Best Hip Pack for Dog Walks: Wilderdog Utility Pack Review

This fall, Outdoor K9 added a few exciting new brands, including Wilderdog. Among our top picks are the Wilderdog Utility Hip Pack and Mega Hip Pack, known for their style, practical design, and durability. For a trusted review, we reached out to Monique Guimond from Dogma Dog Training, a local trainer with extensive experience using this brand and pack, to share her insights with active dog owners. Additionally, we connected with Wilderdog’s founder, Rachel Friedline, to learn more about the Utility Hip Pack's design.

• Which Wilderdog hip pack do you use and when (Utility Pack vs Mega Hip Pack)?
  I use the Utility Pack, however I will be switching over to the Mega Hip Pack for more room.
  
• What are the different use cases for each one? What would you put in it?
  I have used the Wilderdog Utility Pack for the last 2 years every day all day for training with my clients. In the Utility Pack I can fit poop bags, treats, clicker, keys, and phone.
  
  
  
  
  I haven’t used the Mega Hip Pack yet, but I have a different brand about the same size and I can fit so many extra items! I’m very excited to switch to the Mega Hip Pack for my day to day use. This size is great for when I’m hiking or walking both my dogs. I will be able to put poop bags, treats, clickers, toys, keys, wallet, phone, extra leases, collapsible dog water bowl, back up treats in a stasher bag, rain jacket etc.
  
• Why do you prefer these over other brands?
  So far out of all the treat pouches, I find the Wilderdog brand to be the most functional and well thought about in terms of design. They’re also super cute! The only thing that would make this better is removable silicone liners so I could easily wash the treat sections of the pouch.
  **Check out Stasher Resuable snack bags. They're awesome.
• What specific features do you find helpful?
  Multiple compartments! I love having a space for everything and to be able to keep treats and my personal things separate.
  
  
• Can you comment on the durability?
  As a certified dog trainer, I’m really rough on these packs because I use them all day everyday. The first one lasted for about a year until the zipper broke. The second pack lasted almost a year before I had a blowout on a seam in between compartments. Overall, I’m pleased with the durability for how frequently I use them. I would say this area could be slightly improved.
  
  
• What about ergonomics? How is it for hiking, jogging etc?
  I personally don’t run, but I’ve used the Utility pack for hiking and biking. Super comfy and lightweight.
  
• What training treats do you like the best?
  My favorite treats are currently the Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Single Ingredient Lamb Liver Treat. I find these treats to be high value, nutritious, and don’t crumble much in my pouch. I like these treats because they can be easily broken up into smaller treats or you can crumble them to make a treat scatter for some nose work games.
  
• Are there any other Wilderdog products you like and want to mention?We have the Shasta Ultralight Dog Collar for our one dog Tuna! We also have the matching leash! Both have held up amazing! Tuna is extremely rough on her gear and this has held up. I’ve gone through many collars with her. I did have to buy another one recently because she lost it/slipped out of it while camping this summer.
  
  We also have the Dog Harness for our other dog Toast. Love this harness and he seems to be very comfortable wearing it. My only complaint is the D ring. I would prefer it to be a little more rugged and not be able to slide around.
  
  We have the Doggie Bag for both dogs as well to put their food in while camping. So far both bags have held up great and can hold a lot of food which is perfect for our long camping trips with two dogs!

Note from ODK9 - Thanks Monique for taking the time to help us out with this review. For more info on Dogma Canine training, click on the link!
https://www.dogmacaninetraining.com/