Travel Cat The Navigator Convertible Cat Backpack

A structured backpack with mesh windows on three sides, two interior leash clips and zipper clips on every zipper, built for hikes and longer walks.

Who it suits

Confident cats up to 25 pounds that already accept a harness, for owners who hike or walk longer distances and want a padded hip and chest strap.

Key facts

• Holds up to 25 lbs of cat (Travel Cat)
• Breathable mesh windows on three sides for ventilation and visibility (Travel Cat)
• Two interior clips for attaching harnesses or leashes, and zipper clips on all zippers (Travel Cat)
• Adjustable shoulder straps, an extra long waist strap and a chest strap adjustable in height and length (Travel Cat)
• Removable mat, a water reservoir pocket (bladder not included), and it can be carried as a backpack or a traditional carrier with a detachable shoulder strap (Travel Cat)
• Folds flat for storage (Travel Cat)

What reviewers say

CNN Underscored: Michelle Rae Uy tested six cat backpacks over several weeks with her 15 pound cat Arrow, on hikes, errands, neighborhood walks and vet trips (updated July 25, 2025), and named this the best cat backpack. It was the only one Arrow settled and curled up in right away, its four large mesh windows kept it airy, the bottom did not sag with him inside, and its padded straps let her carry it for hours. Her favorite feature: zipper pulls that buckle together to stop escapes. The page does not say whether the unit was a maker sample.

We did not test it ourselves.

Pros

• Best overall pick in CNN Underscored’s hands-on test
• Zipper pulls buckle together, plus two interior leash clips
• Padded back panel and adjustable straps for long carries, per the tester

Cons

• No expandable section, which the tester noted as the one reason to look elsewhere
• No airline fit claim on the maker’s page, so check your airline’s size rules yourself

Good to know

• Never leave your cat in the backpack in a parked car; Cats Protection warns that even a few minutes in a hot car can be fatal (Cats Protection).
• For vet visits, the FelineVMA carrier guide lists backpack carriers among the carriers to avoid, because the cat can move too much and sees too much, so a sturdy carrier with a removable top may suit those trips better (FelineVMA).
• The maker says the two interior clips are for attaching your cat’s harness or leash; clip on before you open a window or the top (Travel Cat).