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 Chuck Wagon Medium Dog Backpack By: Kelty Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 8 More Information Great quality, though sizes do run large  On: 2008-09-29This pack proves once again that Kelty is a superior pet product manufacturer. Though the sizes run larger than expected, the pack size I purchased fit my shepherd/terrier mix well. It is extremely durable, water proof, easy to adjust and has plenty of pouch space. In comparison to well-known brands such as Outward Hound and Mountainsmith, I would still choose Kelty. Outward Hound packs are of a much inferior quality, and Mountainsmith packs are overkill with large pouches that would be easy for owners to accidentally overload and strain a dogs spine. My Dog Scouts have had these for years - love them On: 2008-08-10Ive been very happy with these packs. Im the local Dog Scouts of America Troop Leader, and we use them a lot! (check out www.dogscouts.org for lots of helpful info on dog packs and backpacking) I have a medium for Rowdy my Australian Cattle Dog, and a Large for Brutus my lab-rottie mix. We do hikes up to 6-8 miles, and the packs have been in all kinds of weather (and into streams and ponds, tearing through brush, etc.) with little signs of wear after several years. I only started logging miles in the past year, and weve hiked 55 miles with them in that time - they look new. Most importantly, they have non-restrictive straps - the front strap is a Y shape which does not impede shoulder movement, and the weight rides on the dogs shoulders, where it should. If you get a pack without these two features, I would suggest only using it for very light loads and short trips. If the load is not balanced on both sides, it will tip, but that seems to be true with most packs Ive seen, despite their claims. Its really not that hard to make sure its balanced. Id recommend choosing on the small side for your pack - without a lot of conditioning, the average dog shouldnt be carrying bags chock full of stuff anyway, and the straps fit better if you order small (Rowdy is a big cattle dog at 55 pounds, and Brutus is 125 lbs). These work great for us, fit the dogs well, hold up to lots of abuse, and are ergonimically correct for the dogs safety. If I were going to do more serious backcountry packing, I would probably invest in a more expensive one with some more features, but for our purposes these are great. VERY Poor understrap  On: 2008-07-17Belly straps dont secure the load and constantly need to be tightened... especially when wet. Not recomended for hikes over a few miles or any hike with rugged terrain. When loose (often) unit falls forward over dogs head when heading down hill. If serious about this I suggest spending a few dollars more. Will keep mine and modify to accomodate weakness. Overall Awesome but be careful with sizing  On: 2008-07-09Ive had this a couple of months but my dogs wears it A LOT. We put it on him to help him burn off energy on walks and short hikes (up to 2 hours or so). As long as the weight is evenly distributed on both sides, he can do all the things he would do otherwise: run, climb hills, run up rock slides, splash through creeks, run down hills, etc. Of course, he still does these things when the pack is not weighted evenly. He just does it while leaning to one side. Like everyone else, the major problem I have had is with sizing. Sizing by weight range is difficult because you could have a small, stocky dog (like a basset hound) or a big lanky dog (like a greyhound) that are actually within the same size by weight. I suggest taking the time to visit the Kelty website (http://www.kelty.com/kelty/products.php?terms=chuckwagon&id=320) and look at the specs they list. They have both the weight-ranges and measurements of the distance around the dogs stomach. Depending on your dogs built you may have to take a size down. If your dog is built like a basset hound (middle like a long tube) go with the size that fits your dogs measurements. If your dog is built like a greyhound (big rib cage and small abdomen) it might be a good idea to go a size down if their weight is at the bottom of the size range. My dog is in the second category. I measured at the biggest point (ribcage) but the stomach strap is at his abdomen so its a bit big. Its a bit loose but not too bad. Pro: Well-built. Stays on through all terrain. Comfortable. Holds A LOT. Con: Sizing can be tricky (but not impossible). Poor under-strap  On: 2008-06-16Overall the quality and workmanship of this product is far superior than all the other bags I looked at, that is why I decided to purchase it. However, after trying it around town I could tell that the belly strap could not be tightened well enough. When my dog went backpacking with it, I confirmed it doesnt work well. The bag tilts side to side (usually toward the heavier side), and even slides awkwardly forward up on the neck of my dog... My dog is 65 lbs, right on the border for medium/large sized packs; but after reading the reviews, I knew I should go smaller rather than larger, so I went with the medium... Its still to big... Other than that the pack is quiet nice. I do think it doesnt fit as much as Id like for multi-day backpacking trips though. Two days of food, some poop baggies, and leash accessories easily fills it up. In the end the size didnt really matter because I had to carry it so my dog wouldnt chafe. To make a long story short, go with the small even if you dog is 100 pounds... itll most likely fit your dog... my 65 lb dog has about a foot of slack on the belly strap, and it still doesnt fit him. UPDATE: I actually decided to buy another one because it was unusable... I went with the Mountainsmith Dog Pack and it fits extremely well, holds a lot more, and doesnt shift around at all. (I got the medium for my dog)... If you are looking for a pack for short walks/runs then get this one (but go small). But if you are looking for a pack for day trips or longer, look at the Mountainsmith Dog Pack. nice! On: 2008-06-04I ordered the medium for my setter/retriever mix and found it too big (she is built on the slim side). I called and exchanged it for a small with no problem. The pack is well made and adjusts easily. My dog doesnt mind carrying it at all, so it must be fairly comfortable. We give it a thumbs up! Seems like a quality pack On: 2008-02-20This pack didnt fit my dog. I ordered the medium because she has a 28" girth and weighs 60 lb. However, she is a pretty compact, muscular dog, and this pack was too small. The chest strap was way too long and is unadjustable. I ordered a new pack from a different company. I dont like that there is only one belly strap on this one, but I couldnt tell how well it actually works. If it actually fit my dog, it may have been a very good pack, and seems to be well-constructed. An excellent back pack for an 80 pound GSP On: 2008-02-05I used this back pack with Kasia, a good sized female, for a couple of years before she died of cancer. We plan to get a new puppy this summer, and well be hiking with her by the fall if all goes well. Well buy her a pack of her own, either the medium size, or if shes stocky, the large size. Kasia just loved it when I broke out her pack -- absolute joy! And, she learned to wear it after only two outings. The biggest problems were close quarters between trees and rocks, when she couldnt slither through. And, in fairness, I took even longer to learn that when she refused to go, it was because the gap was just too narrow. Of course, GSPs are much smarter than this owner. Ergonomic, durable and fashionable! On: 2007-10-17I have used many backpacks with my dogs before and this one is by far my favorite so far. I have a 60 pound lab mix and like to climb 14ers with him so he must carry all his own water, scree shoes and other gear. I ordered the medium and it fits him very well, does not interfere with his movements and stays securely in place. The excess strap length needs to be tied back around otherwise they will drag, however. The long straps will ensure that the pack will fit all sizes of dogs; I am considering permanently shortening mine. As with all backpacks, dogs need to learn that they are wider than before and must practice going between boulders and other obstacles before you set out on your long trek. Happy T(r)ails! |