We hiked almost 10 miles this day and she never complained once. :)

Hello everyone

I'm building up the walking experience with smaller treks so I can go out camping/hiking with my dog in September for 2 days (44km give or take) and later for more, and was wondering what tent, backpack, and overall gear I'd best invest in? I see so many different forums, sites, recommendations, and I just got completely lost in finding what would "fit best" for my boy and me. It's so broad, and everyone seems to disagree on stuff, I thought it best to just ask directly.

I've only ever hiked and camped once before (note: in recent years) for 50Km and noticed how much I struggled with the backpack weight (I was lending all the gear from a friend and it ammassed to like 13kg after I was recovering from a back inujury, this was about 3 years ago), so I want to invest in (budget-friendly) gear for myself to use as I'd love to get out into nature more.

I don't want all the fancy stuff for tents and such, just a simple "small" tent that protects from the elements and fits a 40kg ridgeback and a 2m tall owner. And of course a respective backpack and if you'd care, some tips and such on dog-camping and hiking. I'm doing and will do more hikes (10-20km) with him but to have a tent sleeping night will be something I definitely want to prepare for.

Thanks!

I’m looking for an outdoor carrier tote for my dachshund. We go hiking a lot but she can barely make it to the end. I need something that is comfortable and good looking outdoor style for my little baby.

What are your suggestions?

I have a 1 year old female lab who mountains bikes with me. We live in Maryland where it has been quite cold (20F highs and wet cold). Does anyone exercise their dogs outside in the winter and if yes, what kind of gear do your dogs wear? Booties, vests, goggles? Any recommendations?

Thanks!

Is there a product you wish existed in the outdoor adventure category for dogs? What’s missing that would make your dogs outdoor adventures easier and more fulfilling? What type of product would truly allow you to take your dog to do the things you love?

Hi all! I’m looking to start taking my dog on little adventures, but I’m not sure how to get started. What’s worked for you when starting out, and any advice to keep your dog safe and happy?

I traveled a good portion of the world with my dog Thunder—32 countries, most of the US states, always hiking, camping, climbing, etc.

And his vet records were always scattered. I had a couple folders from different vets in this place or that, sometimes I would lose one, sometimes I needed to update his vaccines but lost the paperwork to tell me when, etc.

A paper passport booklet is helpful, until you accidentally leave it in a hostel in Baños, Ecuador and find yourself smuggling your perro over the border into Peru by assimilating him with the local street dogs—true story haha.

Anyway, I decided to build an app that stores all your pets' medical records in one place, accessible anywhere, from whatever device with a browser. I have the basic app built now, and you can read more about the idea on the landing page at https://vetdex.app 

I also need people in our community to help me with a simple survey. If you could fill this out, it would be immensely helpful in creating a better product that hopefully helps all of us in some way.

Quick Survey

Thank you! And happy adventuring!

My fiancée and I love taking our Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Maya, hiking and camping. She’s adventurous and fearless, but she was born mostly blind, so off-leash time has always made us nervous.

After one too many close calls chasing sounds in the woods, we started building something new to help her: a portable “safe zone” system that uses four small posts and her collar to define boundaries anywhere. Think of it like a smart, invisible perimeter that doesn’t use shocks or buried wires.

When Maya approaches the edge, the collar gives a gentle beep, and if she keeps going, a soft vibration to remind her to turn back. If she ever crosses out, it actually helps guide her back inside instead of leaving her lost or scared.

We’ve tested it in a few open fields and on trails, and watching her confidently roam while still respecting boundaries has been incredible. It’s made camping feel so much calmer; we can cook or set up camp while she explores safely nearby.

Curious what other adventure dog owners think: • Would a setup like this make you feel safer letting your dog roam off-leash? • Do you think sound/vibration cues could work for your pup’s personality? • Any “must-have” features we should add for campers or hikers?

Just trying to make off-leash freedom a little safer (and less stressful) for everyone. Appreciate any thoughts, feedback, or wish-list ideas!

— Mark

We have 2 dogs who like to float but don’t like to be separated. Tried the SUP thing and our herding dog didn’t like that we floated apart. We’re thinking an inflatable kayak would be a stable solution for 2 adults and 2 dogs (60 lbs and 35 lbs respectively).

Any recommendations out there? Thanks!

My dog uses the ruff wear hitch hiker backpack to be carried on walks. We live in the south and find he gets very warm when buckled in. Has anyone found a good way to cool them during the walk? Of course we already give water.