I’ve wanted to backpack with my Border Collie, Nike, since she was just a dream and a future goal. It took us six years to finally get around to purchasing a pack, and I wanted to buy the best quality pack for my dollar.
I had a few criteria in mind when researching the perfect pack:
- I knew I wanted a non-restrictive harness system, one that came to a “Y” from her shoulders and between her legs. This would allow normal shoulder motion.
- I also wanted the packs to sit squarely over her shoulders, not her back. The spine is not designed to carry weight, but her shoulder apparatus is strong enough to carry 10-20% of her weight.
- The pack needed to be sturdy, well-crafted, and waterproof, since Nike loves to take a dip.
The Ruff Wear Approach Pack was most of these things, and in some cases, a bit more.
The pack has thin web nylon straps that go forward over the shoulders, meet at a padded cover, and a single strap goes between the front leg. One strap goes under the dog’s chest (this is the destination of the strap that goes between the legs) and one under her abdomen. The straps are padded with a fleece sleeve.
Note that in order to put the pack on the dog, it must slip over their head, and their right leg has to be pulled between the shoulder strap and the chest strap. Nike did not like this at first, but with plenty of treats, she learned to accept it. The straps must then be secured through a loop on the back of the left back, and clicked into place.
The straps are easily adjustable, and in my experience, stay adjusted to where you left them.
The packs themselves are tear-drop shaped, which allows the items to fall forward to ensure the weight is positioned forward. They are plenty roomy– Nike has the small pack, and has room for a first aid kit, two bottles of water, a bowl, a leash and collar, a flashlight, matches, compass, whistle, and a knife. I also stow maps, keys, and my cell phone in her pack. I believe bigger packs would be a waste since the dog should only carry up to 20% of her weight.
I purchased the green pack; it also comes in blue. It has a reflective strip, as well as a strip of loops useful for attaching poop bag holders, identification, etc.
Nike drags the pack on the ground, on trees, on rocks. It has been dipped in at least four rivers and numerous lakes. We’ve packed just over 50 miles and it still looks like new.
The pack is not considered waterproof. I washed the pack in the washing machine once. I hung it to air-dry, then sprayed it with an aerosol waterproofer. So far, it has never leaked.
As far as sizing– Nike is a 42 pound Border Collie with a moderately deep chest, and the Small fits her perfectly. In my opinion, the sizes run big as I would never consider Nike a small dog. I am not sure what truly small dogs will do!
I will note that this is the new Approach pack. RuffWear has at least one older version out there. The older version is on a different harness system, as you can clip the dog entirely into it and the dog does not have to put a leg over a strap. The packs are also rectangular, not teardrop-shaped, and there are no external loops. The quality and craftsmanship are the same, however. This pack is a size Extra-Small and fits my 35 pound Border Collie well, although she could move up to Nike’s newer Small.
I am very pleased with my purchase of the Ruff Wear Approach Pack and would recommend it to anyone looking for a day pack for their favorite pooch.
