Value Rating: 9 Durability Rating: 10 Overall Rating: 8 Location of Test: Latourell Falls, Cannon Beach Duration of Test: 3 mile loop around the falls; 2 hours of beach play Product Name: Ruffwear Approach Pack Product Brand: Ruffwear Best Use: Hiking The Full Review: We got this pack for Jethro as soon as the weather turned nice and the vet had cleared us for light load-bearing. I started by him just wearing it around the house so he could get used to the extra width clearance he'd need to get through spaces he can wiggle through when au-natural. To start, on the trail we'd have him carry his tennis ball on one side and a small snack on the other to balance the load. I love that I can store poop bags, canine first aid and other dog essentials in this pack to free up my quick access pockets on my own bag. The Good: Great handle on the back to keep dog near you on trails. Pockets allow pup to carry their share of the load (no more than 25% of their weight) and not until the growth plates have closed. Your dog looks like a BAMF. Like they've got some trail miles on and more to go. Bright color options make your dog easy to see at dusk. The Bad: Can trap heat against the core. If you need better cooling options, try the Palisades with the Core Cooler. We found we'd take the pack off if we were staying in one place for a bit, but would put it back on when traveling. The functionality of pack and harness features over just a collar on the trail have been clutch. I'd love to have load stabilizers on the inside of the pockets. Just a cinch cord or shock cord to help stabilize the load. I have a dog who loves to scramble up trees and rocks. A few times he'd notice something over his shoulder and try to snag it, although it was super humorous for the two-legged friends, he was annoyed he could never get this "thing". The Bottom Line: At this price point, the Approach Pack is a great way for your furry friend to carry some of the gear needed to be safe and comfortable in the great outdoors.