We all love outdoor experiences with our dogs – and at Dogpacking.com we often get asked about our favourite doggy gear. So here are the items that River and I find most useful for our own adventures and travels.
Most items are under $25. We hope this list gives you some dogpacking gear ideas for your own dog or for your dogpacking friends. (Some affiliate links are included, purchases from which help to support this website.)
Trail Booties ($8/pair)
Dogbooties.com – These inexpensive yet durable and lightweight Cordura booties protect your dog’s paws from sharp rocks, hot sand, snow and ice. We usually buy the 500-Denier Cordura ones.
Packable Travel Backpack ($5)
Decathlon Forclaz 10L Hiking Backpack – This packs up into its own pocket when not in use and holds 10L of groceries or supplies. Great for a day-hike, your dog’s travel gear or a quick stop to resupply when travelling, paddling or bikepacking. If you don’t live near a Decathlon, consider the Vapour 16.
Portable Dog Water Dispenser ($10-15)
Gulpy Pet Water Dispenser 10 oz – A water bottle with a flip-down bowl that lets dogs drink during hikes and when on-the-go. Most regular water or soda/pop bottles can be screwed into the bowl section, so you’re not restricted to the bottle that comes with the Gulpy. The Gulpy is available as 10oz or 20oz – the bowl for the 10oz is large enough of all breeds of dogs, so that’s the size we have. And if you need to carry more water, you can simply buy a large bottle of water from a convenience store to use with the bowl.
Lightweight Dry Bag ($20)
From REI or MEC ($20) – The 5L is a great size for storing your dry dog food when camping, bikepacking or travelling.
Dog Activity Treat Ball ($8-12)
KONG or other brand of treat ball – Rubber balls designed for holding cheese, peanut butter or treats are great for keeping your dog entertained when on the road or waiting in airports.
Paw Footpad Wax ($15-25)
Musher’s Secret – This natural wax-based product protects and soothes paws from rough terrains, hot sand and pavement, icy surfaces and snow buildup in their paws.
Packable Dog Food and Water Bowl ($20-40)
Ruffwear Quencher Bowl or Blue Dingo Bagwerks Trail Dog Bowl – Perfect for meals and hydration on the go, these collapsible bowls are compact, easy to carry and available in different colours.
LED Harness Light ($15-30)
Nathan RX Hyperbrite Rechargeable LED at REI or MEC – Clips onto yourself or onto your dog’s harness for visibility in the dark, making nighttime walks safer. This could also be mounted on a dogpacking basket.
Dog First-Aid Kit ($12-40)
Adventure Medical Kit “Trail Dog” or “Heeler Kit” – The Trail Dog and the smaller Heeler are portable first aid kits with supplies for wounds, cuts, ticks, and sprains, and a Pet First Aid Handbook with guided instruction on how to treat common dog injuries.
Hands-Free Leash ($20-40)
Ruffwear Flagline Leash at Ruffwear or REI – This leash wraps around the waist, keeping hands free while running or hiking with a dog. Some hands-free leashes (such as the Roamer) also contain a shock-absorbing bungee section.
Floating Fetch Toy ($8)
Hartz Dura-Play Rocket – Lightweight floating squeaky toy for swimming and playing fetch. This is River’s fave toy ever!
LED Rechargeable Safety Necklace ($20)
NiteIze NiteHowl – Keep your best friend visible with a one-size-fits-all rechargeable LED doggy necklace. The Disco version lets you choose the colour.
Tick Remover ($12)
The Original Tick Key – Lightweight and essential for safely removing ticks from people and pets.
Weatherproof Dog Coat ($30-40)
RC Pets Starling Reflective Jacket – In addition to being highly reflective, this coat is windproof and waterproof. We use it as a stand-along raincoat as well as a weatherproof outer shell layered over a fleece (such as the RC Pets Baseline Fleece) for extra warmth. (River weighs 10kg and is a size medium in the raincoat and a size 16 in the fleece.)
Dog-Friendly Sunscreen ($30)
Dermoscent Pet-Friendly Sunscreen – Safe, pet-friendly sunscreen for dogs with sensitive skin, especially for noses and footpads. For more info on choosing a dog-friendly sunscreen, see our article Does Your Dog Need Sunscreen?.
Dogpacking T-Shirt – coming soon!
OllyDog Goodie Treat Pouch or Kurgo Go Stuff It – Reward your furry friend’s behaviour by having treats at-the-ready with a treat pouch attached to belt, backpack or hip pack.
Compact Dog Towel ($15-35)
REI Multi Towel Lite or MEC Compact Towel – Lightweight, inexpensive, quick-dry towels perfect for drying off dogs after a hike, swim or rain. Available in various sizes to fit all breeds.
Flying Disk Toy ($12-20)
Chuckit! ZipFlight Flying Disk – Durable soft-edged disk that’s great for playtime at campsites or rest stops.
Long-Handled Titanium Spoon ($10-15)
TOAKS Titanium Polished Long-Handle Spoon – We’ve found this durable lightweight spoon to be great for camping, bikepacking, paddling, and hiking adventures. The long handle allows you to reach in to a dehydrated meal pouch.
Got your own favourite budget-friendly dogpacking gear? Share them in the comments below–we’d love to hear about them.
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