Trail hounds are more than just a sniffing sidekick; they’re your adventure companions, and they should be outfitted accordingly.
1. Planet Dog Shammy Forget the stinky dog towels piled in the trunk of your car. After a swim, the super-absorbent Shammy sucks up the river water, then wrings free. And it’s made from recycled wood chips. Sham-wow! For dogs! $21.95. planetdog.com
2. Mountainsmith Dog Pack You may think dog packs are a dime a dozen, but the Mountainsmith pack is made from Ripstop and Ballistic nylon, making it one of the most durable packs on the market. Our tester liked the compression straps, which kept the load even, and the handy leash-stash pocket. Our dog liked the fleece-lined harness. The built-in rain flaps are a nice touch too. $55. mountainsmith.com
3. Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff RecycleBall This dog toy is made from 100 percent recycled material that most manufacturers would throw away. The rope is provided by climbing manufacturer Sterling Rope, so you know it’s built to last. $14.95 planetdog.com
4. Planet Dog Hemp Leash We know hemp is the eco-wonder plant. Now if we could just convince our government… $21.95, planetdog.com
5. K-9 Bike Jogger You want dangerous? Try riding your bike while your dog jogs next to you on a leash. It’s a recipe for disaster. The ingenious K-9 Bike Jogger attaches to your bike’s seat stem, where your center of gravity is the most stable. Your hands are free to steer, and you don’t have to worry about Fido pulling you into oncoming traffic. $39.99. k-9bikejogger.com
6. Ruff Wear Bivy Bowl Water tight, ultra light, and easily packable, this is the feed and drink bowl for multi-day backpacks. $19.95. ruffwear.com
7. Ruff Wear DoubleBack Harness A rock climbing harness for your dog? Okay. Maybe you and your pooch are so tight, you can’t bear to be separated even while climbing Seneca. Or maybe your dog wants to finally face his fear of heights. We’re not here to judge. Whatever the reason you find it necessary to rock climb with your dog, here’s the tool to make it happen.. $124.95. ruffwear.com
8. Granite Gear Dog Booties Snow, ice, gravel—it can all tear up your pooch’s paws, particularly if you’re out for an all-day adventure. The four-season Endurance Boots have a rugged Hypalon sole and a tough-but-comfy fleece and Cordura upper, protecting your dog’s paws from the most severe mountain terrain. $18.95 (set of two). granitegear.com
