My Labrador retriever, Parka, has it made. Whenever we venture out into the soggy mountains and forests near our home in the Pacific Northwest, I have to pull on waterproof, breathable storm pants and jacket, and carefully install gaiters over my boot tops. And I have to remember ahead of time to waterproof my boots. Parka, on the other hand, blithely jumps out of the car and is ready to go. Her high-performance rainwear, yellow in her case, comes standard on every Labrador retriever.

Man's best friend leads the way

However, when Parka and I are headed out for a weekend backpacking trip, or an especially long day-hike, even a happy-go-lucky canine like her needs a few basic equipment items. She needs to eat, and she needs something to eat out of, and her owner is smart enough not to want to add her kibbles and other paraphernalia to his already overfull backpack. That's why when Parka heads into the wilderness, she's outfitted like a true trail hound.

More and more, Parka and I are meeting other hiking dogs and their owners out on the trail. It's a trend that outdoor equipment makers are tapping into with a boom in pooch products that range from the essential to the absurd. In the end, safety and comfort are what count, so Parka personally field-tested a slew of products. Each of the following items gets a big paws-up.

Move on to Zuke's Power Bones

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Dan Nelson is editor of Signpost for Northwest Trails, the membership magazine of the Washington Trails Association, and a frequent contributor to outdoor magazines.