Ruffwear Palisades Dog Pack - 2011 Closeout

Comments about Ruffwear Palisades Dog Pack - 2011 Closeout:

Great pack at a great value. We were concerned when our lab/spaniel mix measured right at the 27" size cutoff listed on this website, but decided to order anyway. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that this size small pack fits dogs up to 30" (76 cm).

When empty, this pack is heavier than I anticipated, but the pup doesn't seem to mind. We've been the talk of the neighborhood while breaking it in on our evening walks.

Comments about Ruffwear Palisades Dog Pack - 2011 Closeout:

THIS DOGPACK IS PERFECT FOR OUR 32# (19" AT SHOULDER AND 19" GIRTH) GERMAN PINSCHER LOVES HER NEW PACK. IT IS LIGHT, STURDY, BUCKLES RELEASE BAGS FROM SADDLE (allowed you to let dog breathe-go in water- relax without the load till ready to go). Has straps to tighten the load for ease on dog, Two water bottles/hydration with hoses can be filled. Sturdy handle at back of pack for holding/lifting dog across creeks or large logs to stabilize. She was real close to using the medium but so glad I went with the small as her size will not be changing. GOOD JOB RUFFWEAR! FYI: A GERMAN PINSCHER IS NOT A DOBERMAN... ONLY 40# MAX STANDARD.. THE RARE BREED... LOVERS, INSIDE DOGS, EXTREMELY SMART, LAPSITTERS, AND A VERY HAPPY DOG. CHECK THEM OUT !!!

Comments about Ruffwear Palisades Dog Pack - 2011 Closeout:

To start, my dog hasn't actually hiked with this pack yet, I'm sorry to say. However, it fits her well and it's just GOT to be a great pack. I wanted it when it was full-price because of the excellent reviews but when REI put it on clearance for the same price as the more basic pack? Couldn't pass it up. The design is incredible. What didn't Ruffwear think of? How it sits on the dog, the comfort features, the bladders in their own protective pouches with the zippers to just pop the nozzles through, the compression straps, the martingale-style chest plate, sealed zippers, the multi-point adjustments, the drain holes for when you don't release the pack from the harness before your dog jumps in a pond...and it's red! My black Lab's best color! :)

Comments about Ruffwear Palisades Dog Pack - 2011 Closeout:

We backpack everywhere with our dog. RuffWear is the only brand we use. Once the RuffWear harness is properly adjusted the pack stays put. With other packs we would find ourselves continuously adjusting and re-adjusting our dogs pack. Other packs seem to shift or twist off balance every few miles. This pack is solid and steady.

With the RuffWear Palisades your dog can carry multiple sized loads. As the load is reduced the pack nicely condenses with various internal and external adjustments. During breaks the pack can easily be removed while leaving the harness on the dog with unrestricted movement. The dog can relax, but yet be ready to gear up and go in a jiff. No more re-adjustments prior to getting back on the trail, just clip the pack in place and you're back on the trail.

The pack and harness is durable and easy to clean. Our dog is a 55# Australian Shepherd/Collie mix. We have had this pack for more than 5 years. Because it is a larger capacity pack we primarily use it for several day treks. On day hikes we use the RuffWear Approach.

We also recommend picking up a set of RuffGear dog shoes. You never know when your dog might need paw protection. Unfortunately we have had many encounters with folks struggling to pack their pooch out of the mountains because of raw/sore feet. Granite can chew up a dogs paws real quick. After trying multiple dog shoes, with much disappointment (and duct tape), we broke down and bought a set of RuffWear. We were penny wise and pound foolish as RuffWear dog shoes were worth every penny. Some our treks: Rim of Lake Tahoe, PCT sections, Trinity Alps, Shasta Wilderness, Eastern Sierras... Happy Trekking and Hope this Helps!