Paths & Paws
Rambling With Your Best Friend.
Expert reviews on trail harnesses, rugged leashes, and natural provisions. Because the best hikes are the ones we share with them.
Latest Reviews
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Ruffwear Overcoat Fuse Review: Harness + Jacket
After 200 miles testing the Ruffwear Overcoat Fuse through Colorado winters with Jasper, I learned where convenience wins and where control loses.
Ruffwear Switchbak Harness Review: Pockets Without the Bulk
After 180 miles testing the Ruffwear Switchbak with Jasper, my 95-pound Malamute, I learned where built-in pockets work and where they create problems.
Kurgo Baxter Pack Review: Budget Backpacking for Your Dog
After 120 trail miles testing the Kurgo Baxter Pack with Jasper, my 95-pound Malamute, I found where budget meets capability and where the savings show.
From the Trail
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100 Lessons from 100 Miles with a Dog
After hiking 100 miles with Scout, I learned more about patience, gear, training, and myself than I expected. Here are the lessons that changed how I hike.
How to Help Your Dog Gain Trail Confidence
Nervous dogs can become confident trail partners with the right approach. Learn how to build your dog's outdoor confidence through gradual exposure and positive training.
Post-Hike Health Check: The Head-to-Tail Method
A systematic post-hike health check catches injuries, parasites, and early warning signs before they become serious problems. Here's the 7-zone method we use after every trail day with Cedar.
How We Test Gear
We don't just unbox products and write specs. Every piece of gear gets put through real-world testing on trails with real dogs. No paid reviews, no inflated ratings.
Learn more about our methodologyReal Trail Testing
Every product gets tested on actual trails in Colorado, from easy loops to technical scrambles.
Side-by-Side Comparisons
We test competing products together so you can see real differences, not just marketing claims.
Long-Term Use
Quick reviews miss durability issues. We test gear for weeks before publishing.
Honest Assessments
We call out flaws even on products we like. Your dog deserves better than hype.
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Find the right gear for your next adventure
Hi, I'm Sara
I started Paths & Paws because I couldn't find what I needed. Honest gear reviews. Actual trail testing. My Lab mix Scout and I hike Pacific Northwest trails every week, and we put gear through real conditions before recommending anything.
This site is the resource I wished existed when I started hiking with dogs. No fluff. Field-tested reviews whether you're new to dog hiking or have logged a thousand trail miles.