We should always think about what is best for our pets especially when we are in the wilderness. The cold hard ground will suck away the warmth from your pet’s body. It is important that they have some sort of cushion or bed to keep themselves warm. I have listed a few backpacking dog beds that you should think about. The beds I listed are very comfortable, light in weight, and easy to carry. These dog beds are very comfortable and I am certain that your dog will love these beds as well.
Best Backpacking Dog Beds – Quick Chart
| Backpacking Dog Beds | Weight | Material | Dimensions | Comfortable |
| 1. Ruffwear Highlands Dog Sleeping Bag | 1.7 lbs | Polyester fabric shell | 35″ x 26″; 1″ loft (89 x 66 x 2.5 cm) | Yes |
| 2. Canine Hardware Pet Travel Bed | 1.7 lbs | Polyester microfiber on top, durable ripstop nylon cover on bottom | 30″ by 39″ in size | Yes |
| 3. KUDES Dog Sleeping Bag | 1.98 lbs | Polyester, Fleece | 43.31″ x 27.56″ x 1.97″ | Yes |
| 4. Ruffwear – Highlands Backpacking Bed for Dogs | 12.7 oz | Polyester fabric shell | 12″ x 4″ | Yes |
| 5. Cheerhunting Outdoor Dog Bed | 1.76 lbs | Polyester, Polyfill | 43″ x 26″ x 2″ | Yes |
| 6. KZ Dotnz Waterproof Warm Dog Sleeping Bag | 1 lbs | Polyester | 3 Sizes | Yes |
| 7. Coleman Roll-Up Waterproof Travel Bed | 1.8 lbs | Waterproof Ripstop Nylon | 36″ x 2″ x 24″ | Yes |
| 8. Outrav Dog Sleeping Bag | 11.2 oz | Polyester | 26″ x 36″ | Yes |
| 9. UEETEK Pet Dog Blanket | 10.7 oz | Oxford cloth | 40″ x 27″ | Yes |
| 10. Noblecamper 2-in-1 Dog Bed and Sleeping Bag | 1.3 lbs | Taslan Nylon Liner | 22″ diameter | Yes |
| 11. BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose | 2 lbs | High density foam material | 71″ long 24″ | Yes |
| 12. Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol Foam Camping Mattress | 1 lbs | Closed-cell foam | 72″ x 20″ x 0.8″ | Yes |
| 13. ALPS Mountaineering 7555002 Foldable Foam Mat | 10 oz | Egg crate foam | 22″ x 71″ x .75″ | Yes |
| 14. Wild Affairs Sleeping Pad | 2.8 lbs | Thickened Egg Cell Mat | 72″ x 21″ x 0.47/0.7″. | Yes |
| 15. Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Original Ultralight Foam Camping Pad | 1.1 lbs | Closed Cell Foam Pad | 72″ x 20″ x 0.75″ | Yes |
How TO Choose A Backpacking Dog Bed
Types Of Backpacking Dog Beds
Closed Cell Foam
Closed cell foams are foam beds that are not breathable. They do not let air pass through. A good example of this is a yoga mat. A yoga mat is a closed cell foam mat that can be used as a backpacking dog bed. You may want to cut it up to make it more compact.
Open Cell Foam
Open cell foam beds are memory foam beds. These beds are very comfortable and feels good to sleep on. These are very bulky and heavy which is why they are not ideal for backpacking. You may still bring one but you will find that these beds are very hard to carry because they are not very compact.
Self Inflating
Nobody I know really uses self-inflating beds because dog paws can scratch these beds. However, self inflating beds are so cheap and so compact that it is okay to give to your pet an inflatable bed that you no longer use. I have gone through a couple. A hand-me-down bed for your pet is a good idea.
Fabric
Fabric beds are more like a blanket shaped like a bed. Think of a blanket then shape it into a dog bed. The fabric can be anything like microfiber, wool and so on. These fabrics may have a down filling or synthetic filling to provide insulation to the dog.
Outdoor Activity Considerations
Car Camping / RV camping
If you are going car camping, you will have a lot of options when it comes to dog beds. You can even bring the dog beds you have at home although the fabric may get some dirt and you will have to laundry it once you get back. Since you do not have to carry the dog bed, you can bring large memory foam beds to the camping site.
Backpacking
If you are going backpacking, you are somewhat limited to the dog bed that you can bring. I highly recommend closed cell foam type of beds as they are easy to carry and transport. These beds can be rolled up to a smaller size so that they will be more compact.
Winter Camping
I do not recommend backpacking with your pet during the winter because you will have to bring a lot of items for yourself and for your pet. Aside from a backpacking bed, you will have to bring blankets and sleeping bags for your pet as well to keep your pet warm during the night.
Advantages Of Having A Backpacking Dog Shelter
1. Portable
A backpacking dog shelter is portable. It can be used anywhere and at anytime. You maybe backpacking into a remote place in on a mountain with your pet, cruising down a river, or playing around in your backyard, you can always bring the shelter to wherever you are. It is convenient, easy to use, and easy to carry as well. The portability of the pet shelters I will list gives them great versatility to anyone who likes to travel with their pets. Being portable makes dog shelters very versatile and makes ideal for a lot of situations and circumstances.
2. Light And Easy To Carry
A very important characteristic of a backpacking dog shelter is its weight. They have to be light and easy to carry. I would never bring a shelter if it is very heavy. I have hiking equipment, camera equipment, food, tent and various other items in my backpack. If the dog shelter is very heavy, I obviously would never bring it. We often have to go up a mountain or hill in order to get to the viewpoint. There could be rivers, rocks and other obstacles which makes weight of our packs a very important concern. I would never bring my dog as well if that is the case. Fortunately, a lot of the backpacking dog shelters are very lightweight. They are designed to be carried easily and give people an easy time. I love my pet but I do not want to get very tired while backpacking. I would never enjoy it if that is the case.
3. Comfort
Comfort is something we all want. Even pets want to be comfortable. When we sleep, we want to be as comfortable as possible. It is the same for our pets. They want their own territory to call their own. Since pets cannot tell us what they want, it is our duty to provide them with as much comfort as we can. Keep in mind that our pets are very comfortable living inside a house, they are used to this kind of comfort. Giving them something comfortable when they are out in the outdoors is definitely a good idea. Our pets spent most of their days inside a house so even if it is just a comfortable place to sleep is a very big deal when they are outside.
4. Prevents Insect Bites
There are many insects that want to feed off your pet when it comes to the outdoors. Your pet is a delicious meal for these insects and they are not afraid even if they die in the process. These insects want to eat and your pet looks delicious. A backpacking dog shelter will deter these insects from munching on your pet. An outdoor pet shelter will make sure that your pet is off the ground when it sleeps. This will deter a lot of insects from munching on your pet. A dog shelter is a great way to protect your pet from fleas, ticks and other insects. I highly recommend it when it comes to backpacking with your pet.
5. Protects Your Pet
Sleeping on the ground will often mean a lot of discomfort for your pet. The rocks, dirt, pieces of wood and other debris will make sure that your pet will not be comfortable when it sleeps. All of these types of debris can cause serious harm to your pet. They can scrape the paws, elbows and create a wound on your pets body. A backpacking dog shelter will not only provide comfort to the pet but will also protect your pet from harm and damage to its body. They can also provide protection from the weather. Backpacking will often mean that the weather is uncontrollable. A shelter can provide your pet relief from the heat of the sun, comfort from the rain and even snow.
6. Easy to Clean
Pets will get dirty when they are in the outdoors. They love to walk, play around and get into all types of trouble. Pets want to have fun like human beings. This also means that a lot of dirt will go to your pet. Dirt, mud and other nasty things will go to your pets paws. A backpacking dog shelter is better than letting your pet sleep on your tent. It is easy to clean as well. It is not big and easy to set up and pack. It does not take a lot of effort to clean as well compared to your tent or a dog bed. The materials are often made to resist dirt, mud and other types of stains.
7. Sleep Better And Have More Energy
A backpacking dog shelter is very comfortable. Your pet will be able to relax, unwind and rest its body comfortably. This will mean that your pet will have more energy to hike. Last thing you want is for your pet to be tired. This means that you will have to carry your pet. Your pet maybe very heavy which may not be possible. Allowing your pet to have a good rest the night before will mean that it will have more energy to hike or do activities the next day. When your pet gets a good sleep, they will get more energy and vitality in the next day. This is just how the body works. The more relaxed and more rest the body gets, the more energy it has. You can even put a pet bed or pet mattress in a lot of shelters and this gives more comfort to the pet.
Backpacking Dog Bed Features We Should Consider
Weight
The weight of the dog bed is very important. We have to carry the bed and we have to carry a whole bunch of items as well. I do believe that we should bring a bed for our dogs. It is just more comfortable for them. If you do not like sleeping on the ground, I am sure, it is the same for your pets. They would rather sleep on a comfortable soft bed. Anyway, we should always think about the weight of the bed. Weight is very important for backpacking.
Durability
Durability is also very important. Our dogs do not have the same intelligence as us. Sometimes my dog rips his bed whenever it becomes a little bit smelly. So we should try our best to find dog beds that are very durable. They also have sharp claws. They like to stand on the bed, go in a circle and then lie down. Those claws can definitely wreak havoc to the bed.
Comfort
We should at least consider comfort also. Comfort is very important for us. It will be the same for our pets. They want to be comfortable. A comfortable bed will allow them to recuperate, sleep, relax and have more energy in the next morning. A good bed helps us sleep also, it is the same for our pets.
Compact
The bed has to be compact. We all have lots of items to bring with limited backpack capacity or space. We also have to think about bringing our own bed. It is best that we get something that is very compact or can be compressed into something smaller. Backpack space is very important. We all want to give more comfort to our pets but at the same time, we need to think about bringing more items of comfort for ourselves also.
Price
Dog beds are just very expensive. I honestly have no idea why. My bed at home is around 100 dollars. My dogs bed which is a quarter of the size cost as much as well. Backpacking beds are also the same. Backpacking dog beds are somewhat expensive. So the price is also something we should all think about. Some of these dog beds cost more than my backpacking beds and backing foam mattress. It may be better to just get a foam mattress for humans since they are also cheaper than a dog bed.
Backpacking Dog Accessories
Blankets
You may want to bring a small portable blanket for your pet to use at night. There are a couple of cheap or low priced blankets for the outdoors and a couple of expensive blankets. You can get a blanket that is just enough size and weight for your pet to feel comfortable.
Poop Bags
There are a couple of biodegradable poop bags that you can get. I highly recommend that you dig a hole before throwing your dog’s poop. A hole will prevent bacteria and other harmful organisms to reach a water source.
Collapsible Bowl
A collapsible bowl is a great container for water so that your pet can drink while in a backpacking or hiking trip. There are a lot of collapsible bowls that are meant for dogs and a lot of them are also very affordable.
Best Backpacking Dog Beds
All product links are affiliate links.
1. Ruffwear Highlands Dog Sleeping Bag
Weight: 1.7 lbs
Material: Polyester fabric shell
Dimensions: 35 in x 26 in; 1 in loft (89 x 66 x 2.5 cm)
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Water-resistant, quick-drying, durable sleeping bag for outdoor adventures, integrated sleeve, compressible synthetic down provides insulated warmth
Short Review: This is a great backpacking dog sleeping bag that works very well. This is pretty big. This is like a sleeping bag for adults already. The quality is amazing. Very comfortable. I could sleep on this. This is more comfortable than the usual sleeping bag that I sleep on. The weight of this is very light which makes this very easy to bring or carry. A very good dog bed to have if you love the outdoors which is why I highly recommend this. The company who developed this item continues to create high quality items such as this one.
2. Canine Hardware Pet Travel Bed
Weight: 1.7 lbs
Material: Polyester microfiber on top, durable ripstop nylon cover on bottom
Dimensions: 30″ by 39″ in size
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Dog bed keeps pets comfortable during vacation & road trips, rolls up compactly to keep pets comfortable on the go, built-in loop allows easy air-drying outdoors
Short Review: This marvelous dog bed will satisfy your pet’s needs. The number of positive customer feedback that this item has is superb and that’s why I know this is among the finest. This has components that are pretty one of a kind and inventive. This is pretty big as well and very comfortable. I can sleep on this item too. It is that big and comfortable. This is very compact, and saves a lot of space which means we can carry more items in our backpacks. This is great for backpacking and performs very well plus this is high quality. If you are not sure whether you would like to purchase this item or not, then you must check out the positive customer reviews. This high quality item will give you a lot of usefulness.
3. KUDES Dog Sleeping Bag
Weight: 1.98 Pounds
Material: Polyester, Fleece
Dimensions: 43.31 x 27.56 x 1.97 inches
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Awesome and very compact, dog bed bag is made of polyester outer with soft fleece inner, soft and comfortable for your pet, dog bed mat comes with a travel-friendly carry bag
Short Review: This is another amazing camping dog sleeping bag that is very comfortable. This can be folded down to a very small size for easy transportation. The sleeping bag is very big and pretty comfortable. I could sleep on this so it is pretty good for a dog bed. The only drawback is that it is pretty heavy as the weight is almost 2 pounds. This is great for car camping trips and for backpacking trips that do not have a lot of miles since the weight can take away a lot of your energy.
4. Ruffwear – Highlands Backpacking Bed for Dogs
Weight: 12.7 oz
Material: Polyester fabric shell
Dimensions: 12 x 4″
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Grippy waterproof base creates a moisture barrier, accordion-fold design and integrated storage strap, prevents sliding on slippery surfaces, Ideal for outdoor adventures
Short Review: This dog bed for backpacking is among the finest that you can get. The number of positive customer feedback that this item has is fantastic that I am certain that you will really like this like the men and women who reviewed it. This is pretty comfortable. I like it. It is very compact and lightweight as well. This saves a lot of space so that we can have more space in our backpacks. Items like this one make the outdoors a lot more fun for our pets. This is one of the finest items that can provide a comfortable place to sleep for the pet and this has an extremely good design too. I am so grateful I did my research and was able to discover this item.
5. Cheerhunting Outdoor Dog Bed
Weight: 1.76 Pounds
Material: Polyester, Polyfill
Dimensions: 43 x 26 x 2 inches
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Waterproof dog mat is made of Oxford cloth, water resistant for almost all weather, water or rain drops, mat is durable with refined stitching, scratch resistant and claw resistant
Short Review: I am usually blown away due to the fact this camping dog bed is incredibly good. This helps provide a comfortable place to sleep for the pet and it is also one of the most resilient items that I am aware of. It is rather big and good for very large pets. The only downside is that it is also pretty heavy or around 1.75 pounds. It is very comfortable and very easy to clean. Your pet will love it. A very good dog bed that works well for the outdoors.
| Check Out My Other Reviews – backpacking socks – backpacking hatchets – backpacking food kits – backpacking water containers – backpacking stainless steel cookware |
6. KZ Dotnz Waterproof Warm Dog Sleeping Bag
Weight: 1 Pound
Material: Polyester
Dimensions: 3 sizes
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Sleeping bags comes with a travel-friendly carry bag, hollow fiber fillers are more environmentally friendly and are not irritating to pet skin, lightweight synthetic insulation provides warmth
Short Review: The high quality components used to create this dog bed made it amazing. This is a pretty good dog bed that is very warm. The best part about this is that you can choose the size that you want. Since there are different kinds of dog breed, it is great that there are multiple sizes. The bed is very water repellent so it should be good for light showers or light rain and the pet should be protected from the wet ground. The bed is also breathable which lets sweat evaporate which will keep the dog very comfortable. Overall, a very good dog bed for the outdoors.
7. Coleman Roll-Up Waterproof Travel Bed
Weight: 1.8 lbs
Material: Waterproof Ripstop Nylon
Dimensions: 36 x 2 x 24″
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Durable backpacking dog bed that will last for many years to come, padded travel bed for use outdoors, durable waterproof ripstop nylon, machine washable
Short Review: There is absolutely no question that this camping dog bed is actually really great. I was not expecting much from this but this surpassed my expectations. Coleman is truly an amazing company. I do not mind recommending this item to my website visitors for the reason that the design is incredible. Compact and space saving design allows us to carry more gear into the backpacking trip and we are be able to use our backpack space more wisely as well. A very useful item for backpacking and this makes backpacking more enjoyable for the pet. I trust this company and have been using their items for a long time.
8. Outrav Dog Sleeping Bag
Weight: 11.22 Ounces
Material: Polyester
Dimensions: 26 x 32 inches
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Portable dog bed will ensure your pup has a warm and cozy, lightweight insulated material, packable dog bed condenses down
Short Review: Just by examining the positive customer testimonials, I know that this dog bed is spectacular. It is pretty good and pretty comfortable. The item seems to be made out of polyester which gives it that waterproof feature. Protect your pet from the cold wet ground with this pet bed for the outdoors. The bed only has one size so make sure to check whether it will fit your pet. A very good sleeping bag for pets that is very comfortable and provides a lot of warmth.
9. UEETEK Pet Dog Blanket
Weight: 10.7 oz
Material: Oxford cloth
Dimensions: 40 x 27″
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Compact and saves space, waterproof pet mat, lightweight, large, and waterproof, with a soft surface, very thin and easy to transport
Short Review: This is a rather outstanding dog bed. This awesome item has plenty of positive customer feedback considering that this is incredibly popular. I read about this somewhere and made a decision to try it. This saves a lot of space so that we can have more space in our backpacks. It is easier and a lot more fun to have this for backpacking because this is very useful. I am so pleased that this item is incredibly useful as well as comfortable. Amazing dob bed that is great for traveling and the outdoors. Not made for the outdoors but I used it for backpacking a couple of times and find no problems with this.
10. Noblecamper 2-in-1 Dog Bed and Sleeping Bag
Weight: 1.3 lbs
Material: Taslan Nylon Liner
Dimensions: 22″ diameter
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Awesome and very compact, ultralight compressible travel dog bed, convenient bottom zipper allows the sides of the bed to unfold, accommodates a wide range of dogs
Short Review: This camping dog bed is extremely budget friendly and it works well also. If you look at the item description, this has plenty of features and this is very durable too. The fabric feels comfortable, strong and will last for years to come. This is very lightweight and easy to carry to a backpacking trip. This can collapse into a very small item and will not take a lot of backpack space. This is a very versatile item to have for the outdoors and very affordable as well. To begin with, this looks amazing and it is exceptionally durable. There is no question that this item helps provide a comfortable place to sleep for the pet and it has a great design.
| Check Out My Other Reviews – backpacking hammocks – backpacking lanterns – camping bed – hiking gaiters – tsa approved suitcase lock |
Foam Mats As Dog Beds
Foam mats can be used as dog beds. This is actually what a lot of people do to save money. Since foam mats can be rolled and attached to the bottom of the backpack plus they are often lightweight, people just use them. People would cut and trim the mat to the size of their pet. This way, the mat will even become more lighter. It is a way to save money and provide a place to let the dog sleep. Most people have foam mats at their home. These are the common ones that people bring.
Alternatives That You Should Think About
Lots of people are cutting up their yoga mats, cutting up foam beds, and slicing different kinds of fabrics just to create a DIY bed. Here are some of the most common materials and items that people cut up to create their own DIY backpacking dog bed. The drawback to this is that you do need to cut up the mat which can be troubling for some. Just make sure not to hurt yourself.
11. BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose
Weight: 2 lbs
Material: High density foam material
Dimensions: 71″ long 24″
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Designed to save space, high density foam material, double sided non-slip surfaces, yoga mat comes with an excellent slip resistant advantage
Short Review: This yoga mat is amongst the greatest that you can get. This is a standard yoga mat, very durable and very comfortable to sleep on. You can trim it to your pets size. Of the many items I have tried, this one is still one of the very best. Easy to carry because of the compact design and very comfortable. Versatile item that makes the outdoors a lot more fun and a lot easier. The materials are very high quality and very comfortable. This is very affordable or has an inexpensive price. This is one of the finest items that you can use as a dog bed for your pet.
12. Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol Foam Camping Mattress
Weight: 1 lbs
Material: Closed-cell foam
Dimensions: 72 x 20 x 0.8″
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Well made, closed-cell foam camping mattress is a durable, dependable, and economical, compact and easily packable, heat-trapping dimples capture radiant heat
Short Review: One of the greatest things I have ever tried is this foam mat for camping. A lot of people in the Internet are using this foam mat to use as a mattress for their pet. This is very comfortable and you can cut it to your liking. This is meant for human beings but since it is very affordable and lightweight, people often use it for their pets. Amazing design that saves space which makes this ideal for the outdoors. One of the best items to have for outdoor purposes which is why I highly recommend this. The materials are very durable, and this is very easy to clean also. Really good alternative for a dog bed.
13. ALPS Mountaineering 7555002 Foldable Foam Mat
Weight: 10 oz
Material: Egg crate foam
Dimensions: 22″ x 71″ x .75″
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Accordion folding style for a convenient, small packing size, egg crate foam provides you a comfortable sleeping surface, lightweight, closed-cell foam protects and insulates
Short Review: This is one of the best sleeping foam mats that you can use for a dog bed. This is a pretty good foam mat. It is very comfortable and very lightweight. You can cut it or trim it more so that this will be more lightweight. I am shocked that this is extremely low-priced while being extremely high quality. This is a great alternative for a dog bed. Since most dog beds for backpacking are very expensive, you can use this foam mat as a substitute. Amazing item for the outdoors that is also very affordable. The company who made this is unbelievable and I just love the simple details that were put into the creation of this item. Very comfortable and easy to cut.
14. Wild Affairs Sleeping Pad
Weight: 2.8 lbs
Material: Thickened Egg Cell Mat
Dimensions: 72 x 21 x 0.47/0.7″.
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Durable and made by an amazing company, thick padded in middle part, providing extra comfort to waist and back, folding design, space saving and fast-packing
Short Review: There are a good deal of things that I love regarding this foam mat. This foam mat is a little bit heavier. This is very well constructed or well made and you can use this as an alternative to a backpacking dog bed. The price of this item is pretty affordable but this is also a little bit heavy. This is pretty comfortable so I am sure that your pet will love it. I can sleep on this since it is very comfortable. So I am certain that lots of pets will love this also.
15. Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Original Ultralight Foam Camping Pad
Weight: 1.1 Pounds
Material: Closed Cell Foam Pad
Dimensions: 51 x 20 x 0.75 inches
Comfortable: Yes
Feature Summary: Well made, lightweight and compact closed-cell foam camping mattress, allows for more room because of compact design, folding accordion-style construction, R-Value 1. 7, dimples in the padding to capture and trap heat
Short Review: This is another foam mat from Therm-a-Rest that you can use as a dog bed since this is very lightweight and very affordable. The price is very budget friendly and this can provide a comfortable place to sleep for the pet. Lots of good reviews and this is pretty durable. This is one of the very best that I have ever tried and this works exceptionally well. Easy to carry because of the compact design which gives us more room in our backpacks. A very useful item for the outdoors plus this is made out of high quality materials. I am sure that your pet will love this. I love it. This is very comfortable. I could sleep on this foam mat all day so I am certain your pet will be able to also.