Ruffwear - Palisades Multi-Day Backcountry Pack for Dogs, Red Currant, Small

Update: I've now used this pack for a full season of hiking and backpacking. I've washed it a few times because it eventually gets stinky, and it still looks new (nothing frayed or torn despite running through brush and downed trees). After about a year one of the water bladders started leaking. I added a brush guard after going on some longer hikes and noticing rub marks (my dog has a really sensitive underside). We've had no problem at any distance with the brush guard, and it adds great stability to the pack. Even though you can compress the bags for smaller loads, it's still too big for our short summer hikes, where he just carries water, so we usually leave it home and I carry extra water.My dog (boxer x German shorthair) weighs 60 pounds and his girth is 30", and the medium fits well. My primary reasons for choosing this pack were the daisy chain on top to attach his sleeping pad when we go backpacking, and the water pockets.Things I like:- The bags attach with 4 clips on the corners. His last pack had velcro bags, and I struggled to get them on straight and avoided taking them off once I got it just right. The clips take the guesswork out of getting the bags off and on.- The daisy chains are quite handy. They're a good width for a 20" sleeping pad, and I've been tying used poo-bags to them as well.- The water bottles and their designated pockets are great. After reading the reviews saying people either didn't receive the bottles, or they were brittle and cheap-feeling, I was expiating to have to replace them. The bottles I received are very flexible, and feel silicone-y. My dog drinks about 2 liters in an average day, so they should last at least half a day hiking or backpacking, which frees up a lot of space for him to carry his food and some of our light but bulky gear (like a mess kit and bug spray).- The clips are protected to prevent pinching when you close them. I pinched my buddy a couple times with the last pack, and while he didn't seem to care too much, it's nice not to have to worry about that.- There is a small amount of elastic on the straps opposite the clips (see picture), so there's some "give" when the straps are properly tightened.- The small pockets on top are perfect for holding small items that you don't to have to dig for, like poo bags or snacks.- The load compression system is nice. It keeps things from rattling around too badly when the bags aren't totally packed.- Zippers are closed at the back/open at the front, so the pockets don't get opened by brush as your dog is going past.Things I wish I could change:- The little loops that go around the girth strap to keep the bags from flapping (see picture) are kind of a pain. When you put the pack on, you either have to feed the strap through the loop or try to reattach the tiny baby clips around it. Or just let your free bags fly. I'm finding it's easier to reach under the mesh to clip the girth strap anyway, so I feed the strap through the loop.- While the wraps on the straps are nice for keeping the extra strap from hang in down and getting peed on, they don't really offer any padding.- The leash clip is great for shorter hikes and walks, but it's kinda useless when you attach something like a sleeping pad to the top of the pack. There is a loop on the very back (see picture) that I'll probably end up using for that, but it doesn't seem as sturdy as the metal ring.- The mesh hole doesn't quite line up with the handle, so the handle tends to get squashed partly under the mesh. I don't usually end up using the handle much, but if you plan to it's not sticking up for a quick grab.

I just got this bag, small size, and have not have a chance to do anything other than fit it. Everything is well stitched, and seems to be about the same quality as other high quality packs I have, including a couple from Gregory. This bag seems to be exceptionally well made.There are many things I liked about the bag that made me order it. Quality made, good capacity (I've read a dog should only carry about 25% of it's weight, at most), good fitting, etc. This bag came with the Ruffwear harness that costs ~$50 on its own.The bag has a sufficient volume that I should be able to have my pup take her own water (it comes with 2 x 1 liter bags), her own food, her own treats, and poop bags.I ordered the small, which seems large enough for a 3 or 4 day hike, maybe longer. Just guessing, but I could probably fit the 1 liter bottle full AND 1 gallon Ziploc bag full of dog food (about 4 days worth of food) on each side. If that's the case, my dog (45 lb Labradoodle) could carry enough food for ~8 days + 2 liters of water, assuming the weight wasn't too much. As long as we're near a water source, I could reduce her weight, and she'd have plenty of water.It comes with 2 x 1 liter water bags. Each has the standard water bottle screw cap that's on virtually every disposable bottle you can get anywhere. This is important to me because I use a Sawyer Mini water filter. I can fill the bag with questionable water, attach the Sawyer, then squeeze through enough for my pup. This is the filter system I already use, and the water bags that come with the Palisades fit right in with that system.This bag has two features that set it apart from the others (aside from quality, capacity, etc). 1- the bags are easily removeable and 2- the bags have a buckle at the bottom that secures to the harness. I read numerous reviews on-line before buying this, and most said there were buckles on top and velcro tabs on bottom that secured the pack to the harness. Mine has only buckles, so nothing to wear out.Why is this important? I can fill each pocket with inflatables (foam, air-filled plastic bottles, air filled hydration bottles (the 2 that came with it), or anything else that floats well) and use this as a pup life-vest. With the tie-downs that secure the saddle-bags to the harness, the saddle bags shouldn't float up too much. While my pup has the webbed labrador feet, I don't want to count on those to get her to shore. Especially if she decides to swim in the surf at the beach. This is just an added layer of security, probably more for me than her. So, I just bought a hiking bag, an excellent harness, and a life vest. If you buy all three of those separately, not only do you have 3 different things to potentially carry with you, but it'll probably be more expensive.When I got the bag, I immediately put it on her. She acted a little tepid at first, but didn't mind it. Of course, she knows it's on there, but I don't think she really cares. She's only 7 1/2 months old, so I plan to have her wear it unloaded (no weight, not food, water, nothing), until she's at least a year. That way I can be sure her joints are ready for an the load.

Bought this for my mother's rottwheiler/doberman cross. Very sturdy and well-made, with tons of storage. There are even some handy, smaller compartments in it for smaller items, and some extender straps for the larger packs are hidden away in a small flap underneath. The harness is a great design, and fits the dog comfortably without sliding around. She hasn't finished growing yet, but the harness has plenty of room for adjusting, so it fits her properly now, and will still fit her properly once she's filled out some more. We used the Ruffwear size guide to gauge what size pack to buy based on her breed and expected weight.The dog absolutely loves wearing this pack. She's ready to go the moment she sees mum taking the bag out! Mum loads her up with things like rope, water and some food. A few times she's had the dog carry a bit of shopping. She also lets the dog carry her purse and keys, so that she doesn't need to worry about pickpockets.

Very well made product. The buckles are all plastic so won't rust which is good. The only minor things I'd change is that I'd put an extra clip on the front strap as you have to put it over the dogs head then lift one leg through which can be a bit tricky at times. Also the smaller clips for securing the bags can be very fiddly on a smaller dog. I don't put too much in the bags as my girl is on the smaller end of the small harness but she still carries her own ball, a little water and her poop! We use the harness on its own more than the bags, its a great harness.Does run a little on the large side, according to the size chart our girl was right in the middle of the small however in reality she is on the smallest settings (she's 15kg)

Very good product, it seems a bit 'difficult to wear it, but it takes just few minutes. I have a Great Dane of 53 kilos (I ordered L-XL size and I had to tighten all the webbing) and he get used to wear it immediately: at first it was empty, then with two books and then the its bags filled with water.We still have to try it during a real trekking but I am satisfied. I live in Italy but everything went smooth, it is less expensive than you would pay in a store and also is not easy to find it here, so Amazon was the only choice.

I have been waiting until my border collie reached the age of 1 to buy this as I didnt want to get one she would grow out of. It is a fantastic product and I am really excited for trying it out properly on a camping/hiking trip.The product itself is of very high quality. Yes it is expensive but with the cost comes a lifetime thing, looking at it I cant imagine it will break easily. It comes with the webmaster harness and detachable packs, which is handy as I will probably be using the harness more than them both together. The harness and the packs attach to each other with 4 sturdy buckles and 2 smaller ones. Along the top of each pack side some grey webbing has been stitched intermittently, leaving 'gaps' where you could hang extra stuff off using karabiners (obviously dont over-laden your dog!). The harness is sturdy but not cumbersome for the dog, and it has 2 body straps with padding to keep them comfy.I was also very impressed with the customer service I received. Before purchasing the product I sent an email to the company with a question and got a reply the same day. After buying the product it was dispatched the following day and I got it delivered two days later- and this is going from the UK to Denmark. So it arrived before the estimated delivery date.

This is a good product and it has been used for day trips and long distance walks. My dog has a soft curly coat and is 21kg. On long walks the strap rubs her in the armpit. I think some dogs might have more protective coats but I'm not sure it is quite the right fit for her though the bigger one would I think have been too big.