The Palisades Pack is Ruff Wear's top-of-the-line dog pack. The Palisades pack attaches to the Web Master Harness, also from Ruff Wear, by way of 4 snap buckles. The harness can be worn by itself or with the pack attached. This allows the pack to be taken off while on breaks or just wearing it by itself while strolling around. The harness has a 5 point adjustable fit system for a custom fit for the dog. The two straps that run under the chest and the belly are padded and adjustable. The underside of the harness is padded throughout and is made of mesh material for maximum breathability. On top, the harness has a 'lift handle' to assist the dog over obstacles or streams. There is also an aluminum leash attachment and reflective trim around the edges of the harness for better visibility. 

The Palisades pack itself has plenty of capacity to carry all of the essentials that a dog my need while in the outdoors. The saddlebags are evenly distributed and has a watter bladder on each side. Inside the main compartment is a zipper to access the water bladder that can be removed. The smaller pocket on the front has cinch straps to draw the load of the pack to the harness for better weight distribution. The trim on the pack is also reflective and across the top on both sides is a daisy chain. The main compartment zipper is a waterproof zipper but the front pocket is not. All zippers have very nice large zipper pulls for better grip.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

I was very pleased at the first look at the Palisade. It seems to be very durable and well rounded with pockets, bladder, handle, leash attachment, daisy chain and just about every feature that a human pack would have. The first 'try on' went well. I wasn't sure how Samson would take to having a pack on. He actually didn't mind it at all. I had to tighten the straps to almost the tightest position. But this will give him room to grow into it. Once I got the harness system set and fit right, the pack just snapped on with the four buckles.

I pulled one of the bladders from the pocket and filled it up to see how Samson would take to drinking water from a tube. I filled the bladder up and to open the tube, the valve is twisted in a counterclockwise direction. Once I dribbled some water on his nose he knew it was good to drink it. It didn't come out as fast as I had thought it would but I guess most would be wasted if it did, it just trickled out. 

There seems to be plenty of room for trail essentials for him and I am excited about getting Samson out on the trail and seeing how he likes the Palisade.

That's Good:
- Harness system under the pack
- Easy removal of the pack from the harness
- Two water bladders
- Big capacity for essentials
- Good padding around the straps

That's Bad:

- None so far