Gear up for Adventure: My Multi-day Trek Wishlist

As Finch and I prepare for our first multi-day trek through the breathtaking landscapes of the UK, excitement fills the air. Every step of the journey promises new adventures and unforgettable experiences. To ensure we’re well-equipped for the trail ahead, I’ve curated a wishlist of essential gear and accessories that will accompany us on our expedition. Let me know if you have any of these items, or any different recommendations in the comments section below!

1. Pack for Your Dog

Ruffwear Approach Pack

The Ruffwear Approach Pack seems to be the best rated pack for your pooch on any multi-day trek. With its durable construction and adjustable saddlebags, this pack would allow Finch to carry his own food, water, and essentials, lightening the load and freeing up space in my backpack. Plus, the padded handle and reflective trim ensure safety and comfort on the trail.

I have read two separate blogs recommending this specific bag (Trail to Peak Gear Review & Treeline Review), and the reviews on Amazon are also great. That puts it at the top of my wishlist for packs. However, the price point is a bit high for me at the moment, so we will likely go for a slightly more budget option to start. Though I’ve read words of warning about that, as the more budget options tend not to fit as well, and can therefore cause some headaches on the trail.

One Tigris Dog Pack

The One Tigris Dog Pack is also in the Treeline Review on dog packs as well as the Clever Hiker blog as the best budget pack. With it’s stylish canvas look, and ample room in the pockets it seems like a great choice within our budget range. This is likely to be the one we go for. As Finch is only just starting to get longer hikes in, we will hold off on getting the pack until a few months before we’re ready to begin multi-day walks, giving Finch ample time to get used to the pack but also holding out to see if there are any new packs on the market within our budget by then.

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2. Dog Towel

Elite Paws UK Luxury Dog Towel

We currently use an old bath towel to dry Finch off after walks. Not only is this quite bulky and slow to dry, I’ve read that it can increase matting – which cockapoos are prone to do. So I would love to get a dog specific towel, either to leave in the car for after a long walk, or to bring with us on our multi-day walks to ensure he is nice and warm if we get caught in the rain (and let’s face it, in the UK you’re always getting caught in the rain!). The Elite Paws UK Luxury Dog Towel is not only my top choice, but is also the budget option! Win-win.

Lucky Paws UK Dog Drying Coat

The Lucky Paws UK Dog Drying Coat is another option that isn’t all that much more expensive. It looks slightly more stylish than the Elite Paws option, and is very highly rated on Amazon.

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3. Paw Cleaner

Mud Daddy – Portable Pet Washer

I would love to hear if you have a Mud Daddy or something similar to wash your dogs paws at the end of a long walk. Finch’s paws act like sponges for mud, and I would love to find something that would help him be more comfortable for the long car journeys back home. My concern with something like this though is that it wouldn’t be enough to get him clean, as it takes ages in the shower for the water to run clear after a good romp in the mud.

Tinioey Dog Paw Cleaner

A different option would be something like the Tinioey Dog Paw Cleaner, which is much smaller and perhaps just as effective at getting those muddy paws under control. I would be worried Finch would not be keen on putting his paws in, as he can be quite anxious with things like nail clipping or getting the fur between his paw pads trimmed. Any comments or recommendations for something to clean those muddy paws after a long walk would be appreciated, comment below!

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4. First Aid Kit for Dogs

Charlie the Vet First Aid Kit

Safety is paramount when hiking with Finch, and the Charlie the Vet First Aid Kit looks to be the best on the market for ensuring you’re prepared for anything on the trail. There is a Best Products Review post about dog first aid kits that lists this one as second best, however when I looked at the Amazon reviews of the one that ranked first, they didn’t have that many reviews and were rated slightly less than the Charlie the Vet one. Therefore I would likely go for this one if my budget allowed.

DogsLife First Aid Kit

Here is the budget option we will likely go for, the DogsLife First Aid Kit. It has great reviews and is just that bit more affordable. I’m very keen to get a first aid kit for Finch, as you never know what you’ll come across when out for a walk. Once you start getting out there for multiple days in a row, you definitely wouldn’t want to leave any injuries to fester until you get home.

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5. Rain Jacket for Finch

Ruffwear Overcoat Fuse

Rain jackets are tricky to figure out for dogs, as there is not only a wide price range for what seems to be very similar products, the sizing is also really important. We have bought a coat for Finch already, however we thought it would be good for it to cover his legs, since they get drenched and muddy and act like sponges. In theory this was a good idea, however the hind legs don’t stay on and it just ends up tripping him up throughout the walk. So I’m definitely in the market for something that fits better. Ruffwear again comes out on top for reviews of the Overcoat Fuse jacket. It looks very stylish and Finch would look fantastic in the evergreen. That said, it’s expensive and likely out of our price range.

Ruffwear Sunshower Rain Coat

This Ruffwear Sunshower Rain Coat is slightly more affordable than the Overcoat fuse mentioned above, and it looks like it would provide better coverage. That said, it doesn’t act like a harness itself, like the Overcoat Fuse, so it might not be quite as comfortable for Finch. It is still a bit more than I would like to spend, however after already spending £30 on a jacket that doesn’t work, I might be willing to splurge for Finch’s comfort and to hopefully get it right this time around.

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Finch and I won’t let the lack of the items listed above slow us down on our training for long-distance walks, but we will slowly build our collection to ensure we’re both prepared and comfortable for the adventures ahead. Each piece of gear promises to enhance our outdoor experience and make every moment on the trail more enjoyable. Whether it’s carrying our own supplies, ensuring safety, or staying dry, these items are the perfect companions for our adventure into the wilderness. Do you have any of the items in this list? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

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