Dog bowls – the first thing I pack for any road trip. Finding the best travel dog bowl for hiking and road trips can make all the difference in your adventure. Whether you’re hitting the trails or taking a road trip, having the right portable bowl is key to your dog’s comfort and hydration. Here are a few notes to help you choose the best bowl, plus some of the best dog bowls for hiking and travel that work for us.
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Types of Portable Dog Bowls for Travel and Hiking
What makes the best travel dog bowl can vary for each dog owner and canine company, but here are some dog bowl types to consider:
- Foldable Dog Bowls: These bowls typically have a fabric exterior and a waterproof or water-resistant interior, making them both durable and lightweight.
- Collapsible Dog Bowls: These bowls, typically silicone, are space-saving and portable, perfect for outdoor activities.
- Fixed-Form Silicone Dog Bowls: These dog bowls are sturdy and can stand up to extended use. While they don’t collapse, they are great for longer trips or when your dog needs a full-sized bowl.
- Fixed-form Plastic, Ceramic, or Stainless Steel Bowls: These are the regular non-collapsible bowls you might use at home. I have ceramic bowls and stainless steel bowls for Lu at home. Consider them for stationary trips like car camping, van life, or long road trips.
What to Look for in the Best Dog Bowls for Travel and Hiking
At home, most dog guardians (myself included) use ceramic or metal bowls. And these are great for the stationary home. But they’re heavy and bulky to fit in a backpack for a dog-friendly hike. Less is more for travel as well. That’s where the dog bowls designed for travel come into play.
What to look for in the best portable dog bowl:
- Collapsibility: A dog bowl that will collapse or fold down to a smaller size saves space in your backpack or car. More room for snacks!
- Weight: If you’re a backpacker or hiker, you don’t want a heavy bowl in your backpack or your dog’s backpack. This is where the fabric bowls win as an ultralight dog bowl, without a doubt. But the collapsible silicone bowls are still fairly lightweight and a great option for road trips and more.
- Waterproof or Water Resistant: Not all travel dog bowls are meant for water. And for those that are, some are more waterproof than others. Many fabric bowls are only intended for a quick drink on the go, and they may only be water-resistant. If you’re camping, you will want something that can hold water all day.
- Capacity: How much water does the bowl need to hold? Small dogs drink less than large dogs. Whoa, what?! Yeah, wild, I know.
- Durable: Many of the collapsible dog bowls are made of silicone, which is quite durable. But also consider any other materials used, such as a plastic top edge that could crack or break over time. And don’t discount those fabric bowls in this category! Most foldable, fabric-type bowls use a 600-denier fabric, which is durable enough to stand up to your backcountry treks or inner-city strolls.
What is Denier? It’s a unit of measurement used to determine the fiber thickness of individual threads used in the creation of fabrics. Fabrics with a high denier count are thicker and more durable. Those with a low denier count are softer and silkier.
Best Foldable Dog Bowls for Hiking
These are the most compact and packable dog bowls for hiking. Ultralight dog bowls are typically made of a 600-denier polyester outer layer and a waterproof interior.
MuttRuk: RollOut Travel Bowl
Price: $20 at muttruk.com
Features: Waterproof, collapsible, includes a carabiner for easy attachment, and rolls up for easy storage
Best For: Quick access during hikes and adventures
This is my current go-to dog travel bowl for outdoor adventures (I have it in two colors!). MuttRuk has thought of everything for this bowl: flexible, durable, waterproof material that rolls up and secures with a snap; plus, a small carabiner to hook the bowl right to your dog water bottle or the side of your pack, leash, etc. You don’t even have to take off your backpack to access the bowl—unclip it, unroll it, and fill it with water from your hydration pack. It is a great option for pet parents with a small or large dog.
Ruffwear: Quencher
Price: $20 at ruffwear.com
Features: Durable fabric, water-resistant, folds easily, loop for carabiner attachment.
Best For: Lightweight, short hikes, and city strolls.
I received the small version of the Ruffwear Quencher in an outdoors subscription box several years ago. It was a great win back then and still is. Packable and durable. It also has a loop to attach a carabiner.
(Note: The Outward Hound bowl pictured below is no longer available.)
Top Collapsible Dog Bowls for Travel
These dog bowls collapse flat. They aren’t quite as compact and light as the foldable bowls, but they are sturdier. I prefer these when I know we’ll have a home base, such as when we’re camping or on a road trip. You can leave the bowl full of water all day, and it won’t leak.
Kurgo: Collapse A Bowl
Price: $13 at kurgo.com
Features: Collapsible, comes with a carabiner, easy to store
Best For: Road trips and outdoor adventures
I love this bowl and have it in three colors! I leave one in the car for emergency water needs and use the other two during road trips. Because they collapse down flat, they fit right in the dog food container without taking up any extra space. I like the Kurgo Collapse A Bowl as a dog food bowl because it’s easy to clean. Plus, they have small carabiners to attach to a backpack if you take them hiking, etc.
Ruffwear: Bivy Collapsible Dog Bowl
Price: $30 at ruffwear.com
Features: Durable fabric, water-resistant, folds easily, lightweight
Best For: Short hikes and city strolls
I don’t remember how I wound up with this bowl (I think in another subscription box), but it was my first introduction to a collapsible dog bowl not made of silicone. What’s important about that? It weighs a lot less, another great ultralight dog bowl option. The wide base of this bowl keeps it stable. This is helpful as pups are running around, or with enthusiastic eaters, when used as a dog food bowl.
Best Silicone Dog Bowls (Fixed Form)
Not the type of bowl you’d toss into your backpack for a hike, but a fixed-form silicone bowl is perfect for road trips and extended camping adventures. The collapsible bowls are durable, but my dogs inadvertently collapse them partway if I leave the bowls out unattended. This is where a fixed-form bowl comes in handy: hotels, campsites, in the car, etc.
Sleepy Pod: Yummy Travel Bowl
Price: $36 at sleepypod.com
Features: No-spill, durable design, interlocking bowls for food and water
Best For: Extended trips like camping, road trips
I received this bowl set in a gift bag at a car-safety event. Legit the best thing I’ve ever received in a gift bag! It doesn’t pack down smaller, but it is still well-designed for travel. The inner bowl was too small to use as a food bowl for Cool Whip and Hercules, but it would be perfect for a small dog. The no-spill water bowl is a significant upgrade for road trips. Bonus: I accidentally ran it over once and didn’t do a bit of damage.
Kurgo: Splash-Free Wander Dog Water Bowl
Price: $14 at kurgo.com
Features: No-spill, durable design, less expensive
Best For: Extended camping and road trips
If you don’t need the interlocking food bowls, this no-splash water bowl from Kurgo could be a great alternative. One significant difference with this bowl is its angled design. The base is wedge-shaped so you can set it on the car seat and the water will still sit level for easy drinking. Note: I have not tried Kurgo’s no-splash bowl.
How to Choose the Right Dog Bowl for Your Trip
The type of bowl you choose should depend on various factors, including your dog’s size, the nature of your trip, the weather conditions, and the balance between portability and durability.
Consider Your Dog’s Needs
Some dogs may require more hydration than others, especially during strenuous hikes. If you know your dog tends to drink more often or during exercise, opt for a larger or deeper bowl. Additionally, if your dog is prone to drinking rapidly, look for a non-spill bowl to avoid making a mess.
For small dogs, a compact, collapsible bowl will usually suffice. Larger dogs will likely need a bowl with more capacity. Durability and stability also become more important for larger dogs, so consider a sturdier material.
Type of Adventure
The type of adventure you’re embarking on can greatly influence the best dog bowl for the job. Whether it’s a quick day hike or an extended camping trip, the right bowl will differ based on the trip’s duration, location, and accessibility.
- Backpacking or Multi-Day Hikes: For backpacking trips where you’re trekking with your dog for several days, a collapsible bowl is usually the best option, as it can be rolled or folded up to save space. However, you may also want to bring a more durable bowl for meal times, especially if you’re in an area with limited water sources. Bowls that roll up work great for space-saving and can handle outdoor wear and tear.
- Short Day Hikes or Quick Trips: If you’re going on a short hike, a collapsible or foldable bowl is typically the best option. These bowls are compact, lightweight, and easy to pack, making them perfect for short excursions. They can be stowed away in your backpack or clipped to your gear when not in use. Collapsible bowls are great for dogs that don’t need a large amount of water or food throughout the day.
- Weekend or Extended Camping Trips: For longer trips like camping, durability and capacity become more important. You might need to choose a fixed-form bowl or silicone bowl that can hold more water and withstand longer use. If you’re planning to leave water out for your dog all day, a bowl that doesn’t collapse and offers a spill-resistant design is essential. Silicone bowls tend to perform well for this because they are stable and won’t collapse under pressure, even when your dog drinks or eats from them multiple times a day.
Portability vs. Durability
When choosing the best travel dog bowl, you’ll need to weigh the trade-offs between portability (how easy it is to pack and carry) and durability (how well the bowl can withstand extended use in rugged environments). Both aspects are essential, but the right balance depends on the nature of your trip.
- Portability: If you’re hiking with limited space, a collapsible or foldable bowl is the best option. These bowls are designed to fold down to a fraction of their size, which is perfect for minimizing bulk in your bag. Collapsible bowls made from silicone or fabric are lightweight, making them a top choice for lightweight travelers. They often come with clips or carabiners to attach them to your backpack when not in use.
- Durability: If your trip involves rough terrain, multiple dogs, or prolonged use, durability should be your priority. Silicone bowls are often the most durable for regular use, as they won’t collapse over time and can withstand heavy usage. Fixed-form bowls made from stainless steel or rigid plastic are often the most durable. However, this type is not as space-saving as collapsible bowls and does not make the best travel dog bowl.
By balancing portability and durability, considering your dog’s hydration needs, and matching the bowl to the nature of your trip, you can ensure that both you and your dog get to enjoy the adventure!
Have you tried any of these travel dog bowls? Let us know what you think makes for the best travel dog bowl in the comments, and don’t forget to check out our other pet travel guides!