Pet Worshiper is reader-supported. This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you buy something through these links. This means no extra cost to you.

Best soft dog crates for travel 2022 – Reviews and buying guide

Written by: Peter Laskay
Reviewed by: Amber LaRock
Last updated on:

If you want to know which is the best soft dog crate on the market, then I can tell you:

I chose EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate as the best such crate.

Anyway, you might want to read the full article because I’ve put some useful information in it. 

There may be several reasons why you want to choose a soft dog crate. These products have their benefits. They are lightweight and portable. I will write about the additional benefits. I will include a buying guide and some useful tips. And of course, as usual, I collected and reviewed the best soft dog crates on the market.

Let’s start!

Product table for the best soft dog crates

[wptb id=3668]

What are soft dog crates?

Soft dog crates are portable dog kennels that have some sort of soft fabric. This soft fabric part is mounted on a metal frame. So these cages are essentially very light and can be collapsed. These crates are great to use when traveling.

These crates are even called “soft-sided dog crates”, “fabric dog carriers” or “fabric dog crates”. 

Dogs usually like cages. After all, the ancestors of these animals lived in dens. Soft-sided dog kennels give them safety and protection, whether on vacation or outing. But there are soft dog crates that you can use in your car or on flights. Most of them work with other pets as well. For example, cats, hamsters, etc.

So these cages are different from the others in many ways. Their most striking difference is also their biggest advantage. They are lighter and much more portable than other types of cages. In addition, they are cheaper than plastic, metal, or wooden crates. It is not a negligible fact that fabrics can be very diverse. So you can choose from a lot of colors and styles.

Of course, soft dog crates don’t just have advantages. Because of the fabric design, there are dogs that can escape from these cages. And obviously the fabric is not chew-proof. For this reason, it is not advisable to buy such crates for dogs larger than 100 lbs. But if your puppy is very aggressive, it is also better to buy a more durable product.

Remember that soft dog crates require more care and cleaning. However, they are usually easy to clean and the fabric parts are washable in the machine.

So in short, soft dog crates are excellent products, but not good for all situations.

What are the best soft dog crates on the market?

I will share with you later what are the considerations based on which to buy a soft dog crate. But now here are the products that I think are the best.

EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate

This is one of the best selling soft dog crates on the market and not by accident.

It has excellent quality and is perfect for long trips or home use. Suitable for all ages from 10 to 100 lbs.

The EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate is made of 600D waterproof canvas and a tubular, powder-steel frame. There are reinforcements on both sides and corners of the product, which guarantees maximum security and durability

The canvas cover is easy to remove and washable. All materials used are non-toxic. This cage has three zipped doors and a rear opening. Zippers are industrial strength.

The design is practical and your dog will get proper ventilation inside the crate. Due to the height of 28″ there is enough space for a seated animal.

The product is easy to assemble and collapsible. In addition, it comes with securing latches, hand carrying straps, and a padded shoulder strap. These make transportation easier. 

And that’s still not all. The EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate comes with additional bonuses. These are a fleece crate pad, two detachable accessory pockets, and a carrying case.

This product is available in five sizes and ten colors. The manufacturer provides a two-year warranty on this crate.

Pros

  • High quality 600D waterproof canvas
  • Reinforced parts
  • Great dimensions
  • Three doors
  • Collapsible
  • fleece crate bed, two removable accessory pockets and a carrying case
  • Five sizes, ten colors
  • Two years warranty

Cons

  • However it worth the price, it’s a little bit expensive


2PET Foldable Dog Crate

This product has clearly become my other favorite alongside the previous one.

It comes with a solid and durable steel tubular frame that makes it one of the strongest crates on my list.

The other material is 600D Nylon, which is also quite strong and durable. In addition, it is easy to remove and machine washable. This soft dog crate has two door openings. But it can also be opened from above. This can be useful if you want to give your dog a treat or other delicacy. Because of the several openings, your dog will get perfect ventilation.

The 2PET Foldable Dog Crate is available in five sizes. You will almost certainly find the right one for your dog. There is also a choice in terms of colors. Convenient carrying handles, of course, make transport easier. 

If you want a comfortable, good quality soft dog crate, this is one of the best choices.

Pros

  • Durable materials (steel tube frame and 600D nylon)
  • Lightweight
  • Four mesh windows
  • Great zippers
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • No bottom support


Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Indoor and Outdoor Crate for Pets

What I like most about this crate is the ease of assembly.

All this is accompanied by very good quality. However, I have to say, this product is not so suitable for travel.

Noz2Noz Soft-Krater is strong and stable. It has excellent frames and reinforced corners. You can buy an orthopedic bed with the product. You can find it here. This can be useful if you have an old dog.

The fabric on the sides is very well ventilated. In summer, this comes in handy. They can be closed with zippers, which are also of good quality. 

The product is quite spacious inside. Larger dogs also fit perfectly in it. 

The cover is removable and easy to wash in the washing machine. If you want a crate pad or additional accessories, you need to purchase them separately. 

This product is not available in several colors. However, I like this military green color. Fortunately, it comes with a one-year warranty.

Pros

  • Spacious design
  • Reinforced corners
  • Strong frame
  • Proper ventilation
  • Warranty

Cons

  • Not as portable as other products on the list
  • Dogs can escape easily


Petnation Port-A-Crate Indoor and Outdoor Home for Pets

This soft dog crate is suitable for all breeds of dogs up to 70 lbs. Available in sizes 16 to 36 inches.

It’s lightweight and properly portable, so it’s a perfect cage for trips. You can also put straps on it and wear it as a backpack.

The product consists of an inner steel frame and a strong woven mesh fabric. Because of the former, it is a very long-lasting crate. The fabric is also durable and waterproof. So you don’t have to worry about the weather. The zippers are also of high quality.

This soft dog crate is available in one color. I especially like this soothing brown color. Two doors can be found. One on the front and another on the roof. I would specifically mention that this product is one of the best value for money on my list.

Pros

  • Variety of sizes
  • High quality and portable
  • Strong and durable steel frame
  • Fabric is also durable
  • Affordable

Cons

  • A little bit dark inside
  • Harder to clean than others


Arf Pets Dog Soft Crate 

In terms of design, this crate is similar to the previous one. It has a front, top, and side door.

The back window is responsible for proper ventilation

Arf Pets product consists of soft mesh and heavy-duty steel frame. It is both stable and durable and collapsible. These features are important because so the crate is very well suited for travel.

The manufacturer says the fabric is very durable and can withstand chewing. Although I wouldn’t recommend this for a try. 

Arf Pets Dog Soft Crate is available in two sizes, 26″ and 36″. If you want additional pads or beds for the crate, you will need to purchase them separately.

Pros

  • Three doors
  • Proper ventilation
  • Durable materials
  • Suitable for travel

Cons

  • Only available in two sizes


Go Pet Club Soft Crate

I love the Go Pet Club brand because it usually has reliable products. This soft-sided crate is like that.

The Go Pet Club Soft Crate is specifically designed for excursions. It’s lightweight and easy to be folded

It is available in several sizes, colors, and styles, so you can feel free to choose the right one for your dog. The product only has a fabric part, which is made of water-resistant polyester fabric with PVC

In addition to the ones listed above, I also like the washable fleece pad and waterproof floor. These are all for the comfort of you and your dog. Zipper pockets are also included.

The manufacturer provides a thirty-day warranty on the product.

If you are looking for a lightweight, maximally portable and affordable soft dog crate, this is a good choice.

Pros

  • Great for travel
  • Warranty
  • Affordable
  • Variety of sizes, colors and design
  • washable fleece pad and waterproof floor

Cons

  • Not as durable
  • The bottom is not rigid


My pick

All the options listed have positive features. However, the most liked product for me is the EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate. It seems to be the best quality and best value for money. The 600D waterproof canvas is very durable and the reinforced parts add to the safety.

Click here to get one for your pup.


How to choose the best soft dog crate?

Choosing the best products is never easy. A really good soft dog crate should be lightweight, portable, yet durable. Based on the following considerations, you can get very close to making a good decision.

Material

Of course, the quality of a product is primarily determined by its material. The fabric parts of the best soft dog crates are made of water-resistant Oxford canvas or polyester cover. The solids of the products are usually made of powder-coated steel or PVC plastic frame.

Of course, PVC frames are much lighter, while metal frames are much durable. Thus, the latter can withstand more trips, and even more, aggressive puppies can do less harm to it. However, both are characterized by collapsibility. This allows for easy transport.

The cloth cover is certainly not completely chew proof. However, it can be quite durable if you choose the product properly. The additional cloth stitchings give some extra durability. Otherwise, these covers are easy to remove and easy to wash.

The best soft crates usually have a window made of nylon mesh. Industrial-grade zippers keep animals safe in the crate. There can be two more important parts to a soft dog crate. One is the bottom, which does not hurt if it is waterproof. The other is the different pads for extra comfort.

If you check these construction materials before you buy, you will definitely buy a good quality soft dog crate.

Ventilation

A very important aspect is the product’s window. You can choose a soft dog crate with a large window. This is useful for proper ventilation. But there are products that have a more limited view. Products that have roll-up mesh covers can meet both conditions.

Design features

There are basic design features such as sturdy built and proper size. In addition, however, there are other features that you should look out for. These can make a crate even more ideal in terms of individual circumstances.

An example is the number of doors. There are quite a few of these. There are one, double, or even triple door versions. Multi-door cages are easier to clean and maintain. But you also have to think about that this can provide an extra escape route for your pet. My suggestion is to choose a two-door soft dog crate. Especially if you have a less aggressive dog.

Last but not least, the product of choice should be collapsible, easy to assemble.

Size

If you’re past the previous section, you can think about the size. Most soft dog crates are available in several sizes, so you are sure to find the right one for your dog. Most of these products are designed for dogs weighing up to 80-90 lbs anyway.

It is very important to measure your dog properly. The most important dimensions are height and length. Choose a crate 3-4 inches larger than this data. Fortunately, most manufacturers provide a size chart for their products.

Remember, it is better to have a larger cage purchased. But it’s not good if it gets too small for your puppy. The video below may be helpful.

Cleaning

Like all fabric types, the soft parts of soft crates need to be cleaned regularly. These parts can be easily removed from each of the products I have listed. Be sure to wash it in cold water at low speed.

Of course, there are times when the rest of the cage needs to be cleaned as well. To do this, it is important that the product is easy to disassemble and assemble. Better quality cages do not require any tools for assembly.

Crate pad

There are other factors that can make a product even more attractive. One of these is a crate pad or a bed. These can be very important as they are for the comfort of the puppy. In addition, accessory pockets and crate carrying cases can make an already excellent cage even better.

Color

Not an extremely important aspect. However, there are soft dog cages that are available in a variety of colors. This way you can choose the best one for you.

Warranty

For me, this is always one of the most important aspects. After all, a warranty is something that makes the whole buying process much safer. I tried to choose products that come with a warranty.

dog with plush

Other accessories for soft dog crates

Crate pads, food, and water bowls can be quite important accessories in addition to a soft dog crate. With the exception of the crate pad, these usually do not come with the crate, so you will need to purchase them separately.

I strongly recommend the following crate pads:

Gorilla Grip Original Waterproof Pad


Hero Dog Dog Bed Mat Crate Pad


Custom Catch Personalized Dog Mat


If you want to buy a food or water bowl, I recommend a portable version. You can learn more about this topic in this article.

Useful tips for soft-sided dog crates

Not all of the following tips are closely related to soft dog crates. Still, these are worth thinking about and adhering to.

  • While these are soft dog crates, they are still crates. This is why you should start training with your dog and target this. Most experts say every owner should think about crate training. It is best to start with your dog at a young age (6-8 weeks).

  • You should not forget that soft dog crates are only for dogs that are crate trained. This is usually also pointed out by the manufacturers.

  • These crates are best bought for small to medium-sized dogs. Of course, if the product is right based on the size chart, you can feel free to buy it.

  • Although I have already mentioned it in my article, I still need to rewrite the importance of size. Measure your dog carefully and choose the right size cage. If you are unsure of your decision, choose a larger size instead.

  • Consider what you use these crates for. Do not leave your dog in it for long hours. Every animal needs some activity. If you are on a long trip, still try to sort it out somehow to walk a good one every 1-2 hours.

  • Don’t leave the collar and leash on your dog when you put him in the cage.

  • Try to put your dog in the crate after peeing or pooping. I know it’s not always easy, but you have to strive for it.

  • If you are planning a long trip, leave time for your puppy to get used to the cage beforehand. This is true even if he is crate trained.

  • If you want to use a soft dog crate when traveling by car, be sure to secure it properly. Use straps and tie-downs to avoid any movement in the vehicle.

  • Remember to clean the crate fabric regularly. This is because bacteria can settle more easily here, which is not very hygienic.


dog runs

Frequently asked questions about soft dog crates


Photo of author
Author:
Hey, my name is Peter, and I am the owner of this site. I have loved animals since I was a kid. I am constantly training myself; I recently obtained an accredited certificate in pet nutrition. But I am constantly learning about training, grooming for dogs and cats. I am currently a happy owner of two dogs, six cats, and two red-eared sliders. My goal is to provide my visitors with the most authentic information possible on any pet-related topic.
Amber LaRock
Reviewed By An Expert:

My name is Amber, and I am a licensed vet tech with 10 years of experience in the field. I spent the majority of my career working in emergency medicine but recently transitioned to creating accurate pet care information online. There is nothing more important to me than helping pet owners understand their furry friend’s health, and giving you the tools you need to offer your pet the best future possible!

Leave a Comment