For a lot of folks, bringing their four-legged canine friends along on outdoor adventures is an absolute must. Now Rover or Spot can help lighten your load with a trail pack all his own.

The Approach Pack II (available from RuffWear) ranges in sizes from XX Small and up, covering most breeds that would join you outdoors. It uses a spiderweb harass to secure the pack in a comfortable way.

Before you go strapping a weekend's worth of food to Fido though, make sure to understand the safety aspects of having your dog pack carry extra weight. An excellent article: Make hiking safe, fun for canine companions with special gear, from the Citizen-Times covers some important things to know. One highlight from the article: while wearing a pack can give your dog an extra workout, never load more than one-third your dog's weight, and remember that the additional weight will shorten how far your dog can travel.