Reviews
10 Stylish and Modern Dog Carriers for Travel
Updated: July 25, 2023
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Traveling with your four-legged companion is an adventure, and finding the perfect dog carrier for travel is essential for both functionality and style. The right dog carrier not only reduces stress for you, but gives your furry friend a safe and cozy nook while traveling.
So whether you’re jet-setting across the globe or driving to a beach house for the weekend, we’ve compiled an independent and vetted list of 11 dog carriers that cater to discerning travelers like you. These carriers combine fashion-forward designs with practical features and convenience, ensuring that your pet travels in comfort and style.
With these dog carriers, you can create wonderful travel memories while keeping your pet secure and happy.
What to Look For
Dog carriers for travel have come a long way in recent years. Upstart brands and fashion labels have entered the marketplace, so your options are no longer limited to mass-market black bags. Choose from various designs, patterns and colors that not only keep your furry travel companion comfortable, but that align with your personal taste and reflect your travel aesthetics.
Consider a carrier that offers enough space for your dog to sit, stand and turn around comfortably. Don’t try to squeeze your dog into a smaller carrier to meet an airline’s rules. Look for carriers with soft padding or cozy interiors to provide a relaxing environment. Adequate ventilation is also important to maintain airflow and prevent overheating.
Select a carrier that can be securely fastened in your vehicle, either with seat belt attachments or compatibility with pet travel harnesses. Opt for carriers that fit well in your car and offer easy loading and unloading. Features like built-in seat belts or crash-tested designs provide added safety.
Review airline regulations to ensure that your carrier meets size and weight requirements for in-cabin travel. Look for carriers with a TSA-approved design to facilitate easier security checks at the airport. Also consider features like foldable designs or wheels for convenience.
Look for carriers with adjustable straps or padded shoulder straps to evenly distribute weight. Storage pockets are beneficial for carrying essentials like water bottles and dog supplies.
1. Best of the Best
Roverlund Out-of-Office Pet Carrier
Looking for a design-forward dog carrier that triples as an airline-compliant carrier, car seat and portable dog bed? That’s why we chose the Roverlund Out-of-Office Pet Carrier as our best overall dog carrier for travel. This soft-sided carrier has an innovative 3-in-1 design that has won lots of accolades, including Oprah’s favorite things in 2022.
Roverlund, founded in 2019 by Vogue alum Jamie Knowles, prides itself on clever, design-forward features. The shoulder straps, made of hiking rope, double as a leash. The bottom is waterproof and lined with a washable fleece bedding. The rear pocket can be collapsed to fit under smaller aircrafts. When not in use, the entire carrier folds flat. The handles can even be worn like backpack straps, as some happy customers have discovered.
Plus, it comes in seven streetwear-inspired colors, including camo and orange, that stands out from the pack.
Materials: Durable polyester and climbing rope | Size: Small (for dogs up to 15 pounds) and large (up to 25 pounds)| Colors: 7 colors, including 3 camo combinations
Pros:
- 3-in-one (airplane carrier, car seat and dog bed)
- Design-forward, yet durable
- Lots of clever features
Cons:
- Colors may not appeal to everyone
2. Best Car Seat for Small Dogs
Pet So Good Voyage Car Comfort Seat
There are oodles of car seats for small dogs, but few are as adorable or plush looking as the Voyage Car Comfort Seat by Pets So Good. The Voyage Car Comfort Seat resembles a fluffy life raft made of durable, stain-resistant pillows. Belts clip around the seat for safety, and faux leather handles make it easy to lug around. Your dog may never want the ride to end.
Pets So Good is a boutique lifestyle brand based in New York and designed in South Korea. “All the products we carry are imported from South Korea — a creative mecca we call our second home,” said co-founder Sally Choi in an interview with The Wildest.
Materials: Cotton, faux leather, metal hardware | Size: Up to 25 pounds (21” x 18.5” x 17”) | Colors: 5 colors including orange soda, triple violet and milky black
Pros:
- Super plush
- Cute as a puppy
Cons:
- A bit heavy
- Not waterproof
3. Best Car Seat for Medium Dogs
Paw.com PupProtector Memory Foam Dog Car Bed
Does your dog like to sleep in the car? Then they will have no trouble getting comfortable in the PupProtector Memory Foam Car Seat, which bills itself as the first car bed made with human-grade memory foam.
Created by Paw.com, a company based in Fort Lauderdale, Fl., the car seat has a machine washable cover, adjustable straps to keep the bed in place, and a safety leash that clips to the harness – giving both you and your dog a sense of security.
Materials: Memory foam, polyester fabric and straps | Size: Single Seat (15 pounds), Double Seat (up to 50 pounds) and Full Back Seat (100 pounds) | Color: Gray
Pros:
- Memory Foam
- Washable
Cons:
- Only comes in gray
4. Best Car Seat for Large Dogs
Orvis Grip-Tight® Windowed Hammock Seat Protector
Orvis is known for quality outdoor sporting gear, and its hammock-style seat protector is no exception. Made with heavy-duty quilted polyester, it protects your backseat from moisture, dirt and dog hair, even around the seatbelt opening thanks to integrated flaps. It is super easy to install and a non-skid backing ensures it stays securely in place. There is even a mesh window between the front seats so your Great Dane gets a view.
The Orvis Grip-Tight Windowed Hammock Seat Protector is water-resistant so it can be quickly wiped or hosed down, and any accidents can be dealt with in the washing machine. Orvis offers a 100”% guarantee as well as repairs.
Materials: Polyester | Size: Five sizes, from sedans to extra large trucks | Color: Gray, slate and khaki
Pros:
- Quality build
- Soft on paws, yet durable
- Protects against hair and dander
Cons:
- Door protection sold separately
5. Best Airline Carrier for Small Dogs
Wild One Travel Carrier
This versatile bag is packed with smart features and has a clean cylindrical shape that looks modern without feeling too techy. No wonder the Wild One Travel Carrier has made so many “best of” lists, including Oprah Daily, Spruce Pets, CNN Underscored and People Tested.
Breathable mesh walls allow small dogs to get comfortable. The shoulder strap doubles as a leash, and a slotted panel can be fitted over a rolling suitcase handle for easy transport through the airport. The carrier fits under most airplane seats (check with specific airlines). And it’s easy to sneak in treats through the top or side. Once you reach your destination, the front of the carrier even folds down and turns into a portable canopy bed.
Materials: Neoprene, mesh, polyester | Size: Up to 16 pounds (17.5” x 11” x 10”) | Colors: Black, tan and (seasonal) spruce
Pros:
- Smart, versatile design
- Folds flat
Cons:
- A tad heavy (almost 4 pounds)
- Not for taller dogs
6. Best Airline Carrier for Medium Dogs
Max Bone All-In-One Travel Carrier
Perhaps your dog is a little bigger and barely slips under airline size restrictions. Upgrade to this handsomely designed and well-crafted bag by Max Bone, a fashionable pet lifestyle brand in Los Angeles.
The All-In-One Travel Carrier can be carried three ways: hand held, over the shoulder or as a backpack. It also features expandable windows for extra doggie legroom, breathable mesh panels with privacy screens, washable memory foam pad and lots of thoughtful side pockets. When not in use, it folds down for easy storage.
Materials: Heavy duty nylon | Size: Up to 20 pounds (18.5″ x 11″ x 9.5″ ) | Colors: Stone and Light Camel
Pros:
- Clever, 3-in-1 design
- Expandable windows
- Lots of pockets
Cons:
- Limited colors
- Does not attach to rolling suitcase
7. Best Airline Cargo Carrier
Gunner G1 Kennel
If your dog is too big for the main cabin (20 pounds is the cutoff for many airlines) and you’re not ready to splurge on a private pet charter, then your best bet may be the cargo section. Do your research first (the Humane Society offers useful tips) and if cargo is still the answer, your choice of carrier is clear.
The Gunner 1 Kennel is the gold standard in the world of airline cargo carriers for dogs, receiving a five-star crash safety rating from the Center for Pet Safety. Crafted fro double-walled rotomolded plastic, it’s virtually indestructible and able to withstand the most rugged journeys.
The kennel boasts escape-proof doors, engineered ventilation system for optimal airflow, and water-resistant features to keep pets dry and comfortable. Plus, it has a classic design, lifetime guarantee and comes in a variety of sizes and colors.
Materials: Rotomolded plastic, aluminum door frame, stainless steel hardware | Sizes: Four sizes, from small (18.625″ x 19″ x 24.5″) to large (28″ x 33.25 x 40.25″) | Colors: Green (pictured), tan, gunmetal, mossy oak
Pros:
- Most rugged
- Crash tested
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons:
- Heavy (largest is 72 pounds)
8. Best Backpack Carrier for Dogs
Manhattan Portage Sirius Dog Backpack
Whether you’re hiking through Yellowstone or foraging at the farmer’s market, a dog backpack carrier is a great way to rest your dog’s tired paws while keeping your hands free. A street-smart standout comes from Manhattan Portage, best known for its “New York tough” bike messenger bags.
Its Sirius Dog Backpack is made of durable black nylon, breathable mesh panels, ergonomic straps and several pockets to store essentials like leash, dog bowl and treats. The interior is padded, has a built-in leash and is large enough for dogs under 15 pounds. It also stands upright, which makes it easier to load your precious cargo.
Materials: 420D Nylon | Size: Up to 15 pounds (11” x 17.5” x 9”) Color: Black
Pros:
- Street smart
- Durable
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- One color (black)
9. Best Tote Bag for Everyday
The Painter’s Wife Constantin Canvas Tote
A full carrier can sometimes be an overkill when you’re just running an errand or going to the beach. Tote bags designed for dogs are a perfect solution for those on-the-go moments. The Painter’s Wife, a pet lifestyle brand started by a couple in Spain, has an adorable line of colorful canvas tote bags that look great anywhere from South Beach to the South of France.
Special features include a cut-out for your doggie’s head, an inside leash for safety, a D-ring for a poop-bag holder, side pockets and an optional sherpa lining for extra softness.
Materials: 100% Cotton Canvas | Sizes: Small (up to 6 pounds), medium (12 pounds) and large (23 pounds) | Colors: Five color combos (cheddar and pink, red and pink, green and blue, red and green, and yellow and navy)
Pros:
- Fun colors
- Delightful design
Cons:
- Adjustable strap sold separately
10. Best Inflatable Dog Kennel
Diggs Enventur Travel Kennel
To be fair, this is the first and (at least for now) only inflatable dog kennel on the market. And it has generated lots of attention, even before it became available for pre-order purchase in April 2023.
In a nutshell, the Diggs Eventur combines the security and safety of a hard-sided kennel, with the portability and space-saving features of an air mattress. That means you and your dog can have the full protection of a kennel – whether in a car, SUV, boat, campsite or beach house – without having to lug around a heavy cage.
Using the same puncture-resistant material found in inflatable kayaks, the Eventur can be inflated in about a minute to provide a soft, air-cushioned environment for your dog. Mesh windows provide ventilation and cooling, and tie-downs prevent movement during travel. When not in use, it deflates to the size of a large yoga mat, rolled up and stored.
It is the latest innovation from Diggs, a New York-based company best known for modern-looking Revol crate and poop bag holder.
Materials: Drop-stitch PVC fabric, nylon mesh, metal hardware | Sizes: Small (up to 30 pounds), medium (up to 55 pounds) and large (up to 80 pounds) | Color: Ash gray
Pros:
- Portable kennel
- Inflatable and lightweight
- Air-cushioned walls
Cons:
- Not as rugged as hard kennel
- Puncture “resistant”
Why Trust Us
Wagoo helps you unearth the world’s coolest, stylish and high-end dog products. As adoring dog owners, we know that our four-legged companions deserve more than supermarket kibble and big-box store supplies. We want products that give them comfort and security, and appreciate accessories that can integrate with our stylish homes.
Our mission is simple: to curate the most stylish and sophisticated dog stuff for you and your four-legged companion. Here’s why we are the top dogs when it comes to trustworthiness:
- Unbiased: At Wagoo, we’re all about keeping it real. Our recommendations are free from any hidden agendas or favoritism. We’re committed to providing you with honest and impartial assessments of high-quality, well-designed dog products.
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