There’s nothing better than heading out on an outdoor adventure with your dog. Their wagging tails and sniffing noses tell it all. But just as you care for them at home, the right gear can help your pooch have as doggone a good time as you do, starting with the obvious upgrades to the leash and collar, but extending to overnight needs. Quality equipment enables your active dog to live their best life of adventure by your side.
And as I found out this summer on a series of backcountry dog adventures, backpacking and paddling unplugged and well beyond refrigeration, it’s not hard goods alone. A healthy and packable food like the new Instant Fresh line from The Farmer’s Dog belongs on that must-take list, along with the products to help your pup earn a nutritious reward for days well spent. So whether it’s a simple afternoon nature stroll or a trip built around one of the best destination-worthy dog trails in the country, consider the latest dog-gear essentials for your next trip down the trail together.
A Rugged Collar
A beefy collar is a backcountry must. Beyond the basics (holding your dog’s tags in case they wander off), it secures a leash when required by regulations or wildlife — from grazing livestock to that pesky squirrel or porcupine luring him off trail. Made To Roam’s Comfort Collar ($33) is built with strong, breathable high-tensile nylon and a plush neoprene overlap. Its aviation aluminum buckle (1,100-pound-tested), D-ring, and tag ring are as rugged as the terrain you’re traversing. Bonus: The smallest size starts at just 1 ounce.
A Go-Anywhere Bed
You’ll both be pooped after a full day on the trail; why should you be the only one with cozy sleeping quarters? Bring along a pad for your pooch. You can place it by your feet in the tent, keeping the floor clean and even offering shade during the day. Nonstop Dogwear’s Trekking Dog Bed ($59) weighs a scant 5.9 ounces, has a soft micro-fleece top layer, plus a durable, water-resistant ripstop base that’s insulated to protect your four-legged friend from cold ground. Bonus: It rolls up tight to fit in your backpack.
A Do-everything Bowl
You’ll both need to refuel and hydrate after your day’s adventure. While you have your own camp kitchenware, you’ll also need a bowl to mix and serve vittles like Instant Fresh for your tail-wagging companion. With a durable, water-resistant poly/cotton outer, WilderDog’s 5″x 8″x 8″ Backpacking Bowl ($18) weighs just 3.2 ounces and holds up to 64 ounces of water. It also includes a top cinch for leftovers and rolls up with an elastic strap.
A Retractable Leash
Sure, your canine pal might run wild and free on the trail, but there could come a time when he needs reining in — like to avoid that skunk, moose, or worse yet, bear. Hands-free waist leashes like the Ruffwear Roamer ($49) use a bungee system to absorb shock while attaching securely to your hips, freeing up your hands for trekking poles (and swatting mosquitoes). It also gives your dog extra room to navigate around obstacles, switch sides on the trail, or sniff around without you adjusting slack.
Healthy Trail Snacks
Everything tastes better in the Great Outdoors. And that goes for your dog, too. For that, dry dog food doesn’t get any better — or healthier — than new Instant Fresh from The Farmer’s Dog. The shelf-stable bags pack dry for weight efficiency, then they convert to fresh by simply mixing with an equal part of water. Just add that H2O and mix in that packable bowl. Watching the dry food transform into a freshly made meal is a sight fit for natural surroundings; you can actually see the real, minimally processed, human-grade ingredients like chicken and vegetables. Though, you won’t see them for long as they get wolfed down faster than you can make your own fireside eats or packed-meal concoction.
A Dog Life Jacket
Plan on paddling with your dog? You’re not the only one who should be wearing personal flotation. A dog life jacket with a suitcase-like handle will keep Fido afloat and let you pull him back in your boat, or on your board, quickly and easily. Made from a heavy-duty, 500-denier Cordura shell, Astral’s Birdog ($85), is filled with high-floating streamlined polyethylene foam. Its raised, padded top handle easily retrieves any canine who goes overboard, with belly and chest buckles to keep it in place. Bonus: a leash clip for back on terra firma.
Try Instant FreshThis article is sponsored by The Farmer’s Dog.
