embarking on a backpacking trip with your dog.
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How to Hike with Your Dog
Logging plenty of trail miles with your dog is a solid foundation for barkpackers in-training. A bit of trail savvy-ness goes a long way in the backcountry.
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Camping with Dogs on Public Lands
One of the most critical parts of planning a trip is picking the trail. These tips on exploring public lands will start you off in the right direction.
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Stories from the Trail: Backpacking with Nathan & Turkey
Trip reports and tales from the trail are some of the best places to get inspired and learn from other humans and dogs getting out there.
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What the RW Office Dogs Pack on the Trails
It turns out, we geek out about our dogs' gear as much as we do our own. Here's what we pack when we hit the trails.
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Packs & Trails with Amara the Shepherd
How Dustin and Noami introduced their sidekick, Amara, do the joy (and the gear) of backpacking.
Frequently Asked Questions
With the right preparation and planning, you can set you and your dog up for a fun and memorable time in the backcountry. We always recommend checking in with your vet ahead of your trip for any questions you might have specific to your dog's health.
It's best to keep the total carrying weight (including thepackand its contents) under 25% of your dog's body weight. First-time barkpackers may want to go even lighter. And, as always, it's a great idea to check in with your vet.
Example: A 45-pound (20-kg) dog's pack should weigh no more than 11.25 pounds (5 kg) including food, water, gear, and the pack itself.
Leave No Trace are our go-to pros on this topic, and they recommend that dog waste be packed out in poop bags. Regulations might differ depending on the wilderness area you are in. Check their website or call in and speak with a ranger before heading out.