Ruffwear  Approach Dog Pack

This pack works really well. It holds a bunch and has really great support. The back handle makes it easy to help your furry friend over tall fallen logs, cliffs, etc. You do have to pay attention to making sure the weight is evenly distributed to both side pockets as it can shift if one side is heavier than the other. Overall, we like this pack, but our dog hates it and acts like carrying his own supplies is worse than going to the vet.

This is a very good quality pack. It has been perfect for overnight hiking/camping trips along the Appalachian Trail. It allows our pup, Apollo, to carry some of his own water and all of his food for a 24-36 hour trip (in addition to packing his own waste out - very helpful!). After he quickly got used to it, he seems quite comfortable in it. The one thing we wish it had was a front clip. Apollo can be quite the puller on trails, and an integrated front clip like the larger pack has would be helpful. We were able to essentially solve the issue by looping the end of our flexible leash around the front chest strap thing. Apollo is a 70-lb Golden, and the size M fits him well!

We finally found it. Yes, this thing isn't cheap, but the chest strap alone makes it worth it. We threw this on our furry companion and didn't have to adjust it/recenter it once on our ~22 mile test drive. It even held up well to him scraping against rocks. The durable handle meant we could use it as an assistive device to get him up and down some larger rocks (what we have come to call 'the airlift'). No chafing. Our pup was able to carry his food and water in comfort (and style!) for a multi-day backpacking trip. Just be careful not to overload your poor pup... I believe the recommendation is <15% of bodyweight.

I like to take my 84-lb Lab hiking with me whenever possible. Being the big strong buck that he is, I often mentioned to him (in the middle of a hike) that it sure would be nice if he could carry his own goodies. Well, now he is. I haven't put a lot of weight on him yet. However, 2 2-liter bottles of water, 2 towels, a couple bandanas, scoobie snacks along with doggie doo-doo bags certainly lightens my load! And he really seems to enjoy having a job to do. The pack seems to be very well made and the extra large fits him well. Both dog & human are very satisfied!

I originally purchased the Small Approach pack for my beagle. While the straps fit great, the pack hung too low to the ground, and kept hitting every rock my dog went over on the trail. I returned the small pack to REI and ordered an XS to gain clearance. Now the straps were fully extended and pinching my dog across the belly. The REI employees suggested I contact Ruffwear about the issue. And Ruffwear, after I sent them pictures of my dog in the pack and the issue area, immediately created a belly extension strap to make the pack fit my dog properly (and they didn't charge me)! I will keep buying this brand for my dog when I get such great customer service.

My dog measured right at 32” and some of the reviews said to go with the large. I ended up exchanging the pack for the medium and it’s a much better fit. We went out on the trail today and all that was in the pack was a water bottle on each side, her water bowl, and her potty bags. After our water break the pack was very lopsided. I stopped several times to fiddle with it. It may be an adjustment issue but the pack is pretty tight. On the whole I like the pack and she did well.

My big guy did so good with this pack! It was comfortable on him and held what was needed! Great quality and great features. Definitely worth the buy!

Built like a sledding harness and doesn't inhibit the range of motion of the dog's front assembly. Great adjustability, dries fairly quickly. An upgrade would be sewn on padding for the Y front, including the front most underbelly strap.

I initially bought this pack in a medium for my 70lb 15 month-old black lab, but it was pretty snug with NO room to grow. I returned it and bought a large/XL, which fits fine. He loves hiking and hauling some gear. I usually pack 2 liters of water, a water bowl, and some snacks and poo bags for day hiking. I haven't tried backpacking with it yet, but it seems like there is plenty of room for more food, etc. It seems like it's pretty sturdy and when it got really muddy, I just hosed it off without any problem. I definitely recommend this pack for active dogs that enjoy being out in the woods!

this pack has lasted years with my 70lb pitbull who slams into trees while running. the packs aren't even a little loose after two years of abuse. the back handle is also very sturdy, and has not come loose after regularly using it to haul him up steep slopes and assist jumps (and once out of a public pond. oops). a medium comfortably fits his neck and chest because, unlike a lot of packs, the neck area is fully adjustable. when fit properly, this pack does not chafe his chest or his armpits. only three downsides: 1) because the packs are so large, they cover most of his chest and he will easily overheat in hot weather. 2) i really wish the zippers were fully waterproof. they don't let in a LOT of water and they drain easily, but if he swims in the creek, the contents of his packs get wet. 3) the belly band is far enough back that it catches urine spray.