Review on Outward Hound Lightweight Dog Backpack: Ultimate Hiking Gear for Your Canine Companion by Hunter Siemon

Our version differed from the one shown which explains some of the questions and feedback. I was expecting a backpack similar to the one we borrowed, a one piece backpack that fits a dog. What we got (as others have mentioned) was in TWO parts. There is a bottom with two narrow mesh pockets on the sides and a "handle" at the top. Then turn on the part of the "saddlebag" that has a hole in the middle to fit over the protruding "handle". This is actually attached to the bottom with a plastic fastener. I contacted Outward Bound with questions and they said this is their quick release version. So it's really two straps in one once you buckle it on. You can use the bottom layer alone, but we use both. Now that I know, looking closely at the photo, I can see that it doesn't match ours. Our trainer recommended him for our 18 month old 82 lb dog/lab mix as he has LOTS of energy. She had an older version (that was the style we were expecting) and put water bottles on each side to make it work a little harder. At the same time, it does a good job. It runs better that way. I also put his empty poop bags in there. Once the bags are "in use" I carry them as this unbalances the backpack. I had no trouble shifting at all, even when it shook. As for size, we got a big one. Our friend is BIG and at first we thought it was too small but we adjusted the straps and it fits great. On the box it was written that there is also XL, but I have not seen it for sale anywhere, and it is not needed. (Some people think he's a Great Dane mix, no). To remove it we unclip the two side/bottom clips and then pull it over the head as a whole. It's a bit of a hassle and it might be easier to undo the front straps, but it will be a hassle. To put it on we put it on his head and back and put his right leg through it and then we buckle him up. We've had it for about 2 weeks and are taking the advice to leave the side zip pockets with the bottles slightly open to ease tension on the zip. However, this doesn't seem to be a problem. It is much better made than shown in the picture or in the description. The top/bottom of the mesh is actually quite soft, it's not very soft, but it's not just a rough mesh. He showed no discomfort from the straps or the net. We only use two bottles, one of each size, as our trainer tried four and found it too heavy for him. We're not trying to burden him, just add a little more to his work.