Backpacking & Camping

Multi-day trips, tent sleeping, bear safety, and backcountry logistics with dogs.

28 articles available

Buying Guides

Best Lightweight Tents for You and Your Dog

We tested 8 lightweight backpacking tents over 14 months with a 95-lb German Shepherd. Here's what actually fits a big dog and survives their claws.

By Kelly Lund

Best Dog Hiking Gear for Hot Weather 2026 | Summer Kit

We tested 10 must-have hot weather products across Arizona and Colorado trails. Build the right summer kit with cooling vests, water bottles, breathable harnesses, and more.

By Kelly Lund

Best Ultralight Gear for Dog Owners (Under 5lbs)

We tested 12 ultralight dog hiking products from collapsible bowls to featherweight harnesses. Here are the 8 that actually saved ounces without sacrificing function.

By Kelly Lund

The Ultimate Dog Hiking Gear Checklist for 2026

Our complete field-tested gear guide covers harnesses, boots, packs, hydration, and everything else your dog needs on trail.

By Kelly Lund

Fi Collar vs Garmin T5X: Cellular or Satellite GPS?

We tested both GPS technologies in the backcountry. One works everywhere. The other needs cell towers.

By Kelly Lund

Ruffwear Palisades vs Approach: Which Backpack Wins?

Two premium Ruffwear packs, sixty dollars apart. After testing both on the same trails, here's which one earns your money.

By Kelly Lund

Product Reviews

Ruffwear Highlands Pad Review: Backpacking Bed Worth the Weight?

After 12 nights testing the Ruffwear Highlands Pad with Jasper, my 95-pound German Shepherd, I learned where lightweight dog beds work and where ground insulation falls short.

By Kelly Lund

Wilderdog Sleeping Bag Review: Cozy Camp Companion or Too Bulky?

We tested the Wilderdog Sleeping Bag on 15 camping trips with Jasper. Here's whether the durability and comfort justify carrying 29 ounces.

By Kelly Lund

Garmin T5X Dog Device Review: Pro-Level GPS Tracking for Wilderness Hiking

We tested the Garmin T5X GPS tracker over 200 miles of backcountry terrain. Here's whether the 9-mile range and 80-hour battery justify the pro-level price.

By Kelly Lund

Learn More

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Dog growling in the tent at night (stop the 2 am alert barking)

Dogs bark at tent noises because they cannot see the source of the sound. Learn how to manage nighttime tent reactivity and help your dog sleep on the trail.

By Sarah Keller

Hiking With a Dog Scared of Thunder? Do This Immediately

How to manage canine thunderstorm phobia in the backcountry when your dog cannot hide. Learn trail desensitization tips and safe emergency protocols.

By Sarah Keller

Dog Backpack Weight Limits (Why 25 Percent Is Too Heavy)

Most trail guides say your dog can carry a quarter of their body weight. Field data and veterinary kinematics show why that number causes long-term joint damage.

By Kelly Lund

Building an Emergency Dog Bed (Why Loose Leaves Fail)

Ground contact steals body heat fast. We measured how different natural materials compress under a 95-pound dog to build a trail bed that actually works.

By Kelly Lund

How to Toughen Dog Paws for Hiking (30-Day Conditioning Plan)

Learn the science of paw pad conditioning. Discover the timeline and progressive protocols to safely build durable calluses without causing painful cracks.

By Kelly Lund

Why 6 Inches of Flash Flood Water Sweeps Large Dogs Away

Learn how to spot early flash flood warning signs, find high ground fast, and evacuate your dog from dangerous desert washes and canyon trails.

By Kelly Lund