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Dog backpacks are one of our all-time favorite pet inventions—they let us hike with our buddies who are too small or senior for the trails, bring our pups on bike trips, and ride the bus or commute to work with zero hassle. They’re also a product with a lot of variation: the models on the market come with significantly different perks and drawbacks.
To help you find the pack that’s right for you, we’re breaking down the pros and cons of Timbuk2’s Muttmover Luxe Backpack—a sleek modern carrier that benefits from being the second (new and improved) version in its popular line.
What the Muttmover Dog Backpack Offers
Timbuk2’s Muttmover pack is designed to carry dogs up to 20 pounds. That’s not as much as some carriers, like the K9 Sport Sack, but it still feels roomier than more heavily padded options, like the 25-pound-capacity Kurgo G-Train.
Its 13- by 10-inch base is stiff, providing a solid foundation for a dog to sit naturally, and mesh sides offer both ventilation and a view.
While some dog backpacks have a peephole for your pup in the top, the Muttmover situates your dog’s window to the world on the side of the pack—meaning they’ll look to your right or left instead of directly behind you.
Adjustable (and removable) straps at the chest and waist help customize the pack’s fit, and a collection of side and front pouches can hold your and your pup’s smaller essentials, like wallet and keys, a collapsible water dish, a leash, and snacks. We like that a few of the zippers were tucked in harder-to-access places for security on your travels.
The Muttmover converts to a handy resting spot for Olive.
The pack’s front can be unsnapped and unzipped so it opens all the way to the base—a nice feature that lets your dog walk in on their own or lay down in the opened pack.
Cleaning is straightforward, since the pack is lined with ripstop nylon that can be wiped down with a little soap and water.
Here’s how the Muttmover lines up with the popular Kurgo G-Train and K9 Sport Sack Plus 2:
| Dog Backpack | Capacity | Dimensions | Pack weight | Cleaning | Price |
| Muttmover | 20 lbs | 13.4″ W x 18.7″ H x 9.8″ D | 3.7 lbs | Hand wash, machine washable liner | $149.00 |
| Kurgo G-Train | 25 lbs | 13″ W x 21″ H x 10″ D | 3 lbs | Nylon ripstop lining, wipe clean | $144.95 |
| K9 Sport Sack Plus 2 | 30-40 lbs | 9″ W x 20″ H x 10″ L | 2 lbs | Polyester, synthetic fabric, spot clean | $94.95 |
Olive and Amber Test the Muttmover Dog Backpack
Dog backpack connoisseurs Amber (human) and Olive (Boston Terrier) put the Muttmover to the test, checking its performance against all your basic dog backpack needs: errands, visits to friends, happy hours, and bike rides.
What’s Great?
Unobtrusive style.
The modern-looking Muttmover is a little more discreet than your average dog backpack—it’s not covered in paw prints or meant to showcase the pup inside, which makes it nice for errands and bus rides where you don’t want to make a splash. It looks a lot like a regular backpack—but better, since it’s got a spot for your best four-legged friend.
Lots of breathable mesh.
The Muttmover is all about mesh, which means both maximum ventilation and maximum visibility for the dog inside. Those aren’t priorities for every dog (looking at you, burrowers), but for pups who run hot, all that breathable fabric is a boon. It’s also nice for dogs who want to keep an eye on things or who shy away from low-visibility enclosures.
Finally, mesh is a huge help to the human doing the lifting—this is one dog backpack that won’t have you sweating before you’ve walked a block.
Approved for bike rides.
For Boston Terrier Olive, this dog backpack was a huge improvement on a bike basket. She’s not a big fan of feeling the wind in her ears, and this cozy cave solved that problem neatly. The only downside? A bike makes its rider lean forward, which means the pup in your pack will tilt with you, leaning against your back instead of the pack’s base. Human bike rider Amber said it was a relatively small problem but worth noting.
Olive finds the Muttmover a big improvement on a bike basket.
A+ side windows.
One of the Muttmover’s nicest features is its side windows, which solve a problem other dog backpacks (notably the Kurgo G-Train) pose: some little dogs are too small to see out of the pack’s top opening, which can make traveling a lot less fun. You can use a booster seat of blankets to fix the issue, but the Muttmover’s solution is a lot neater: with peepholes at the pack’s sides, a dog doesn’t have to work to poke their head out.
What’s Not Great
Lightly padded straps.
The Muttmover is sleeker and less cushy than some of the more outdoorsy dog backpacks, with less-padded straps and a stiffer back. The result isn’t uncomfortable—but it’s also not something Amber would want to wear for hours at a time.
Not escape-proof.
While no dog backpack can hold a true escape artist, the Muttmover is a little less escape-proof than some of the other options out there. The culprit is the side windows: even with a tether to attach to your dog’s harness inside, a truly committed pup could probably find a way to launch.
Recommendation: Should You Buy the Muttmover Dog Backpack?
Yes—Amber and Olive give this pack four paws and two thumbs up. They say it’s the best fit for their needs and a good all-purpose pack to accommodate a wide range of dogs and people. It has special appeal for city dwellers who want a low-profile pack that gets the job done, prioritizing comfort for your pup and convenience for you. It’s also a strong choice for summer, since it’s cooler than a lot of comparable packs.
Who will appreciate the Muttmover most:
- On-the-go dog parents who need an easy way to cart their pup along
- Pups (and people) who run hot and want maximum air flow
- Dogs who need a more open enclosure with lots of visibility
- Tiny pups who can’t reach a typical backpack’s top opening
- Dogs who need to lay down instead of sit on their haunches
Olive admits it might be nice to feel the wind in just one ear.
Who might want to look elsewhere:
- Hikers—you’ll want something more comfortable for long-term wear, like the Kurgo G-Train
- Escape artists, since the side window may be tempting
- Shy dogs and those who want a cave with less visibility
- Commuters—laptop carrying options are limited
Further Reading
- The Best Dog Backpacks to Bring Your Pup Along for the Ride
- Do You Need a Dog Backpack? The Pros and Cons of a Backpack-Style Carrier for Dogs
- Meet the Kurgo G-Train, the Comfiest Hiking Backpack We’ve Found for Dogs
- Can Puppies Ride in Dog Backpacks? A Review of the K9 Sport Sack
- Joy Rides: These Top Dog Carriers Will Make Your Bike Ride a Breeze
