Dog Harness With Backpack For Sale (2024 Update)

Bought this a couple of weeks ago for my 65lb golden retriever. We’re hiking the Lost Coast Trail next week, so she’s been wearing it around town on hikes and long walks. Seems to hold up well and can hold a fair amount of food and water. Will update review after our trip. For reference: she is a lean 65lbs, purchased her a medium.Christine

My Deep chested Doberman fit between a medium and large pack. Moose Jaw allowed me to get the product with the right fit and had great support. I have not found a company as responsive,dedicated and great to work with then Moosejaw. You will not be disappointed with this great service oriented company kudos!. Fallyn loves the packFallyn

Now that I have had a chance to use this "K-9 pack" on the trail I want to mention some things I like and dislike about this useful backpack. My dog is a 70-pound shepherd mix who is rather enthusiastic both when trail-running and backpacking. Upon receiving the Mountainsmith K-9 Pack, it took some mental work (on my part) to figure out which adjustments helped to fit the pack to my dog. I really like the locks on some of the adjustment buckles which really clamped down the straps once I got the length right. It is not clear why these useful locks are only on some of the buckles. I really like the roominess of each pack section. I was able to fit a one-quart water bottle and a quart ziploc bag of food in each side thus creating a well-balanced load. While at first, my dog did not seem to understand that he was supposed to walk with the pack on, once he got the hang of it, he seemed to accept it which I took to mean it was comfortable for him. My dog likes to occasionally stop and roll in the tall grass which lead to an amusing problem when he became stuck with the full pack on so that his feet stuck up in the air and he was unable to figure out how to turn back over. One time, this lead to funny photos but another time in his effort to free himself, he was able to wiggle out of the backpack. Overall, I was happy with the construction and performance of this pack.SirSoiaz

Lightweight but durable. Great stowaway expandable “panniers”. Won’t overheat dog. Clips easily and very adjustable. Fits forward on body so straps won’t get ‘wet’ on. Absolutely satisfied!Cheryl H.

So I don't normally use harnesses as my guy's are pullers and sometimes I feel harnesses enhances their pulling. But I thought this was an awesome 2 in one to get. My guy looked so great in the color, but also I was able to pull the backpack portion out from unzipping it and use it for day hikes to put treats, water bowls, etc in it. The material seems very durable, and it's nice because there is a handle up top of the harness as well. My bf used this to lift up my pup to test it out, and it did well for a 75lb dog =) We've used it a handful of times, and is definitely worth it.Sheez

I ordered two of these backpacks, in both sizes, for my two pups, 40 and 60 lbs, respectively. The smaller pack doesn't hold much, some supplies and treats. The Big Baxter I'm able to pack with a day's worth of water for both of them. I love these packs and both dogs are happy to wear them. Kurgo advertises eight adjustment points….USE THEM ALL! Backpacks should fit snug. Loose backpacks sway, which causes chafing. The bags themselves I moved up as close as I could to the dog's spine to avoid unnecessary swinging. I conditioned my dogs over the course of several weeks, increasing weight and adjusting straps as necessary to make sure both stayed well and comfortable, checking for indentions from a too tight pack and raw places from chafing. We found our sweet spot relatively quickly and we've had zero issues with several day hikes. Once it's adjusted, it stays there! They can run and also rest while wearing these packs. One of my dogs has a strong prey drive and this pack keeps her focused and on trail. And while it's important to balance the two sides, a couple of pounds difference isnt a big deal in this pack as long as it's properly fitted. I've used other packs where that wasn't the case, and also packs that needed constant adjusting. I use zip ties to secure the loose length of strap. One of my dogs is a pitbull so has very little hair, and she's had no issues with rubbing or hair loss. I keep medical tape in her pack along with a towel so I can dry her off if she gets wet to help protect her skin, but so far so good! It seems durable, I've seen no fraying or seams tearing. I'm happy to recommend this pack!!DebJ

I had a dog backpack from Olly Dog for my pooch, but lost it in a move and thought I'd check out a new brand. I found this backpack and thought it would be great, it had two pockets on each side and I liked all the ways you could adjust it. I received this in the mail right before I headed out with my 55lb dog Lota on a week long backpacking trip on the AT. She was carrying her dry food and turkey jerky. The first thing I noticed was how difficult it was to adjust the straps, but after a day or two I got them so her pack wasn't sliding all over and she seemed comfortable.. ie it wasn't rubbing her. THEN on day two of our trip I noticed that the stitching was coming apart where it attaches to the pockets! Also, I think it has two design flaws. 1. By having the zippers close by being pushed forward.. so if your dog runs into anything or past a limb, the zippers can easily be pulled back and therefor open to spill the contents. 2. The location of the leash attachment piece is on the back of the pack, I thought it should be closer to the front on the back… but I'm not a designer, just seems to make more sense to be closer to the front than the back. Overall.. beautiful color (coastal blue) decently sized pockets, although I thought they would be better, pretty comfy once you get it adjusted, but not built to actual backpacking standards. I'm sorry to get a bad review on this because I like what this company stands for. I think they could come up with a better design.TomiBerg

The Baxter Dog Backpack has a been a great addition to Gunny's and My hiking routine. I don't have to carry as much of his stuff into my day pack and that helps me keep up with his high speed pace in little ways. The fact that he can now carry out his own waste, after I bag it, in his own pack is a nice little accent to our trips. Getting the weight right in the saddle bags at the start of each hike takes a bit, but nothing we haven't gotten used to. Along with carrying his own travel bowl he can often carry some of his own water for the day. The sizing and buckle points are easy to access and attach, and he always seems plenty comfortable. The Loop Tackles on the side are a nice aesthetic, in that they look like what is on my own packs, but are not really useful for much since most things I could attach would be so weighty they would immediately put him out of balance. I have made use of them with bug spray spray pens but that's really about it, and those were already on my own gear and hardly impacting my own space requirements. I think if you wanted to loose tie quick access dog waste bags the loops could serve some good use, of course that's assuming you don't access them from a roll already, but I haven't been able to find much use of the cargo loops as of yet. Overall, a great pack for your dog to hike around with.Chris J

As any husky owner knows, they love pulling, and backing out of harnesses. Huskies put Houdini to shame with their amazing ability to escape from collars and harnesses. After trying a zillion harnesses for our 6th Siberian Husky, we stumbled upon the Goat Trail Tactical and threw our money down in hopeful anticipation. The buckles are amazing, and although the back plastic buckles are stiff to get on and off, that's EXACTLY what we need. The front metal buckles are secure and strong. The straps allow us to snug that harness up tight (not too tight, 2 fingers under) in all the right places to hold it secure without her strangling. The leash loop connectors are metal, securely sewn in and instill confidence that it would take a major catastrophe for them to pull out. Having the front connector allows us to connect a leash on the back and front, limiting her ability to drag us down the street like a sled. The rubber handle on the back… genius! Most harnesses have a flap of material that is difficult to grab, and cuts into your hand, twists, and is virtually worthless, but not the rubber handle on the SSGLex. Easy to grab, sturdy to hold, and perfectly positioned to get control when that suicidal squirrel darts in front of your very prey driven young husky. Getting on and off is a breeze with various ways to go about it: either shove the head through and snap the back up, or one leg through over the top snap neck and back in. Even with young husky totally freaking out because she knows the harness means GO TIME, it's quick and easy to buckle up. The little backpacks are cute, but until she gets out of her velociraptor stage of ripping things to shreds, we took them off, and also moved the included Goat Trail patch on the back. Love all the mollie loops and velcro for various and sundry things. We purchased a Medium because she has some more growing to do and it fits very nicely with plenty of room for adjustments later on. My only suggestions is to include the little strap loops for the back like there are on the front. She took to it well, and seems comfortable enough that she doesn't mind wearing it. She is NOT happy about the front leash restricting her ability to cripple us with her pulling, but she'll get over that. Finally a harness that gives us the confidence and security of knowing she won't back out of it and escape, we can walk her without being dragging down the street (the neighbors are somewhat disappointed that we found this solution and no longer gather on their porches each walk time for entertainment), and is comfortable to her as well. Job well done, I highly recommend this harness to all of my husky owning friends.P.B.

I wanted something more comfy and secure, with a no-pull front ring for my APBT. She’s 65lbs but pulls extremely hard when excited. We moved from a Kong brand harness that I trust with my life but this one is so much more comfy for us both. My concern were the two side clips being plastic which I’m not used to, but I haven’t had any problems, and it doesn’t feel loose after taking it off and on about 30 times. I bought their leash too and it has made walking a breeze as well. Doesn’t make the “bunny runs” as brutal for my shoulder. I’ve only used the front ring with my rope leash, and the no-pull leash with the back ring. Not sure which method is better but both have put me at ease. Worth the money for me.Taylor M.

Harness is top quality, heavy duty and very secure. A world of difference walking my 9 month old highly energetic 60 lb Australian/German Shepherd pup now. Still some training to do but the strong pulling quickly subsides on our walks now and when he does pull he doesn't have the leverage so he's still very manageable. Harness couldn't have come sooner as my boy literally pulled me off my feet a couple days before the harness arrived. Detachable backpack is very cool too. Will easily carry treats and waste bags with bungee strap on top perfect for a small water bottle. Will work great for long hikes up here in the mountains. I would definitely recommend getting the bungee leash as well. I ordered this a few days after the backpack and so glad I did. It also made a huge difference. It adds a certain amount of resistance where my dog quickly tires of pulling and also makes it much easier on both of us since there's no constant jerking motion. Highly Recommend!!!Rick M.

I ordered two of these backpacks, in both sizes, for my two pups, 40 and 60 lbs, respectively. The smaller pack doesn't hold much, some supplies and treats. The Big Baxter I'm able to pack with a day's worth of water for both of them. I love these packs and both dogs are happy to wear them. Kurgo advertises eight adjustment points….USE THEM ALL! Backpacks should fit snug. Loose backpacks sway, which causes chafing. The bags themselves I moved up as close as I could to the dog's spine to avoid unnecessary swinging. I conditioned my dogs over the course of several weeks, increasing weight and adjusting straps as necessary to make sure both stayed well and comfortable, checking for indentions from a too tight pack and raw places from chafing. We found our sweet spot relatively quickly and we've had zero issues with several day hikes. Once it's adjusted, it stays there! They can run and also rest while wearing these packs. One of my dogs has a strong prey drive and this pack keeps her focused and on trail. And while it's important to balance the two sides, a couple of pounds difference isnt a big deal in this pack as long as it's properly fitted. I've used other packs where that wasn't the case, and also packs that needed constant adjusting. I use zip ties to secure the loose length of strap. One of my dogs is a pitbull so has very little hair, and she's had no issues with rubbing or hair loss. I keep medical tape in her pack along with a towel so I can dry her off if she gets wet to help protect her skin, but so far so good! It seems durable, I've seen no fraying or seams tearing. I'm happy to recommend this pack!!DebJ

The Baxter Dog Backpack has a been a great addition to Gunny's and My hiking routine. I don't have to carry as much of his stuff into my day pack and that helps me keep up with his high speed pace in little ways. The fact that he can now carry out his own waste, after I bag it, in his own pack is a nice little accent to our trips. Getting the weight right in the saddle bags at the start of each hike takes a bit, but nothing we haven't gotten used to. Along with carrying his own travel bowl he can often carry some of his own water for the day. The sizing and buckle points are easy to access and attach, and he always seems plenty comfortable. The Loop Tackles on the side are a nice aesthetic, in that they look like what is on my own packs, but are not really useful for much since most things I could attach would be so weighty they would immediately put him out of balance. I have made use of them with bug spray spray pens but that's really about it, and those were already on my own gear and hardly impacting my own space requirements. I think if you wanted to loose tie quick access dog waste bags the loops could serve some good use, of course that's assuming you don't access them from a roll already, but I haven't been able to find much use of the cargo loops as of yet. Overall, a great pack for your dog to hike around with.Chris J

Needed a smaller pack for our shepherd. Picked up the small Baxter. Carries a smaller load well, straps don't cause any rubbing issues on the dog. However, the straps attaching the packs to the harness keep slipping, and the packs drop lower and lower. I cut off the sewn in tabs and doubled the webbing back through the buckle, but they still dont hold. Might have to sew the webbing on. Maybe stiffer webbing and/or better quality buckle is needed. Id give it a much higher rating if there was no slippage. Cant comment on long term durability yet, but three days of with extensive thrashing through Dwarf Birch hasn't shown any obvious wear issues. Additionally, maybe waterproof fabric and zippers could be used?PCYT

I ordered two of these backpacks, in both sizes, for my two pups, 40 and 60 lbs, respectively. The smaller pack doesn't hold much, some supplies and treats. The Big Baxter I'm able to pack with a day's worth of water for both of them. I love these packs and both dogs are happy to wear them. Kurgo advertises eight adjustment points….USE THEM ALL! Backpacks should fit snug. Loose backpacks sway, which causes chafing. The bags themselves I moved up as close as I could to the dog's spine to avoid unnecessary swinging. I conditioned my dogs over the course of several weeks, increasing weight and adjusting straps as necessary to make sure both stayed well and comfortable, checking for indentions from a too tight pack and raw places from chafing. We found our sweet spot relatively quickly and we've had zero issues with several day hikes. Once it's adjusted, it stays there! They can run and also rest while wearing these packs. One of my dogs has a strong prey drive and this pack keeps her focused and on trail. And while it's important to balance the two sides, a couple of pounds difference isnt a big deal in this pack as long as it's properly fitted. I've used other packs where that wasn't the case, and also packs that needed constant adjusting. I use zip ties to secure the loose length of strap. One of my dogs is a pitbull so has very little hair, and she's had no issues with rubbing or hair loss. I keep medical tape in her pack along with a towel so I can dry her off if she gets wet to help protect her skin, but so far so good! It seems durable, I've seen no fraying or seams tearing. I'm happy to recommend this pack!!DebJ

The Baxter Dog Backpack has a been a great addition to Gunny's and My hiking routine. I don't have to carry as much of his stuff into my day pack and that helps me keep up with his high speed pace in little ways. The fact that he can now carry out his own waste, after I bag it, in his own pack is a nice little accent to our trips. Getting the weight right in the saddle bags at the start of each hike takes a bit, but nothing we haven't gotten used to. Along with carrying his own travel bowl he can often carry some of his own water for the day. The sizing and buckle points are easy to access and attach, and he always seems plenty comfortable. The Loop Tackles on the side are a nice aesthetic, in that they look like what is on my own packs, but are not really useful for much since most things I could attach would be so weighty they would immediately put him out of balance. I have made use of them with bug spray spray pens but that's really about it, and those were already on my own gear and hardly impacting my own space requirements. I think if you wanted to loose tie quick access dog waste bags the loops could serve some good use, of course that's assuming you don't access them from a roll already, but I haven't been able to find much use of the cargo loops as of yet. Overall, a great pack for your dog to hike around with.Chris J

Needed a smaller pack for our shepherd. Picked up the small Baxter. Carries a smaller load well, straps don't cause any rubbing issues on the dog. However, the straps attaching the packs to the harness keep slipping, and the packs drop lower and lower. I cut off the sewn in tabs and doubled the webbing back through the buckle, but they still dont hold. Might have to sew the webbing on. Maybe stiffer webbing and/or better quality buckle is needed. Id give it a much higher rating if there was no slippage. Cant comment on long term durability yet, but three days of with extensive thrashing through Dwarf Birch hasn't shown any obvious wear issues. Additionally, maybe waterproof fabric and zippers could be used?PCYT

I ordered two of these backpacks, in both sizes, for my two pups, 40 and 60 lbs, respectively. The smaller pack doesn't hold much, some supplies and treats. The Big Baxter I'm able to pack with a day's worth of water for both of them. I love these packs and both dogs are happy to wear them. Kurgo advertises eight adjustment points….USE THEM ALL! Backpacks should fit snug. Loose backpacks sway, which causes chafing. The bags themselves I moved up as close as I could to the dog's spine to avoid unnecessary swinging. I conditioned my dogs over the course of several weeks, increasing weight and adjusting straps as necessary to make sure both stayed well and comfortable, checking for indentions from a too tight pack and raw places from chafing. We found our sweet spot relatively quickly and we've had zero issues with several day hikes. Once it's adjusted, it stays there! They can run and also rest while wearing these packs. One of my dogs has a strong prey drive and this pack keeps her focused and on trail. And while it's important to balance the two sides, a couple of pounds difference isnt a big deal in this pack as long as it's properly fitted. I've used other packs where that wasn't the case, and also packs that needed constant adjusting. I use zip ties to secure the loose length of strap. One of my dogs is a pitbull so has very little hair, and she's had no issues with rubbing or hair loss. I keep medical tape in her pack along with a towel so I can dry her off if she gets wet to help protect her skin, but so far so good! It seems durable, I've seen no fraying or seams tearing. I'm happy to recommend this pack!!DebJ

The Baxter Dog Backpack has a been a great addition to Gunny's and My hiking routine. I don't have to carry as much of his stuff into my day pack and that helps me keep up with his high speed pace in little ways. The fact that he can now carry out his own waste, after I bag it, in his own pack is a nice little accent to our trips. Getting the weight right in the saddle bags at the start of each hike takes a bit, but nothing we haven't gotten used to. Along with carrying his own travel bowl he can often carry some of his own water for the day. The sizing and buckle points are easy to access and attach, and he always seems plenty comfortable. The Loop Tackles on the side are a nice aesthetic, in that they look like what is on my own packs, but are not really useful for much since most things I could attach would be so weighty they would immediately put him out of balance. I have made use of them with bug spray spray pens but that's really about it, and those were already on my own gear and hardly impacting my own space requirements. I think if you wanted to loose tie quick access dog waste bags the loops could serve some good use, of course that's assuming you don't access them from a roll already, but I haven't been able to find much use of the cargo loops as of yet. Overall, a great pack for your dog to hike around with.Chris J

Needed a smaller pack for our shepherd. Picked up the small Baxter. Carries a smaller load well, straps don't cause any rubbing issues on the dog. However, the straps attaching the packs to the harness keep slipping, and the packs drop lower and lower. I cut off the sewn in tabs and doubled the webbing back through the buckle, but they still dont hold. Might have to sew the webbing on. Maybe stiffer webbing and/or better quality buckle is needed. Id give it a much higher rating if there was no slippage. Cant comment on long term durability yet, but three days of with extensive thrashing through Dwarf Birch hasn't shown any obvious wear issues. Additionally, maybe waterproof fabric and zippers could be used?PCYT

This is a fantastic product! My little Patterdale, Fionn, always joins me on the trails and this pack has allowed him to carry his own water, food, and kit. The bright orange colour is great for visibility and I can see him very well when he is darting across the moors or up the mountain paths. The handle is arguably the best feature as is very useful for stiles and deep river crossings or sections of scrambling on the route. The pack is very easy to fit and adjust using the girth strap. The pack dries quickly and is easy to clean with warm water and some mild detergent. Fionn's pack has survived many overnight, weekend, and thru-hikes since purchase and has plenty of life left in it, considering it is worn by a Patterdale! Highly recommend the pack, the best bit of equipment I have bought in a long time!Sián H

Our dog wasn’t sure about it at first. We tried to get him used to it gently by putting it on in the house for a couple of minutes but this backfired as it brushed against the walls and made a rustling noise which he didn’t like. As soon as he was outside for a walk with it on he was fine so I’d recommend putting it on outside just before a walk so your dog associates it with fun. A few days later he did an overnight backpacking trip with it on, carried his own food/bowl and seemed totally relaxed. We did find a small rubbed patch on his chest the next day so ordered the brush guard and this seems to keep him protected. The orange is great for visibility and the quality of the pack seems very good.Katie P

I had an older Ruffwear dog pack (not sure which model) that fit my previous lab perfectly and we covered hundreds of miles with it. My new lab is a different build and the old pack just didn't fit him right. After trying different sizes and packs (medium and large versions of the newer Approach and Palisades packs) – I'm so glad to have found this one! This older version of the Approach has a bit more capacity (size medium) than the new version and less extra straps/separated pockets/etc… My dog does not wear a harness so although it may be a good feature for those that do, the removable bags on the Palisade pack were just unnecessary and added extra material/bulk/weight. This is a simple, few frills pack that fits my dog great but still has everything that we need! The bags ride higher and more compressed to his body so it does not swing around like the much older pack did. Great improvements and I'm stoked to have finally found a new pack for the many miles ahead!Jodi N.

Harness fits OK, some parts are tighter than I anticipated and looser in others. The reflective stripes work well and as we use the harness it is relaxing and fitting better. Im using it currently without the bags to get her used to it, the mounts for the bags stick out and up a bit, Im hoping they relax as the rest of the harness settles around her back.Robin M.

Love the vest ,this is a great alternative for a summer vest for my service dog Kahleese . Some changes would be helpfull, 1. More robust snap buckles 2. Velcro pads pre-installed for patches 3. Atached velcro raps to roll and tie up side packsDavid T.

Love this harness backpack! I wish it came in more colors though. It's a nice way to have my dog with endless energy carry a few items to add a bit of resistance. He has high energy who could run for miles, while I have some disabilities. I would presume that it is important to watch the dog's temperature and ability to cool themselves though in a hot environment.Dog Rescue Mom

Got the XL for my 72lb muscular Shephard Mix. At first I thought the straps were too small to wrap around his chest but finally figured out how to lengthen the straps. Great backpack and he loves wearing it because Vic knows we're in for a hike. It's very fashionable and has nice reflective material. 2 big side pockets are great for carrying items (it says has 4 pockets & access to poop bag but that's inaccurate but I like the 2 pockets better). Carrying a water bottle is really useful but vest tends to slide slightly to the side due to uneven weight of bottle. Doesn't seem to affect him though. Water comes in handy on our 1.5 mile hike after we both get thirsty! Highly recommend this vest!Vic's Dad

Finn our 9yr old miniature schnauzer has arthritis so finds long mountain walks difficult. The K9 sports sack has meant that he can now join us on these walks and then rest when he needs it. He finds it comfortable, sits high enough that he can see everything and let’s me know when he’s rested enough to get back out and enjoy the rest of the walk. Nothing will stop him enjoying all the walks with us now. It’s comfortable to wear and he feels very well supported. Would highly recommend the back pack and friends have already bought one based on our feedback.mary e

Excellent purchase for my three months whippet puppy; she is happy and comfortable in the sack. It is also comfortable to wear—a perfect way to carry my puppy while she still cannot go for long walks. I ordered the size M. My dog fits comfortably, and there is room for when she grows. I was in doubt initially, as I was unsure how my puppy would react, but I am pleased with the purchase. Well worth the money.Maite S

This backpack is just ideal for our pup. We used it before she could go outside and she loved it. We're now training her to use it to cycle. At first I wore it on my front while our puppy was really small and this works very well. For longer walks, it will clearly be more comfortable on my back but it's easily adjustable. I was very skeptical but after a few tries, our pup snuggles right in!Harriet L

Great quality. Perfect compartments. Had it for years and it has held up through hundreds of miles hiked. Couldn’t ask for a better dog pack. Pros: durable, easy to clean Cons: does show dirt easilybailey.k

I LOVE this pack! I love that you can remove the packs and it’s just a regular harness (super versatile) and that the pockets come with water bladders! I use it every time I take my less-than-agile dog out on a hike. The handle on the back is incredibly handy!malena.g

I have a 10 lb maltipoo. I started off by buying the rucksack. I returned it because it was way too big on me (you can see my full review on the rucksack page). I was nervous to buy this one because it was brand new and had no reviews, and though I liked that it would be smaller for the sake of how I looked, I was nervous it would be too tight and small for my dog. It kind of is… I mean he’s fine, but it’s basically exactly his size so he can’t lay down or anything. But it works, and it looks like a normal backpack on my 5’2” petite frame. Don’t love the colors lol, I always prefer black. But whatever, it’s not a huge deal. I got the red one. I like the different options for closing the bag up all the way or having the screened portion or being open, and the fact that you can hide the fabric when you have it open. I don’t think I would leave my dog in the backpack fully closed up for long periods of time. I don’t know that I feel comfortable that the side mesh panels are enough air. I put him in the bag for about 20 minutes, and I felt like he was too warm when I took him out. So now I always keep the main pocket opened just a tiny bit even when I’m closing the bag up, just to try and provide more air. But I’m using this bag for when I need to take him inside of stores, so it’s not usually for long periods of where I need to “hide“ him. Any other time I would use it, I could leave it open all the way. I will point out, in the pictures the way that the bottle openers clip to the top of the straps… if you have to adjust the straps to give yourself more room at all, the bottle openers are not going to clip to the top of the bag, and therefore will be hanging down. Overall, very happy with this purchase. My dog is normally a barker, but when I close him up in this bag, even though he doesn’t want to get inside of the bag, he must feel secure in it because he surprisingly doesn’t bark at all! Which is awesome since the main reason I want to use the bag is to sneak him into places where dogs aren’t normally allowed lol. It’s high-quality and exactly what I need.Angela Nicole

I love this backpack's design and wish it came in a slightly larger size. The bottom is nice and sturdy and the back panel keeps the backpack from collapsing. My 12 pound cat barely fit – he can sit but not lay down at all, and he can't turn around unless the front is open. It said up to 15 pounds so I mistakenly thought my cat would fit comfortably. Another suggestion is to have something to hold the front panel down or rolled up when it's open instead of having it flap around.22toebeans