Best products from r/BackpackingDogs

I don’t know if it’s exactly what you’re talking about but we have a leash probably totaling 8’ but about 3’ of it is elastic-y. Very strong (holds the pit/lab mix we have no problem). It has an adjustable handle that allows you to clip it around trees (wider trees effectively shorten its length which is helpful).

https://www.amazon.com/KONG-Bungee-Leash-Green/product-reviews/B00MIHOI06

Something like this though I’m not sure if its the exact same.

It also has a second handle loop at about 1-2’ from the collar so if we see a trigger on a walk we can quickly switch grips to gain better control. Most of our hike we have the long handle in hand with about 2-3’ of the leash stacked up next to it, so the short handle is never far away. He’s a sweet dog and is only ever just overly excited to say hi but since he’s looks like a pit some people get a little up in arms even if he is being polite. He’s also new to the trail and quickly learning his manners to ignore other hikers and sit nicely on the side to let them pass.

Getting back to the leash... The bungee helps us a lot. I have herniated disks and my lady has bad knees so him suddenly stopping on us to sniff leaves and the like really hurts in a potentially really bad day/trip-stopping way. The bungee lets us know its happening so we can react and not get the full force of his pull. In the case of him running after something it gives us the extra split second to get a better grip and hunker down to stop him instead of getting pulled off our feet.

For all of these reasons this is our favorite trail leash.

I bring my Husky backpacking the east coast often. There's normally plenty of water, but typically make her carry her water and food anyway. I suggest a ruffwear backpack which is top of the line. Or mountainsmith is probably the best value. I currently own a cheap 20 dollar one off amazon but will upgrade soon to the mountainsmith. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00SFA41M0/ref=mp_s_a_1_26?ie=UTF8&qid=1499051670&sr=8-26&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=backpack+dog

I use zip locks to carry my dogs food and a collapsible bowl. I bring about 50% more food than normal for safety on long hikes. Her water I put in these pouches and refill periodically when I come across a stream. The zip lock bags and pouches allow for an easy and compact distribution in her dog backpack. She's a working dog so I try to make sure she carry her share of weight. You're not supposed to load more than 40% of their body weight though.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B018NXJOH0/ref=pd_aw_sbs_468_of_15?ie=UTF8&refRID=SDDZK6KVHQE89YHART9E

So when I first read this post, I didn't realize the flexi leash was a retractable leash. I used a normal flat leash for the first few months of hiking with our pupper, but wanted to have both hands free for trekking poles so we went with this. Nice thing about it when our pupper goes down hill, she will zoom, and the elastic can help reduce some of her pull. She's got a very strong nose and will randomly dart out to follow the scent (she is an Amstaff/beagle/Greyhound mix...and her love of following scents is....formidable!). It attaches to the belt, but can also be made into a stand-alone leash as it attaches to itself. It also has a little handle where it attaches to get harness which makes it infinitely more controllable when we come up on another pupper which unfortunately makes her a bit nervous. The handle at the harness and makes moving her off the trail very easy.

Hurtta Extreme Warmer, Dog Winter Jacket, Granite, 18 in https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IYGE5NY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XYlODbQ3BYNHS

Yeah it’s pretty expensive but I decided to try it due to good reviews since my dogs don’t handle cold weather to well. It’s warmer than any other jacket I have tried alone such as kurgo, ruffwear, ultrapaws, etc. it’s also super high quality pretty much the same materials used for human gear so it’s durable as well.

I had the old one for a season, and played with the new one at REI. There's really not meaningful difference to justify the greater price on the 2017 version. The fasteners really aren't that big of a deal.

In both cases you still need to clip in the stabilizers (fastens bottom end of bags to belly strap), which is the greater hassle. Image. Also, imo, the bags are simply too large/bulky, wasting weight and catching on more shit than necessary.

I returned ours and went with a Mountainsmith K9. The bags aren't removable, but I found I didn't really use that feature all that much, and it's so easily put on and off it doesn't matter. It's lighter and equally or more stable due to how the chest piece clips directly into the bags. It's also a helluvalot less expensive.

All that said, the Palisades are still great packs and if the price is right, I wouldn't regret getting the older version.

> (I do drool over the Groundbird packs, but I want it sooner rather than later, and as much as I'm sure it's worth the money, I can't justify it right now.)

Yeah, I totally want a custom fit rolltop Groundbird Gear pack, but I'm going into my second year on the waitlist.

Had a great weekend in San Bernardino National Forest (about 1 hour from Orange County, 2 hours from San Diego). Barley only carries about 5lbs worth of gear such as her jacket and boots, my microspikes for the snow, first aid kit, Sawyer Mini Filter, plastic trowel for bathroom breaks and occasionally a layer of mine goes in her paracord webbing. It's a pretty easy hike, permits are easy to get and water is plentiful. Ask me anything

List of dog specific gear:

Ruffwear Approach Pack

Rad Dog Release 'n Run Collar and 4' Leash

Nite Ize Collar Light

Whistle Activity Tracker

Ruffwear Cloud Chaser Jacket

Ruffwear Grip Trex Boots

For driving, we use a homemade version of this: https://www.amazon.com/Barneys-World-Hammock-Cover-Trucks/dp/B010BVN30G

Basically a loose hammock you string up between the headrests that gives a dog a good spot in the back seat.

For sleeping when camping our dog usually sleeps in the back seat of our truck in the same place that she is while driving. If you want something a bit more contained grab a crate designed for air travel ( https://www.amazon.com/Petmate-Kennel-Portable-Travel-Included/dp/B00AAPGA2W ) and strap it down in the bed or the backseat, we've used these for air travel in cargo and they are durable and easy to clean. You could also use this during transit if you are worried about accidents or the dog jumping up into the front (ours is good about staying in the back).

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btw super jealous of your camper, those look awesome, we usually just cowboy camp in the bed under the stars unless its going to rain then we pitch a tent.

Thank you! Cooper loves his vest and we've had no complaints in the year and a half I've owned it.

I ordered the vest and pouches separately off Amazon. Here is the vest https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B010V4K7SY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s02?ie=UTF8&th=1 and a coule of the pouches https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003EH1DHK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WEL9ASG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And for food and water, I have a couple bowls like these https://smile.amazon.com/Collapsible-Awakelion-Foldable-Travel-Container/dp/B06X3QN513/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1500911436&sr=8-21&keywords=dog%2Bbowl%2Bfor%2Bcamping&th=1

Cooper carries his own food and water and anything else I can fit in his pack. The only thing I carry for him is his sleeping bag.

Here is a GIF of Cooper with his pack in action! https://media.giphy.com/media/pLNmpJjCr7K1i/giphy.gif

Not sure exactly how small 20lbs is, but maybe they'd fit into those little sample sleeping bags they have at like walmart to show what the sleeping bag looks like. If not this brand doesnt seem too expensive but the small is currently out
https://www.alcottadventures.com/products/explorer-sleeping-bag?variant=369664133

i have two dogs, one sleeps in my bag the other is part husky. considering getting her a bag or maybe just a travel bed but not sure it's worth $30 when i could just maybe form her a bed out of jackets or something

https://www.amazon.com/Chuckit-Fetch-Games-Travel-Bed/dp/B00027466A/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

Those are the RUFFWEAR Grip Trex. They're super high quality, but I've found they do sometimes slip off my pups feet. When they do stay on they offer excellent protection.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZ9AIAO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_jKd1DbTZS2EM1

Oh man, it's a life changer:

https://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-SP657-Permethrin-Repellent/dp/B001ANQVYU/

You treat your clothes, treatment lasts for about 6 weeks. You become pretty much tick proof if you treat your shoes, socks, and pants + a hat.

You can buy more concentrated Permethrin and "make your own" 0.5% solution, google is your friend for that.

FWIW, my pup is on Bravecto, and ticks still bite her, but supposedly they can't transmit disease immediately.

What kinda harness you got for two?

I have this leash for two that I really like.

But I have these harnesses, they are just ok. Think I might like those more.

Rabbitgoo Dog Harness

There are great Tie-out stakes available for under 10 bucks. There are some with leash and stakes as well.
Here is one:

https://www.amazon.com/Dogit-Cork-Screw-Tie-Out-Stake-Large/dp/B001B7P83A