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Dog saddle bags are a must-have even for pet parents who are not into hiking.
Imagine allowing your pooch to carry his own essentials so you won’t have to worry about this yourself. This makes going out even just to play in the dog park a tad bit easier.
Dressed in his own saddle bag, we can keep our pooch from going on full speed even before we are ready to go for a walk.
This can also serve as his stylish accessory when he is out hiking and camping with us.
If finding the right saddle bag is a big puzzle, then we can trust the experts to tell us the best saddle bags that can fit the needs of our pooch.
7 Best Dog Saddle Bags
Here are the best dog saddle bags to buy today:
- Best Overall: OneTigris Cotton Canvas Dog Pack
- Runner Up: Outward Hound DayPak
- Most Durable: RUFFWEAR, Approach Dog Pack
- Best Budget: EXCELLENT ELITE Spanker Dog Pack
- Best for Smaller Breeds: Baxter By Kurgo
- Best for Medium-Sized Dogs: Mountainsmith K-9 Dog Pack
- Best for Larger Breeds: Commuter Pack By Ruffwear
Best Overall: OneTigris Cotton Canvas Dog Pack
Key Features:
- Vintage styling
- Two main zipper side compartments
- High-density cotton convas
- Easy-access pouches
- Available in 2 sizes and 3 colors
The OneTigris Cotton Canvas Dog Pack has that classic look that will make every pet parent want one for their pets.
It has multiple pockets to make sure we don’t forget any of its essentials and high-density cotton construction to prove its durability. It also comes in 3 beautiful colors and 2 sizes to choose from.
We won’t have to worry about comfort issues since this saddle bag fits most dogs well.
It stays in place thanks to its multiple straps. All we need to do is to secure the latch and make sure both sides are evenly weighted for our pooch’s seamless hike.
Runner Up: Outward Hound DayPak
Key Features:
- Four expandable storage compartments
- Breathable mesh fabrics
- Adjustable straps
- Reflective accents
- Metal D-ring leash attachment
- Comes in 4 sizes, 3 colors and 3 styles
Compact, durable, and stylish–these are the three words used to describe the Outward Hound DayPak. This saddle bag keeps our pooch feeling cool and comfy.
It fits snuggly and won’t be restricting his movement thanks to its adjustable straps and breathable mesh fabrics.
This is also sold at a more affordable price compared to other branded saddle bags for dogs. It is also lightweight, which means our pooch won’t have a hard time carrying all the extra weight from his bag alone.
It also comes in visibility colors and reflective accents, to make it easier to spot our pooch in case he wanders in the dark.
Most Durable: RUFFWEAR, Approach Dog Pack
Key Features:
- Reflective trim and light loop
- Strong aluminum V-ring
- Reinforces webbing loop leash
- Comes in 4 sizes and 3 colors
If we are after a form-fitting saddle bag, then we can rely on RUFFWEAR, Approach Dog Pack. It features 5 adjustment points, making it easier to further custom fit the bag to our pooch’s body.
It has additional 2 leash attachment points, ensuring our pooch stays secured on its leash no matter what.
Its zippered stash pockets keep his essentials in place. The reflective trim and bright colors of the bag improve our pooch’s visibility even in low visibility conditions.
Now, we can camp, hike, and explore the great outdoors knowing our canine buddy got all he will ever need secured in his own bag.
Best Budget: EXCELLENT ELITE Spanker Dog Pack
Key Features:
- High quality 1000D Nylon
- Soft padded lining
- UTX-Duraflex quick release buckle
- Magic sticker ID panel
- With cross-bungee cords
- Aluminum V-ring
- Comes in 4 colors
Medium-sized dogs and larger breeds will enjoy having the EXCELLENT ELITE Spanker Dog Pack in their back.
It is made with only the best and most durable materials for our pooch’s maximum comfort and safety. It is also available in 4 cool colors to choose from.
We love the fact that this saddle bag comes with a magic sticker ID panel.
We can change the patches as often as we want. This makes customizing his bag a lot more effortless.
Best for Smaller Breeds: Baxter By Kurgo
Key Features:
- Integrated dog harness
- Rear mounted leash ring
- Backpack with 2 side pockets
- Reflective trim
- Comes in 2 sizes and 4 colors
The Baxter By Kurgo is another saddle bag worth every penny.
It has all the features one can ask for, like the weight-forward pockets, adjustable straps, and harness-like features. It is as easy to put on and put off, making a pet parent’s life a little easier.
Even if our champ is too excited for the hike, this saddle bag can help ensure we get to keep a hold of our pooch in place.
We can empty his pockets and use the saddle as a harness, giving us one less thing to worry about. It comes in 2 sizes and 4 colors, making the purchase a more exciting one.
Best for Medium-Sized Dogs: Mountainsmith K-9 Dog Pack
Key Features:
- 4-point adjustable chest harness
- Adjustable back harness and belly strap
- Padded sternum pad
- Two compartments
- Accessory pockets
- Tubular grab handle that’s padded
- Comes in 2 colors
Many pet parents love the Mountainsmith K-9 Dog Pack for their dogs who are new to hiking.
The materials seem durable and the saddle bag itself looks good. Dogs can easily carry their must-haves for as long as we secure the bag the right way.
The handle is easy to grasp. This makes carrying and helping our pooch navigate slippery slopes easier.
It comes in 2 low-key colors, which we can easily match.
Best for Larger Breeds: Commuter Pack By Ruffwear
Key Features:
- 3 leash attachment points
- 4 points of adjustment
- Paddled handle
- Non-slip straps
- Reflective trim
- Comes in 2 colors and 4 sizes
The Commuter Pack By Ruffwear is packed with many features pet parents want for a saddle bag. It has multiple points of adjustment and attachment, ensuring our best buddy’s safety and comfort.
It is durable, comes with many pockets, and has a reflective trim, giving us peace of mind if we stay out longer.
The bag is padded and has a V-ring where we can easily attach his leash. We also love its Scandinavian design that makes it stand out from all other backpacks in the list.
The pockets are also weight-forward, meaning he won’t be bothered by the contents moving around as he tries to shake off his energy during one of our runs.
What You Might Need for Your Journey
We should not let the excitement of going out for a walk or hike make us forget the must-haves of our pooch.
For starters, we will surely need to pack the following items on our fido’s saddle bag.
- water bottle with fresh water
- food and dish
- treats
- medications
- training aids (training collars, clickers, muzzles)
- his favorite toys
- leash
- poop bag
- towel
- footwear
- portable bed (for camping)
- first aid suppliers
Things to Consider When Buying a Dog Saddle Bag
There are many considerations when making a saddle bag purchase for our pooch. For one, it needs to be made with materials strong enough to withstand regular wear and tear.
It needs to have padded straps and be of the right fit to ensure our dog’s comfort.
We also need to invest in one that has high-quality connectors and hardware.
We may have a limited budget for his first saddle bag. But it is always to invest in high-quality bags the first time.
How to Choose an Appropriate Load For Your Dog
Putting too much weight on his saddle bag can cause pain and discomfort. As a general rule, the weight of his bag should only be up to 20% of his overall bodyweight.
It is also a must that we ensure we evenly distribute the load on both sides to keep him balanced.
Conclusion
Our trusty old companion deserves only the best things in the world, even a durable and well-fitted saddle bag.
Thankfully, the market is filled with high-quality saddle bags and backpacks for dogs.
By investing in the right one, we can make every walk and hike a better experience for us and our pooch.
