Best Dog Carrier Backpack, Our Top 7 Picks

If you’re looking for a dog hiking backpack carrier perfect for long trips and flights, then the PetAmi Deluxe Pet Carrier Backpack could be what you need. 

First off… 

This dog backpack carrier boasts sturdy construction. It’s made from high-quality 600D polyester material with a reinforced steel frame helping it hold its shape, allowing for more room, and preventing it from collapsing with your dog inside. 

We have an 18-pound Boston Terrier puppy who hates being left alone, so we now carry her everywhere and let her join us in our outdoor adventures. We recently did a 5-mile-long hike, and we decided it was the perfect time to test out this backpack. 

Right off the bat, we were impressed with the design. 

Because it has two side doors, it’s easy for dogs to enter and exit the backpack. Each door has double zippers with safety locks, so they won’t come undone even when you’re on the move. The locks are especially useful for us as our pup likes scratching at the zippers. Another safety feature is the internal leash.

Our pooch was initially wary of the backpack but eventually took a liking to it, as it’s so comfortable. The interior is spacious enough for her to stand, sit up, or lie down, and the bottom has sherpa lining that provides a cozy experience for our furry friend, on top of making it easy for us to clean as it’s removable. 

Multiple mesh windows also ensure breathability and good airflow, as well as give your dog a beautiful view of the outside world. We like that the front window can stay open; this allows our puppy to stick her head out and for us to give her treats or quick head pats here and there. 

Not only that… 

Unlike most dog carriers we’ve tried, this one has pockets for water bottles, treats, poop bags, and other essentials. And it’s not just our pup who’s comfy throughout our trips; we too! This backpack has breathable padded shoulder straps which are reflective for visibility. There are also a chest strap and waist belt for maximum support and better weight distribution— these features really made it comfortable to wear even on long trips. 

As if that’s not enough… 

Our Editor’s Choice also comes with a name tag and collapsible pet bowl so your dog can stay hydrated even on the go. This backpack is available in many colors. 

As you can tell, we really love this backpack, except for one thing… 

In our experience, the edge of the bedding can dig into the lower back a little, but adjusting the straps so that it’s not sitting too high fixes the issue for us.

Going somewhere very cold or warm? Then the Outward Hound PoochPouch Dog Front Carrier could be the perfect companion for you and your dog.  

This backpack consists of weather-resistant fabric thick enough to keep your dog warm and mesh on the sides to prevent your dog from overheating on warmer days. 

We used this on our recent trip to Yosemite for our 15-pound Shih Tzu; we wanted to take her with us on outdoor activities without her being sandwiched between our larger dogs when we’re walking, and this has been perfect.

It rained unexpectedly on our first day there, and we were impressed by how water-resistant this is! We also like how versatile it is— you can wear it front or back, and the well-padded shoulder straps can also be worn in different ways. Wearing the straps criss crossed helps with stability when we’re hiking or biking. 

Inside, you’ll find a safety clip that you can attach to your pet’s harness so they can’t jump out. The bottom is hard and sturdy, allowing our baby girl to sit up while taking in the view or curl up and take a nap with good support. We were also able to put her favorite blanket inside, as the roomy interior allows it. 

And the cool part is… 

The opening can be cinched for a snug fit and added security and safety for your dog! With this feature, and the internal harness clip, we’re confident our dog won’t fall out of the backpack, even when she falls asleep with her head poking out. It also gives our dog that feeling of being hugged all over, which is good for anxious dogs. 

We appreciate the adjustable waist belt added for extra support, and it’s nice that all the weight isn’t on our shoulders when wearing the backpack. The straps on this backpack go over our shoulders and waist easily. even when wearing winter jackets. 

Admittedly… 

In our experience, this backpack isn’t as comfortable when worn in front while biking. If you’re going to bring your pooch on bike rides, we suggest wearing it on the back. We also wish there were side pockets for water bottles and bigger items, but if you just need a pocket for leash and very small items, then the front pocket should be enough.

Still, we find this product high-quality, very well-constructed, and suitable for cold and warm weather, so we choose it as our Top Pick.

The Pawaboo Carrier Backpack is an excellent option if you want a dog backpack carrier that will get the job done without burning a hole in your pocket. It’s also great if you just need a simple hands-free pet carrier without all the extra features. 

Despite costing less than other products on our list, this one is well-designed and doesn’t sacrifice quality. The design features wide straps with padding for comfort, a fabric-covered elastic band for adjustability and support, and a hole for your dog’s tail. 

This dog carrier is the one we use the most for short trips like daily walks, running errands with our dog, or when we’re taking our dogs to the vet. We have a clingy and quite anxious 9-pound Yorkshire Terrier, and this is perfect for him as he likes being held close.

It’s a breeze to put on and off our Yorkie. It fits perfectly on him— it’s snug enough for him to feel secure and comfy but still gives him some wiggle room. The front has breathable mesh material, and it’s easy for us to give him some belly rubs. 

Keeping your dog safe and secured are the zippers and the fabric-covered elastic band that also provide gentle support and flexibility. There’s velcro on the sides to keep your pooch secure and prevent the zippers from unzipping, as well. 

Moreover… 

We can tell our dog is really comfortable on this as he falls asleep often during walks. This is really good for dogs who feel trapped inside large dog backpack carriers. And it also makes us feel closer to our dog! 

You can wear it on the front or back, and it comes in a wide variety of colors and stylish designs. 

Now… 

We won’t say this is the most heavy-duty dog backpack carrier out there and it doesn’t have pockets for storage. However, we bought this for the purpose of having something light, comfortable, and simple for light-duty use, and it serves our purpose.

Also, considering its quality and good design compared to its price, it definitely deserves our Best Value award.

The Petsfit Soft Pet Backpack Carrier will give your pet the most comfortable and luxurious experience while traveling or hiking. 

The workmanship is great in this backpack. This carrier features mesh windows on all four sides, resulting in a very open feel, which our 10-year-old Bichon Frise dog loves. Our furry friend is old now so we want to give him all the comfort he needs, and this backpack is great, as it has a super soft cushion. 

Made with extra-durable 600D fabric material with metal reinforcements, this backpack is super sturdy and has held up well to a lot of abuse we’ve put it through during outdoor trips, not to mention all the scratching and gnawing from our little pups when they ride it occasionally. 

We really like that we can use it as a backpack or a traditional carrier, as it can stand on its own, horizontally or vertically. The top and front windows make it easy for your dog to get in and out, and you can also leave the top flap open to give your dog a fantastic view. Don’t worry; this backpack is equipped with an internal clip for your dog’s leash, so they won’t be able to jump out! The heavy-duty zippers are lockable, as well.

What’s more… 

This dog backpack carrier is not only comfortable for our dog but also for us. The shoulder straps are adjustable and lined with mesh for breathability, while the chest and waist buckles make all the difference for us during long hikes and walks. The back is padded, so it doesn’t hurt our back even if we use it for a long time.  

And it’s so lightweight! We barely even notice that we’re carrying a dog backpack. 

But it does have some minor drawbacks… 

For one, it’s a little expensive. We do think it’s worth every penny for the quality and the comfort it gives both pets and dog owners, though. 

It would’ve been better if it had some kind of handle for easy carrying when we want to carry it carrier-style. This backpack also only comes in one size, and it would be great if there were more size options.

Looking for the best dog backpack carrier for puppies and small dog breeds? We’re telling you the Ytonet Cat Carrier For Small Cats and Dogs is definitely up there.  

We have a 9-pound Chihuahua who hates being left at home, even with his fellow dogs, and we’ve been looking for the perfect backpack carrier for him. After a long search, we came across this, and we have no regrets buying it! It’s spacious enough for our dog not to feel cramped but also doesn’t have too much space that he bounces around when we’re on the move. 

This backpack gives you two entrance options, one top, and one front mesh entrance— the two-way entry gives us easy access to interact with our dog. If it’s not raining or too windy, you can roll up the top flap and let your dog soak up the sun. There are also two mesh windows on both sides, which provide different viewing angles for your dog while they remain safe and secured inside. 

The mesh material used on this backpack is very high-quality; it’s breathable yet scratch-resistant and not flimsy at all. We like the removable soft pad on the bottom and how stretchy the leash tether inside is.

Aside from that… 

You’re also getting durable metal lockable zippers, extra-thick padding on the shoulder straps, a cushion for back support, and pockets on both sides for pet supplies, which fit our dog’s collapsible water bowl. There are heavy-duty waist straps and three anti-slip rubber feet for better stability, as well.

We feel like it’s also worth mentioning how aesthetically pleasing this backpack is. The color gray complements the black netting and zippers, and the overall look is clean and minimalist, which is great if you don’t like attracting too much attention to your dog when you’re out and about.

Even though it’s only available in one size, it can fit most puppies and small dogs.

However… 

We think this backpack would be even better if there were double zippers on the top and front windows. That’s because if our dog wants to stick his head out, we’d have to open the zippers all the way up. Sure, there’s a safety clip preventing our dog from jumping out, but it would be nice if there’s an option to open the windows partially.

The cushion on the back could be a bit longer, too, as it sometimes rides up, but it’s manageable and not a deal-breaker for us.

And rounding off our list is the K9 Sport Sack Dog Carrier Adjustable Backpack. This carrier backpack is made with Cordura® fabric and form-fitting mesh to provide breathability.  

At first, we were worried it would be too small for our 16-pound Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but it actually fits her like a glove. Well, it’s designed to carry dogs up to 30 pounds, after all! 

We like that it features lots of safety buckles, an external carabiner safety clip, and angled cinch straps, which all ensure our dog is safe and secure without being restricted. 

The soft material and mesh venting panels on both sides make our dog feel comfortably snug during walks and other outdoor activities. It’s so cozy that she even falls asleep when we hike steep trails! 

And it’s equally comfortable for us too… 

The long sternum strap with adjustable whistle clip, ergonomic shoulder straps, and padded back make carrying the backpack a breeze. We can feed and hydrate our dog anywhere with the two side pockets that store water bottles and treats. 

But if we’re going to nitpick it… 

We’d say it’s not that easy to put our pooch in at first, but once in, she doesn’t wiggle out, and the fit is perfect. Also, in our opinion, it’s not the best option to use on warm days for more than an hour as it can get pretty hot inside.