Ok so, every time i take blu for a walk i like to have the combination of a pack and a prong collar (i find the combination of the two essential to not only calm him down for the entire duration of the walk but also get him to focus for our training work we do while walking). sometimes i'll load up his pack with a couple water bottles and doggie bags... other times i dont, just the feeling of the pack being there seems to make him happy.

Anyway i've been using the cheap little $20-30 one's you can get at petsmart and they seem to work fine for me and can hold about as much as i'd really want him to carry, however they seem to go to crap once it gets snagged on a bush or something and a hole gets put in it... or the zippers break. but since he's on his third one now i thought it might be wiser to invest a few bucks into a decent heavy duty one (zipper free would be amazeing... i loath zippers), however im having trouble really finding one that is either within my price range or that looks like it's made for what i need.

I've checked both thedogoutdoors and alpine, and neither of which has one that really appeals to me... they seem a bit to "bulky". i dont go camping, we only go hiking on a short trail maybe once a month if that (not doing it in the summer... i hate bugs) so we mainly stick to decent sized walks in the naighbor hoods around my work place, so i was wondering if there's a certain kind that you guys know of that would fit my needs more, or a brand or distributor i should check out that im unaware of?

anyway, thanks in advance for any advice given.

We've been thinking about getting a pack for Alice as well, but I haven't really started doing research on any.

You might check out Backcountry K9 and REI to see if there are any that fit what you're looking for. I know that at the moment, REI has an OllyDog pack in their outlet section that looks pretty sturdy but not overly bulky.

Ha e you checked out RuffWear packs?

I only do trail running and got the Singletrak, mainly only holds water but that's all I need it for.

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Thanks for the suggestions guys, the packs i've been using are outward hound... i've had to patch them up so many times... but i guess i cant expect much more for 20 bucks.

I'll definately check out ruffwear and the other sites mentioned, and yeah i mainly just walk long distances within the cities and suburbs... little to no hiking, so removeable saddle bags are really kind of a waste for me. all i throw in blu's pack is water bottles, doggie bags, food, his bowl, and beer for myself ;P, oh and a min first aid kit i made for him for those just incase moments.

anyway, again appriciate the input... very helpful.