From city streets to mountain trails, more and more dog parents are turning to backpacks as the go-to way to bring their pups everywhere. But not all backpacks are created equal. Safety, comfort, and the right size are critical — both for you and your dog. In this guide, we’ll break down the essentials of choosing the best dog backpack in 2025, highlight the features that really matter, and show why the Maxine One continues to lead the pack.
Why More Dog Parents Are Choosing Backpacks
Backpacks have become a lifestyle choice. Here’s why:
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Mobility: No more juggling a leash in crowded spaces.
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Bonding: Dogs feel secure when they’re close to you.
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Accessibility: Perfect for urban dwellers, commuters, and travellers.
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Health & Safety: Senior dogs, injured pups, or small breeds that tire quickly still get to join in on adventures.
According to the Veterinary Teaching Academy and Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, many small breeds are prone to joint stress or respiratory issues — making long walks or climbs difficult. A backpack solves this without excluding your pup from family outings.
How to Choose the Best Dog Backpack for Your Pup
When evaluating backpacks, there are five areas that matter most:
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Safety: Look for reinforced straps, secure fastenings, and designs that keep your dog upright and supported.
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Comfort: Both human and pup comfort matter — padded straps, breathable mesh, and weight distribution are non-negotiables.
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Sizing: Always measure weight, length, and chest girth. Guesswork leads to discomfort and potential harm.
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Use Case: City walks? Hiking? Airline travel? Different backpacks suit different lifestyles.
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Style & Durability: A backpack you’ll actually want to wear — built from materials that last.
The Pet Experience recommends focusing on ventilation and ergonomic design to avoid overheating and stress.
Why the Maxine One is the Best Dog Backpack of 2025
We designed the Maxine One with a singular goal: to solve every frustration dog parents had with carrying their pups. Here’s how:
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Vet-Loved Safety: Every element is reviewed by veterinary professionals to ensure safety and support. Our unique tail-port actually relieves pressure on your dog’s lower spine by allowing their tail to hang freely.
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Comfort for You: Ergonomic straps and chest buckles prevent back pain.
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Comfort for Your Pup: Breathable mesh, head-out, forward-facing design, and a stable base keep pups secure and happy.
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Versatility: Choose from the Maxine One S and the Maxine One M for your smaller and medium breeds, or the Brodie One and Brodie One XL for those bigger pups — there’s a fit for virtually every dog breed.
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The Puppy Narrative: The Maxine One Small isn’t just for small breeds. It’s the perfect choice for puppies of most breeds who aren’t ready to keep up on long walks but still want to be part of the adventure.
As Wired Magazine noted in their review, the Maxine One is “a thoughtful, well-designed backpack” that puts safety and ergonomics first.
Comfort and support for both you and your dog
Backpacks should never feel like a burden. The Maxine One distributes weight evenly, preventing shoulder and back strain even on longer walks.
Safety-tested and expert reviewed
With input from orthopaedic vets, every feature was built with dog wellbeing in mind.
Options for every dog size
Maxine One Small for puppies + smaller breeds, Medium for small-to-medium dogs, Brodie One for larger pups.
Easy-to-clean and built to last
Made with high-density fabric that wipes down easily and resists wear.
Looks as good as it works
Let’s be real: you’ll wear this often. It’s sleek, modern, and doesn’t scream “pet gear”.
Ready to find your perfect fit?
Explore the Maxine One backpack collection and bring your pup along for every adventure.
