Review: RUFFWEAR Approach Pack

Most dogs that love trails love accomplishing tasks. That’s why it’s nice having my lab Hank carry his own load in his Approach Pack from Ruffwear. He gets a sense of pride out of the responsibility. While it took some tinkering to get the sizing right, Hank has become accustomed to the weight and gets excited every time the pack comes out of the gear room. The Approach comes with four pockets—two large and two small on each side—and has plenty of room for everything we need for a long day-hike. Added bonus: a heavy-duty Ziploc tucked into his saddlebags lets Hank pack out his own poop, leaving my hands free and the trails clear of smelly waste. Available online; $110.