Venturing into the backcountry with your pup is a great way to spend time together. You might hit an iconic peak for sunset, or make it down the trail for a multi-day hike. Equipping your dog with the right leash, pack, and water bowl is a good way to keep them comfortable and happy while on trail. But technical gear is always changing and there are always new products that are making ripples in the pet market. Some of our favorite picks for the best outdoor dog gear for your pets in 2023 include:
| Best Value: | Mountainsmith K9 Backbowl |
| Most Versatile: | Atlas Lifetime Lite Leash |
| Most Unique: | Ruffwear Swamp Cooler(™) Cooling Dog Vest |
Dog Gear to Pack While Camping with Your Pets
Any time you’re sharing an adventure with your pets, you’re probably going to be carrying a little extra gear. From food and water to booties and pet jackets, there’s tons of gear that’s designed to keep your pet safe and comfortable in the backcountry. But knowing what to pack while camping with a dogs can be challenging. While every dog’s needs are going to be a little bit different, some of the best outdoor gear items for dogs are:
- Water bowls
- Dog packs
- Jackets or sweaters
- Cooling vests or harnesses
- Booties
- Adjustable collars and leashes
We always bring a bowl incase we’re camping or hiking in dry areas. And for multi-day day adventures, we give our dogs packs of their own so they can carry food and treats.
Mountainsmith K9 Dog Pack
MSRP: $74.95
Color: Caribe Blue/Lava Red
Size: SM, MED, LG
Weight: 19.2 ounces
Every adventure pup needs a high-quality dog backpack like the Mountainsmith K9 Dog Pack. This product has features like a built-in 4-point adjustable harness, zippered accessory pockets, an adjustable belly strap, a metal d-ring attachment for a leash, and reflective trim. But we especially loved the weather-resistant interior coating that comes in the pockets because it keeps things like kibble safe from the rain.
We have a 70-pound rottweiler, and the medium fit her perfectly. We didn’t have to worry about chafing from the buckles or poor adjustability like we’ve encountered with other dog packs. Instead, we felt confident loading each pocket with a few pounds of weight, knowing that she’d be comfortable while carrying her own bag. With 5 liters of capacity in each pocket, we were able to stash some of her doggy food for multi-day backpacking trips, and a few other small items. The pack, itself, weighs just 19.2 ounces. And we have no doubt that it’ll continue to perform well in the future!
Mountainsmith K9 Backbowl
MSRP: $13.95
Color: Gray/Green
Size: One Size
Weight: 2.75 ounces
There comes a time in every pet owner’s life when they need to hydrate their pups, but they don’t have a bowl. Enter: The Mountainsmith K9 Backbowl. This collapsible bowl can be used for both solids and liquids. When you need to use it, you’ll just snap the four sets of snaps together to make a dish for your pet. And they easily come undone when you need to stash it in your pack.
We used this bowl dozens of times this summer – especially when we were headed on a hike with questionable water sources. Instead of letting the dogs drink out of my hands, we just spend a few moments setting up their bowl to keep them hydrated on the go. With a cost of just $13.95, this little bowl was one of our favorite summer picks for our pups because it always seemed to save us in a pinch.
Ruffwear Swamp Cooler(™) Cooling Dog Vest
MSRP: $79.95
Color: Sage Green or Heliotrope Purple
Size: XS-XL
Weight: NA
When most people imagine doggy jackets, they think of fleece vests or similar cold-weather gear. But Ruffwear also makes a vest that’s designed to keep your pets cool during the warmest months of the year. The Ruffwear Swamp Cooler(™) Cooling Dog Vest combines a number of different materials to create an evaporating vest for your pet. You just soak it in cold water before you head outside, and the vest’s technology keeps it cool for an impressively long time.
One of our pups tested this vest out in 90+ degree temperatures in Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana this summer. And, while she’s never a big fan of wearing clothing, it did seem like the insulative properties of this vest kept her cool for longer, which is pretty important when you’re covered in black fur. This vest also incorporates UPF 50+ coverage, which we love! What pup doesn’t need a little bit of protection from the sun? The convenient leash portal also makes it easy to use a harness with this vest. And its relaxed style easily accommodates an active pup like ours.
Atlas Pet Company Lifetime Lite Leash
MSRP: $68
Color: Black, Maroon, Forest, Navy, Violet
Size: One-Size
Weight: 5.3 ounces
The Atlas Pet Company Lifetime Lite Leash is made with 1-inch webbing. Pet owners can easily modify the length of the leash from 3 to 7 feet, depending on their needs. This leash also comes with a stainless steel swivel clip, which makes it easy to adjust the loop opening for your hand (or your waist, if you prefer to go hands-free). And they’re handmade in Golden, Colorado.
We tested out a few different leashes and collars over the past year, and our favorite combination was easily the Atlas Lifetime Lite Leash with the Atlas Lifetime Lite Collar. The chic look of the purple color complimented the dark hair on our rottweiler well. But it also held when she pulled, or attempted to cross a line. While some leashes are quick to discolor or wear down, the Atlas Lifetime Lite Leash kept its durable shape and bright color for several months. We, personally, love a hands-free leash, which is another great quality of this product. And those who like to keep treats on hand can easily install the lifetime pouch on their leash as well.
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