Best Weekend Getaway With Dog (Jan 2023 Update)

Large enough to be useful & still not unwieldy or bulky. Used it for a 2 week trip & it still looks new. 🙂 Included water bottle and bowls keep it super simple and looking great for traveling. HIghly recommend.2BrownDog

Gave this to my daughter because she was moving to AL with her dog an boyfriend for a new job. She said it came in handy when they stopped at a rest area. When they were ready to go they wiped it out and in the carry bag it went. She thanked me later because it came in handy. They use it to go to the doggy park now.tam1

I wanted a soft crate with a top opening for my puppy that will be arriving in mid July. As a pet sitter, I've seen my clients crates and as good as they were, this one is that much better. It's good looking, has openings on three sides and the top plus has foldable shades on all openings. It comes with a sherpa inside mat that's not plush by any means but does the job. I called customer service when I ordered and they helped me pick the right size and told me that if I wasn't happy when I received it to let them know and they'd pick up the original and ship me the new size. Well, it arrived quickly and and i was informed every step of the way. I think the size will be perfect but I'm confident that when my girl arrives, if needed, this company will honor their commitment and switch sizes. I'm really happy with my purchase. I want only the best for my puppy and I definitely got it with this crate!Joann R.

Fabulous overall experience. Product was received in a timely manner, well packed, and the product itself is the best! There are too many junky soft-sided crates on the market. This one is sturdy, putting it together is a snap, and the pad inside can be replaced with all kinds of options when needed. We generally replace a pad on the inside about once a year just to keep them fresh. Our dogs actually like the blue ‘cooling’pads more than big fluffy pads anyway, but they are Shelties with a lot of hair. The crate itself is just superior and I have just ordered a second one for another pup arriving soon. Really, I can’t say enough good things about this crate. If your pup is a chewer you might consider a hard crate temporarily till they move out of the chewing phase but there isn’t much to chew on in these crates anyway as the canvas outer shell is very tight doesn’t give much leeway to chew. And our current 6 month old Sheltie goes in to the crate to lay down completely on his own – it’s his own little abode and he is content.Joy F.

Fell apart roughly a year after purchase. The plastic pieces / connectors for the frame literally hardened and crumbled. The crate was never used to travel anywhere either. It simply sat in a carpeted bedroom. I was fortunate my dog was not in the crate at the time so that he wasn't injured. I reached out to support and sat here since April. Yes since APRIL (so 6 months), trying to get 2 replacement pieces of plastic, which I have been told are backordered and that I'll hear when they arrive. Today they reached out to me and are telling me I need to pay nearly $100 for the s2 piece of plastic, so half the cost of the entire crate. If I had known that I would have simply contested the charges for this piece of junk and bought another crate from somebody else who won't keep me sitting here. I've had this for 2 years and been able to use it less than half the time. Get a better made crate from literally anybody else.Aiden

This crate is very light weight and great for travel. It pops up quickly and though a little tricky to compress again, is easy to put away. Larger dogs may be able to roll this crate around. I like that it has a metal door since my pup chewed through the zipper on my last crate during a competition.Sammi

It is utilized in our camper for our 90 pound chocolate lab. She fits well enough to lay down and it was not wrecked the first few uses, but she is crate trained. I do however believe the bottom material could've used some more reinforcement as a dog that size wont take much to make an accidental rip. Folds down very compact and is not complicated to get it that way! Overall, very pleased.Brittany

This crate tucks in nicely by the bed. I had to twist the crate to get it to fit, but since it is soft sided, it was easy to do. I have 2 long haired miniature dachshunds, and they both have plenty of room and are really happy to have their blankets and sleeping space. The crate is well made and is perfect for my needs. I looked at a number of options and could not find another crate as narrow as this one. The metal door is easy to close and I was able to flip it so the door opened the direction I needed. The only negative is with the limited space, the opening radius of the door is fairly limited. Both my dogs can easily fit, but depending on the space in your unit, a larger dog might have troubles fitting through the door. (Again, this limitation is based on the narrow width I have available in my unit.) So happy with the purchase-perfect for the trailer. The dogs give it 4 paws up.Dog L.

Bag is sturdy and well put together, the material is nice and the metal zippers/decorations are strong. The straps are adjustable, and held well, until I filled the bag full of really heavy items to test how much it could withstand. The pop up bowls are great, and so are the insulated containers. The entire bag is insulated which is a plus. The poop bag holder works great and doesn't tear the baggies. The little included velcro divider is neat, and offers a solution to keep items seperated in the bag. Overall we really liked the bag and will keep taking it to our trips out at the park/lake.Anoxeyh

Love this bag! I have a medium-large dog and it holds all the food he needs. The big compartment is big enough for his towel and toys and still has room for other stuff. We mainly use it for the lake, but it is perfect to bring on a weekend away. It is very durable and cute! Highly recommend.Jamie

Everything about buying, assembling, and using our second Revol crate (we purchased our first, a Medium, last spring), was excellent, and our pup loves her new bigger digs. The company’s communication about the status of our pre-order was superb—well-timed, clear, and accurate. We weren’t expecting two boxes (I probably missed the detail in one of the emails), so were surprised when the second box arrived a few days after the first and only then noticed Box 1 on the first box. It would have been better if the box labeling had said Box 1 of 2 and Box 2 of 2, but that’s a quibble. The packaging did its job well and the instructions were both charming and easy to follow. The ONLY product design flaw in our opinion involves the last step of assembly: Handling and attaching the teeny-tiny screws in the four bottom corners. The allen wrench is ridiculously small (even for a woman’s hands), and getting the screws into their holes is incredibly difficult, from just getting them into the holes to fully tightening them. The placement of the screws, especially such small screws on an otherwise very large object, is i credibly awkward. Upshot: The holes are hard to reach because of the close proximity of the crate sides. It’s also hard to imagine that such tiny screws accomplish much of anything on such a large object. But that is our only negative criticism/observation. The product is overall superb—wildly expensive, yes, but very attractive and sturdy and safe. Kudos and thanks to the entire Diggs Revol team!!!Renee D.

I love the design and the customer service of the diggs crate. I had the medium slate gray size crate which is amazing in looks and design. I love how easy the front door opens. The medium size garage door I found to be not usable the way it folds in and up. I love the color and the design over all. I then ordered the large white crate when they came out with it. Again I loved the color and the look of it. I didn't like that they charged my card before I got the crate, nor did I like the price of the crate but they are the best crates on the market that I have seen so far. The large crate that I got the other day did have a large dent in the base which only effects the looks. For the price it would have been great to get the crate in mint shape. Their customer service is amazing so I might put in a call to them. The directions to put the large crate together could have been a little clearer about the ceiling or top of the crate. If you put it on the wrong way the garage door can't be put and I had to take it off and turn it around. This could be a lot clearer in the directions. Once I got it together I found the design on the large crate to be better for the garage door and I should be able to use it now but not as sturdy on the 4 pillars. I'm not crazy about the plastic inserts they look to fragile like they can easily break. I also found them hard to get in. Maybe I'm just spoiled since the medium crate was designed better and was put together when it was delivered. If either the medium crate or the large crate are in your budget they really are beautiful crates and I'm really glad I purchased them. I also bought the snooze beds and again the price is high but they are quality made. I'm still waiting for my large size snooze bed but I'd imagine I will get it soon.donna G.

I have a 30lb puppy who is expected to be closer to 50lbs when she’s an adult. I bought the intermediate crate. This crate is designed beautifully. It gets a lot of complements when people visit. It feels like a sturdy crate and the quality seems generally good save for a few joints on the front and back which got stuck for me. However, assembling it was a little difficult (they do recommend you have 2 people)—even inserting and removing the puppy divider is not easy. Taking it anywhere is impossible. It’s too long to fit in a standard sedan’s trunk. Also lifting it into the car (whether trunk or backseat) requires 2 people as well. Not convenient unless you live with other people. I think I’m going to wind up having to buy a wire crate anyways in order to travel with her. Also fwiw, this crate is the only crate she’s known (in our house) but she often prefers our friend’s dog’s wire crate haha. We wonder if part of it is the revol crate is tall whereas the large wire crate feels cozier so it’s something to consider. If you’re just looking for an aesthetic crate for your home, this is a nice choice. But if you’re looking for utility and multi-use for travel (and are interested in the intermediate or large size) just know you will need to buy a second travel crate or own an SUV.Elizabeth C.

Got this for my 2 small doggies and can tote all their stuff in backpack when we go out of town for weekend. Super well made and lots of handy pockets..kelsky02

First of all, this bag is cute! The ID tag is bone-shaped and the fabric inside has a paw print pattern. Secondly, it's functional as well. The food bags easily held enough food for one week away with my large dog. The collapsible dishes are easy to clean. And the placemat came in handy. The only reason I couldn't give 5 stars is because it is a bit flimsy and won't hold up well over time. But if you only use it every once in a while- it will serve it's purpose well.Dani

This bag is amazing! It is compact and full of everything you would possibly need to take your [small] dog on a getaway. Its the perfect size for little dogs! The ONLY thing i would change about this bag is the option to get different colors! I would LOVE a pink one!Ashlee K

I really like this very light crate for my well behaved dogs when I take them to agility trials. Easy to carry and set up. Note this is not a good crate for dogs that are not used to be crated or that might try to escape. For those, you will need a wire crate, which I have for my not well behaved dog that suffers from separation anxiety.poodles

This is a great product for people who are on the go with their pets or just last minute travel plans and you don't want the hassle of packing a big travel kennel. So far I've seen the small and medium sizes. Love that all you have to do is give a quick twist and it pops up. There's no hassling with putting it together like most do. Comes in black and tan. Sturdy enough for your pet to be in and move around. The price is decent about $70.00 but remember once your done with your usage it's very easy to clean and put up. To me this is great for small to medium size dogs. For bigger dogs I really don't think it's big enough or sturdy for them. You can find this product at Walmart.jessica.l

This crate is great! So packable and has Velcro on the bottom to stay in place on the curvey back roads. Our new puppy road all day as we traveled place to place, the kennel and was extremely comfortable! She loved it!Cora5

First of all, this bag is cute! The ID tag is bone-shaped and the fabric inside has a paw print pattern. Secondly, it's functional as well. The food bags easily held enough food for one week away with my large dog. The collapsible dishes are easy to clean. And the placemat came in handy. The only reason I couldn't give 5 stars is because it is a bit flimsy and won't hold up well over time. But if you only use it every once in a while- it will serve it's purpose well.Dani

This bag is amazing! It is compact and full of everything you would possibly need to take your [small] dog on a getaway. Its the perfect size for little dogs! The ONLY thing i would change about this bag is the option to get different colors! I would LOVE a pink one!Ashlee K

First of all, this bag is cute! The ID tag is bone-shaped and the fabric inside has a paw print pattern. Secondly, it's functional as well. The food bags easily held enough food for one week away with my large dog. The collapsible dishes are easy to clean. And the placemat came in handy. The only reason I couldn't give 5 stars is because it is a bit flimsy and won't hold up well over time. But if you only use it every once in a while- it will serve it's purpose well.Dani

This bag is amazing! It is compact and full of everything you would possibly need to take your [small] dog on a getaway. Its the perfect size for little dogs! The ONLY thing i would change about this bag is the option to get different colors! I would LOVE a pink one!Ashlee K

I bought this for my 11 lb (but tall) chihuahua-Jack Russell mix for an intl flight. I was attracted to the fold down side window, which would allow her head to poke out while under the plane seat. I also loved the organization panel that would allow me to forgo carrying another personal item onboard. However, I was disappointed to find that the carrier has no rigid structure and so collapsed on top of my dog, which frightened her. Similarly bummed that the trolley sleeve that was supposed to secure the carrier over my luggage handle was also flimsy. The whole thing seemed designed/constructed by someone who was unfamiliar with dogs. Definitely not Swissgear/Victorinox quality, which I otherwise rely on. Returned.A.F.M.

There wasn't much on the East coast. She covered the entire country, and there was not much in areas that I was interested in. Very little in NY State etc.jada-10776

I recently bought this book in anticipation of being able to do some serious traveling with my furry, four-legged Best Friend, Missie. Our beagle has been my sole and soul support while caring for my Mom, in hospice at home with us. The book has detailed information in a wide variety of situations including hotels, camping, or just being together. I wish it had smaller sites and reviews within the states it presents, but it does give excellent tips and references to the questions and areas it doesn’t cover. For anyone who loves to travel with their pet being part of the experience, this book is a great addition to caring for your pet who loves unconditionally.LadyJay05

Well-built and sturdy on the outside, and super-plush on the inside. Little Callie the Calico LOVES the expandable, and has now made the Big Apple carrier her favorite place to hide, nap and simply stretch out! Thanks a million, the handsome Gold Series is truly a winner! And your customer service is nothing short of remarkable!Marc P.

I love this carrier! It looks amazing and you can't beat its functionality. I love that you can put your pet in through the top – I have kittens who don't appreciate being shoved through the side opening, but it's a breeze to put them in via the top window. You can open it basically everywhere but the zippers stay securely closed. It's durable as well. The kittens are masters of destruction – I'm sewing a new couch cover out of claw-resistant canvas – but the carrier doesn't have a scratch on it. I had some questions about which carrier to buy and Michael got back to me very quickly and took time to answer everything, which was greatly appreciated!Casey C.

this is such a great carrier. It has structure its spacious and its so comfy. My kitty even sleeps in it at night she loves this bag😩 i use it all the time for flying its such good quality it has space for treats and necessities. Also its definitely rip proof lol my cat gets scared at takeoff and tried to rip through but never works lolMilly

This pack + the roamed leash are my new go-to even for short hikes. Pros: holds lots of supplies, easy on/off, strong against pulling at leash, east to see bright orange, stores flat when not using. Cons: hard to keep balanced so it usually drifts to one side or the other while my dog is wearing it; doesn’t have a front loop, which would be nice to prevent pulling; not water proof for when he runs into streams; straps can be hard to adjust; second belly strap is kind of far back, on the belly instead of rib cage Overall functional and will probably last a long time, but if I could trade it in for a smaller one I probably would.Anne

OzzyDog and I have been backpacking and hopping freight across country for years. He may only be 12 pounds, but don't let size fool you. He's a big dog on the inside and he needs gear that can hold up to his very active lifestyle. Other harnesses, we always end up having to replace within a month or so. As, most products fit for small dogs are not made for high impact, outdoor lifestyles. It may seem expensive, but trust us- Its worth it!CobyAndOzzy

I bought 2 of the Ruffwear Approach Dog Packs (size Medium) for my 2 Pitties (51 lbs and 63 lbs). They fit great and they have been fantastic for our recent 2 day/1 night camping trips. I operate a dog training business in NC and part of our program is that we offer clients access to our monthly pack walks & socials, day hikes and as of this year: 2 day/1 night camping trips and these packs have been PERFECT for us trainers and our clients! We love our Ruffwear Approach Packs. We keep the weight to under 10% of the dog's body weight. So for my own dogs they carry 1 liter (2.2 lbs) on each side of their pack (2 liters total per dog). Given that we are hiking on some pretty rugged terrain with lots of elevation change, the 9 pounds they carry (between the two of them) is a MASSIVE help for me and they have no issue whatsoever carrying the weight. As mentioned, we do hike on some pretty rugged terrain so the bottom of the saddles are frequently getting scrapped across rocks and so far they are holding up nicely but time will tell. I think it would be nice if the next pack model included some type of extra layering on the bottom of the saddles to improve longevity and help with wear and tear as they get banged up from rocks and boulders. But again… 5 stars…. as always… Ruffwear comes through with another great product. You get what you pay for and they are absolutely worth the price.Dave

We recently got a new Bernese Mountain dog puppy and we have a 7 year old Dachshund mix who we rescued 4 years ago. I received the kit very quickly through the mail. The instructions were pretty simple and I was able to run the cable around the perimeter of my property very quickly for testing it out. Our puppy got corrected about three times before he truly figured it out and learned to stay away from the perimeter. Our Dachshund, who is known for bolting as soon as the door opens, didn't take to it as quickly. "Can't teach an old dog new tricks?" That was not the case. After she ran through the fence a few times, she was scared to go outside at all. Being a rescue from an abused family, this is understandable. After working with her for a week, showing her the boundaries with the shock correction turned off just utilizing the audible correction and the vibration alert, She started to get comfortable outside again and also stayed away from the perimeter. The beep and vibration was enough to get her attention and she returns into the property. At this time, I spent half a day with a spade shovel and buried the fence a couple inches into the ground. I found that the signal was a bit less, so I took advantage of the signal strength dial and turned it up and tested it again. It took a bit of trial and error, but I got it dialed in pretty good. This has been an absolutely fantastic device for the dogs. They can go outside and run around like a dog should be able to do! Now I just have to figure out how to stop my Dachshund from digging up critters around my AC unit, LOL. I think I am going to build a decorative fence around my unit for this. Quick summary: Fast delivery Good instructions solid design Customizable for you needs Fantastic product!Kinger

I purchased this system about three years ago. It worked great for my GSD for about two months.. then he learned he could run through it.. and did so on a regular basis. If you have smaller dogs.. would highly recommend this fence system.. for bigger dogs… Not so much. Oh and i recently acquired a Caucaision Ovcharcta… she is now 8 months old and goes through it like it wasn't there. For me it was a waste of money. I also upgraded the burial wire to the max available… still runs through it. Out of options.Voodoo

I have two pit bulls and a bull terrier. I bought this in hopes it will keep the dogs in the yard without a physical fence. At first the dogs were very scared to go outside but after a little training and some play time in the yard they have learned their boundary. Be sure to not adjust the width control while the dogs are wearing the collar they may get an unexpected shock. Be sure to read the instructions and then read them again before trying it on the pets. Show them the boundary on level one which is just a vibration and a beep.Then set it to level two which is the lowest shock. Follow the instructions and be patient it took about 2 weeks for our dogs to get adjustedDonnyd123

I bought to take my new cat to the vet. He was only 9 lbs at the time so I assumed it would be more than enough for him. Upon bringing him home it literally fell apart and he got loose outside and had to be chased down. I followed the little instructions there were, latched and tightened everything the was to tighten and it still fell apart. And even when the 2 halves stay together the door never stays in place, complete waste of money!Stepcutie

Just bought 2 15 pound crates from a retail store and wow… I used to use petmate carriers almost exclusively and now I'll probably not buy another. Super shoddy construction, cheap, flexible plastic, would offer no protection in a car accident and probably wouldn't hold a determined animal.Fras

I did some research on the Variocage dog crate. I recall they crash tested it for all 3 types of crashes. It showed several of the straps breaking, and I thought that was a bad sign. But according to info from a video posted below, the straps are only designed to keep the crate oriented in the rear of your car prior to the collision, after that the straps can break, but the crate is designed to protect effectively. The angled part of the crate abutting the rear seat disperses the force of a rear end collision over the largest surface as opposed to a square regular crate which contacts the rear seat at the point of its corner. The corners of the crate where the dog doors are (I bought a 2 dog medium crate) are blunted- that is to conform to the crumple zone of the back of your car in case of rollover- thus creating its own crumple zone. Lastly the telescoping bars allow force to be absorbed, but still protect your dog inside. The Swedish designers have outdone themselves, The cost is around $1,100 but you get what you invest in. If your goal is to get one of the safest crates for your dog, Variocrate ranks among the top 3 in my research. I picked it over the other choices because it fit into the rear of my vehicle the best. Very satisfied with the product and am confident my dogs have good protection while on the road with me. Here is the video I mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP3iACjUDkkDiana H.

I had very good assistance before purchasing regarding size — of my dogs and of my car–and ended up with a Large Double for two English Labradors. It's a good size for them and fits just perfectly in my Subaru Outback. I found the assembly not too difficult (the video on the website helps to supplement the paper instruction sheet). The dogs have plenty of room but the space is smaller than what they are used to, so I left it set up in the house for several days so they could practice going in and out. They both seem very comfortable riding in it, and I LOVE having them safely contained — especially when they are wet (and/or muddy) from swimming. I also like that it doesn't hinder visibility for driving very much – something I was worried about when I started looking at some other crates.Robin R.

I like the Variocage products. I have the Variogate and divider In our other car. However, positioning some components to get proper bolt alignments was very challenging on this assembly. One side flange of the rear lower panel was so far out of alignment that it had to be bent to fit. Other components required clamps to achieve alignment for bolts. If I had time to wait for replacement parts, I know that they would have been gladly provided. Since I was so far along with assembly, I decided to soldier on. Once assembled, it is a very nice crate, however.Scott H.

After review of multiple tandem kayak rankings, the Malibu Two showed up multiple time so. I bought it and used it for the first time this weekend. I have a cockpit kayak and don't like the enclosed feeling. Tis is a great kayak. I much prefer the sit-on-top design. The seats offer very comfortable back support. The ability to paddle solo is a great feature.hemonc

This is such a wonderful product, that really makes our travel so much easier. It is made extremely well; sturdy but still light enough to carry anywhere. It assembles easily and quickly. It, thoughtfully, has areas that our dogs can see us at all times, and we can see our dogs, too. Ventilation is excellent; it allows for enjoying the outdoors, while still being safely contained and protected. The mat adds softness and support. We use this when we visit family and friends too. Our dogs are very good, and do not need to be crated. However, they like a place of their own to feel safe, especially when we travel. We bring this along, keep the door open, and they have a special spot to go retreat to and sleep in, when staying with friends and family. It is perfect for our hikes and for camping, as well. The handles are sturdy and make it easy to carry. It is just a really well thought out and crafted product, which we are really glad we have! It makes life easier for both us and our dogs!Jdd1

I got this more to take our cats back and forth to the vet that dogs. It is larger than I expected, with plenty of room for them to move around. I love that is folds down for easy storage. I also like the zippered openings at the top and the side. It is easier to get the cat in from the top. The crate is very sturdy and I like the larger handles. I also like the pocket on the side, with plenty of space for a leash or treats. The bottom of the crate has feet, so it reduces wear on the fabric. The mat is easy to remove for cleaning.kschapman

I got this product for a cat carrier to go to vet appointments. First impression, definitely worth the price tag and super sturdy! We opened it and let both our cats explore and get comfortable in it. They fell in love and currently it’s still in my living room with two flaps up secured with the velcro. They have been fighting over whose “house” it is so I didn’t have the heart it to take it down since one compromised using the top net opening as a hammock! The colors are nice and so far it’s held up great! For size reference my cats are 11 and 16 lbs and both fit comfortably in it for a car ride to their appts or traveling. I definitely recommend this product if you’re looking for something sturdy and that will last a lifetime!Excellent