Packable, Portable, Rugged: Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate Review

Living in Colorado, our dogs go everywhere with us. From beer gardens to backcountry forays, our pups are glued to our hip for all of our outdoor adventures. A legacy brand in the wingshooting and fly-fishing space, Orvis also designs rugged dog crates like the Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate ($179) to keep our best friends safe and comfortable while spending the day outdoors. 

What we loved about this crate is its durability and ruggedness to take your pup from the campfire to your kid’s soccer games with a simple setup, four panels of ventilation, and a carrying handle to boot. 

In short: The Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate ($179) is a functional canvas portable crate that is the ideal companion for your and your dog’s active lifestyle through all weather and conditions. The DWR canvas fabric resists rips or tears from rocky ground, and the lightweight metal framing makes assembly quick and simple. The crate folds down simply when not in use, and comes with a small carrying handle for ease in portability.

The four mesh panels surrounding the crate include two zippered panels to allow your pup to move freely in and around the campsite when they’re not lounging. Available in three sizes, the Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate is available in two earth-tone color schemes to complement your campsite aesthetic. 

Mosey on over to the Best Dog Crates of 2024 buyer’s guide to check out how Orvis stacks up against its competition.

Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate

$159 at AmazonCheck Price at Orvis

Specifications

• Weight: 9.8 lbs.
• Size: S-L
• Material: DWR 100% recycled polyester, reinforced mesh ventilation windows
• Closure: Zipper
• Number of entry/exit points: 2

Pros

• Removable pad for added comfort and ease of cleaning
• Zippered mesh windows on side and front for easy entry/exit
• Lightweight and carrying handle included

Cons

• Challenging assembly
• Slightly unstable
• Canvas is slightly harder to clean than metal or plastic

Katie Davis

Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate Review

When first testing this crate, it quickly soared its way to my short list of favorites due to its rugged design, simple assembly process, and ample ventilation panels. While other crates I tested were either bulky, flimsy, or complicated to assemble, the Orvis Tough Trail was Goldilocks’ pick of just right in all categories.

While other reviewers state the construction of the crate was touch and go, I found that its durability over different terrains and weeks of use didn’t suffer. Granted, my pup Mason is fairly gentle and is not a chewer or dedicated escape artist, so other pups that are more inclined to break free may put the durability of the Tough Trail to the test. 

I tested the Orvis Tough Trail over the past few months over varying terrain, from the snowy ground in the Tetons to dusty summer campsites in Colorado. The Tough Trail was fairly water resistant, with no snow seeping through the bottom of the crate, but it may not fare as well with extended contact with snowy or wet ground.

The crate comes kitted with a small removable pad that is easily wipeable. But, we found that dirt and debris that is tracked in from paws is not easily swept out, due to the small strip of canvas reinforcing the bottom of the crate between the mesh door panel.

Portability

While I’ve previously waxed poetic about this crate’s portability, the Tough Trail received high marks from Mason and me for just how simple it was to transport, in comparison to other travel crates I tested. Other crates I tested that were constructed with steel, metal, or heavy-duty plastic were big and bulky. They were chore to lug around due to their heavier weight and unwieldy shapes.

The Tough Trail is outfitted with just canvas and foldable metal pipes, which stow away at half its original size. The metal pipes are hollow, which lends to the Tough Trail’s light weight of 9.8 pounds, while remaining durable enough for Mother Nature’s ever-changing weather conditions. 

When on the move, the crate has a twistable locking mechanism that securely keeps the frame intact and prevents rattling or jostling noises. The twisting lock mechanism assists in keeping tension while assembling the frame and is meant to make the assembly process easier. But, I found the tension, even when fully untwisted, still makes set up a real challenge.

The crate comes in three sizes, with the heights of each crate reaching between 23” to 29”, which are compatible with most SUVs or bigger cars to transport your pup safely from the car to the campsite.

Materials & Sustainability

As previously mentioned, the Tough Trail is constructed with durable and lightweight construction for ease of portability while remaining stable enough to take anywhere. The crate is constructed primarily with durable water-repellent (DWR) canvas to hold up to any condition or weather you may encounter along the way.

The ventilation panels are constructed with thick reinforced mesh netting, which can compromise the ventilation of thinner meshes, but earn points for durability. 

The zippers are strong and didn’t break under pressure, but some folks with more spirited pups found the seam between the zipper and canvas as the primary point where the fabric ripped and the crate became unusable. While my pup Mason is not an escape artist, stronger chewers or more spirited pups may not want to use this crate. 

The framework of the crate is hollow metal piping with a twistable locking mechanism to create tension while lending towards an easier assembly, but we found assembly challenging even with Orvis’s attempt to simplify the process. The framework is removable from the canvas for easier cleaning and includes numerous plastic buckles to keep the mesh panels out of the way when not in use or during storage. 

The removable pad is very thin, so I recommend adding a thicker pad for older dogs or those who just need a bit of extra comfort during camping or long car rides. In sum, while other folks have the durability of the crate lacking, I found the Tough Trail to withstand rigorous testing with no signs of major wear and tear in the process.  

In Conclusion

While this crate may not be for high-energy pups or those with separation anxiety committed to breaking free, the Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate is my ideal choice for camping or outdoor adventures. The heavy-duty canvas and reinforced mesh held up exceedingly well during testing in varied climates. 

I appreciate the range of sizes and earthen color options the Tough Trail comes in. I also appreciate the additional care Orvis has taken in providing our pups with a safe and comfortable place to rest after a long day outside. The crate travels from vehicle to trail with ease and simple packability, and weighs less than many other crates we tested within the same size range. 

My primary fault with the Tough Trail is the setup process. While it is a minor inconvenience, having to crawl around the crate and wrestle with the metal framework to set up is a frustrating process. However, we do commend Orvis’s solution to remedy this problem with its twistable locking mechanism. 

Overall, the Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate ($179) is our top pick for our beloved best friends to rest in comfort and safety along the trail or at the campsite. The Tough Trail is available online at Orvis or Backcountry.

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