Our Favorite Dog Backpack Carriers Tested With Real Dogs

From keeping your hands free while running errands to providing a restful perch for tired paws on long walks, a dog backpack carrier is a great way to bring along a furry friend. To get a feel for different dog personalities and needs, we tested various styles of dog backpacks. Each one was sent to a volunteer tester and their dog to incorporate into their routine. While our dog participants were toted around, our human testers took careful notes. Following a methodology written in advance, our testers evaluated each dog backpack for its performance, quality, comfort (for both paw-ticipants), and overall value.

Our Favorite Dog Backpack

Kurgo Nomad Carrier Backpack

$90 at Amazon View on Kurgo.com

The dual-use Kurgo Nomad Carrier Backpack is suitable for small dogs that weigh less than 15 pounds, and it can be configured as either a backpack or a carrier, including both backpack straps and two beefy, dual-carry handles.

I personally tested this backpack with my pomeranian, and we had an additional tester try it out with a slight heavier 11 pound dog. All involved (humans and canines) found the backpack to be very well constructed and well-balanced with several points of adjustment.

The Kurgo Nomad benefits from a classic backpack look that doesn’t immediately suggest a pet carrier. Its broad back panel also offers several ways for your dog to travel, since the compartment can be fully opened or closed, or just allow enough room for a snout to poke out. There’s an interior tether that you can attach to your dog’s collar to keep it in place.

The interior of the Kurgo is lined with waterproof fabric, and the internal pad where your dog sits can be removed and machine washed. The exterior is similarly water-resistant, with a DWR coating that should keep your dog dry next time you’re caught in a downpour together. In addition to the external pockets, which include a large, zippered front compartment and two side stow pouches, the Kurgo Nomad has an interior tablet sleeve.

The bottom of the bag is waterproof with ventilation panels on each side. The zippered main compartment also has two separate zippers, so you can either zip it fully closed or zip up a separate mesh panel for additional ventilation. While we appreciated the multiple ways to ventilate, the mesh is a little too heavy-duty to allow as much airflow as our tester would have liked.

Comes in two colors, blue or red

Best Overall for Medium Breeds

K9 Sport Sack Plus 2 Dog Carrier

$86 at Chewy $100 at Walmart $105 $95 at Petco

If your dog is comfortable in an upright position , the K9 Sport Sack Plus 2 Dog Carrier will make it easy for you to bring it along on adventures. The backpack comes in three sizes, which can accommodate dogs ranging in weight from 8 to 40 pounds. The sizing chart also has length guidelines, so you should measure your dog from collar to base of tail to find the right fit.

Our tester’s senior dog is under 30 pounds and has joint issues, but once inside the backpack it was able to join its human on walks without discomfort. “This product is really helpful and distributes the weight of my dog well,” our tester said.

Once securely inside the backpack, a dog’s head and front legs will remain uncovered for snoot boops, high fives, and paw shakes. The sides are ventilated with small mesh pockets, and a padded back panel helps to keep your dog cool. For a human’s comfort, the bag features wide straps designed to relieve pressure and a padded back panel. However, our tester found perfectly distributing a larger dog’s weight to be a little finicky, taking multiple strap adjustments before they found a comfortable configuration.

The K9 Sport Sack also includes a 14 by 9 inch detachable storage bag, for carrying additional items like a collapsible water bowl, snacks, keys, and more.

Our dog tester weighs slightly under 30 pounds

How We Picked

Testing: We selected 15 of the latest, top-performing dog backpacks available and sent each one to a real home with a dog for real-world testing.

Each of our canine participants was placed in and carried around in a dog backpack. Their human companions gathered insights and made notes about their shared experiencs over the course of two weeks and then provided their feedback within the following categories: performance, comfort, quality, and value. They were also asked whether they would recommend the dog backpack they tested.

Equipped with this first-hand information, we ranked and categorized our top picks to simplify your search for the perfect dog backpack to suit your needs, habits, and preferences.

More We Recommend

Kurgo G-Train Dog Carrier Backpack

$145 at Amazon $145 at Chewy View on Petco

Best for Outdoors: Made with waterproof, dirt resistant fabric and featuring reflective strips and a sturdy base, the Kurgo G-Train Dog Carrier Backpack is designed for bringing your dog along on outdoor excursions.

“My dog was adequately supported, and I could walk around hands-free comfortably and set the pack down with him in it if needed,” remarked our tester, whose dog slightly exceeds the manufacturer’s suggested weight of up to 25 pounds.

Padded shoulder straps, along with an adjustable strap at the sternum and hip, offer support and help to alleviate pressure. However, when the backpack is on the bag is designed so that dog and human are facing in opposite directions. For our tester, this aspect of the backpack made it feel like the weight of their dog was also pulling away. The carrier comes with two optional stabilization rods that can be placed inside, but that slightly reduces the interior space, and our tester found installation to be tricky.

Mesh on both sides provides ventilation along with slim pockets for easy access to anything you want to keep on hand, like a water bottle or snacks. An internal padded pocket can accommodate a laptop, and there are loops on the exterior for attachment of other items.

Recommended for dogs up to 25 pounds

Apollo Walker Pet Carrier Backpack

$40 at Amazon

Best for Senior Dogs: If you want to give your dog a place to rest while continuing with your walk, this sturdy dog backpack will allow you to continue enjoying the outdoors together. Our tester was pleased with the lightweight construction of the Apollo Walker Pet Carrier Backpack, and their senior toy poodle had plenty of space to relax.

With mesh sides and top, your dog will be able to feel the wind across its little furry body to keep it cool. You can also unzip each mesh panel to let your dog poke its head out, and an internal clip that attaches to a collar or harness will keep your dog securely inside the backpack. For the wearer of the dog backpack, thick padded straps, along with a sternum and waist strap, will alleviate pressure on the back and distribute your dog’s weight.

The stable construction of this dog backpack offers a protected encasement for your pup, but you may find it more difficult to store, because it takes up more space.

Tested with a 10 pound Toy Poodle

Mr. Peanut's Aspen Series Airline Approved Backpack Pet Carrier

View on Amazon $10 at Walmart $100 at Wayfair

Best Airline-Approved: Streamline your airport experience with the Mr. Peanuts Aspen Series Pet Backpack. “The build alone gives you comfort that your pet is comfortable on your back,” shared our tester who found the additional storage pockets and the removable fleece pad to be highly convenient for daily use and while traveling. The bag is designed for use as a pet carrier on commercial flights, but you should always confirm with your airline provider before arriving at the airport.

The backpack features breathable mesh on both sides, the front, and the top, and all four placements can be unzipped for access and viewability. Our tester found the adjustable shoulder straps with padding to be comfortable but felt that a sternum strap would make the backpack feel more secure. It also folds up easily for storage.

Exterior dimensions are 18 x 14 x 9 inches

YUDODO Reflective Pet Sling Carrier

$20 at Amazon

Best Sling Carrier: For small dogs that tend to be anxious, the cross-body design of this carrier will keep your furry friend close by. It distributes the weight of the dog more evenly than a shoulder bag and gives you the hands free experience of a backpack.

Our tester selected the medium sized YUDODO Reflective Pet Sling Carrier for their 12-pound dog. She felt that it offered ample space to keep her dog protected and secure without feeling restricted.

The lightweight sling weighs less than a pound on its own, has a drawstring opening, and is made with a breathable mesh. The adjustable strap has a large buckle closure and a pocket designed for a smartphone. Our tester, who also has a baby at home, found the sling to be very comfortable and convenient for taking her child in a stroller and her dog in the sling on walks and running errands.

Available in seven colors

Manhattan Portage Sirius Traveler Dog Backpack

$159 at Amazon View on Shopdogandco.com View on Manhattanportage.com

Best For Commuting: The Sirius Traveler Dog Backpack from Manhattan Portage offers comfort for canines and their human companion. “This backpack gave us an added sense of security, and we really appreciated the attention to detail for the dog and the pet parent that was put into it,” remarked our tester.

The parcel is designed to stand on its own, making it easier to place your dog inside, where it will find a cushioned base. The bag is recommended for dogs under 15 pounds and is designed to give a dog plenty of space to move around as it pleases. An interior clip attached to a collar or harness will keep your dog safely inside, and a mesh panel at the top can be unzipped without your worrying about your dog escaping.

Each side has a mesh panel for airflow and a deep pocket with an elastic top. Our tester used the side pockets for walking essentials like a retractable leash and a collapsible water bowl. For more valuable items like your keys and phone, the front of the bag has a zippered compartment. Adjustable shoulder straps, a sternum strap, and padding along the back add comfort and help to distribute the backpack’s weight.

Recommended for dogs weighing up to 15 pounds

Morik Lion's Den Pet Backpack Carrier

$40 at Amazon $34 at Etsy

Cutest Design: The eye-catching design of the Lion's Den Dog Backpack Carrier from Morik is practical, sturdy, and lightweight. While testing with an eight-pound Pomeranian, we found it convenient and comfortable to wear as a front-pack, keeping our doggie tester in full view while our hands remained free. The padded straps are adjustable and well positioned to give you and your dog a delightful experience, and the adjustable waist strap adds an extra layer of welcomed stability and support for the back of the wearer.

To get your dog inside, the top portion has a zipper located underneath the mane that glides open and close. Once your pup is seated inside, there is a leash tether connection and a firm padded platform with nylon fabric on one side and cozy fleece on the other. With the lion's mane portion zipped up, the design allows a dog's head to pop out. For security, a built-in toggle cord covered in soft fabric gives you the ability to customize the size of this opening to best fit around your dog's neck. For airflow, the carrier features mesh panels on each side along with elastic rimmed pockets with ample space to securely stash a leash in one and a collapsible water bowl in the other. Morik includes a bright yellow collapsible water bowl with each purchase, but we found it to be rather large for our small dog.

To find the right size for your dog, we highly recommend measuring their height while they are sitting down along with their current weight. The medium size is recommend for dogs up to 10 pounds, and the large is suitable for dogs up to 20 pounds. The plush lion legs, tail, and ears are adorable, but if you have a dog that loves to chew, they will likely find these accents irresistible.

Comes in two sizes

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

This roundup was written by Anna Mejorada, an editor for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a happy Pomeranian named Gidget, who loves tagging along in her dog backpack. Anna has personally tested hundreds of pet products and has strong opinions on what she needs to keep her dog comfortable. She thoroughly enjoys helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets.

Check out Gidget in Anna's roundups for Airline Approved Pet Carriers and Dog Strollers.