Hey there! Welcome! In this article today, we’ll be talking about the Moutainsmith K-9 Dog Backpack.
Before we begin our review in detail, here is an article featuring everything you need to know about dog backpacks, and how to buy them.
Moutainsmith — the brand who produces the product we’ll be reviewing today — is a very well-respected brand when it comes to the manufacturing of outdoor gear.
The company was founded in Golden, Colorado, by outdoorsmen who realized that commercial gear wasn’t holding up, as their expeditions became longer and more rigorous.
The realization of this fact pushed the outdoorsmen to create their own gear around the lifestyle of the Rockies.
Their love for their pets and their desire to carry their furry friends on every adventure drove them to create outdoor gear for dogs.
The company’s most popular outdoor gear for dogs is its backpack, which was originally created in the 1980s.
With new innovation and now co-designed with a veterinarian, the 2019 K-9 dog backpack (which is the product we’ll be reviewing today), is a massive improvement from the old-time classic.
But is this product for every dog? Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Who Can Wear The Moutainsmith K-9 Dog Backpack?
Your dog, his dog, her dog, all our dogs can wear this backpack.
Because of the new innovation which added things like padding, and so on, alongside all the knowledge gotten from the vet working with the team, you can rest assured that this backpack is good for your dog.
The only issue you might have is your dog’s size not being available. And we will be addressing that later on in this article.
Features Of The Moutainsmith K-9 Dog Backpack
1. Material
The Moutainsmith K-9 Dog Backpack is made with a 210D nylon material, woven into a 6.6 junior ripstop.
Because it is ripstop, this material is super tough and sturdy. It sure can withstand the toughness of the outdoors.
Another good thing about this material is that it is completely waterproof, that is also because it is woven into a ripstop.
Because it is waterproof, you can use this even when it’s raining and still be rest assured that whatever you put inside the bag will remain dry.
Please note that this is a backpack, not a raincoat. So, it won’t cover your dog as well as a raincoat would.
If you don’t want your dog to get wet, what you need is a dog raincoat.
This backpack will keep items inside it safe, but isn’t long enough to keep all of your dog, dry.
2. Single Belly Strap
This dog backpack comes with a particularly unique feature in its belly strap.
Unlike many other dog backpacks out there, this K-9 comes with a single belly strap. No chest strap, no second belly strap.
The way the strap is designed to come down the two sides of your dog’s neck from the top of the backpack.
Then, it goes underneath his “armpits”, and is joined across his stomach to the two sides of the backpack.
It’s worn just like humans wear backpacks, two arms into the two arm-holes.
This design ensures that the backpack stays firmly on your dog, no matter what.
The strap comes with all the necessary mini-straps for adjusting, to make sure that it is very comfortable for your dog.
It is fully cushioned with foam pads which makes carrying much weight more comfortable for your dog’s bones.
Also, it prevents itching in delicate areas, like his “armpits”.
3. Handle
The Moutainsmith K-9 Dog Backpack features a single haul handle on top of the backpack.
This handle can be used to control your dog in close proximity. If you want to pull your dog out of a dangerous situation very quickly, this handle would be much more effective than a leash.
While this handle might make lifting your dog off of the ground very enticing, we suggest that you do not give in to such temptations.
The handle is strong enough to lift your dog, no doubt, but you’ll be putting too much weight on his ribcage, which is never a good thing.
Also, what if the handle breaks? Your dog would be sent crashing down. That fall can break his bones.
4. Metal D-Ring For Leash Attachment
If you’ve ever used a backpack that doesn’t have somewhere for you to hook your leash to, you’ll understand the frustrations it can cause, and the importance of this small, seemingly unimportant, feature.
The metal d-ring is where the leash is attached to. Made with metal, you know that this isn’t breaking, no matter how big your leash is, or how hard you pull.
However, the backpack only comes with one of these rings, present at the front of the backpack.
5. Sizes Available
This backpack is available in three sizes; small, medium, and large.
To find the right size for your pooch, you’ll have to measure his girth, length, and weight.
The weight measured is to know how much weight you can place into the packs. In other words, how much they can lift.
After measuring, check with the company to find out what size would be perfect according to your dog’s measurement.
6. Air Mesh Panels
These panels are made with net-like material, which allow proper body ventilation for your dog.
If you intend going out on a hot summer day, this is super important.
Pros Of The Moutainsmith K-9 Dog Backpack
1. Say Goodbye To Sore Spots
If you’ve ever used a backpack that gave your dog sore spots, we’re glad to tell you that, with the Moutainsmith K-9 Dog Backpack you can finally heave a sigh of relief.
A particular highlight we got from review was a customer who took his dog for a 4-day, 3 nights, hiking trip.
They came back after such a long trip without any sore spots on their dog.
This is because, the strap on this backpack is properly padded and cushioned.
Without any sore spots, your dog will be more comfortable carrying this backpack.
Once his comfort is assured, you’ll see his attention, focus, and reaction to training increase exponentially.
2. The Pack Doesn’t Slide Around
Another great thing about this backpack is that it doesn’t slide around.
Once you place equal weights on both sides of the backpack, it stays on intact.
Equal weight could also mean that the bag is totally empty.
The secret to this backpack’s sturdiness is in the design of the strap.
It is designed for your dog to carry the backpack like a human would, therefore, giving the same fit as a human’s backpack would give him.
Cons
No Proper Ventilation
Yes, this comes with air mesh panels, but even with those, this backpack doesn’t provide your dog with proper ventilation.
The mesh could have been better placed, say, on top of the backpack.
If you use this on your dog for a long hike on a really hot day, he might get very hot and uncomfortable.
The quick fix to this is to freeze some water bottles and place them in the bags.
Alternative Options To The Moutainsmith K-9 Dog Backpack
Properly Ventilated
If you want a dog backpack that is properly ventilated, this is the one.
The top of the backpack is made solely with mesh material, so, you are sure that air can get to your dog easily.
Also, it is a lot more affordable than the backpack in review.
However, you have to know that the space in the bags isn’t nearly as much as what you get with the backpack in review.
Backpack With Detachable Bags
If you want a dog backpack with detachable bags, this one from OSPet is just what you are looking for.
It comes with a harness and two detachable bags, one for each side.
It is a bright red color and also comes with reflective stripes, making this perfect for night journeys.
| Moutainsmith K-9 Dog Backpack
|
Wellever Dog Backpack
|
OSPet Dog Backpack
|
|
| Design | Backpack | Backpack | Harness + bags |
| Color | Red, blue | Green, black, red, yellow | Red |
What Do Other People Think?
“Absolute steal!” “Worth every penny” Those are the choruses sung by most customers.
The only slight problem people had was with the ventilation, which many immediately found ways to deal with.
What Do We Think?
If you have the money, go for this. It is indeed worth every penny.
One thing we like about this backpack is that it does everything the manufacturer said it was going to do.
Good work, Mountainsmith, you guys are the real OGs.
