Top dog walking gear: From park perusers to hardcore hikers

Updated 22/02/2024

The daily dog can be a walk in the park when you have the right dog-walking accessories in hand. Our loveable lickers bring us unexpected joy, particularly when they’re out and about. However, pieces of pup kit are essential, even for the most well-behaved pooch.

To make sure you are as prepared as possible, we’ve sniffed out the best of the best when it comes to dog walking gear. Whether you care for a tiny teacup trotter or a dog the size of a miniature horse, we’ve pawed through the Internet to offer our suggestions for accessories for dog walkers and puppers alike.

Accessories for dog walkers and dog hiking gear

Dog water bottles and compact water bowls

The means to dispense water to your doggo on a walk should be essential. It’s a great way to keep your pup cool and hydrated in summer, but make sure they’re drinking enough water throughout the day. Whilst some opt for a foldout water bowl, other pet parents choose a dog water bottle specifically designed for doggies. Here are a few of our favorites:

Vivaglory Stainless Steel Dog Bottle

Anything with ‘stainless steel’ in the title is always a winning choice! In all seriousness, this dog water bottle is super durable, food safe, and holds 25oz of water - enough for even the biggest bark babies. The bottle comes with an attachable dog bowl that is also detached. It’s dishwasher safe and can fit easily into a backpack or clip onto the side. Also, it’s only $12.99!

Highwave AutoDogMug

Designed for traveling pet parents and pooches, this squeezy dog bottle fills up the top attachment, acting as a small water bowl. This is paw-fect for pups on the go who need a quick hydration break.

Ruffwear Trail Runner Ultralight Dog Bowl

This compact and resilient pack-away dog bowl might look like a funny upside-down hat, but it can hold a whole liter of water. As it’s able to scrunch up to the size of a Brazil nut, this can easily be slipped into a pocket or fanny pack - ideal for gentle walks or intense dog runs.

Poop bag holders

The all-important poop bag is an outdoor doggo essential. Walking or hiking with your dog needs to be as environmentally conscious as possible, this means always picking up that poop and disposing of it responsibly and safely. We all know how fiddly a roll of poop bags can be, so here are a few nifty gadgets to make pup poop collecting that much easier:

Beco Eco-Friendly Poop Bags

Decrease your carbon footprint whilst your pup goes potty, these poop bags sell themselves! Durable, large, and biodegradable, these even come in a recyclable box and plastic dispenser.

Kurgo Duty Bag

Possibly the most durable poop bag we’ve ever seen, the Kurgo Duty Bag can be clipped onto any lead, harness, or backpack with a size-fits-all pouch. The product already comes with some biodegradable bags inside and has a handy clip for used waste bags.

Wag & Wander Reusable Smell Proof Waste Bag

Have you and your pup ever been out on a lovely, rural walk, taking in the fresh air and sunshine, when you suddenly realize you’re nowhere near a public trashcan? Of course, this is the time your fur baby decides to use the bathroom, and you’re up poop creek without a bin. Well, the Wag & Wander Reusable poop bag allows you to hygienically hold onto your pup’s poop until you can properly dispose of it. Washable and easy to attach to a leash or bag, this is a handy handbag for pet parents.

Dog backpacks and fanny packs

Many dog backpacks come as part of a hiking harness or the harness itself is an actual fanny pack. Others come as a clip-on around their pup's waist, while some are just extra accessories for walking to go inside your backpack. Either way, these are useful for carrying everything from poop bags to doggo first aid kits - it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Always make sure these are well-fitted and appropriate for your specific dog. So, here are our few paw-some dog backpacks for pup parents:

Ruffwear Front Range Day Pack

Comfortable, spacious, and sizable for both pooches big and small, this dog backpack is great for days out or long hikes. The harness also adds insulation and gentle compression to offer a comforting experience for your walking tail-wagger.

Kurgo Baxter Dog Backpack

If you have a hardcore hound who loves to hike rugged trails and cross rocky fords, this is the dog backpack for them. With liberal amounts of space and comfort, this also acts as an additional safety device with reflective lights, a strong grip handle, and secure clips for all types of leashes.

Outward Hound DayPak Saddleback Dog Backpack

A Saddleback dog backpack is great for all types of walks. Lightweight, bright colored, with expandable storage compartments, this can easily be attached to your pupper as well as conveniently stored away in a small backpack pocket.

Hands-free leashes and harnesses

Although hands-free leashes are generally targeted at pups who love to hike, these can also be used for daily dog walks and strolls if you need both your hands for something else! To avoid going over the collar vs harness debate again, we’ve included both hands-free leashes for collars and harnesses:

Sassy Woof Hands-Free Rope Leash

We didn’t know bungee rope could be so stylish until we heard about Sassy Woof. Incredibly durable and strong, pet parents can use this on park walks or up the steepest of mountains with peace of mind. At 7 feet in length, this is ideal for hands-free walking.

Maxbone GO! With Ease Hands-Free Leash

Again with the fashionable fur fixes! Maxbone has designed this beautiful hands-free leash which securely fastens around the pet parent's torso, making for a comfortable yet safe experience.

Kurgo Quantum 6-in-1 Dog Leash

6-in-1, now we’ve seen everything! Reflective, tough, adjustable, and affordable, the wonderfully named Quantum Dog Leash is awesome for adventure pups and as a training lead for tiny trail walkers.

Dog boots and shoes

Dog boots (also known as ‘booties’) come in a range of uses, sizes, and styles. They can protect a pup’s paws from hot asphalt in summer, or frozen, snowy paths in mid-winter. Similarly, if your pooch has recently hurt their paw, a couple of pairs of booties can help them heal whilst enjoying their daily doggo walk. Dog boots should not be left on for extended periods of time and it's important to check the feet when you take them off. These are a few we like to use ourselves:

Expawlorer Anti-Slip Dog Shoes

Waterproof, weatherproof, and wondering-proof, the Expawlorer (aw!) booties are great for tough terrain and cold winter walks. Their gripped soles allow pooches to safely walk on slippy surfaces whilst also keeping their paws dry.

Wagwear WAGWELLIES MOJAVE

Finally, some genius has invented dog wellies! And these Wagwear booties are as practical as they are eye-catching. They offer a comfortably cushioned platform for your furballs to stomp around in, yet provide a lifetime guarantee.

QUMY Dog Shoes

Safety and durability are the main selling points for the QUMY booties. These dog shoes come in a range of sizes to fit everything from puppies to miniature bears. The adjustable straps keep securely fastened in, yet can easily be removed.

Dog walking accessories for humans

Dog hiking gear isn’t all about the pups, you know! There are a few useful dog-walking accessories out there that are just as helpful to pup parents. It’s important to pack for every scenario on a fur baby frolic and these useful bits of kit may come in handy.

Dog treat fanny pack

We all know how well positive reinforcement works with doggos. By bringing a dedicated dog treat fanny pack or side pocket on your next, you can work on your pup training at the same. These are a few of our favorite dog treat packs:

LED accessories

For those early-morning walkers or late-night perusers, having an LED light or accessory is vital. We all know our fur babies are very good boys and girls, of course, but sometimes even the best of dogs can be distracted. So, if your pooch decides to suddenly leg it in low light, here are some great LED accessories to help you spot them:

Pre-made pup first aid kits

As mentioned above in our dog backpack section, it’s really important to have some fur friend first aid items on you whilst out dog walking. Luckily, there are a few pre-made pup packs that can easily slip into your walking bag whilst taking up very little space:

Meet our veterinary expert, Greg

This article has been checked by veterinarian Dr Greg Steele MA VETMB MRCVS. A mixed vet working in the UK since qualifying from Cambridge University in 2015. Greg enjoys working with all species of animals in all settings, but equally takes pride in communication and education of clients too. He lives with his wife and their cat, and enjoys a variety of sports, gardening, and the great outdoors.

Did we miss anything? Are there any additional pieces of dog walking gear you never leave home without? Share your tips and ideas on our Community Forum, or find out what other pup parents take with them on dog runs or hikes. Otherwise, if you’re planning a trip away, why not check out all of our verified, trusted pet pals who would like to take your pup on a hiking adventure or park stroll?

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