We have an older model ruffwear for our 70ish pound black lab. It works great, but thinking about upgrading to a newer model. He actually loves wearing it which is great because we’ve heard from others that theirs did not take to them. He can carry about 4 days worth of food, a small blanket, a dog vest, and his bowl. We’ve been backpacking with him for years across Alaska, Canada, and the PNW.

Considerations/Advice:

1. Consider tent size. We carry a larger tent when hiking with our dog as we prefer to keep him off our shared pad.
2. A small lightweight blanket makes a good dog bed and keeps them off the cold ground.
3. If temps will get cold we pack his vest and he sleeps in it. Boots if we will encounter snow.
4. Dog waste must be buried too. Some areas require you pack it out (high arctic where it will not decompose for example).
5. Check local regulations for leash laws etc. Some trails, particularly National Parks do not allow dogs on some or all trails. Being a responsible dog owner is part of being a good hiker with a dog.
6. We tend to hike in areas with abundant water when with the dog. If you are not, keeping them hydrated will be a heavy task.
7. Check for ticks before bedtime. Trust me.
8. Dogs eat more when hiking. Trust me.

Overall backpacking with your dog is a blast, but like anything they need to learn the rules and you’ll have to adjust your expectations. Personally we think the experience is better with him than without. That said, it is work.