Today, we’ll be talking about the Outward Hound Urban Dog Backpack. However, if you want to find out more about dog backpacks in general, click here to check out our article on that here.
Before reviewing the product we have for today, let’s quickly meet the brand that produces the backpack, Outward Hound. Well, from the name of the company, you probably can already deduce a lot about them.
Outward Hound is a dog gear production company that focuses on the production of dog gear that makes going outdoors with your pooch safer and more fun. The vision of the company is to “build a good company, make really cool products, and lead the world of dog and cat supplies”.
For us, what really stands out with this brand is the fact that the brand has great customer service. There’s a “Chief Woof Officer” (we’re going to guess is their customer relations officer) who attends to customers’ issues and promptly too.
Will the Outward Hound Urban Dog Backpack live up to the expectations Outward Hound has placed on itself? Well, you’ll just have to stick around to find out.
Table of Contents
Who Can Wear The Outward Hound Urban Dog Backpack?
The Outward Hound Urban Dog Backpack can be used by any dog.
Nonetheless, we always advise that you see your vet before buying any backpack for your dog. They are in a better position to tell which backpacks are best for your dog based on their (your dog’s) medical history. Plus, they are the only ones who can actually give you the appropriate weight limits your dog should carry in their backpack.
Features Of The Outward Hound Urban Dog Backpack
1. Mesh Top
The top of this backpack is made with mesh material which is great as it will allow for adequate ventilation for your dog. This is especially important since your dog would be exerting a lot of energy. Overheating can quickly become a problem in such situations and you want to avoid that as the results are not at all pleasant.
On the flip side of things though, mesh might not be a great idea if you live in the colder climes. All that cold wind getting to your dog could cause him to come down with a cold.
So, take our advice, if you live in the colder regions, you might want to get something else. Or, at least, dress your dog in a sweater first before putting the backpack on if you still decide to get this.
2. Color
This backpack is only available in one color, brown. We think that the major reason for this color is to give the “urban” feel, as is clearly evident in the name of the backpack.
Being used in an urban environment, this color works absolutely well. Your dog will still be easy to see in the night, surrounded by lights from high-rise buildings, street lights, and car lights, amongst other things.
However, if you take this hiking or camping, somewhere far away from the city lights, well, your dog will get lost in the dark. Brown isn’t exactly high visibility.
So, whether this color is good for you, or not, ultimately depends on where your pooch is going to be wearing it to. In the city, good, in the wild, bad.
3. Handle, Straps, And Leash Attachment
These might not be the biggest features, neither are they things that immediately catch your attention, but they are quite important.
The handle on this backpack is made with normal strap fabric, but is covered by a softer material, to provide padding. We do not advise that you use this to carry your dog, maybe just over a log, but never for a long period of time. Too much pressure and you could break your dog’s ribs. Or the handle could also break and cause an accident.
As for the straps, these are unique as they come intertwined. The cross-chest strap drops from the two shoulders and joins at the chest into one strap. It then continues all the way through the middle to the back, where it is joined to another strap which ends at the two ends of your dogs’ waist.
There is a third strap that goes around your dogs’ underbelly, that’s the one at the middle that the cross-chest strap passes through. Quite tricky to put this on, but once it’s on, it’s not coming off easy.
Finally, the leash attachment on this is basic, just like on many other backpacks out there. It’s a simple metallic ring that you can hook your leash to.
4. Sizes Available
There isn’t much in the way of sizes with this dog backpack. This backpack is only available in two sizes: small/medium, large/x-large. So, please measure accurately and compare with the size chart for the best fit. If there’s nothing in your dog’s size, then you might find a better option in the alternatives section.
Pros Of The Outward Hound Urban Dog Backpack
1. Comes in a slim, streamlined design that’s urban and trendy.
2. A great backpack choice for walks in the city.
Cons Of The Outward Hound Urban Dog Backpack
1. Available in only one color option.
Alternative Options To The Outward Hound Urban Dog Backpack
Traditional Design — Kurgo Dog Backpack
If you don’t like this “urban” pack, and you’ll rather have something more traditional, check out this backpack from Kurgo. Also, it’s a bright red color with reflective stripes, it keeps no low-profile and with this, it’s easy for you to see your pup even in the dimmest of lights.
More Affordable Option — Wellever Dog Backpack
If you want to save a few bucks and still get a good backpack, check out this pack from Wellever.
Comparison Table
Outward Hound Urban Dog Backpack |
Kurgo Dog Backpack
|
Wellever Dog Backpack |
|
| Color | Brown | Red | 6 different color combinations |
| Mesh top | Yes | No | Yes |
What Do People Think?
Well, people who use this backpack during the day, or around lights, really like the backpack. However, people who want to take their pooch out in the dark don’t like the color.
What Do We Think?
Really good backpack. We like the streamlined design and the really spacious bags. However, we feel the backpack would have been a whole lot better if there were different color options available.
All in all, pretty decent and pretty decently priced.
