Animals Pets The Best Dog Hiking Gear of 2023 Hiking with your best friend? Outfit them in expert-approved dog hiking gear. By Mary Jo DiLonardo Mary Jo DiLonardo LinkedIn Twitter Senior Writer University of Cincinnati Mary Jo DiLonardo has worked in print, online, and broadcast journalism for 25 years and covers nature, health, science, and animals. Learn about our editorial process Updated October 14, 2022 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Animals Wildlife Pets Animal Rights Endangered Species We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Getty When you hit the trails, you likely have all sorts of favorite gear. You have shoes that fit, probably a durable backpack, and other items that make the adventure safer and more enjoyable. So it makes sense that your canine trail companion would need hiking gear too. Long-lasting and comfortable items will help make your outdoor adventure fun and keep your pet out of danger when you explore Mother Nature. We spoke with a dog trainer and researched the market to find the best gear for hiking with dogs. The Rundown Best Backpack: Ruffwear Approach Dog Pack at REI Jump to Review Best Leash: Kurgo Quantum 6-In-1 Dog Leash at Amazon Jump to Review Best Collar: Wilderdog Dog Collars at Buckertrading.com Jump to Review Best Harness: Ruffwear Flagline Harness at REI Jump to Review Best Collar Light: Nite Ize SpotLit LED Carabiner Light at Basspro.com Jump to Review Best Goggles: Rex Specs V2 Dog Goggles at REI Jump to Review Best Poop Bags: The Original Poop Bags at Amazon Jump to Review Best Dog Sunscreen: Sit. Stay. Forever. Sunscreen at Amazon Jump to Review Best First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Kits ADS Trail Dog First Aid Kit at REI Jump to Review Best Collapsible Bowl: Prima Pets Collapsible Bowl with Carabiner at Amazon Jump to Review Best Backpack Ruffwear Approach Dog Pack 5 Ruffwear View On REI View On Backcountry.com View On Ruffwear.com This bright orange dog backpack is a favorite with campers and hikers. It has five spots where you can make adjustments to ensure a good fit and two places where you can attach the leash. There’s a padded handle for lifting your trail companion over streams or rocky terrain, and the pack has reflective trim to help for safety. The pack is made of ripstop nylon and has four exterior pockets. Capacity obviously depends on the size, but a medium pack weighs just over a pound and holds 14.5 liters (885 cubic inches) of gear. Because of the saddle bag design, you need to make sure weight is balanced on both sides of the pack for a stable load. Price at time of publish: $110 Pro Tip: “Make sure you practice and build up weight with the dog,” says certified dog trainer and animal behaviorist Susie Aga, owner of Atlanta Dog Trainer. “You can’t just strap all that stuff on the dog and go. You have to slowly build up their stamina.” Best Leash Kurgo Quantum 6-In-1 Dog Leash Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Kurgo.com View On PETCO This handy leash converts six different ways, depending on where you move the carabiner. That can come in handy on the trail or at a campsite. It can be a simple 6-foot or 3-foot standard leash, you can loop it around your waist or over your shoulder for hands-free running or walking, convert it into a tether to hitch your dog, or turn it into a double leash to walk two dogs. The leash comes in six bright colors with a reflective trim. It has a padded handle and adjusts from 48 to 72 inches. It has a limited lifetime warranty. Price at time of publish: $30 Best Collar Wilderdog Dog Collars Courtesy of Wilderdog View On Buckertrading.com View On Wilderdog.com Wilderdog makes colorful rope collars and also waterproof ones. The rubber-coated webbing repels on the waterproof choices helps repel water, dirt, and anything else your pup might encounter on the trail. It also keeps the collar from getting too smelly. The waterproof collars come in pink, teal, olive, and black and are available in three sizes. The company’s other colorful colors are made from durable rock climbing rope. They are available in three sizes and 16 colors. Wilderdog collars are guaranteed for life, and the company donates a pound of food to shelters and rescues for every order placed. Price at time of publish: $29 The 8 Best Eco-Friendly Dog Collars of 2023 Best Harness Ruffwear Flagline Harness Courtesy of Ruffwear View On REI View On Amazon View On Moosejaw.com Ruffwear has some great harness options for outdoorsy dogs. The Flagline is an updated version of the Web Master harness (view on REI), which is popular with adventurous people and their pets. The Flagline is lighter and longer with an additional front clip, as well as the clip on the dog’s back. Both harnesses have lots of places to adjust for a great fit. They also have a lift-and-assist handle to help boost your dog up over creeks, crevices, or any difficult surface. There’s reflective trim for safety and it comes in three bright colors. Price at time of publish: $70 The 7 Best Dog Harnesses, According to Pet Experts Best Collar Light Nite Ize SpotLit LED Carabiner Light Courtesy of REI View On Basspro.com View On Cabelas.com View On Chewy This simple light easily snaps on and hangs from your dog’s collar, making nighttime walks easier and safer. The carabiner light cycles through six colors or leave it on the one you like. It comes in weather-resistant housing and there’s a push “on/off” switch. Keep it in soft glowing mode or switch it to flashing. The two included replaceable CR2016 3v lithium batteries will keep the light powered for more than 20 hours. It weighs less than a half ounce and is about 2 inches long. With the simple carabiner, you can clip it on your gear or keychain when you don’t need it on your dog’s collar. Price at time of publish: $10 Best Goggles Rex Specs V2 Dog Goggles 5 Rex Specs View On REI View On Amazon View On Rexspecs.com If your dog is careening through the woods or racing across the snow, goggles are a smart way to protect them from flying debris like rocks and sand, as well as tree limbs, insects, and harmful ultraviolet rays. Rex Specs are incredibly popular with owners of very athletic, outdoorsy dogs. They are also popular with people who have dogs that are light sensitive and need to protect their eyes from the sun. The lenses are impact resistant and are rated UV400, which means they block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. They also offer very good peripheral vision. The adventure goggles come in six sizes, six frame colors, and have six different types of lenses. They range from clear and smoke to red, blue, silver, and green mirror. Price at time of publish: $86 Best Poop Bags The Original Poop Bags 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Chewy View On PETCO Bag your pet’s droppings using compostable poop bags. These are more eco-friendly than biodegradable bags which can take years to decompose. We tested several different versions, and this brand is the winner. The Original Poop Bags compostable items come in all sorts of versions including rolls that fit in holders or bags with handles that tie that you can attach them to your leash or your gear. They are made in the United States of plant matter including corn, vegetable oils, and compostable polymers and they meet the ASTM D6400 standard for commercial compostability. When you buy from the You Buy; We Donate line, a portion of sales are donated to support nature-related charities like the Jane Goodall Institute. Price at time of publish: $12 Best Dog Sunscreen Sit. Stay. Forever. Sunscreen Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Sitstayforever.com Most of your dog might be covering in fur, but there are often vulnerable spots such as the tip of their nose. Some breeds are more vulnerable than others to the sun’s harmful UV rays, so sunscreen can help protect them. Most sunscreens have zinc and titanium dioxides, oxybenzone, and octinoxate which some people like to avoid because of potential health dangers. This product is made of beeswax, shea butter, and a mix of oils including coconut, olive, raspberry, and hemp. It helps provide a protective layer on your pet’s nose, ears, and other exposed areas. However, one drawback is that the tin is relatively small for the price. Price at time of publish: $15 Best First Aid Kit Adventure Medical Kits ADS Trail Dog First Aid Kit Courtesy of Amazon View On REI View On Walmart View On Amazon You hope you’ll never need it, but it’s smart to be prepared for minor cuts or accidents when your pup is in the great outdoors. This basic first aid kit has dressings, bandages, antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, antiseptic wipes, alcohol swabs, an irrigation syringe, a saline wound and eye wash, and a tool to remove ticks, splinters, and thorns. The kit comes with a pet first aid manual to walk you through emergency care. (It’s a good idea to read it before you hit the trails.) The pack itself is compact, waterproof, and lightweight at just 12 ounces. You might want to supplement the kit with a pair of small scissors to cut the bandages. Price at time of publish: $29 Best Collapsible Bowl Prima Pets Collapsible Travel Bowl with Carabiner Amazon View On Amazon View On Chewy This handy collapsible bowl easily pops open to give your dog water or food when you’re out on great adventures. It’s made from food-grade silicone with a BPA-free plastic rim. It’s dishwasher-safe, so it’s easy to clean when you get home. There’s a carabiner clip to attach it to a backpack or leash. The small bowl holds 1.5 cups of food or water and the large holds 5 cups. It comes in four colors: gray, purple, pink, and aqua. The wide bottom keeps it stable so it’s not easily knocked over and they collapse into small, flat discs that are easy to stow away. Price at time of publish: $9 What to Consider When Shopping for Hiking Gear for Your Dog Size and Fit Many products like harnesses, backpacks, and goggles need a secure fit to be safe. Items just fit snuggly, but not so tight that they are uncomfortable or restrict their movement. Measure as directed and use the company’s sizing chart to determine what size product to buy. Always check the fit each time you put the item back on. Reflective Trim When you know you’ll be out in the early or evening hours, it’s key to have reflective material on both your and your dog. That way other hikers, drivers, and anyone else who is out won’t miss you. Many items like harnesses, collars, leashes, and backpacks have reflective trim. Frequently Asked Questions Do I need a harness for hiking with my dog? “It depends on the terrain and it depends on the dog,” says certified dog trainer Susie Aga. On a difficult trail, a simple collar can put pressure on a dog’s neck and even do damage. Especially if your dog pulls on the leash, many harnesses can help with that. Always keep a collar on your dog with ID tags. You can switch back and forth between the harness and the leash if you need, and you always have another secure spot to clip the leash. What should I do with poop bags while hiking with my dog? It’s important to leave no trace when you’re hiking or camping, and that includes whatever your dog deposits after dinner. Believe it or not, some people just leave their dog’s poop on the trail or bag it up, but then leave the poop bags behind. Just toss them into your backpack or tie them to your dog’s leash and dispose of them when you get home. What must I pack to hike with my dog, and what items are optional? You always need a leash, a collar, and poop bags when you head out for any walk or on any hike. Add on other gear depending on where you’re going and depending on your dog. Not all dogs need goggles and sunscreen, for example. But it’s probably a good idea to pack some first aid supplies and water and a way to drink it no matter where you’re hiking. Why Trust Treehugger? At Treehugger, we are advocates of animal welfare, including our pets and other domestic animals. When it comes to recommending pet gear, we always put animals' health and needs first, and also look for products that are sustainable and ethically made. The proud mom of a rescue dog, author Mary Jo DiLonardo has fostered more than three dozen dogs and puppies, and taken them on a lot of walks and hikes. She also consulted with a certified dog trainer and more serious outdoorsy people about their preferred gear. She is also one of Treehugger's product testers. For more than 25 years, Mary Jo has covered a wide range of topics focused on nature, pets, health, science, and anything that helps make the world a better place. She has spent more than six years with Treehugger, formerly under the Mother Nature Network brand. The Best Dog Hiking Gear of 2023