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Merci’s backpacking gear
Gator and I enjoy being outdoors, so taking our dog Merci along is a no brainer. She was always meant to be a trail dog; backpacking is one of Merci’s favorite things to do.
We have taken her backpacking all over the United States, along the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico, and many other wild and beautiful places.
Whatever the distance – a day hike, multi-day trek, or long-distance hiking – it’s important to have your dog geared up properly.
There are many things to consider when deciding what to pack for your dog: weather, terrain, weight, and distance to name a few. Here is a list of the things we bring while backpacking with Merci. Hopefully, these suggestions can make backpacking with your dog more enjoyable!
BACKPACK
Groundbird Gear Backpack
Groundbird Gear is a small company that handmakes custom ultralight backpacking gear for dogs. They are experts in their craft because the owners hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2014. They understand the importance of durable gear with weight in mind.
The reason for choosing the GBG backpack is that often we have difficulty sizing Merci with commercial dog gear. She has a deep chest and a tiny waist. This backpack uses six custom measurements to ensure a perfect fit for your pup. The straps are also adjustable to allow for weight fluctuation or additional clothing.
The backpack portion is easy to detach from the harness. This makes it quick to take the saddlebags on and off during breaks on the trail. The saddlebags on the backpack roll down to adjust for volume and weight distribution.
There is a strap that buckles underneath to prevent the bags from flapping around. Merci is pretty rough on her backpack, rolling in the snow, and running into bushes. The pack easily stands up to any wear and tear.
The harness also has two handles on the top that makes it easier to help with tricky areas. We’ve used them to pick up Merci while crossing rivers or giving her a boost to help up the rocks.
When we are long-distance hiking, having Merci carry a backpack helps to alleviate weight for Gator and I. It’s important to note that when a dog carries a backpack, they should only carry 10-15% of their body weight.
The backpack is an investment, but for me, it was worth it. Not to mention, she looks cute as hell in it!
2024 Update: Unfortunately it appears that Groundbird Gear is no longer making gear. We are currently testing out new backpacks to reccomend!
Merci hiking in the Dolly Sods Wilderness
SLEEP SYSTEM
Groundbird Gear Turtle Top Down Quilt
During our trek in Nepal, we discovered that Merci gets cold at night. We were looking for a warmer solution and found the Groundbird Gear Turtle Top Down Quilt.
The quilt has an adjustable merino wool harness that attaches to the underside with buckles that allows it to stay connected all night. The quilt also has two attachment points where the quilt can be used like a jacket.
The quilt is extremely lightweight at 235 grams and uses 800 fill goose down. This is the lightest weight option for dog sleeping bags I’ve come across. Merci’s quilt is the winter season quilt with 3 inches of loft. Groundbird Gear makes a 1.25 inch and 1.5-inch loft with different temperature ratings to fit your dog’s needs.
Accordian Foam Sleeping Pad
This pad is a closed-cell foam pad that folds up accordion style. We cut four-folds off of a pad to use for Merci, but it can be cut to size for your dog. She sleeps on the pad in our tent to provide a soft layer to insulate from the ground. The pad also doubles as a spot for her to rest on our breaks or while setting up camp.
Nuthin and Merci cowboy camping on the Pacific Crest Trail
FOOD AND WATER
Most of our hiking trips are around 8-12 miles a day. We worked with our vet to determine the correct amount of food Merci needs and vary it depending on her activity level.
Merci is 30lbs and requires approximately 1000 kcals/day to maintain her weight. I chose a mixture of two or three food options: freeze-dried nuggets, kibble, and high-protein bars.
For more detailed information, read our article How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Backpacking: Comprehensive Guide.
Primal Freeze-Dried Beef Nuggets
Merci’s favorite flavor is the beef nuggets, which are also the highest in calories at approximately 41 kcals/nugget, or 5,075 kcals/kg. Freeze-dried nuggets are the lightest weight dog food, but they have the most volume making them the bulkiest option. For this reason we only use the nuggets for about one-third of her food.
Inukshuk 32/32
Inukshuk is a high quality, high protien kibble. The 32/32 blend has 32% protien and 32% fat which provides extra energy. The 32/32 blend is 4,505 kcal/kg. This is the food we used for Merci when she hiked the Continental Divide Trail. If your dog needs a lower protien and fat content, they also have a 30/25 and 26/16 blend. Depending on the length of the trip, kibble will account for about one to two-thirds of Merci’s food.
Kronch Pemmikan Energy Bar
The Kronch Pemmikan Bar is a dog energy bar that has the highest calorie to weight ratio on the market. The bars are 6,000 kcal/kg, but there is a downside. It mostly consists of lard which means it has little nutritional value. I recommend this to be used only as a supplement for calories when backpacking long distances or thru-hiking.
Platypus Quickdraw Microfilter
The Platypus Quickdraw filter is what Gator and I use to filter our water. We will filter Merci’s water depending on the condition of the water source. It is easy to use and only weighs 85 grams.
The filter comes with a 1 liter bag that you fill up with water, screw on the filter, and squeeze the bag to push water through. The threads of the filter fit most standard water bottles to drink directly from the bottle. The filter removes 99.9999% of all bacteria.
SeaToSummit X-Bowl
This bowl is a nice balance of weight and durability. It has a hard-plastic bottom and silicone sides that are collapsible, which makes it easy to fit in any backpack. Weighing in at only 85 grams, it is a great choice.
Nite Ize RadDog Collapsible Dog Bowl
If you are one of those backpackers that counts every gram, the Nite Ize Dog Bowl is for you. It is also collapsible and made from lightweight coated nylon. When collapsed, it is small enough to fit in your pocket. Weighing in at only 15 grams it is an excellent choice for those who like to travel fast and light.
Musher’s Secret Paw Wax
Paw injuries are one of the most common issues for dogs on the trail. Musher’s Secret Paw Wax was originally created to keep sled dogs’ paws in top shape. This is our go-to option for protecting Merci’s paws. The wax creates a barrier on your dog’s paws and helps prevent them from cracking. We generally apply the wax 1-3 times a day, depending on the terrain.
Dog Booties: 1000 Denier Cordura Booties
We only use dog booties in extreme conditions. If there is mud or snow on the trail, it gets in between Merci’s pads and causes irritation. She also wears them on abrasive surfaces like granite or lava rock that could cut her paws.
These lightweight dog boots are made of coated nylon. The softer material allows for dexterity of the paws and the ability to feel the ground for balance. The boots extend above the dewclaw and have a Velcro strap to allow for adjustment.
They are a lightweight cost-efficient option at a $3 a boot and a total weight of 55 grams for four boots. I usually carry an extra set for backup.
Merci in her backpack and boots on the Pacific Crest Trail
COLLAR AND LEASH
Collar
Merci’s wears a collar when hiking for identification purposes. We try to pick a material that is easy to clean with soap and water.
SiliDog Silicone Dog Tag
I love this tag! It is made of silicone, which is easy to clean and comes in fun colors. Merci’s tag includes her microchip number, and on the back has our international phone numbers. She wears the tag attached to a locking carabiner on her collar.
Nite Ize Locking S Carabiner
We use a locking s carabiner to attach Merci’s dog tags to her collar. This ensures that the tags won’t fall off while backpacking.
Blue9 Multi-Function Leash
This leash is 6ft (1.8m) long with clasps at both ends of the leash, and three D-rings at various points. This allows you to change the length to accommodate conditions on the trail. I shorten the leash in congested areas and leave it longer in quieter settings.
Most of the time, the leash stays in the hip belt of my backpack because Merci has a good recall and often hikes off-leash. It is important to have quick access to the leash when we are hiking in crowded areas or where dogs are required to be on a leash.
Homemade Paracord Leash
For long-distance hiking, weight is important. We carry a handmade leash if we are hiking high mileage over multiple days. Gator made the leash out ultralight paracord and two carabiners. Merci’s leash weighs 20 grams.
The leash is six feet in length, with a loop at one end for the handle, and another loop tied in the middle to allow for more control. Attached to each end is a carabiner: one that attaches to Merci’s harness, and the other that I connect to my pack at the hip belt. It is important to make sure the weight rating of the carabiners and paracord can withstand the weight of your dog.
Merci wearing her Seresto flea and tick collar
MEDICAL
Credelio
This is chewable Merci takes once a month that prevents fleas and ticks. If we are long-distance hiking, I bring enough for the duration of the hike.
Note that this medicine requires fleas or ticks to bite before they die. If you are backpacking in areas where fleas or ticks are known to be prevalent, it is best to use Credelio and some form of repellant as well.
Interceptor Plus
Interceptor Plus is a monthly parasiticide to help prevent heartworm disease. It also treats and controls adult roundworm, adult hookworm, adult whipworm and adult tapeworm.If we are long-distance hiking, I bring enough for the duration of the hike.
Seresto 8 Month Flea and Tick Collar
We use this collar as the second layer of protection when hiking in areas with high amounts of fleas or ticks. The collar’s medication gets into the fur, which helps to repel and kill the fleas and ticks on contact. The collar is water-resistant, so it can be worn while swimming and in inclement weather.
Miracle Care Kwik Stop Styptic Powder
Styptic powder is a substance used to help stop bleeding from minor cuts, wounds, or nail injuries. Styptic powder is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry in your backpack or first aid kit. It’s a simple yet effective solution for addressing minor bleeding emergencies for your furry companion while on the trail. I put it in a small 2.5ml container to keep the volume down while backpacking.
Benydryl
Benydryl is extremely useful for allergic reactions, or insect stings on trail. General rule of thumb is 1mg of Benydryl for 1lb of your dog. Merci weighs 30lbs so we use one 25mg tab. It’s essential to consult with your veterinarian before giving any medication to your dog, including Benadryl. Your vet can provide guidance on the appropriate dosage based on your dog’s weight and health condition.
Gator carrying Merci on his shoulders on the Annapurna Circuit
EMERGENCY HARNESS
We worked with Merci as a puppy to be comfortable to be carried across our shoulders in case of emergency. She is only 30lbs, so is light enough to carry out. It is important to have a plan in place in case something happens and your dog can no longer can walk. An emergency harness is a great resource to use!
Our friends at Dog Gear Review has a fantastic article comparing different emergency dog rescue harnesses.
Emergency Dog Rescue Harnesses Comparison
MISCELLANEOUS
Flea Comb
A flea comb is a lighter option than a hairbrush. Merci has a long coat, so a flea comb helps to keep her fur manageable and get out debris. It is also useful when searching through her coat to look for fleas or ticks.
Microfiber Towel
We use a medium-size microfiber towel for Merci. It’s useful for drying her off and cleaning her paws to help keep the tent clean.
Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags
When we are hiking long distances, we bury Merci’s poop. In more populated areas, it is necessary to have poop bags handy. I keep a roll in a dispenser attached to my backpack. I like that these bags are nice and thick.
The best part about Earth Rated Poop Bags is they are eco friendly. The bags contain an EPI additive so they break down over time and use recycled materials for the inner roll cores and packaging.
Check out our other articles about backpacking with your dog:
The 7 Best Dog Leashes for Hiking and Backpacking
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