Have a wee adventure pup who may want or need to hitch a ride? Ruffwear have just released a new lightweight, technical dog carrier that is secure & comfortable (for both you & your dog!)
Ruffwear Hitch Hiker Dog Backpack Carrier Size Chart
To find the best size Hitch Hiker Dog Backpack Carrier Pack:
Measure around your dog's girth/chest at the widest point behind their front legs.
If your dog is exactly between sizes, you can use your dog's back length to help determine whether to size up or down. Back length is from the base of their neck, where their collar sits, to the base of their tail.
** Your dog's chest measure is the primary measure to determine size. Only use the back length if they are exactly in-between sizes.
How high or low your dog will sit in the bag will depend on your dog's unique shape.
Have a puppy?
If your dog is still young and has a little more growing to do, you can try holding the tape measure around their chest at the cut-off measure between the sizes (so 43cm or 56cm). This may help you estimate the growth room left in that size.
You could prop them up inside the pack with a soft towel if they are still very little.
Share even more adventures with your canine sidekick with the Hitch Hiker Dog Backpack Carrier – a lightweight, technical dog carrier designed so dogs can hitch a ride when needed. The dual locking zippers create a wide opening so you can easily load or unload your pup. Once your pooch is in the pack, the integrated harness will keep them comfortable, secure and facing forward so they can see the trail ahead. Air mesh side panels at the base boost air flow so they don't get too hot.
For the human, there is a external grab handle that helps you lift and shoulder the pack when your dog is in it. Once on your back, the pack has been designed to evenly distribute your dog's weight and there are cinch straps to pull your dog secure & close. The torso length of the pack is also adjustable.
For your comfort, there are padded shoulder pads, a breathable back panel and a supportive hip-belt. Plus pockets on the hip belt allow you to store your essentials like pick-up bags, treats, and most phones. You can also stash a soft flask, packable bowl, or other extras in the external zippered stretch pocket which is at the base of the pack.
Available in 3 sizes based off your dog’s girth measurement, and comfortably accommodates dogs up to 18kg/40 lbs.
The human hip belt fits waists 53-149 cm (21-58").
How to Choose the Best Size Ruffwear Hitch Hiker Dog Backpack Carrier
Choose primarilybased on the measurement of your dog's girth - which isaround the widest part of their chest.
Then, if your dog is exactly in-between sizes or is extra long, you can use your dog's back length to help you choose. Back length is from the base of the neck (where the collar sits), along the spine to the base of the tail.
NOTE: The Hitch Hiker does run a bit 'small'. Let us know if you have any questions about sizing: info@caninespirit.com.au
Size
Dog's Chest Measure
Max Back Length
XXS
33-43cm (13-17")
48cm (19")
XS
43-56cm (17-22")
56cm (22")
S
56-69cm (22-27")
61cm (24")
Learn How to Sit Your Dog in the Hitch Hiker Dog Backpack Carrier
Key Features of Ruffwear Hitch Hiker Dog Backpack Carrier
Built in adjustable harness with cinch straps - keeps your dog secure & comfortable
Dual locking zippers that open wide!- so you can easily load up or unload your pup!
Air mesh side panels - for better breathability, air flow & temperature management
Adjustable, padded shoulder straps, torso length & hip belt - adjust it so it sits comfortably on yourself as well
Zippered hip belt pockets - for essentials & fits most phones
Zippered external stretch pocket on back - ideal to fit a fit soft sided water flasks (up to 500ml)
Reflective trim for better visibility in low-light - plus a light loop to attach a The Beacon (sold separately)
Sizing based on your dog's girth measurement; comfortably accommodates dogs up to 18kg or 40 lbs
Care
Hand wash only with mild detergent. Air dry.
Materials
Shell (bluesign® approved): 150D polyester (40% recycled) ripstop with nonfluorinated DWR and PU coating
It took Enzo some bribing with treats to get him in the pack, and for his first ride he was a bit WTF is happening to me…now…. He loves being on back of the MTB flying down the tracks! So great I can take him with me 😀
A
Arliah (Adelaide, AU)
Basalt Grey / XS 43-56cm
Ruffwear dog backpack
Really happy with the Ruffwear dog backpack and the service from Canine Spirit when purchasing. Deducted a star due to how hot our dog got when using the backpack today, I feel like more mesh panels along the whole length of the bag would be beneficial. We used the backpack today to do a long hike with our adventurous pug. Easy to pop him in once he was too tired to keep going. Held him in well and he was pretty settled except for the panting. It’s wasn’t overly hot, around 22 degrees and we were predominately in the shade. Will keep to using this backpack in the cooler weather but overall a great purchase to be able to take our dog on big adventures.
5 stars: 1 (50%)
4 stars: 1 (50%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)
A
Arliah (Adelaide, AU)
Basalt Grey / XS 43-56cm
Ruffwear dog backpack
Really happy with the Ruffwear dog backpack and the service from Canine Spirit when purchasing. Deducted a star due to how hot our dog got when using the backpack today, I feel like more mesh panels along the whole length of the bag would be beneficial. We used the backpack today to do a long hike with our adventurous pug. Easy to pop him in once he was too tired to keep going. Held him in well and he was pretty settled except for the panting. It’s wasn’t overly hot, around 22 degrees and we were predominately in the shade. Will keep to using this backpack in the cooler weather but overall a great purchase to be able to take our dog on big adventures.
J
Jackie G. (Sydney, AU)
Basalt Grey / S 56-69cm
Happy Chappy
It took Enzo some bribing with treats to get him in the pack, and for his first ride he was a bit WTF is happening to me…now…. He loves being on back of the MTB flying down the tracks! So great I can take him with me 😀
B
Brodie
Hello! I’m hoping to get one of these for mountain hikes with my miniature dachshund, she’s 8.3kg… would the xxs be the way to go?
And also wondering if her arms will hang out of the top of the bag at all? I don’t want her spine or her short lil arms to be under too much pressure so I’m just trying to get an idea :) thank you in advance!
Canine Spirit Australia
Hi Brodie,
Thanks for your question. If your girl is 8.3kg then I'm guessing she will be bigger than a XXS. But the best way to work it out is to measure both her chest and also her back length (particularly as she is a longer breed). So around the deepest part of her chest and then from the base of her neck to the base of her tail. We are finding the packs are running a very tiny bit 'small'.
When your dog is in the pack she will essentially sit on your back like she is lying down (or sitting pretty :) ). So the tops of the paws may be out of the pack but not typically the full legs. We have some pictures showing this above.
Hope this helps but let us know if you have any other questions.
A
Ariel
Hey, I have a whippet and concerned with sizing since they have a unique body shape. Her chest is 56 and length is 56-7 as well exactly so i was wondering if I should size up or go with the S size. I have experience with a size S for a flagline harness is big at the neck but fits her for the chest so I’m concerned that if i size up she can slip of of the bag.Thanks
Canine Spirit Australia
Hi,
Thanks for your question. It is harder to choose if your dog is exactly on the cut-off of sizes. However, the Hitch HIker's do run ever so slightly small, so I would probably recommend trying the Small first. There are also cinch straps around the top of the pack to help hold your girl snug in the pack. Also you mentioned her length is 56-57cm - the XS will only fit to a max of 56cm on the length so may be too short (if she is 57cm).
B
Brianna
Hello when does the sale for the Hitch Hiker Dog Backpack Carrier end. also does the length of the dog effect which carrier is suitable. My dog wears your xs life jacket and the padding doesn’t quite meet her chest is 51 cm, is the xs backpack going to be really tight when I do it up?
Thanks so much, ruffwear is amazing!
Canine Spirit Australia
Hi, Thanks for your question. The sale will be running about one more week :)
Ruffwear have designed the backpack to fit a variety of dog shapes and lengths, so they size them solely on dog chest measure. It is a brand new item and we are early into getting customer feedback. But we've sold a few so far and all seems positive with no one pointing out an issue with the length. If there is an issue, we do have an exchange/return policy to cover that.
For sizing, all the Ruffwear range works to a similar size chart - so if the XS life jacket fits, the XS backpack should work well. The XS will fit dog's with chests 43-56cm - so 51 cm fits right in the middle of that range.
I hope this helps but let us know if you have anymore questions!
I have 2 Jack Russell's with very different body shapes which makes finding a harness that fits both quite challenging! The Ruffwear Front Range Harness fit them both perfectly! No rubbing or redness at all like other harnesses I have tried. They just look so much more comfortable in these harnesses. Thank you!
I purchased a blue harness in size extra small and Boris weighs approx 8kgs and the orange/green harness is a size small and Alife weighs approx 10kgs.
This is a good collar it is solid and durable with good stitching, clip and attachment point. If you're looking for bright collar I can recommend the Blaze Orange
Absolutely great! My Jack Russel x English staffy can run her little heart out in it without issue, love that it's freed her shoulders and she very rough and so far after about 3 months it's holding strong...
