31 Years on the Trail: Celebrating Ruffwear’s Journey
Since 1994, Ruffwear has been on a mission to empower the adventures of dogs and humans outdoors. Born in founder Patrick Kruse’s garage and built from curiosity and the deep bond we share with our canine companions, we’ve grown into a global leader in performance dog gear.
From the beginning, Ruffwear’s design approach has been rooted in solving real problems, tested in demanding conditions, and always built from the dog’s perspective. Here’s a look at where we started, how our gear has evolved over the past 31 years, and where the trail is taking us next.
From First Designs to Field-Tested Favorites
What began as solutions to trail needs became the motivation for Ruffwear’s future. These four products sparked a new way of thinking about how dogs explore the world with us.
1994: The Spark — The Quencher™ Bowl
Before boots or packs, Ruffwear started with something simple yet groundbreaking — a collapsible, packable dog bowl to hydrate canines on the go. During a mountain bike ride in 1992, Patrick noticed his friend Liz struggling to offer her dog water from a plastic bag. Liz’s challenge to Patrick to come up with a solution (“You need to do something about this,” were her exact words) led to the creation of the Quencher™ Bowl: a lightweight, collapsible dog bowl designed to make hydrating on the trail easier for dogs and their humans. With its waterproof lining and durable shell, it continues to be a pack favorite for everything from short day hikes to multi-day treks.
1995: Trail Breaking Innovation — the First Dog Boots
A conversation with a retail partner in 1995 lit the way for Ruffwear’s first-ever dog boots. The retail partner challenged Patrick to design dog boots that actually stayed on, something that hadn’t been done yet. Products on the market at the time focused on securing boots high on the dog’s leg, which led to the boots sliding down and off when the dog’s leg flexed. Patrick realized that by focusing on the narrowest part of the dog’s leg rather than the widest, he could achieve a secure fit. Trial and error with the design and materials eventually led to what is now the Grip Trex™ Dog Boots, a rugged and breathable solution to paw protection on any terrain.
1996: A Way to Share the Journey — the Second Generation Pack
The idea for the Palisades™ Pack was conceived in 1996 from a request at the Kern River Festival for a dog pack with removable saddlebags and water storage, a novel idea at the time. The result? A trail-ready harness with detachable saddlebags that could be easily removed for river crossings or trail-side breaks. The ergonomic harness chassis supported anatomically correct saddlebags, giving dogs balanced, comfortable carry for all their backcountry endeavors. New additions like breathable mesh that moves naturally with the dog’s body has made the Palisades™ Pack a go-to for multi-day adventures, embodying Ruffwear’s commitment to facilitating the adventure and getting outside with your pup.
1996: A Harness for Houdini Dogs — the Web Master™ Harness
Later that year, Patrick realized that customers were detaching the paneers from the Palisades™ Pack and using it as a standalone harness, so he stripped away the pack-specific features and forged a harness built for comfort and lift and assist. Nicknamed the “Houdini” during early prototyping for its secure fit on dogs who easily escape a typical harness, the Web Master™ Harness stood out with an additional girth strap on the back that goes behind the rib cage, keeping dogs secure in the harness. Innovations like the V-ring and light-loop brought trail-ready toughness to every adventure, while later advances like air channels for increased breathability, and most recently, a third buckle for head-shy dogs, demonstrate how the Web Master™ continues to evolve. From working dogs to high alpine endeavors, it’s a cornerstone piece that proves its reliability in situations that demand performance.
1998: Winter Weather Apparel — the K9 Overcoat™
Our journey with dog apparel began back in 1998, when Patrick set out to design a dog jacket that could withstand the elements and extend outdoor adventures — a big leap from the knit, frumpy acrylic sweaters that dominated the market at the time. That vision came to life in the K9 Overcoat™, which has evolved over the years into the Overcoat Fuse™, a jacket-harness combo perfect for getting outside in cool weather or light precipitation. Fast forward to 2025, and we’re continuing to build on that legacy with new additions like the Climate Changer™ Fleece Jacket and Vest (an expansion on the Climate Changer™ series), designed for everyday warmth and ready to adapt to any climate, condition, or activity.
Evolution Through the Years
Fueled by Purpose
As our collection of performance gear has grown, Ruffwear’s path has intersected with causes that reach far beyond gear itself. We’ve partnered with working dog organizations like Conservation Canines, the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, and Best Friends Animal Society, supporting those who work in wildlife protection, disaster recovery, and shelter rescue.
What began with one person and one product has grown into a team of passionate dog lovers, designers, and problem-solvers — all committed to creating gear that strengthens the bond between dogs and their humans. 31 years into the adventure, we continue to explore what’s next: more inclusive fits, smarter closures, recycled materials, and designs that reflect how dogs and people show up for the adventure. To us, the trail is never just about the destination — it’s about every step we take together and what we discover along the way.
