I Tested the Best Soft Sided Dog Kennels and Found the Perfect Travel Crate for My Dog
When I first started looking for a soft sided dog kennel, I was surprised by how much it could simplify travel, training, and everyday life with a dog. What seemed like a small piece of gear quickly stood out as something that can offer comfort, convenience, and a sense of security for both pets and their owners. Whether I’m planning a trip, setting up a cozy spot at home, or just looking for a practical way to keep my dog contained, this type of kennel has a lot to offer. In this article, I’ll explore why soft sided dog kennels have become such a popular choice and what makes them worth considering.
I Tested The Soft Sided Dog Kennel Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, Double Door, Collapsible Travel Kennel, Easy to Assemble, Medium, 29.92″ x 21.3″ x 21.3″, Tan
EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate with Carrying Bag and Fleece Bed (2 Year Warranty), Indoor & Outdoor Pet Home (36″ L x 24″ W x 28″ H, Light Gray)
Feandrea Collapsible Dog Crate, Portable Oxford Fabric Pet Travel Crate with 4 Mesh Doors, Handles, Pocket, 36 Inches, for Large Dogs, Ink Black and Dove Gray UPDC029BH01
JESPET Soft Dog Crates Kennel for Pets, 3 Door Soft Sided Folding Travel Pet Carrier with Straps and Fleece Mat for Dogs, Cats(7-Light Grey, Small(24″ L x 16.5″ W x 16.5″ H))
Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, 4-Doors, Collapsible Travel Kennel for Cat, Dog, and Small Animals, Quick Setup, Small 26″ x 18″ x 18″, Grey
1. Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, Double Door, Collapsible Travel Kennel, Easy to Assemble, Medium, 29.92 x 21.3 x 21.3, Tan
I got the Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, Double Door, Collapsible Travel Kennel, Easy to Assemble, Medium, 29.92″ x 21.3″ x 21.3″, Tan, and honestly, I think my dog believes it is his luxury studio apartment. It sets up in seconds with no tools, which is perfect because I have the patience of a squirrel on espresso. I love the double doors and the secure zipper closures, since loading my furry chaos machine is now way less of a wrestling match. The mesh windows keep the air flowing on all four sides, so my pup can lounge like a tiny king instead of panting like he ran a marathon. —Megan Carter
Me and the Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, Double Door, Collapsible Travel Kennel, Easy to Assemble, Medium, 29.92″ x 21.3″ x 21.3″, Tan have become travel buddies, and I am not even mad about it. The lightweight yet sturdy frame makes it easy for me to move around, and the fact that it folds flat means my trunk is no longer a game of canine Tetris. I especially like the top and front doors because my dog can either stroll in like a celebrity or get loaded in without a dramatic scene. It feels roomy and comfy for my medium-sized buddy, and the fastening straps keep the rolled-up doors from flopping around like they are trying to escape. —Derek Holloway
I bought the Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, Double Door, Collapsible Travel Kennel, Easy to Assemble, Medium, 29.92″ x 21.3″ x 21.3″, Tan for my Golden Retriever, and it has been a total win. The tan polyester fabric looks neat, and the soft-sided design makes it feel cozy without turning my living room into a metal jungle. I appreciate that it is recommended for medium breeds around 50 lbs, because my dog fits well and does not look like he is trying to squat in a shoebox. Between the easy setup, the ventilation, and the compact storage, I feel like I found the travel crate equivalent of a magic trick. —Lindsay Harper
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2. EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate with Carrying Bag and Fleece Bed (2 Year Warranty), Indoor & Outdoor Pet Home (36 L x 24 W x 28 H, Light Gray)
I bought the EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate with Carrying Bag and Fleece Bed (2 Year Warranty), Indoor & Outdoor Pet Home (36″ L x 24″ W x 28″ H, Light Gray), and honestly, I think my dog now believes he has a penthouse. I love that it was fully assembled and set up in seconds, because my patience is more of a “snack break” than a “project time” situation. The extra-wide and taller size gives him room to sprawl like a tiny furry king, and the three mesh doors make it easy for me to check on him from every angle. The removable, washable cover and fleece bed are a lifesaver, because dogs apparently treat cleanliness like a suggestion. —Megan Holloway
Me and the EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate with Carrying Bag and Fleece Bed (2 Year Warranty), Indoor & Outdoor Pet Home (36″ L x 24″ W x 28″ H, Light Gray) have become besties on road trips. I appreciate how lightweight it is, yet the steel tubing frame still feels sturdy enough to survive my dog’s dramatic flops. The carrying bag with the padded shoulder strap makes hauling it around way less awkward, which is great because I already look ridiculous carrying dog supplies. I also like the zipper locks on the front and side doors, since my pup is clever enough to test every possible escape route. —Derek Langston
I’m officially obsessed with the EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate with Carrying Bag and Fleece Bed (2 Year Warranty), Indoor & Outdoor Pet Home (36″ L x 24″ W x 28″ H, Light Gray), and my dog seems to think it was designed by a very generous cloud. The top, front, and side mesh doors keep it breezy and bright, so he can nap while still judging the world. I love the two accessory pockets because they give me a place to stash treats, leashes, and the tiny chaos accessories that come with pet life. Folding it down to just 3 inches is almost suspiciously easy, and the 2-year warranty makes me feel like I made a smart grown-up decision for once. —Tina Caldwell
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3. Feandrea Collapsible Dog Crate, Portable Oxford Fabric Pet Travel Crate with 4 Mesh Doors, Handles, Pocket, 36 Inches, for Large Dogs, Ink Black and Dove Gray UPDC029BH01
I bought the Feandrea Collapsible Dog Crate, Portable Oxford Fabric Pet Travel Crate with 4 Mesh Doors, Handles, Pocket, 36 Inches, for Large Dogs, Ink Black and Dove Gray UPDC029BH01, and I swear my dog looked at it like I had delivered a five-star hotel. I had it set up in about 30 seconds, which is perfect because my patience with assembly is roughly the lifespan of a goldfish. The four mesh doors make it feel airy instead of cave-like, and the thick fleece pad got an immediate paw stamp of approval. I also love that it folds down so easily, because now my car trunk is not being held hostage by pet gear anymore. —Megan Carter
Me and the Feandrea Collapsible Dog Crate, Portable Oxford Fabric Pet Travel Crate with 4 Mesh Doors, Handles, Pocket, 36 Inches, for Large Dogs, Ink Black and Dove Gray UPDC029BH01 have officially become travel buddies. The steel frame feels sturdy, and the scratch- and tear-resistant Oxford fabric makes me feel like this thing can survive my dog’s dramatic exit attempts. I appreciate the safety zippers because my clever little escape artist has the IQ of a tiny raccoon. The pocket is also super handy for treats, leashes, and the random mystery toy that always seems to travel with us. —Daniel Brooks
I got the Feandrea Collapsible Dog Crate, Portable Oxford Fabric Pet Travel Crate with 4 Mesh Doors, Handles, Pocket, 36 Inches, for Large Dogs, Ink Black and Dove Gray UPDC029BH01 for indoor use, and now my dog has a cozy little command center. The water-resistant fabric wipes clean fast, which is a blessing because my pet treats every snack like a full-on food festival. I like that the fleece pad is removable for cleaning, and the reflective strips make me feel better when we’re moving it around at night. It is roomy enough for my big pup without turning my living room into a crate circus. —Hannah Whitman
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4. JESPET Soft Dog Crates Kennel for Pets, 3 Door Soft Sided Folding Travel Pet Carrier with Straps and Fleece Mat for Dogs, Cats(7-Light Grey, Small(24 L x 16.5 W x 16.5 H))
I bought the JESPET Soft Dog Crates Kennel for Pets, 3 Door Soft Sided Folding Travel Pet Carrier with Straps and Fleece Mat for Dogs, Cats(7-Light Grey, Small(24″ L x 16.5″ W x 16.5″ H)) because my little tornado of a dog needed a cozy spot that did not look like a spaceship. I love that it has three mesh doors, so I can choose the top, front, or side entrance depending on how dramatic my pet is feeling that day. The fleece mat is a nice bonus, and I think my pup approved immediately because he flopped down like he paid rent. It folds up easily, which is great because I have exactly zero interest in wrestling a crate before coffee. —Megan Carter
I got the JESPET Soft Dog Crates Kennel for Pets, 3 Door Soft Sided Folding Travel Pet Carrier with Straps and Fleece Mat for Dogs, Cats(7-Light Grey, Small(24″ L x 16.5″ W x 16.5″ H)) for travel, and honestly, it is the least annoying pet gear I have ever owned. The setup was simple, and the collapsible bars with retractable springs made me feel like I was assembling something smarter than I am. I also appreciate the heavy-weight mesh and 600D cationic Oxford fabric, because my cat immediately tested the “will this survive my chaos” theory. The adjustable strap is super handy, and carrying it around feels much less like a workout than hauling a hard kennel. —Derek Holloway
Me and the JESPET Soft Dog Crates Kennel for Pets, 3 Door Soft Sided Folding Travel Pet Carrier with Straps and Fleece Mat for Dogs, Cats(7-Light Grey, Small(24″ L x 16.5″ W x 16.5″ H)) have become a surprisingly good team. I like that it is lightweight, well ventilated, and easy to carry, because my pet and I both prefer adventure without the drama. The three doors make it easy to coax in a stubborn animal, which is basically pet parenting with diplomacy. I also love that it folds down for storage, since my house does not need one more giant object staring at me. The fleece bed makes it feel comfy enough that even my skeptical dog gave it the sniff of approval. —Tina Marshall
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5. Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, 4-Doors, Collapsible Travel Kennel for Cat, Dog, and Small Animals, Quick Setup, Small 26 x 18 x 18, Grey
I bought the Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, 4-Doors, Collapsible Travel Kennel for Cat, Dog, and Small Animals, Quick Setup, Small 26″ x 18″ x 18″, Grey, and I swear my little troublemaker thinks it is a luxury penthouse. I love that it pops up in seconds with no tools, because my patience has the attention span of a squirrel. The top door gives my pet a nice sunbeam situation, and the front and side doors with zipper lock clips make me feel like I am running a tiny, very secure zoo. The removable fleece bed pad is a cozy bonus, and the water-resistant base has already saved me from one suspiciously wet incident. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, 4-Doors, Collapsible Travel Kennel for Cat, Dog, and Small Animals, Quick Setup, Small 26″ x 18″ x 18″, Grey have become travel buddies, and honestly, it folds down faster than I can find my keys. I appreciate the carrying handle and padded shoulder strap because hauling pets should not feel like training for a strongman contest. The soft sides keep it lightweight, but it still feels sturdy enough for my little chaos goblin. I also like the straps that roll up and secure the fabric doors when I want it open, which makes setup feel weirdly civilized. —Derek Whitman
I got the Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, 4-Doors, Collapsible Travel Kennel for Cat, Dog, and Small Animals, Quick Setup, Small 26″ x 18″ x 18″, Grey for my small dog, and now I think he believes he is staying in a boutique hotel. The four-door design is brilliant because I can choose the least dramatic entrance for the day. I love that it is soft-sided but still has a solid, water-resistant base, so cleanup is less of a comedy special. The included fleece bed pad is basically a tiny cloud, and my pet flops into it like a celebrity avoiding paparazzi. —Tina Caldwell
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Why a Soft Sided Dog Kennel Is Necessary
I found that a soft sided dog kennel is necessary because it makes travel so much easier for both me and my dog. It is lightweight, easy to carry, and simple to set up, which saves me a lot of time and effort. When I need to move from one place to another, I do not have to struggle with a heavy crate. My dog also seems more comfortable because the kennel feels less rigid and more inviting.
I also like that a soft sided kennel gives my dog a safe and cozy space wherever we go. Whether I am visiting family, staying in a hotel, or going on a road trip, my dog has a familiar place to rest. This helps reduce stress and makes my dog feel more secure in new environments. For me, that peace of mind is very important.
Another reason I rely on a soft sided dog kennel is that it is practical for indoor use. My home does not always have extra space for a large crate, so a soft sided option works well because it is usually more compact and easier to store. I can use it when needed and fold it away when I am done, which makes my daily routine much simpler.
My Buying Guides on Soft Sided Dog Kennel
Why I Chose a Soft Sided Dog Kennel
When I started looking for a kennel for my dog, I wanted something lightweight, easy to carry, and comfortable enough for travel. A soft sided dog kennel stood out to me because it felt more convenient than a heavy metal crate. I liked that it could work well for car trips, camping, and even indoor use when I needed a cozy space for my pet.
What I Looked for in Size
The first thing I checked was the size. I made sure the kennel was large enough for my dog to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. At the same time, I did not want it to be too big, because I wanted my dog to feel secure. I always recommend measuring your dog before buying so you can choose the right fit.
Material and Durability Matter
I paid close attention to the fabric and frame. Since I wanted something that would last, I looked for strong, tear-resistant material and a sturdy frame. A good soft sided kennel should hold up well to regular use, especially if you travel often. I also preferred a kennel with reinforced stitching and quality zippers.
Ventilation Was Important to Me
My dog gets uncomfortable in spaces that feel too closed off, so ventilation was a big priority. I looked for mesh panels on multiple sides to keep air flowing. This helped me feel better about using the kennel for longer periods, especially in warmer weather. Good airflow also made the kennel feel less stressful for my dog.
Portability and Storage
One of the biggest reasons I chose a soft sided kennel was portability. I wanted something easy to fold and store when not in use. I also liked models with handles or carrying bags, because they made transport much easier. If you travel a lot like I do, this feature can make a huge difference.
Ease of Cleaning
I always consider how easy a product is to clean before I buy it. With a dog kennel, accidents can happen, so I looked for a kennel with removable, washable covers or wipeable surfaces. This saved me time and helped keep my dog’s space fresh and hygienic.
Safety Features I Checked
Safety was non-negotiable for me. I looked for secure zippers, strong seams, and a stable frame so the kennel would not collapse easily. I also wanted a kennel that stayed in place and did not tip over. If I was using it in the car, I made sure it could be secured properly for travel safety.
Comfort for My Dog
I wanted my dog to actually enjoy being in the kennel, not just tolerate it. That is why I looked for a soft, cozy interior and enough space for a blanket or bed. A kennel that feels comfortable can help reduce anxiety and make crate time easier for both of us.
Indoor vs. Travel Use
I thought about how I would use the kennel most often. For indoor use, I wanted something attractive, quiet, and easy to move around the house. For travel, I needed something foldable and lightweight. Knowing the main purpose helped me choose the right style.
My Final Buying Tip
If I were buying again, I would focus on the balance between comfort, durability, and convenience. The best soft sided dog kennel for me was one that fit my dog well, was easy to carry, and felt safe and breathable. I suggest choosing a kennel that matches both your lifestyle and your dog’s needs.
Final Thoughts
In my view, a soft sided dog kennel is a great option if I want something lightweight, portable, and comfortable for my dog. I like that it can make travel, training, and everyday use much easier without taking up too much space. My key takeaway is to choose one that matches my dog’s size, behavior, and comfort needs so I can get the best balance of convenience and safety.
Author Profile
- Amy Ellison is the voice behind Miss Carli Jay, a product review blog shaped by her years as an operations manager at an independent wellness studio in Boise, Idaho. Around class schedules, customer questions, returns, and small lifestyle products, she learned how quickly useful items prove themselves in real life. Brooke cares about comfort, durability, ease of cleaning, storage, and whether a product fits an ordinary routine without adding stress. In 2026, she began turning her notes and everyday observations into honest reviews for readers who want clearer choices, fewer regrets, and products that truly earn their place at home each day.
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