$99.99
Best suited for
- Shorter trips with small dogs
- Bike rides and commuting where a hands-free carrier is desired
- Owners who want a forward-facing, upright carrier posture that Ruffwear reports was reviewed and approved by veterinarians
Poor fit for
- Dogs exceeding 40 lb / 18 kg
- Owners needing sizes beyond the offered XXS–S range
Pros
- Hands-free wearable backpack carrier form factor (manufacturer/Amazon listing)
- Breathable polyester construction (Amazon listing)
- Dual locking zippers that open the pack wide for easy loading and unloading (Amazon listing)
- Available in three sizes (XXS, XS, S) with gear capacities listed per size
- Designed to hold the dog in a forward-facing, upright position; posture reviewed and approved by veterinarians (manufacturer blog)
- Accommodates dogs up to 40 lb / 18 kg (manufacturer blog)
Cons
- Not suitable for dogs exceeding 40 lb / 18 kg (manufacturer blog)
- Sizing is limited to XXS, XS, and S (manufacturer), which constrains use to small dogs
The Hitch Hiker is Ruffwear’s backpack carrier for small dogs, built for the short-haul jobs: bike rides, commutes, quick trips where the dog rides rather than walks. The shell is breathable polyester, wide dual-locking zippers open the pack for loading, and the dog rides forward-facing and upright — a posture Ruffwear’s design materials note was reviewed and approved by veterinarians.
The size and capacity ladder, from Ruffwear’s materials:
| Size | Gear capacity |
|---|---|
| XXS | 7.5 L |
| XS | 11 L |
| S | 22 L |
Pack weight stays in a narrow band across the run: roughly 1 lb 4.8 oz at XXS up to about 1 lb 9.6 oz at S.
The hard limit, stated plainly by Ruffwear: dogs up to 40 lb / 18 kg, and not suitable beyond that. Everything above comes from Ruffwear’s product and design materials and the listing; we have not carried a dog in one.
Safety considerations
- The pack holds the dog in a forward-facing, upright position; Ruffwear reports that this posture was reviewed and approved by veterinarians (manufacturer blog).
- Ruffwear lists a maximum accommodated dog weight of 40 lb / 18 kg (manufacturer blog).
- Dual locking zippers open the pack wide for loading and unloading (Amazon listing).
Verified specifications
- Ruffwear
- Hitch Hiker
- Approx 1 lb 4.8 oz (XXS) to 1 lb 9.6 oz (S)
- breathable polyester
- XXS (7.5 L gear capacity), XS (11 L gear capacity), S (22 L gear capacity)
Sizing & compatibility
Fit depends on your dog's measurements. Measure girth (the widest part of the ribcage) and consult the manufacturer's size chart before buying — a poor fit can cause chafing or let an escape-prone dog back out of the harness.
Comparable alternatives
Related reading
Sources & research
Read our research methodology and editorial standards →
- Manufacturer Hitch Hiker Dog Backpack Carrier
- Manufacturer Behind the Design of the Hitch Hiker Dog Backpack Carrier
- Amazon API Ruffwear Hitch Hiker Dog Backpack Carrier