I did quite a bit of research of different packs. I was looking for quality, price and a pack that looked like was supported mostly by the dogs shoulders, not his back. I narrowed my choices down to 2 possibilities. This backpack and Cesar Milan's (which you can't purchase here, you have to go to his website).
I ended up purchasing this one. The main reasons were that this pack looked like it could hold more, it had more pockets and there were a bunch of positive reviews. The price was essentially the same between the two packs so that didn't count into the desision. You don't have the review resource on Cesar's website so I felt it was riskier purchasing his since I couldn't read any reviews. I did like how Cesar's pack had the back strap which is missing from this pack. His pack also includes a bag hole to pull doggy bags from - though I can imagine that a plastic bag sticking out would quickly get torn or ripped up if you're taking your dog hiking through woods/trails/backcountry. Cesar's pack looks like you have to feed your dog's left front paw through along with the head. This pack you only need to feed the head through, there are buckles for both sides of the chest strap while it looks like only 1 side has a strap on Cesar's pack. So I ultimately decided on this pack. Though I don't think you'd go wrong with Cesar's pack either.
I ordered a Medium sized pack for my 47 lb 7-mo old puppy. The material is heavy duty and seems of high quality, thick and feels like it could take a beating. I'm also impressed with the amount of room in the pack. I think I could easily fit 4 500ml water bottles on each side and then there's the pocket with the flaps on both sides too. These pockets aren't as wide/roomy but they're still pretty big and perfect for smaller items and bags for picking up after your pooch.
Our dog (Jagger) is part German Sheppard and part Australian Sheppard. His growth has slowed down quite a bit so I'm thinking he's almost full grown. Both his parents were small for their breeds and I think he already outweighs both of them. The medium sized backpack fits but just barely, I have to cinch down the straps all the way, so hopefully he does grow just a bit more so he'll fit the pack even better, but it's actually pretty good now and it's a good size for him. If you're dog is smaller and full grown, then you should probably get the small. He'll also probably fill out a bit more since he's just a puppy and mostly just lean muscle with very little fat.
When I first put it on him, he really didn't know what to make of it and didn't want it on. I was very gentle with him, took my time and rewarded him for allowing me to put it on. I then took him for a short walk in which he was walking very slowly. The 2nd time taking him out, he was starting to get the hang of it but you can still tell he wasn't 100% sure about it yet. The 3rd time I pulled it out, he actually seemed excited and knew i was going to take him outside. He still wasn't all that excited that I was putting it on him, but he didn't complain. This time he was trotting around the neighborhood just fine and I even took him on a short jog. I took him on another jog, about 2 miles, with him wearing it and he was definitely getting used to it just fine and no longer had a problem with me putting it on. It was nice being able to carrying water for him and I took a portable collapsible dish too. So far so good and no problems that I could see and I didn't even think he needed a "stabilizer" strap that some people said helps, but you'd have to make it yourself and attach it to the rear of the pack. (Note: Cesar's backpack includes that strap at the end, which this doesn't and I almost purchased Cesar's because of that aspect... probably couldn't go wrong with his either)
The true test was when we went camping and took him out on the trails with other dogs. He loves playing with other dogs in true puppy fashion. He was running full bore with the pack on and it didn't seem to phase him. It was like he wasn't wearing a pack at all. The problem is that he almost took out a few people while running by them so I'd always yell "watch out! don't lock your knees!" in a half-joking manner, as the pack would smack your leg if he came too close to you. The front straps would also loosen up from all the galloping he was doing and I'd have to constantly tighten them back up. That's my only critism with the pack, but the adjustible straps don't look like they're cheap ones and look like any other you'd find on any good backpack so I don't think there's much you can do about that. It does make sound when he's moving too, more so when he's at a trot pace since his shoulders are going back and forth which causes the pack to move back and forth more, but it smooths out when he gallops since his shoulders are then moving in unison but he'll probably be doing a lot more trotting than galloping. I'll try and figure out some way to keep the straps from loosening... easy solution might be to just do a half-hitch with the remaining strap after you tighten it down.
Overall, a 5 star pack. I might give 4.5 stars because of the loosing straps, noise and lack of a rear strap, but I haven't found a need for a rear strap yet after all the running around Jagger has done with the pack on and the noise can be attributed to the high-quality material used, it's not some cheap thin material. The loosing straps is a tad annoying but I think I can solve that too and it only happens when he's running around with other dogs - never happened when he was jogging with me.
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Product information
| Item Weight | 1.55 pounds |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | EzyDog, LLC |
| ASIN | B0056BN14K |
| Item model number | 807203117043 |
| Customer Reviews |
4.0 out of 5 stars |
| Date First Available | March 31, 2011 |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 15.7 x 11.1 x 2.4 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 11 x 15 x 2 inches |
| Item Weight | 1.6 Pounds |
| Brand Name | EzyDog |
| Target Audience Keyword | dogs |
| Color | Black/Charcoal |
| Size | X-Large |
| Material | Polyester outer shell; Cotton lining |
| Care Instructions | Hand Wash Only |
| Manufacturer | EzyDog, LLC |
| Breed Recommendation | Large Breeds |
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EzyDog Summit Outdoor Dog Backpack - Reflective and Incorporates a Chest Plate Harness - Easy Access Saddlebags with Superior Storage Capacity and Comfort - Leash Caddy for Safety (Black, X-Large)
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Extremely disappointed.
I am very disappointed with this purchase. I bought the small for my dog, because I didn't want large saddlebags for him and he is well within the size range, and it does fit. I've had and used plenty of Ezydog products before (Convert and Quickfit harness, Checkmate and Doubleback collars, Dogstar flying discs, Roadrunner leash, Beaver tail tug) and this backpack does not even come close to comparing to the quality of any of them. They've all been rugged and durable, well fitted to the dog, high quality materials used through and through, all except for one collar (which suffered under my hound dogs jaws) has lasted years of use and is still in great condition, practically brand new. But this backpack is nothing like that, the nylon straps are the lowest quality, those thin flimsy nylon with the roughish edges? The kind that gets wrinkled when folded and doesn't hold its own shape. It's not soft, supple and comfortable like the nylon used in their collars. I would be surprised if it didn't chafe my dogs skin. And the plastic attachments and buckles are the lowest quality plastic you can get, not similar to the ones used in my other harnesses and collars either. They're looser fitting and not as easy to adjust the straps with, and that's probably why people on here are complaining that the harness loosens up with use, the straps loosen up because the plastic fasteners are low quality. At first I couldn't help but think what I received was a knockoff, because it isn't anything like the other Ezydog stuff I have. But looking at pictures online, all except a few small details which could be attributed to a different size or model of the harness, it's identical. I can't get the fit right on my dog to where it's loose enough to not chafe him, but snug enough to not roll around on his back. Very disappointed, I will be returning it as soon as I receive a response from Ezydog (I emailed them).
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2012
- Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2012
- Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2012
I absolutely love this pack (although my dog is still a bit dubious -- he's only recently been acquainted with the thing).
It's a great size/weight (not too bulky) and the materials are good quality. I also think the inclusion of a leash caddy was a superb idea, especially for folks who allow their dog(s) to roam freely on occasion, but want to be able to regain control quickly if the need arises.
However, due to the weather-proofing of the fabric and all the metal zippers, this pack can be a tad...noisy. The fabric crinkles audibly and the zippers tend to clack together while the dog is in motion. If you prefer a somewhat quieter walk, I would suggest a backpack made of Cordura or similar materials. However, if you want a pack that is fairly rugged and water-resistant, the EzyDog Summit is a great option.
I definitely recommend it.
NOTE: I included photos with this review (see product images). My dog is a beagle mix, weighs 35 lbs, and has a 23-23.5 inch girth. The small size pack fits him very well after careful adjustment.
Images in this review
