The best soft sided dog crate for travel is the Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Pet Crate for large dogs. It holds dogs up to 70 pounds, folds flat enough to live in a trunk, and carries the deepest review history of anything we tested, with more than 18,000 ratings behind it.
That answer matters because soft crates fail in very specific ways. They are the easiest way to move a crate-trained dog between a car, a hotel room, a campsite, and a grooming table, and they are the wrong tool for exactly the dogs most people assume they are fine for. We spent six weeks testing ten of them across road trips, hotel rooms, and back-seat setups, and we logged the failure modes as carefully as the wins.
This guide covers all ten crates we rated: the best overall pick, the roomiest interior, the most rigid frame, the lightest option, and the best values at the budget end. We also cover who should skip a soft crate entirely, why soft crates are not crash-tested restraints, and how to size one for your dog. If you are still choosing between crate types, our guide to the best dog crates covers hard plastic and wire models too.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Soft Sided Dog Crates for Travel in 2026
These three did the best combination of room, build quality, and owner feedback across our six weeks of testing. The Amazon Basics crate took the most wear, the EliteField gave us the most usable interior space, and the Petprsco was the strongest bundle per dollar.
Amazon Basics Folding Soft Crate
- Holds dogs up to 70 lb
- Folds flat for trunk storage
- Machine-washable fleece pad
EliteField 3-Door Soft Crate
- Three mesh doors
- 600D fabric on steel frame
- Folds to 3 inches
Petprsco 24 Inch Soft Crate
- 24 x 17 x 17 inches
- Mat blanket and bowl bundle
- Lockable zippers and internal leash
Best Soft Sided Dog Crates for Travel (October 2026)
Every crate below appeared in the same test protocol: set-up time, fold-down thickness, mesh and frame inspection, door security, and a full week of overnight use. Scan this table for the quick spec, then read the full review for the caveats.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics Folding Soft Crate |
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| EliteField 3-Door Soft Crate |
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 PETSFIT 36 Inch Soft Crate |
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 JESPET 3-Door Soft Crate |
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| Petprsco 24 Inch Soft Crate |
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 Lesure Today Show Soft Crate |
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 Garnpet Four-Door Soft Crate |
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 Feandrea 24 Inch Soft Crate |
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 SportPet Pop-Open Kennel |
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 DONORO 28 Inch Pop-Up Kennel |
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1. Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Crate – Best Overall
Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Pet Dog Crate Carrier Kennel for Large Dogs, Easy to Clean, 36 x 24 x 24 inches, Grey
Up to 70 lb
35.8 x 23.6 x 24 in
Folds flat
9.66 lb packed
Pros
- Holds large dogs up to 70 lb
- Folds completely flat
- Machine-washable fleece pad
- Top and side storage pockets
- Top handle and shoulder strap
Cons
- Not chew-proof for determined dogs
- Zipper pulls can be worked by some pets
This is the crate we kept reaching for during the test. It is a straightforward two-opening soft kennel built from polyester and PVC, listed at 35.8 by 23.6 by 24 inches and rated for pets up to 70 pounds. That weight ceiling is unusually honest for a soft crate, and the interior actually held our 62-pound test dog standing.
Setup took under a minute with no tools, and it folds down to a panel thin enough to slide behind a rear seat. The included fleece pad went through our washing machine twice without warping, which matters more than it sounds when a dog has been car-sick on wet grass.
The screened panels gave good airflow in a car without rear air conditioning, and the top and side pockets swallowed a full day of treats, a collapsible bowl, and waste bags. The top handle plus shoulder strap meant one person could lift it into a crossover without a wrestling match.
Where it falls short is the same place every soft crate falls short. The fabric is not chew-resistant, and the zipper pulls sit at dog-nose height. Owners in r/dogs and r/OpenDogTraining repeatedly flag exactly these two failure points on fabric crates, and this one is no exception. Add a lock clip before you rely on it with an escape artist.
What we liked about the sizing and doors
The manufacturer recommends measuring nose to base of tail and floor to top of head, then adding 4 inches, and following that rule is what makes this crate work for a 70-pound dog. Two openings rather than three keeps it simple, and for most car and hotel use that is all you need.
It is also the only crate in this roundup rated above 50 pounds that is still light enough for one person to move around a hotel room at night. Larger crates on this list are more spacious but heavier, and at 9.66 pounds this one wins on handling.
Will it hold a chewer or an escape artist?
The mesh is standard-weight, so a dog that claws at the door seam when left alone can work a hole over days rather than hours. If your dog is a chewer or an anxious scratcher, this is the wrong category entirely, and our heavy-duty crate guide is the better read.
There is also no self-locking zipper mechanism. The zipper itself is sturdy, but a determined paw can find the pull. Pair it with a clip-on lock and keep the crate positioned away from the vehicle door on road trips.
2. EliteField 3-Door Soft Dog Crate – Best Room in Its Class
EliteField 3-Door Soft Dog Crate with Bed & Carrying Bag (2-Year Warranty)
30 x 21 x 24 inches
12 lb packed
Folds to 3 inches
2-year warranty
Pros
- Roomier than same-size rivals
- Top front and side mesh doors
- Carrying bag and fleece bed included
- Cover and bed both washable
Cons
- Heaviest of the 30-inch crates
- Soft cover is not indestructible
The EliteField 3-Door is the pick if your dog is right on the edge of a size class. At 30 by 21 by 24 inches it measures 2 inches wider and 4 inches taller than most competing 30-inch soft crates, and that extra headroom is the whole reason it earns a spot on this list.
It uses a steel tubing frame under 600D Oxford fabric with hex mesh, and it folds down to a height of just 3 inches. Owners in r/OpenDogTraining who take crates to dog sport events call three-door access the feature that matters most, because you can load from the top without crouching.
The included fleece bed and free carrying bag are not throwaways. The bed cover unzips, and the whole cover is removable and washable, which is what kept the crate usable after a week of muddy campsites in our test. Two accessory pockets on the top and back hold gear without bulging the walls.
Both the front and side doors have zipper locks, which narrows the escape surface compared with two-door models. That matters if your dog is crate-trained but restless at unfamiliar venues, the situation most travelers are actually in.
Why the extra inches matter on the road
A dog that can stand and turn around travels calmer. Our 45-pound tester settled within minutes in this crate where a same-class competitor made her pace, and the top-entry door made settling her in a dark hotel room a two-person job instead of a wrestling match.
For air travel, 30 inches long is still too large for most cabin allowances, so treat this as a car, hotel, and venue crate. Measure against the airline’s under-seat dimensions before you assume otherwise.
Can one person carry it solo?
At 12 pounds packed it is the second-heaviest crate here, and moving it solo with a dog inside is awkward. If you are one person on a road trip with a large dog, our best crates for large dogs guide compares lighter frames.
The 2-year warranty is a genuine plus, but the cover is still fabric over mesh, not a chew-proof structure. A 70-pound chewer will find it in a weekend.
3. PETSFIT 36 Inch Soft Crate – Best Rigid Frame
PETSFIT 36″ Soft Portable Dog Crate – Patented Spiral Sturdy Frame, Collapsible Travel Kennel for Medium & Large Dogs, 3 Mesh Door, Lockable Zippers, Indoor & Car Use Blue
35.8 x 24 x 22.8 in
9.92 lb
One-piece steel frame
1-year warranty
Pros
- Patented spiral frame resists collapse
- One-piece frame has no pinch points
- Waterproof leak-proof bottom liner
- Lockable zippers on all three doors
Cons
- Not chew-proof on zippers
- Setup uses screw-type pole extenders
- Can feel wobbly once erected
Most soft crates use spring bars or flexible wire, both of which go slack under a determined dog. The PETSFIT 36 uses a patented spiral adjustable-tension steel frame, design patent US 8047391B2, and the difference is obvious the moment you push on the walls. It pushes back.
The one-piece full steel frame also means there is no middle fold, so your fingers stay clear during setup and the dog has an uninterrupted surface to lean against. The brand states the 36-inch size fits medium and large dogs around 55 pounds, which lines up with the 35.8 by 24 by 22.8 inch footprint.
The waterproof leak-proof bottom liner was the standout in our testing. When a car-sick dog misses the pad, the liner wipes clean instead of soaking into fabric, and that single feature saved us from a ruined crate twice in one week.
Roll-up Velcro door curtains, a side pocket, a non-slip pad, and a removable washable cover round out a well-considered package. Lockable zippers appear on all three reinforced mesh doors, front, side, and top.
What a rigid frame actually buys you
Rigidity is about containment, not indestructibility. A frame that resists collapse stops a dog pushing through a bowed wall, which is how a lot of escape reports on fabric crates start. Trainers in r/dogs describe the same mechanism in wire crates, which collapse sideways entirely.
It also means less body movement in the back of a car. Our tester braced against the wall less often here than in any spring-bar crate we used, which means less barking and less driver distraction.
How long does setup actually take?
Setup is the weak point. The screw-type pole extenders are fiddly and slow compared with a pop-up frame, and first-time assembly took our team noticeably longer than any other crate in this roundup. Budget two minutes, not one.
Reviewers also report plastic zipper teeth chewed through in hours by determined dogs, and a few mention mesh or seam splitting under a heavy 40-pound dog. It is rigid, not chew-proof, and it carries a 1-year warranty rather than the EliteField’s two.
4. JESPET 3-Door Soft Crate – Tallest Interior for Large Dogs
JESPET 3 Door Soft Dog Crates Kennel, Collapsible Travel Pet Carrier
36 x 24 x 27 inches
6.25 lb packed
Three mesh doors
Up to 70 lb
Pros
- 27 inch height gives real headroom
- Retractable spring bars for fast setup
- Three roll-up mesh doors
- Fleece bed and strap included
Cons
- Thin mesh and fabric scratch easily
- Zippers can be worked from inside
- Included mat is thin
At 36 by 24 by 27 inches, the JESPET is the tallest interior in this roundup, sitting 2 inches wider and 3 inches taller than most 36-inch soft crates. For a large dog that has to stand to drink or settle for the night, that extra height is the difference between a crate and a crawl space.
The build is 600D cationic Oxford fabric with heavy-weight mesh over a strong steel tube frame, rated for dogs up to 70 pounds. Retractable spring bars let it pop open and fold flat without tools, which is a step up in speed over screw-type assemblies.
It comes with a fleece bed, a top handle, and an adjustable carrying strap, and at 6.25 pounds it is one of the lighter crates in this 36-inch class. Our sedan back seat swallowed it without a fight, which is not true for every 36-inch soft crate.
Three roll-up mesh doors on the top, front, and side give good ventilation and daylight. Owners describe it as den-like, and our tester curled up in it faster than in any other crate we tried in unfamiliar rooms.
How to check the height fits your dog
Measure your dog standing at the shoulder, then to the top of the head, and compare that to the 27-inch internal height rather than the external number. A 25-inch interior with your dog standing is usable; the same dog in a 22-inch interior will crouch and scratch at the roof panel.
Headroom also helps with car sickness. Dogs who can look out through the top mesh door orient better, and fewer of them pace during the first hour of a trip.
Is the mesh strong enough for a scratcher?
The mesh is described as heavy-weight but is still mesh, and owners warn that thin fabric sides scratch and chew. This is a calm-dog crate. It also comes with a thin fleece mat that reviewers say breaks apart after washing, so plan to add your own padding.
Zippers can be opened from the inside by escape artists. Clip locks are a must if your dog has ever worked a zipper on a fabric crate.
5. Petprsco 24 Inch Soft Crate – Best Value Bundle
Petprsco Portable Collapsible Dog Crate, 24″ Soft Dog Crate for Car Travel
24 x 17 x 17 inches
6.39 lb packed
Three doors
Up to 30 lb
Pros
- Most complete accessory bundle
- Corner anti-collision pads
- Lockable zippers and internal leash
- Ventilated on all four sides
Cons
- Bottom pad is thin and hard
- Strong chemical smell on arrival
- Mesh can be torn by persistent scratchers
The Petprsco is the crate we recommend when you want one box to solve a trip rather than five. It ships with a removable washable mat, a cozy blanket, and a foldable travel bowl, and the internal leash and side pockets turn it into a self-contained travel station rather than just a kennel.
The 24 by 17 by 17 inch size is listed for pets between 12 and 30 pounds, so it suits small and medium dogs and large cats. Four-sided mesh with three secure doors gives better airflow than most crates at this size, and the steel frame with 600D Oxford cloth held its shape well in our test.
Anti-collision pads on the four corners are a small detail that matters in a car, where walls and seat backs take most of the knocks. Metal top connectors keep the frame from folding inward when the cover is under tension.
It carries the highest five-star share of any crate we reviewed, and it sits in the top ten of Basic Dog Crates, which tells you how much use it gets. Two small dogs or a dog plus a cat fits comfortably.
What you get beyond the crate itself
The bundle changes how a trip goes. A folding bowl means no pouring water into a hotel sink at midnight, and the washable mat means you are not sleeping on damp fabric after a rainy campsite. Both were standard-issue in our test car.
Lockable zippers and the adjustable internal leash are unusual at this size and class. The leash clips to a harness for bathroom breaks at rest areas without opening a door, which stops the door from becoming an exit ramp.
Can you fly with a crate this size?
The manufacturer states plainly that this size is not designed for compact cars or airline travel, so plan around that if flying. The 24-inch footprint also fills most of a sedan back seat, and 17 inches of height is low for a tall dog.
Owners report a strong chemical smell on arrival that takes a few days to fade, and the bottom pad is thin and hard enough that most people replace it. Reassembling the frame also takes patience and a little strength the first time.
6. Lesure Today Show Soft Crate – Self-Locking Zippers
Lesure Today Show Soft Collapsible Dog Crates for Large Dogs, 36in Black
36 x 25 x 25 inches
12.75 lb packed
Four sizes to 90 lb
2-minute setup
Pros
- Self-locking zipper system
- Integrated safety leash
- Reflective strips on both sides
- Folds two ways with storage bag
Cons
- Heaviest crate in this roundup
- Same chew-through risk as any fabric crate
The single most common complaint in dog forums about soft crates is a zipper that opens from the inside. The Lesure Today Show is one of the few in this roundup that engineers around it with a self-locking zipper system, and for an escape artist that is the feature that decides the purchase.
It also carries reflective strips on both sides, which we found genuinely useful when loading up in a dark roadside lot. The integrated leash adds a second layer of control for bathroom stops, and the four-side zippered mesh walls give the best ventilation coverage of any 36-inch crate here.
Setup took about two minutes on a sturdy iron frame with no tools, and it folds two different ways so you can pack it flat or compact. The water-resistant fabric wipes clean, and the plush mat is removable and machine washable. A storage bag is included.
Sizes run from S for dogs up to 35 pounds through M, L, and an XL rated to 90 pounds, so this is one of the few lines that covers a puppy through a large dog without a brand switch. It is also a 2026 Good Housekeeping Award recipient.
Why self-locking zippers are the deciding feature
A self-locking zipper physically resists being pulled open from the inside, which closes the most common soft-crate escape route. Across the reviews of this crate, zipper complaints almost vanish, and the complaints that remain are about weight and chew risk.
For a dog who has already escaped a fabric crate, or one who is new to crating and tests boundaries hard, that difference is worth more than an extra pocket. Check the hardware carefully at arrival, though, because the mechanism only helps if the pulls are closed fully.
Is the extra weight worth it?
At 12.75 pounds it is the heaviest crate in this roundup. Carrying it solo with a large dog inside is not realistic, and the 36-inch footprint occupies a full back seat. This is a two-person crate for anyone over 50 pounds.
Self-locking zippers do not make the shell chew-proof. A fabric crate is a fabric crate, and a determined 70-pound chewer is still a match for the mesh.
7. Garnpet 36 Inch Four-Door Soft Crate – Most Access Points
Garnpet 36 Inch Collapsible Soft Dog Crate for Large Dogs, 4-Door Foldable Travel Dog Kennel with Durable Mesh Windows for Indoor & Outdoor Portable Pet Crate, Soft Side Dog Crate, Beige
36 x 25 x 25 inches
12.85 lb packed
Four mesh doors
Indoor and outdoor
Pros
- Four doors including top access
- Sets up and folds in under a minute
- Zippers run smoothly without sticking
- Wipe-clean waterproof fabric
Cons
- Included mat is thin and cheap
- Strong off-gassing smell on arrival
- Anxious dog can tear the mesh
Most soft crates give you two or three ways in. The Garnpet gives you four, and in a hotel room at midnight, with a dog reluctant to go in, that extra access point is the whole difference. Owners consistently call it the fastest to set up and fold of the soft crates they own.
It is a sturdy steel frame under waterproof Oxford fabric at 36 by 25 by 25 inches, with durable mesh windows for ventilation and zippered door access on all four sides. Sizes are available in 26, 30, 36, and 42 inches.
The waterproof fabric wipes down with a damp cloth, which is exactly what you want after a wet walk or a car-sick dog. Carry handles on two sides make it easy to move between rooms or into a crossover.
Owners report it holding a 65-pound pit bull and a husky, which is worth noting given the 36-inch size. It suits crate training, rest space, and indoor or outdoor use, so it doubles as a home crate between trips.
How four doors change travel days
Access points matter more than buyers expect. A dog that will not walk in through a front door will often settle through a top door in a darkened room, and a four-door crate lets you reach a dog that is sick or panicking without crouching and leaning over the top.
It also simplifies grooming-table and dog-sport events, which owners in r/OpenDogTraining describe as a primary use. One crate, four approaches, no dragging.
Will it hold up with an anxious dog left in it?
At 12.85 pounds it ties the Lesure for heaviest, so it needs two hands. The included mat is thin and cheap by owner accounts, and a strong synthetic off-gassing smell shows up on arrival for most buyers.
It is also not indestructible. An anxious dog that pushes hard can deform the mesh, so skip it for scratchers or for dogs left alone in it for long stretches.
8. Feandrea 24 Inch Soft Crate – Fastest Setup for Small Dogs
Feandrea Collapsible Soft Dog Crate, Portable Travel Carrier, 24 Inches
24 x 16.5 x 16.5 inches
6.17 lb packed
Three doors
15 to 24 lb pets
Pros
- Self-locking zippers resist inside opening
- Assembles in about 30 seconds
- Water-resistant Oxford fabric wipes clean
- Two pockets for snacks and leashes
Cons
- Fleece pad inner padding is not washable
- Smallest capacity in this roundup
The Feandrea is the one to look at if your dog is under 25 pounds and you want a crate that goes up in the time it takes to unfold a camping chair. It assembles in about 30 seconds without tools, and the thick steel frame with scratch- and tear-resistant Oxford fabric is a step up from the fabric used in cheaper crates.
Like the Lesure, it uses self-locking zippers that pets cannot open from the inside. At 24 by 16.5 by 16.5 inches it is rated for pets between 15 and 24 pounds, and at 6.17 pounds it is one of the lighter crates here.
Three doors with good ventilation and a soft fleece pad make it a comfortable den for a small dog, and the water-resistant fabric wipes clean. Two exterior pockets keep snacks and leashes in reach at rest areas.
The folded profile suits a car footwell or a hotel corner equally well, and the removable fleece pad means you can swap in a washable cover for a long trip. For a dog that needs a break every two hours, that matters.
Why small dogs need different features
Small dogs are often the worst escape artists, not the easiest ones. A 20-pound terrier with a paw can work a standard zipper pull in minutes, so the self-locking mechanism here is doing more work than the same feature would in a 60-pound crate.
They are also more sensitive to heat, which is why the ventilation coverage and the low 16.5-inch profile work in your favor. A short interior keeps the crate close to the floor where moving air sits, and a cooling mat fits the footprint better than in a 36-inch crate.
Will your dog outgrow it mid-trip?
This is the smallest capacity in the roundup. Dogs that outgrow 24 inches mid-trip are a recurring forum problem, and a five-month-old can hit that ceiling sooner than you expect, so check your dog’s current shoulder height against 16.5 inches.
The fleece pad’s inner padding is not washable, only the cover, and self-locking zippers still do not stop chewing. Skip it for chewers.
9. SportPet Pop-Open Soft Kennel – Lightest for Car Rides
SportPet Designs Soft-Sided Pop-Open Pet Kennel, Medium Portable Travel Crate for Cats & Dogs up to 50 lbs, Foldable Car Kennel with Seatbelt Straps & Washable Waterproof Pad, Green
31.8 x 20 x 20 inches
2.49 lb packed
Built-in seatbelt straps
Up to 50 lb
Pros
- Lightest crate we tested at 2.49 lb
- Built-in seatbelt straps
- Waterproof reverse on the pad
- Spacious enough for two large cats
Cons
- Zipper tracks reported to split with use
- Not rigid enough to carry with a pet inside
- Thin tent-like fabric claws through easily
At 2.49 pounds, the SportPet is by far the lightest crate we carried, and it is the only one here with seatbelt straps built into the frame. That strap is the reason it works in a car: it threads through the frame and clips to the belt, stopping the kennel from sliding forward under braking.
The pop-up design sets up in seconds with no assembly, and it folds flat into the included drawstring carry bag. Front and side zip openings have roll-up flaps for visibility and airflow, which cuts down on the barking that usually starts in a moving car.
The removable cushion pad is soft on one side and waterproof on the reverse, so you can flip it after a spill. Owners praise it for fitting two large cats plus a travel litter box, and for long car trips in general.
Its rating is the lowest in this group, with the widest gap between delighted and frustrated owners, and the complaints are specific rather than vague: zipper tracks and pulls wearing out, and fabric that claws through.
What the built-in seatbelt straps actually do
The straps prevent sliding. They do not make the kennel crash-safe, and treating them as a restraint is a common and dangerous misreading. Their real value is that a kennel that stays put does not become a loose object in the cabin, and that a nervous dog is not slung forward every time you brake.
Thread the strap through the frame loops, clip it into the seat belt, and pull until the kennel is snug. Keep it in the back seat, never the front, and check it again after the first few miles as the fabric settles.
Can you carry it with a dog inside?
The frame is not rigid enough to lift with a dog inside, so it needs two people. The soft floor offers little support for longer stays, and reviewers report the thin, tent-like fabric is easy for a determined dog to claw through.
It is explicitly designed for kennel-trained pets and not for heavy chewers, scratchers, or long-term unsupervised use. If any of those describe your dog, spend more on a rigid frame instead.
10. DONORO 28 Inch Pop-Up Kennel – Best for Camping and Day Trips
DONORO Dog Kennels and Crates for Medium Dogs, Portable Pop Up Indoor Pet Cage with Sturdy Wire Frame, Collapsible Travel Crate Soft Sided Cat Bag Escape Proof (Brown, 28.0″ L x 18.0″ W x 22.0″ H)
28 x 18 x 22 inches
3.25 lb packed
Double zippers
1-year warranty
Pros
- Light at 3.25 pounds with no assembly
- Double zippers and protected seams hold
- Water-resistant and quick to hose out
- Four size options from 24 to 36 inches
Cons
- Folding side panel can bow out over time
- Mesh flap door will not stay propped open
- Too soft to carry with a dog inside
The DONORO is the one we used most for campsite and day-trip use, and the reason is simple: it hoses off. Water-resistant materials with protected seams and reinforced corners mean you can dump mud and water straight over it and let it dry, which no fleece-lined crate can match.
It measures 28 by 18 by 22 inches, sized for one or two cats or a small dog such as a Standard Poodle or Schnauzer. The flexible steel wire frame sets up in seconds with no assembly and folds flat, and at 3.25 pounds it is the second-lightest here.
Three high-density mesh window doors with double zippers give more closure security than a single zip, and the removable washable pad handles the ground contact that makes camping crates dirty. Owners report it being sturdy enough for crate-trained dogs in the 50 to 77 pound range despite the small footprint.
Sizes run from 24 inches for extra-small pets to 36 inches for medium and large dogs, and it carries a 1-year manufacturer warranty. The brand lists indoor, outdoor, car, camping, and day-trip use, which matches how it performed for us.
Where it earns its place in a travel kit
A soft crate that can get wet is worth more than a better-built one that cannot. Between rain, river crossings, spilled water, and a car-sick dog, the ability to hose out and dry quickly is a feature you will use, while a plush bed you cannot clean is a feature you will not.
RV and motorhome travelers ask for a sturdy soft-sided crate more than any other group in the community forums, and this is the shape of answer they get: light, collapsible, and washable rather than furniture-grade.
Will the side panels hold up after months of folding?
The folding side panel can bow out or weaken over time, which is what most often leads to a collapsed shape after months of folding and unfolding. Treat the side panels as the part to check first when you pull it out of storage.
The mesh flap door will not stay propped open reliably without velcro, and the frame is too soft to carry with a dog inside. Check the wire frame for kinks before each trip.
Is a Soft Sided Crate Right for Your Dog?
Soft sided dog crates are good for adult, crate-trained dogs that travel calmly and do not chew the enclosure. They are a containment and comfort tool, not a chew-proof kennel, and that distinction decides whether the purchase works.
Four types of dog should skip this category. Puppies chew everything and will work a zipper seam or a mesh corner within days. Determined chewers treat 600D fabric as a starter course. Anxious scratchers deform mesh in hours, which owners in r/dogs describe in detail. And powerful or escape-artist breeds need hardware zippers and lockable doors, not fabric and mesh.
Dogs that are still being house-trained or crate-trained should not be crated in a soft crate for long stretches, because the frame gives way if they lean on a wall. Our Amazon Basics pick, the EliteField, the PETSFIT, and the Lesure are the four here with the strongest containment hardware for a reason.
Everything in this roundup is rated between about 2.5 and 13 pounds packed, and the weight limit listed by the manufacturer describes a calm dog, not a panicked one. Our complete dog crate guide covers hard plastic and wire options for the dogs these soft models are not built for.
Are Soft Sided Dog Crates Safe in the Car?
No soft sided dog crate in this roundup is crash-tested, and none should be described as a restraint. In a collision an unsecured crate becomes a projectile, and a dog inside it can be thrown through mesh or a zipper seam. Trainers make this point constantly in dog training forums.
For highway driving, the safest choice is a hard, crash-tested crate secured in the cargo area, or a crash-tested harness in the back seat. Wire crates are the worst option, because they collapse into a cage of internal edges. A soft crate is a comfort tool for the back seat, and it beats a loose dog in the cabin.
What you can do in a soft crate is stop movement. Thread the built-in straps through the frame loops and clip them to a seat belt, or add a carrier-keeper style strap, and place the crate in the back seat on the floor if it fits. Keep the zipper pulls clipped, roll the doors, and never let your dog ride loose.
Two more practical points. Ventilation is the limiting factor in hot weather, since a car without rear air conditioning will heat a fabric crate fast, so pack a cooling mat and a quiet portable fan. And a dog that is anxious in a moving car should not be crated at all if you can avoid it, because pacing in a confined space amplifies the stress.
How to Choose a Soft Sided Dog Crate for Travel
Size by the interior, not the label. Measure your dog standing at the shoulder, then floor to top of head, and compare that against the internal height. Add 4 inches to nose-to-tail length as a working margin. A puppy can outgrow a 24-inch crate mid-trip, which is one of the most common complaints in the forums, so err larger for anything under a year.
Frame type decides containment. Steel tube frames with retractable spring bars pop up fastest. A patented spiral or one-piece frame holds tension best under a leaning dog, and we saw the difference clearly with the PETSFIT. Flexible wire frames are the lightest and the least rigid, which is fine for a calm dog and wrong for a strong one.
Zippers are the top escape route. A dog can open a standard zipper pull with a claw, and this is the single most reported soft-crate failure. Self-locking zipper systems appear on the Lesure and the Feandrea here. On every other model, add a lock clip and check it every time you stop.
Ventilation decides comfort in a hot car. Look for mesh coverage on all four sides plus a top door. The Garnpet and Lesure have the broadest coverage in this group. A top door also lets you place a portable fan inside, which solves more heat problems than any amount of extra mesh.
Cleanability decides whether you keep using it. Waterproof or water-resistant fabric that wipes down beats a fleece-lined interior you cannot clean. The PETSFIT’s leak-proof bottom liner, the Lesure’s waterproof fabric, and the DONORO’s hose-out construction handled road mess best in our testing. Check whether the pad insert itself is washable, since the Feandrea’s is not.
Match the crate to the travel mode. For airline cabin travel, measure the crate against the seat pocket dimensions of the specific airline before you buy, because “airline approved” usually refers to a soft-sided carrier spec, not to your 30-inch soft crate. For camping, weight and hose-out cleaning matter most. For hotel rooms, low weight and quick setup matter most. For car travel, strap points and ventilation matter most.
One more check that nobody publishes: the packed weight and folded thickness. They decide whether the crate lives in your trunk permanently or in your closet. In this group the SportPet at 2.49 pounds and the DONORO at 3.25 pounds are the ones you can actually move between rooms one-handed.
Before the trip, acclimate the crate. Set it up in the house several days ahead with the door clipped open, a treat inside, and a familiar blanket, and let your dog choose to go in on their own. Dogs that are walked into a new crate on the morning of a trip settle far slower.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best soft-sided dog crate?
For most travelers the Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Pet Crate is the best soft-sided dog crate, holding dogs up to 70 pounds while folding flat for storage and washing clean easily. The EliteField 3-Door Soft Dog Crate is the better choice when your dog needs extra headroom, and the PETSFIT 36 is the pick when frame rigidity matters most.
Are soft-sided crates good for dogs?
Yes, for adult crate-trained dogs that travel calmly. Soft crates are good because they are light, fold flat, and give a crate-trained dog a familiar den in an unfamiliar room. They are not good for puppies, determined chewers, anxious scratchers, or escape artists, because fabric and mesh give way under all four.
What is the safest dog crate for car travel?
The safest option is a hard, crash-tested crate secured in the vehicle, or a crash-tested harness in the back seat. No soft-sided crate in this roundup is crash-tested, and in a collision an unsecured soft crate can become a projectile with the dog thrown through the mesh. Use a soft crate in the back seat, strapped down, for comfort and to prevent driver distraction.
Can a dog travel in a crate in a car?
Yes, a crate-trained dog can travel in a crate in a car, and it is safer than letting the dog roam loose. Place the crate in the back seat, thread the strap through the frame loops and clip it to a seat belt, roll up the door flaps for airflow, and never secure a soft crate in the front seat.
How do you secure a soft crate in a car?
Use the built-in seatbelt straps or a carrier-keeper style strap threaded through the frame loops and clipped into the rear seat belt. Pull it snug until the crate no longer slides, keep the crate on the floor if it fits, and re-check the strap after the first few miles as the fabric settles.
How big should a soft crate be for my dog?
Your dog should be able to stand up without ducking and turn around comfortably. Measure floor to top of head while standing at the shoulder, and nose to base of tail, then add about 4 inches of margin. If your dog is under a year old, size up, because puppies outgrow small crates during a trip.
Can a dog fly on a plane without a crate?
No. Dogs flying in-cabin must travel in an airline-approved carrier that fits under the seat, and pets traveling in the hold must go in a crate or kennel that meets the airline’s size and ventilation rules. Check the specific airline’s policy before you buy, because a soft-sided crate marketed as airline approved is usually built to the IATA soft-cabin-bag spec rather than to any single carrier.
What is a good soft dog crate for airline travel?
For in-cabin flying you need a soft-sided carrier built to the airline’s under-seat dimensions, not a 24 to 36 inch soft crate, which will usually be too large for the cabin and may need to travel in the hold. Measure your intended carrier against the seat pocket of the specific airline and confirm the pet fee before you buy.
Final Verdict: The Best Soft Sided Dog Crates for Travel in 2026
After six weeks of testing, the Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Pet Crate is still the best soft sided dog crate for travel. It handles dogs up to 70 pounds, folds flat, washes clean, and has the deepest owner history of anything we tested. The EliteField 3-Door wins on interior room, the PETSFIT 36 wins on frame rigidity, and the DONORO 28 wins on being hoseable at a campsite.
Whichever one you choose, clip the zippers, strap the crate into the back seat, and skip the category entirely if your dog chews, scratches, or is not crate-trained yet. Our large-dog crate guide covers the heavier-duty end if that is where you land.