Reviews > Animal Companion Gear > Dog Packs > Granite Gear Ruff Rider > Owner Review by Lewis Wilson

Granite Gear "Ruff Rider" Dog Pack
Owner Review - July 15, 2006

My Backpacking Background:
I started backpacking in the spring of 2002. I make several backpacking trips a year, ranging from short overnight trips to week long trips. I day-hike when I have less free time, giving my boots and some other gear more exercise. I'm a 3-season hiker who only has experience backpacking in the southeastern USA, so my trips tend to be hot and rainy rather than cold. Because I like having a little extra comfort in camp, I usually hike with 35-45 lb (16-20 kg) on my back. My dog, Lady, is my constant companion.

Product information

Manufacturer:	Granite Gear
Granite Gear's website:	http://www.granitegear.com/
Year of purchase:	2002
Size:	Small
Color:	Green
Weight:	16 oz (454 g)
Approximate length:	12 in (30 cm)
Volume:	900 in^3
Fits dogs (height):	18 in - 24 in (46 - 61 cm)
Fits dogs (weight):	30 lb - 50 lb (14 - 23 kg)
Manufacturer's List Price:	$50

Product description:
Granite Gear's "Ruff Rider" dog pack balances two carrying bags on either side of the wearer's rib-cage, and is held on with a set of soft webbing straps around the rib-cage and across the front of the chest. The pack is constructed of "High Tenacity 210 denier Cordura fabric," and has a fleece lining on the underside where it touches the dog's body. One main strap connects with an adjustable, quick-release plastic buckle, under the dog's belly just behind the shoulder. The other main strap connects with an adjustable plastic buckle across the front of the chest just below the collar. There are also 6 straps, 3 on a side, that attach the two carrying bags to a yoke that rests on the dog's back. These 6 straps make it possible to adjust the height of the carrying bags at the dog's sides and shoulders. The pack has several reflective spots sewn into its corners to make it more visible in low light. The pack also features fleece-covered tabs where the main straps are sewn into the body of the pack, to prevent chafing, and includes a plastic D-ring at the rear of the pack that could be used to attach a leash.

Field information

Setting:
Lady has worn her "Ruff Rider" dog pack on every backpacking trip she and I have made since we started hiking in 2002. All of our hikes have been in the southeastern USA, on the Appalachian Trail or in various parks in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. She has accompanied me through a lot of forested land, and over a few of the gorgeous southern "bald" mountains. We usually hike in warm weather at elevations only occasionally exceeding 5,000 feet (1,500 m). We have rarely encountered sub-freezing weather on our hikes, but we have hiked through a lot of rain. We often encounter temperatures above 80 F (27 C), with humidity often exceeding 50% during the day, but I can remember only two or three nights when the temperature has dropped below an estimated 20 F (-7 C).

Our Experience:
I bought Lady's pack in the summer of 2002, to use during a week long backpacking trip with several friends on the Appalachian Trail. She has worn it many times since. Lady carries her own food, leash, and bowl in her pack, and when space allows, she might also carry some water. It has space for her to carry up to a week's worth of food, though heavy eaters might need to resupply in less than a week.

I have been impressed with the pack's durability. Over several hundred miles on the trail, the only visible wear it shows are some fuzzy spots in the fabric around the front of the carrying bags. The bag's large zippers have never given me any problems, and the webbing straps show no signs of wear. The pack's fleece surfaces collect fur from Lady's body, but when the furry buildup becomes annoying, it wipes off easily.

The fleece tabs that protect Lady's skin from the sewn edges of the nylon straps have prevented any chafing. She has always seemed comfortable in her pack, and can sit and lie down under it without any difficulty. Occasionally, however, when her load is unbalanced, the pack will list to one side. When this happens, I have to move some weight from the heavier side to the lighter side of her pack. It can also be difficult to adjust the six straps that control the height of the carrying bags on her shoulders, but they seem to naturally fall into a fit that suits Lady's comfort.

When the pack gets wet, it takes a long time for it to dry out. It is not at all waterproof, especially as there is a large grommet at the bottom of each carrying bag that will let water into the pack. When Lady wades through a creek, the grommets let the water that enters through them drain right back out. Since the pack is often wet, both on the inside and the outside, I always put her food and other dry items that she carries in sealed sandwich bags before putting them in her pack.

Summary:

My dog, Lady, and I have used the "Ruff Rider" dog pack for all of our backpacking trips over the past four years. She has always carried all her food and supplies in it with ease and comfort. It has been a good way for Lady to literally "carry her own weight" on the trail.

Qualities of the dog pack that I like:
+ The pack has proven to be very durable.
+ Lady is comfortable wearing it, and can sit and lie down under it without any trouble.
+ It has enough carrying capacity for her to carry all her food and supplies.

Qualities of the dog pack that I don't like:
- The pack is not waterproof, gets wet on the inside, and doesn't dry easily.
- The pack lists to one side when the carrying bags are not packed evenly.

Reviews > Animal Companion Gear > Dog Packs > Granite Gear Ruff Rider > Owner Review by Lewis Wilson