REI.com
  • Online: www.REI.com
  • URL for this product:
  • From the U.S. and Canada — Call 1-800-426-4840
  • Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT.
  • International — Call 1-253-891-2500
  • Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT. English language only.
Ruff Wear Approach Pack -- Sizes X Small - Small
bluezoomZoom image

Ruff Wear Approach Pack -- Sizes X Small - Small

Item # 771045

$74.95

Item qualifies for annual
REI Member Refund (typically 10%)

1.

2. Qty

3.

Product Rating
Share It
Email this to a friend Email this to a friend
Bookmark and share Bookmark and share

Discover the joy of hiking with your best friend—this Ruff Wear dog pack is perfect for day or weekend adventures with your pooch!

  • Trim saddlebag design moves easily with dog's body, allowing easy navigation through dense woods
  • Web Master™ harness frame improves load distribution, support, comfort and stability
  • Built-in handle to help your dog through those tough spots on the trail; leash can be attached to sturdy D-ring (leash sold separately)
  • Constructed of water-resistant ballistic nylon for durability

Sizing is based on girth and length. For girth, measure around the widest part of your dog's rib cage. Size X Small: 17 - 24 in. girth, 305 cu. in. capacity; size Small: 21 - 30 in. girth, 549 cu. in. capacity.

Imported.

Item 771045

Ruff Wear Approach Pack -- Sizes X Small - Small Specs

Specification

Description

MaterialNylon
Number of pockets2 main compartments

Ruff Wear Approach Pack -- Sizes X Small - Small Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Ruff Wear Approach Pack
 
4.4

(based on 9 reviews)

88%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easy to put on (4)
  • Tough (4)
  • Fun (3)
  • Good quality (3)
  • Good value (3)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Outdoors (3)
    • Travel (3)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Long-time pet owner (4)

    Reviewed by 9 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-9

    Back to top

    Sep

    11

    2008

    (27 of 27 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Excellent!

    By kkcowgirl

    from Stockton, CA

    About Me Long-time Pet Owner

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Good design
    • Tough

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Hiking
      • Travel

      Comments about Ruff Wear Approach Pack:

      We purchased two of these backpacks for our dogs, replacing two others that we gave up on due to poor design. On the OLD packs, unless I got the scale out and evened out the load on each size exactly, (and I mean to the ounce!) the packs would slip to one side and we were constantly adjusting. Also our dogs never seemed to get comfortable with them as they were long and shallow, and I suspect caused some back pain due to weight being distributed to the center of their backs.

      With these new packs and the wonderful "breast collar" design similar to a saddle on a horse, these packs don't move. I can estimate the weights on each side; they don't have to be exact. They are well made; not a scratch on these packs, even though the dogs scraped them on manzanita brush and granite boulders on the sides of the trail. They stayed in place and held up unbelievably well.

      There is good padding on the straps too. And they don't have to be tight around the dog's ribcage and belly in order for the pack to stay in place. They don't restrict our dogs' movement like our old packs did.

      The weight is centered up closer to the shoulders so our pups seem to be much more comfortable in carrying them.

      We have two medium sized (45 lb) dogs. In just about every other dog wearable product, they are an Extra Large. In this backpack they wear a Small size, but don't let the sizing fool you, there is still plenty of room for food, water, gear, etc. On a recent trip, our dogs each packed in a bottle of water and a pound of dog food on each side of the pack, plus their leashes and a food/water bowl...with room to spare. Had it been necessary, we could have easily put 3 pounds of food on each side.

      Our pups just seem happier with these, and so are we!

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (27 of 27 customers found this review helpful)

      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

       - You may also flag this review

      Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

      Nov

      23

      2008

      (10 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      I love this pack

      By haikubear

      from Harrisonburg, VA

      About Me Veterinarian

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Good Value
      • Tough

      Cons

        Best Uses

          Comments about Ruff Wear Approach Pack:

          This is the only dog pack I've ever found that actually stays on the dog evenly. The harness suspension system is comfortable and works great. They can't accidentally jump out of the pack, it is highly adjustable, has padded belly bands,is just fantastic. They are sized quite large. My 50# Siberian Husky wears a small.

          • Gift:
          • No

          (10 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

          Was this review helpful? Yes / No

           - You may also flag this review

          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

          Oct

          16

          2008

          (7 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

           
          4.0

          Awesome pack

          By joe1avs

          from Tooele, UT

          About Me Long-time Pet Owner

          Pros

          • Fun
          • Good Value
          • Tough
          • Versatile

          Cons

          • Tough To Set Up

          Best Uses

            Comments about Ruff Wear Approach Pack:

            We got the small for our 48 lb dog and it fits great. the chest strap prevents the pack from sliding side to side and it fits well enough that our dog can run with it on and it doesn't seem to hinder her at all. The only con is that the strap connection is under the bag through a loop and that makes set up a little more time consuming. Other than that it is a sweet pack and our dog loves it. She seems to have a purpose and she acts like a true trail guide with it on.

            • Gift:
            • No

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            (7 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

            Was this review helpful? Yes / No

             - You may also flag this review

            Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

            Sep

            27

            2008

            (6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

             
            5.0

            Great quality dog pack

            By Bunji_1

            from Minneapolis, MN

            About Me Long-time Pet Owner

            Pros

            • Good Value
            • Sizes are accurate
            • Tough
            • Well padded

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Hiking
              • Larger Pets

              Comments about Ruff Wear Approach Pack:

              This pack feels extremely well-made and thoughtfully designed. Everything is padded and comfortable. The size of the bags doesn't appear very large, but once you open them up and start putting items in there, you realize there's a lot more room than it seems.

              The only problem I experienced with this pack was that the chest straps loosened during our hike. I will re-fit her properly then simply stitch them so they stay at that length - problem solved!

              • Gift:
              • No

              Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

              (6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

              Was this review helpful? Yes / No

               - You may also flag this review

              Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

              Mar

              18

              2009

              (2 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              Perfect.....

              By JohnnyJ

              from Indy, IN

              About Me Long-time Pet Owner

              Pros

              • Fun

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Larger Pets
                • Younger Pets

                Comments about Ruff Wear Approach Pack:

                We got Denali (our black lab) about 5 months ago, as such, she is still very much a puppy. We started to use the pack on our walks, she is much easier to control and does not pull as much as she did with her leash. It is simply amazing.


                JJ

                Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

                (2 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

                Was this review helpful? Yes / No

                 - You may also flag this review

                Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

                Jul

                2

                2009

                (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                 
                5.0

                Great Pack!

                By KittyHorse

                from Chicago, IL

                About Me Multiple Dog Owner

                Site Member

                Pros

                • Easy to Put On
                • Fun
                • Good Quality
                • Moves well with the dog

                Cons

                • Chest strap maybe too big

                Best Uses

                • Outdoors
                • Travel

                Comments about Ruff Wear Approach Pack:

                This is a great pack! It moves well with the dog's body and gait. The pack is great because the saddle bags are sleek and aren't too bulky so the dog won't get hung up on obstacles or low-lying branches. We have two Aussie's and bought the same pack for both of them. We bought the medium pack for our 50 lb Aussie and it worked so well we got a second in size small for our 35 lb dog.

                The only con I can think of is that the medium pack's chest strap seems too big for our dog. We've had to shorten it. It may have just been a manufacturing variation. Be sure to fit your dog at the store before you buy.

                All around great dog pack!

                • Sizing:
                • Feels true to size

                Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

                (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                Was this review helpful? Yes / No

                 - You may also flag this review

                Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

                Nov

                1

                2009

                 
                4.0

                Nice Pack !

                By ke from Minnesota

                from Minnesota

                About Me Single Dog Owner

                Site Member

                Pros

                • Easy to Put On
                • Good Quality

                Cons

                • For med to large dogs

                Best Uses

                • Large Dogs
                • Outdoors
                • Travel

                Comments about Ruff Wear Approach Pack:

                We measured our dog's girth at 20 but the pack really is for a larger dog. A very nicely made pack and the clearance price was very nice but had to return the pack and try to find the XS for a nice price. Defintely made for 30- 50 lb dogs despite the misnomer of size small.

                • Gift:
                • No
                • Sizing:
                • Feels full size too big

                Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

                Was this review helpful? Yes / No

                 - You may also flag this review

                Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

                Aug

                26

                2009

                 
                2.0

                Not for the rough and tumble...

                By Pet me I

                from Mid-Atlantic

                About Me Outdoor dog club owner

                Pros

                • Assist handle
                • Easy to Put On
                • Washes Well

                Cons

                • Causes Irritation
                • Tears Easily
                • Wears Quickly

                Best Uses

                  Comments about Ruff Wear Approach Pack:

                  I settled on the Approach pack for my English Springer Spaniel. The panniers are too large in the size Small, but an X-Small does not fit. We tried several sizes in every main-stream brand and model and he seems to be in between sizes in each. So, the Approach was as close as we could get.

                  Ruff Wear sizing in general seems to run the gamut. In the overcoat he is a Medium or a Large, in the Float Coat a Medium and in the packs he is a Small.

                  I have never come close to completely filling the panniers even on multi-day overnight trips. This makes it difficult to pack a stable, balanced load when contents are constantly shifting. The load should be high on the sides to help with center of gravity, but the result with overly large panniers is gear sinking to the bottom and bouncing with each step.

                  Besides the panniers being too large, I was happy with it for a while.

                  The older style Ruff Wear packs were much more durable being made from a ballistics nylon. These new models are made from a lighter/ thinner material that just did not hold up to our use. I got about 6-months of use from this pack and it is falling apart.

                  I do not know if Ruff Wear's decision to use a lighter material was weight based or production cost based. If they were trying to cut back on the weight of the pack itself, it would make more sense to reduce the size of the panniers. I see far too many dogs carrying loads that are way too heavy. Manufactures who produce packs with panniers that are out of proportion are simply encouraging uneducated dog owners to fill them and put too much weight on their dogs.

                  I will not buy another Ruff Wear pack unless they go back to a more durable nylon. I will not be replacing my dog's pack twice a year at the cost of these packs. If you and your dog are more than just casual backpackers, you should look elsewhere for a more durable pack.

                  Yes, we require more out of our gear than the average consumer, but other gear we use does not wear out this fast. Even under our demands, I should get at least a year out of any dog pack. Most consumers purchase gear expecting to get many years out of them, so my expectations of at least a year is not out of line.

                  • Gift:
                  • No
                  • Sizing:
                  • Feels full size too big

                  Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

                  Was this review helpful? Yes / No

                   - You may also flag this review

                  Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

                  Jun

                  12

                  2009

                  (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                   
                  5.0

                  Great pack for the dog

                  By Balke Nalke

                  from Frisco, TX

                  About Me Multiple Dog Owner

                  Site Member

                  Pros

                  • Durable
                  • Easy to Put On
                  • Good Quality

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • Large Dogs
                    • Outdoors

                    Comments about Ruff Wear Approach Pack:

                    My wife and I purchased a less expensive pack before we bought this one. The less expensive pack would not sit evenly on the dog. Weight distribution was a nightmare. Overall it seemed like an uncomfortable experience for the dog.

                    After purchasing this pack all I can say is wow! It is easy to load and sits level on the dog even if both pouches aren't exactly the same weight. The padding is good on the straps. The movement of the dog is not restricted with it on.

                    We're very happy with this purchase. If you want your dog to pull their own weight you won't be dissapointed with this purchase!

                    • Gift:
                    • No
                    • Sizing:
                    • Feels true to size

                    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

                    (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                    Was this review helpful? Yes / No

                     - You may also flag this review

                    Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

                    Displaying reviews 1-9

                    Back to top

                    Ruff Wear Approach Pack -- Sizes X Small - Small Related Items

                    Things that go well with this item:

                    Other items like this:

                    You might also like:

                    Join REI and Enjoy the Benefits

                    Members are eligible for an annual refund on qualifying purchases. Plus, they enjoy many more benefits. Get a lifetime membership for $20.

                    Add an REI membership to my order.

                    How are we doing? Give us feedback on this page.

                    • Shopping Cart 
                    • |
                    •  
                    • Buy REI Gift Cards
                    • REI Gift Cards
                    • Fast, easy and one size fits all.
                    • Buy now!
                    • Join REI today!
                    • REI Membership
                    • REI member benefits include an annual refund (typically 10% on eligible purchases).
                    • Join REI today!
                    • Sign up for REI Gearmail®
                    • and get 15% off selected items!
                    • Store Locator
                    • Locate an REI store near you.