Carry On: The Complete Guide to Pet Carriers & Crates for Every Adventure
Not all pet carriers are built for the same job. Some are designed for trails and elevation; others for airport security queues and overhead lockers; others for the school run, the farmers' market, or the kind of Saturday afternoon where you want your dog along but need both hands free. This guide cuts through the range and matches the product to the activity.
Jump to section:
- How to Use This Guide
- On the Trail: Hiking & Adventure Backpacks
- Day to Day: Stylish Carriers & Totes
- In the Cabin: Airline-Approved Carriers
- In the Boot & Beyond: Travel Crates for Car and Cargo
- The Do-It-Alls: Multi-Functional Carriers
- Which Should You Choose?
How to Use This Guide
The carrier market is crowded and confusing if you don't know what you're looking for. The right question isn't "what's the best carrier?" but "what am I actually trying to do?" Different activities demand entirely different things from a carrier: a hiking backpack that's brilliant on the South Downs would be out of place at a café terrace, and a luxury tote that turns heads on Marylebone High Street would be hopeless on a mountain path.
We've structured this guide around what you're actually doing, so you can go straight to the section that fits your life.
One note upfront: we'll be publishing a dedicated guide to airline travel with pets in the coming weeks, covering everything from cabin allowances to cargo hold prep. The airline carrier section here is a useful overview, but that standalone guide will go much deeper.
You can also check out these recent blog posts bringing you the best in pet travel and mobility:
- Dog Car Seat & Crate Guide for 2026
- Ultimate Pet stroller guide
- The Complete Guide to Dog Bike Trailers & Strollers for 2026
On the Trail: Hiking & Adventure Backpacks
If you want to take your dog on proper hikes, multi-day walks, or off-road adventures where a stroller isn't practical, a dedicated hiking backpack is the answer. These aren't fashion accessories or commuter bags with a dog-shaped pocket: they're engineered for long miles, real terrain, and the weight distribution that makes a difference after three hours on your feet.
The key thing to know about this category is that good backpack carriers are designed with veterinary input. Your dog's spine is sitting in a position it doesn't naturally adopt, so the angle, the support, and the way the load sits on your back all matter. The brands below take this seriously.
K9 Sports Sack: The Benchmark
K9 Sports Sack is the most respected name in the hiking backpack category, and for good reason. Every model in their range is developed in collaboration with vets, animal behaviour specialists, and veterinary chiropractors, and reviewed before every product update. Your dog's spinal health is part of the brief from the start.
K9 Sports Sack Urban 3 is the entry point and the most versatile model in the range. It works as a fully functional human backpack with a padded laptop sleeve, waist support strap, sternum strap, and contoured back panel, and converts into a dog carrier via a rear compartment with leg openings that allow a natural, supported riding position. Side zip ventilation keeps air circulating. Available in Grey or Green, in three sizes covering dogs from 2 to 18 kg.
K9 Sports Sack Air 2 is the breathability-first option: an all-mesh construction that maximises airflow for dogs who run warm, with padded straps and a waist belt for longer hauls. Available in four sizes and three colours, covering dogs from around 2 to 18 kg.
K9 Sports Sack PLUS 2 adds more storage than either model above, with a front accessory pocket, hip belt with side pouches, and a handle for easy lifting. Three sizes covering dogs up to around 18 kg.
K9 Sports Sack Knavigate is the premium option for serious hikers: an adjustable internal frame, padded hip belt, and a load distribution system designed for longer-distance use where back fatigue over hours becomes a real factor. Five sizes available. If you're regularly covering significant mileage, this is the one.
K9 Sports Sack Big Kolossus is for the large-dog owner who assumed this category stopped at small breeds. Three sizes covering dogs up to around 36 kg, with the same vet-approved design ethos across the range. If you have a medium-large dog who wants to come on the long walks but can't always manage the full distance, the Kolossus opens up possibilities the rest of the range doesn't.
Ibiyaya: Lightweight & Day-Pack Options
For owners who want a lightweight backpack that will hold up over shorter, less strenuous hikes (and looks great in urban settings), Ibiyaya offers two excellent options.
Ibiyaya Ultralight Pro lives up to the name: a featherlight construction with full mesh ventilation and padded straps, designed for day trips and shorter hikes where pack weight matters. Two colours.
Shop the Ibiyaya Ultralight Pro →
Ibiyaya Lightweight Pet Backpack (Denim) pairs the same practical approach with a more stylish denim finish: an EVA hard shell base keeps the cabin structured and stable, mesh panels keep air moving, and the whole thing looks more at home on a city street than a technical hiking pack would. A good middle ground if your adventures are more mixed terrain than mountain trail.
Shop the Ibiyaya Lightweight Backpack →
Day to Day: Stylish Carriers & Totes
For everyday life, what you want is something that carries your dog comfortably, doesn't look like a piece of outdoor kit, and fits the occasions you're actually in: cafés, markets, visits to friends, short errands, anywhere your dog comes along as a natural part of the day rather than a logistical operation.
This is the largest and most varied section of the range, and it includes a dedicated sub-category for dachshunds and other long-bodied breeds, who have very specific needs that standard carriers don't always accommodate well.
For Dachshunds & Long Dogs
If you have a dachshund, a Basset Hound, or any long-bodied small breed, you'll know the frustration of carriers designed for dogs with entirely different proportions. These three are built specifically with long, low dogs in mind.
Ibiyaya Breathable Dachshund Carrier is the most accessible option in the dachshund-specific range. Lightweight, fully breathable mesh construction, shoulder strap for hands-free carrying, and cut to accommodate the distinctive dachshund shape at an approachable price. Available in Khaki or Navy, for dogs up to around 9 kg.
Shop the Ibiyaya Breathable Dachshund Carrier →
Ibiyaya Dachshund Breezy Wanderer steps up the style significantly: a perforated TPU construction that's fur-free (no fabric for hair to embed itself in), with breathable mesh panels and a shape designed for long dogs. Lightweight and genuinely attractive. If your dachshund comes everywhere with you and you want a carrier that reflects that, this is it.
Shop the Ibiyaya Breezy Wanderer →
Ibiyaya Panorama is the most versatile option for dachshunds and all small dogs with a preference for seeing out. A zipper-free design means your dog can step in and out easily, the panoramic mesh gives them a full view, and the carrier converts between backpack, chest carry, and wheeled transport depending on what the day requires. A thoughtful choice for dogs who travel across multiple modes in a single day.
Everyday Carriers for Small Dogs
Ibiyaya Breathable Pet Carrier is the everyday small-dog carrier that does exactly what it needs to without fuss. Our most popular carrier, the all-mesh construction keeps air moving around your pet throughout the journey, the EVA hard base keeps the cabin stable and structured, and the whole thing folds flat when not in use. A top entrance makes loading easy, there's a side pocket for essentials, and it can be carried by hand or worn on the shoulder. Available in Khaki or Navy, for dogs up to around 9 kg.
Shop the Ibiyaya Breathable Pet Carrier →
Ibiyaya Canvas Pet Tote is a clean, practical two-in-one: a water-repellent canvas tote with mesh panels for ventilation, internal safety clip, and a carry handle plus shoulder strap. It doesn't look like a pet carrier until you look twice. Available in Green and Grey.
Shop the Ibiyaya Canvas Tote →
InnoPet Carry-Me Sleeper takes a different approach: a soft carrier that converts to a fold-out bed, with side pockets and an adjustable strap. Built for dogs who split their time between being carried and napping in the same piece of kit, and priced to be accessible without compromising on quality.
Shop the InnoPet Carry-Me Sleeper →
In the Cabin: Airline-Approved Carriers
A dedicated guide to travelling with your pet by air is coming soon, covering airline policies, documentation, and everything you need to know before booking. What follows is an overview of the in-cabin carrier options.
If your dog travels with you in the cabin, the carrier needs to meet your airline's maximum dimensions (typically 45 x 35 x 20 cm for under-seat placement, though this varies), fit completely under the seat in front, and keep your dog calm and contained throughout the flight. Soft-sided carriers are almost universally required for in-cabin travel.
SleepyPod AIR is independently crash-tested for car use and designed to meet airline cabin specifications, making it one of very few carriers that you can use safely in a car seat and then carry onto a plane without changing bags. The expandable design gives your dog slightly more room during the flight than the collapsed configuration allows, and the plush interior is removable and washable.
Ibiyaya Flying Pal Foldable is the accessible airline option: a structured foldable carrier with mesh panels for ventilation, safety belt buckles for car use, and dimensions designed for under-seat compliance. It collapses flat when not in use. At a significantly lower price than the SleepyPod, it's the practical choice for occasional flyers.
The Tavo Dupree II is also airline-compliant and impact-tested, with a premium design and built-in ISOFIX latches for car use. It's covered in more detail in our car seats & crates guide, as it doubles as a fully certified car seat.
Always check your specific airline's current dimensions and weight limits (including the carrier weight) before travelling.
In the Boot & Beyond: Travel Crates for Car and Cargo
For owners who need a secure, hard-wearing crate for longer car journeys, cargo hold travel, or international pet relocation, this is the category to focus on.
Henry Wag Air Kennel is IATA-compliant and the most trusted option for cargo hold travel, used routinely by pet relocation specialists for international moves. Heavy-duty plastic construction with secure bolt-on assembly and solid ventilation panels: it won't win any design awards, but it's the product the experts reach for when the journey is serious. Available in five sizes from Medium (26") to Giant (48"), covering most breeds.
Shop the Henry Wag Air Kennel →
Henry Wag Folding Fabric Travel Crate and InnoPet Folding Fabric Travel Crate are the soft-sided alternatives for home and car use: collapsible, mesh-panelled crates with comfort pads that set up and pack away in seconds. Neither is designed for cargo hold travel, but both are excellent for use in the car (with appropriate securing), at holiday accommodation, or as a familiar den space for dogs who benefit from having their own enclosed space away from home.
Shop the Henry Wag Folding Crate → | Shop the InnoPet Folding Crate →
For crash-tested car boot crates, including the Thule Allax (TÜV SÜD certified) and the Tavo Everett (crash-tested to UN ECE R129, with load leg stabiliser, up to 45.4 kg), see our full car seats & crates guide. These products are engineered specifically for safe car travel and are worth the separate read.
The Do-It-Alls: Multi-Functional Carriers
Some owners don't want to maintain a different carrier for every scenario. These products are worth knowing about if you want one item that earns its place across multiple situations.
SleepyPod Mobile is crash-tested by the Centre for Pet Safety, airline-approved, and works as a home bed. It's the one product that covers car safety, cabin travel, and daily use without compromise. For small dogs (up to 7 kg), it's the most versatile single purchase on this list.
Ibiyaya Liso Backpack & Trolley transitions between backpack, shoulder carry, and wheeled trolley. Already covered in the everyday carriers section above, but worth flagging here as a strong all-format option for urban travel.
Ibiyaya Panorama combines stroller-style access, backpack carry, chest carry, and wheeled transport in one zipper-free design. Covered above in the dachshund section, but suitable for all small dogs and particularly useful for owners who move through varied contexts.
The Tavo Maeve, Tavo Hendrick, and Tavo Crispin are also worth a look for owners who want a carrier that transitions between car seat and everyday use. All three are covered in depth in our car seats & crates guide, where their crash-test credentials and compatibility with the Roscoe stroller frame are explained in full. The Maeve and Hendrick can even be paired with the Roscoe stroller for a luxury 3-in-1 pet travel system!
Which Should You Choose?
You want to go hiking: K9 Sports Sack Urban 3 for everyday versatility, Air 2 for breathability, Knavigate for serious distance, Big Kolossus for larger dogs.
You have a dachshund or long-bodied dog: Ibiyaya Breathable Dachshund Carrier for value, Breezy Wanderer for style, Panorama for maximum flexibility.
You want something simple and stylish for daily use: the Ibiyaya Breathable tote bag.
You're flying in-cabin: SleepyPod AIR for the crash-tested dual-purpose option, Ibiyaya Flying Pal for an accessible alternative. Full airline guidance in our dedicated travel guide, coming soon.
You need a cargo hold or hard-travel crate: Henry Wag Air Kennel for IATA compliance. Thule Allax or Tavo Everett for crash-tested car boot use (see the car seats guide).
You want one carrier that does everything: SleepyPod Mobile for small dogs up to 7 kg. Ibiyaya Liso or Panorama for mixed-mode urban travel.
Shop the Full Range
Browse the complete collection at petsownus.co.uk/collections/dog-carriers-crates. Free UK delivery. Price match guarantee. And if you're not sure what fits your dog and your life, drop us a message on WhatsApp and we'll help you work it out.
Life's too short. Take them with you.
