BackTrak™ Dog Evacuation Kit

Functional but a little complicated -- and maybe not 100% secure

I agree with other users that this requires more than one practice session before you use it. The color-coded buckles help, but it would be nice if one of the tail-end buckles was not orange (as are the middle buckles around the torso). And no, this is never ever going to fit back into the built-in pouch it was packed in. Ruffwear, you might as well eliminate that pouch, or make it bigger or stretchier. Finally, quick release buckles are fine for backpacks such, but there should be a backup for the QR buckles on this harness--at least the ones securing your dog. An inadvertent brush against a rock or ladder could pop one of the buckles open and then your dog is left hanging unevenly, or worst case, falls out. Minus 1 star for the buckles. Minus 1/2 for color coding. Minus 1/2 for the pouch design. This needs a little fine-tuning before it is a top-notch product.

Emergency Preparedness

The evacuation kit is very interesting. I purchased the size small as my dog wears the size small Front Range Harness. The size small just fits my guy, although I a medium might have been better and easier to get on him. I set up the harness at home so that it will be ready to use in case of emergency. I recommend doing this as there are quite a few straps to get sized to yourself and your pet. At first the set up looked difficult, but I was able to figure it out pretty quickly. Hopefully, I do not need to use the kit, but am glad that I will have it with me for mountain hiking.

Had to use it and thankful I had it!

I wanted one of these for a long time, because you just never know. Unfortunately, my dog suffered an acute leg injury pretty recently and was unable to walk. I can normally lift her (though it is difficult for me due to her size and her flailing), the condition of her leg meant I couldn’t really touch it. I would not have been able to get her to the vet without this evac kit. She didn’t seem to mind wearing it at all. Everyone at the vet’s office loved it too!