The Second Generation Pack: A Pioneering Design Inspired by Adventure

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we're taking a look back at Ruffwear’s history of innovation and performance, all driven by a passion for inspiring dog and human adventures outdoors. This series explores the evolution of Ruffwear's iconic products, highlighting the challenges overcome and the solutions that continue to empower dogs to explore alongside their humans.

In 1996, Ruffwear founder Patrick Kruse encountered an unmet need at the Kern River Festival. Someone approached him and mentioned the desire for a pack with removable saddlebags and hydration capabilities – a concept that didn't exist yet. Patrick thought, hmm…that would be an interesting problem to solve.

Photo: The second generation pack (left) and the modern day Palisades™ Pack (right)

This encounter sparked the creation of Ruffwear’s second generation pack — the Palisades™ Pack. Here's a closer look at the innovative features that made this pack a game-changer for adventure pups and their humans worldwide.

Designed for Detachability and Convenience

The Palisades™ Pack introduced a whole new level of convenience for dogs and humans on the go. The detachable saddlebag design allows for easy access to your dog's gear without the need to remove the entire harness. No more wrestling with straps and buckles – you can detach the saddlebags and reattach them in seconds. The harness remains securely on the dog throughout this process, ensuring a comfortable fit and eliminating the need for constant adjustments.

The Palisades™ Pack wasn't just about convenience; it was also about addressing real-world challenges faced by dog adventurers. Drawing from his own childhood backpacking experiences, Kruse recognized the need for a way to assist dogs over obstacles on the trail. The result was the innovative integrated lift handle on the back of the pack. This unique design allows for lifting the dog in a horizontal position for added comfort and support, making even the trickiest terrain manageable for your trail buddy.

Another innovative solution addressed a problem encountered with early prototypes. The initial design featured a vertical compression system that was prone to snagging on brush and branches. Kruse addressed this issue with a horizontal compression system. This user-friendly design allows for easy compression of the pack with a single pull, eliminating the frustration of snags and ensuring a streamlined fit for your dog.

A Pack Built Around the Dog's Body

Unlike traditional packs with rigid frames, the Palisades™ Pack takes a revolutionary approach to weight distribution and comfort. The design utilizes a PE (polyethylene) board to distribute weight evenly and compress against the dog's body. This innovative solution eliminates the need for a bulky frame, allowing the pack to move naturally with the dog's movements for optimal comfort and stability.

The Palisades™ Pack also addresses the issue of weight distribution by incorporating a teardrop shape inspired by human backpack design. This shape places the weight of the pack closer to the dog's center of gravity and minimizes bouncing. To enhance the stability of the pack even further, the pack includes innovative flopper stoppers that connect the saddlebags to the harness. These stoppers prevent the bags from swaying while the dog runs or hikes, ensuring a smooth and comfortable experience for your canine adventurer. Molded panels on the underside of the pack also create flexibility and provide a comfortable, close-fitting design that adapts to the dog's natural movements, eliminating any restrictions or chafing.

Durability and Functionality

The Palisades™ Pack wasn't just about innovation; it was also built to last. The designers understood the importance of durable materials that could withstand the rigors of outdoor adventures. A few of these features include:

• Coil zippers: These zippers offer superior durability and dirt resistance compared to traditional waterproof zippers. The reverse coil design keeps dirt and debris out of the zipper teeth, ensuring smooth operation and longevity for countless adventures.
• Reflective trim: This thoughtful detail allows you and your dog to be easily seen during low-light adventures and provides peace of mind.
• Drains: Strategically placed drains at the bottom prevent water build-up during wet and rainy adventures.
• Bonded mesh & perforated foam panels: User feedback highlighted the importance of breathability, so the second generation Palisades™ Pack incorporates innovative solutions to keep dogs cooler during hikes. The pack features bonded mesh and perforated foam panels that enhance airflow and allow heat to escape, ensuring your dog stays comfortable throughout the journey.

And lastly, the harness on the Palisades™ Pack was designed with both comfort and control in mind. It offers a handle for easy assistance, a tow loop for added leverage, and a leash attachment point for convenient control. The Y-shaped front design further enhances control and steering, while elastic webbing and a chest martingale ensure a secure and comfortable fit. In fact, users loved the harness on this pack so much that it led to the creation of the Web Master™ Harness, another epic early product by Ruffwear.

The Palisades™ Pack wasn't just a product; it was a pioneering design inspired by real-world needs and a commitment to creating gear that empowers dogs and humans to explore the outdoors together.