Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Dog Gear for Hiking, Travel, Backpacking, and More
29
items All the gear I've used with my dogs for 8+ years camping, during vanlife, road trips, backpacking, and just around home
Sections
6
Dog Beds
Food + Treats
Apparel
Accessories
Safety
Care + Hygiene
Dog Beds
Outdoor and travel dogs beds that my dogs have tested
This is my dog's favorite bed and my go-to for roadtrips and travel. See my full product review here: sfgate.com/shopping/article/timberdog-ruffrest-review-20199132.php
RuffRest® by Timberdog
I have used this bed to travel, backpack, camp, and at home for over six years and it has consistently delivered. Featured in my product review here: sfgate.com/shopping/article/best-outdoor-dog-beds-20813795.php
Loft Wander Dog Bed - Kurgo
My dogs love this in the summer for car camping, around the fire in the backyard, or even on the patio (it is too big to bring backpacking)
Helinox Elevated Dog Cot
My GSP mix has used this sleeping bag on countless backcountry trips (and there is a sleeping pad that slides into the bottom of the bag) and he loves it! See my full review here: https://youtu.be/LcM6za1rUbk?si=Udp8t8BfV3UpDnww
Highlands™ Dog Sleeping Bag
Food + Treats
Dog food and treats we use when camping and backpacking
This is an amazing food bag if you feed your dog's kibble! I used to use this all the time but have since switched to dehydrated wet food or shelf stable fresh food.
Kurgo Travel Dog Food Carrier
This is the dog food my pickiest dog will eat on the trail. It is heavier, but he is willing to carry the extra weight!
JustFresh Dog Food
Honest Kitchen has a lightweight, dehydrated dog food that we love to bring backpacking. We just add warm water, let it sit for a few minutes, and we have a fresh wet food my dogs love on trail!
The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Food
My younger dog (husky/malamute) has a hard time settling in camp sometimes, so I like to pack one of these for each night. It gives him something to keep busy while I set up and he has a chance to settle in for the night!
Collagen Sticks
These are among my dogs favorite treats! They have great ingredients and some are small enough for training treats
Dog Treats
A silicone treat pouch isn't always necessary but I prefer it for high value treats like cheese or hotdogs so my fabric pouch doesn't get slimey and gross. This I can just rinse out and wash after use.
Voilà Ultimate Treat Pouch
Apparel
All of the dog apparel on this list was tested by my 15 year old GSP mix. He is a freeze baby with a deep chest so it is hard to find jackets that fit him correctly!
I had a hard time finding a dog sweater that fit my deep chested GSP and covered his back thigh muscles, but the Wilderdog is a great fit for shoulder seasons and high alpine weather changes.
Wilderdog Jacket
My short haired GSP mix uses this jacket as a wind breaker on chilly mountain hikes and during rainy days to keep dry. He has used it for over five years (requires some rewaterproofing)
Arcadia Trail® Waterproof Dog Windbreaker
My GSP stays warm all winter long on hikes, camping, and skiing with this Hurtta jacket. It has so many great features to keep his ears and legs warm!
Extreme Cold Winter Coat
Bandanas are not a must while hiking, but they sure are cute! Hudson Houndstooth is my favorite fashion brand for dogs because they make everything in the US + source from fabric scraps to help save waste from going to the landfill!
Hudson Houndstooth Bandanas
Accessories
This is the home for miscellaneous items like dog bowls, leashes, backpacks, and other items that we use often while we travel and go backpacking
Combo water bottle and bowl (lid) perfect for hikes, travel, and backpacking
KONG H2O Stainless Steel Dog Water Bottle 25oz
We use this for water but also for mealtime on the trail. The silicone is nice because we need hot water to make their dehydrated food.
Kurgo Collapsible Bowl
A lot of trails have leash requirements, and this hands free leash is great for backpacking.
Roamer™ Bungee Dog Leash with Traffic Handle
Ruffwear has a variety of backpack options, but the Front Range pack is the one that fits my large husky/malamute the best + has the largest volume for longer trips.
Ruffwear Backpack
Even when we are hiking and camping, we pick up dog poop! Dog poop can spread disease and toxins to other animals, people, and water sources.
Doggy Do Good® Waste Bags
These fabric poop bag holders last way longer than the plastic ones. Plus, they're made by Hudson Houndstooth (women-owned and made in the USA).
Poop Bag Holders
Safety
Any safety gear like life jackets, rescue harnesses, or GPS devices I trust to help my dogs stay safe while we explore can be found here
I've tested dozens of life jackets for my dogs, and this one is by far the most effective and has the best features. See my full review of dog life jackets here: gearjunkie.com/dogs/best-dog-life-jackets
Surf N Turf Dog Life Jacket
You'll never catch us outdoors without this! If your dog gets injured on the trail, this rescue sling helps give you a safe way to pack them out in an emergency. See my full review here: https://youtu.be/fENi3zr6mIc?si=jWMaUd3mV1tW4S28
The Airlift - K9 Rescue Sling
This device only works when you have cell service, but has come in handy when traveling with my dogs or when my dogs are at a pet sitter so I can keep an eye on their activity.
GPS Tracker for Dogs
Care + Hygiene
Bug repellent, lotions, and other products I use to help my dogs stay happy and healthy year round outdoors
This works well and is non toxic. It does require reapplying throughout the day.
Natural Flea & Tick Spray
This works great for dogs who get dry skin, and I prefer the stick version so I can spot apply and I don't need to grease up my hands!
Skin Soother Balm for Dogs
We do a lot of winter activities (one of my dogs is a husky/malamute), including skijoring. Even for walks and hikes, this paw wax keeps their paws healthy all winter long + it works for warmer weather if needed.
Musher's Secret Dog Paw Wax
While you can spray this directly on your dog, I prefer to spray this on a bandana, their harness, or their jackets when we are hiking during tick season to help keep ticks off their body.
Permethrin Fabric Treatment
This is a three in one treatment for fleas, ticks, and heart-worm. As an oral medication (requires prescription) it kills ticks if they bite your dog so they're less likely to contract a disease or carry ticks into your home.
SIMPARICA TRIO
I use the primarily at home because I make my dogs food, but this supplememt has helped my 15 year old dog immensely to age gracefully. He is still very able bodied and goes on short hikes (2-5 miles) with me almost daily!
The Daily