I think it depends on what you are doing as to what quality is required. I don't use backpacks often for hiking. There's enough stuff out there that a collar can get caught on let alone a back pack on a dog I'm allowing off leash to explore. I've ended up having to pack the pack and would rather just pack one and be done with it.

I've also got the "Outward Hound" one. While the overall quality is not the best, the packs are sturdy and can carry a lot of stuff. Lots of compartments and hook ups.

I use it a lot if we’re heading over to neighbors and I've got stuff to carry. Easily holds a six pack and a bottle of wine , containers of goodies and all kinds of stuff. Or if we're walking down to the beach, they carry everything.

Slapped it on Vince for a quick shot. It's sitting too far back (I think I had it on Echo last), but you can get the idea of them.

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/BackPack051.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/BackPack048.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/BackPack050.jpg

Just for walking around the neighborhood, and the odd energy draining training, I think they're great. Nice comfortable fit. My boys seem to barely even notice it on. This one is close to three years old.

 Quote: Dave Owen

Nordkyn Outfitters does great custom harnesses gota couple made so I would assume the quality would carry to other products

Yes and they're very serious about the pulling and packing sports, like Leerburg is with protection and all. I have a few harnesses that fit perfectly and are cheaper than many ready made one size fits all type. The packs are not custom made but look really nice and are very adjustable.

oo this is a very helpful thread, I've been looking into it myself. The stores local to me all carry the Outward Hound packs, but the reviews on Amazon said they easily fall apart in the first couple of uses =/

I'll have to check out the other places mentioned =)

Yeah, so many I found would have reviews that said they fell apart easily, or didn't stay adjusted. I don't need it for actual hiking, I need so way to increase the intensity of our walks while it's too slippery or too dark to bike.

Ruff Wear. Yeah, they are 2x the price of any other pack on the market, but I've owned nearly all the OutWard Hound packs, and many other brands as well.... I'll never put anything but Ruff Wear pack on my dogs again!!

The Palisade is perfect for long trips, or packing bulky gear, and get this.... check the sizing carefully, I can squeeze Koenig (27'' at the shoulder!) into a size small!!! (The large harness gets in the way of his boy bits, and the Med is just perfect. A large pack DOES fit onto a Med. size harness) They are well made, and the weight/packs sit high up on the dogs back, not low on the sides like many of the outward hound packs. Weight is also close to the shoulders, not in the middle (weak) area of the back.

http://www.ruffwear.com/Palisades-Pack?sc=2&category=13


http://www.ruffwear.com/Palisades-Pack?sc=2&category=13

We're big hikers so I have a medium RuffWear Approach pack for my female GSD. It's a real pain to put on and my GSD is super tolerant. I also don't like the fact that the pouches aren't removable for breaks during hiking (and it's so hard to put on that you think twice before taking it off). She carries two Platypus .5L SoftBottles for water and a collapsible water bowl from Kurgo.
Platypus Softbottle
Kurgo Bowl

I'll definitely be checking out the custom pack links that other folks have posted.

Laura

You think the harness is hard to get on? The Approach does not have removable saddle bags, which is just another reason we have the Palisades.

One thing I love is the harness- how adjustable it is, and how WELL it fits the dogs- My Palisade pack only has 2 clips to get the harness on/off, I'd assume that the Approach is the same? I find this harness/saddle bag set up far easier then any of the other brands I've used.

I have the Outward Hound, not sure which "model" it is.

Pros - it can hold a lot of stuff, although I don't actually put that much in it, it's mainly used for a bottle of water (2, to balance it) and their leashes when they are off leash. I like that I can take the pack part off, while the harness part is still on the dog. It's put together well in terms of the seams, zippers, etc.

Cons - their sizing IMO is really off, I bought the one that was supposed to be the right size for my Malinois, and it's really big on them, it looks like it would fit better on a St Bernard LOL. You have to balance the load just right, or it tends to "lean", slipping one way or the other.

Has anyone seen or heard anything about the dog whisper's backpacks? They do not look like for use with a serious hiker, more of a casual exploration. I was thinking to get one of these but maybe the wolfpack type..

Many thanks everyone; this really helps narrow down the market.