Are you in the market for a cat backpack and wondering if The Navigator Cat Backpack is the right one for you?
We bought this as my second cat backpack (after a minor poop disaster with our first one) and have a few thoughts about it. It’s definitely better in some regards, but can that justify the steep price tag?
There’s no denying that the Navigator Cat Backpack is EXPENSIVE! There’s also no denying that it’s a good cat backpack. But it does have some aspects that I like a little less…
So, at the end of the day, is it worth the price for you? Here are my honest thoughts on the Travel Cat Navigator Backpack.
Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!
Why We Bought The Navigator Cat Backpack
Like I said, this is our second cat backpack . We started with the Pecute Cat backpack, and honestly, it got the job done for about a third of the price. You can read my full review here.
One day though, our cat had a bit of an accident while travelling to the Sandbanks of Prince Edward County. We reacted very irrationally and threw out the backpack. Take my advice, please don’t ever do that!
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In the moment we didn’t know what to do and panicked. We still had an entire day of travel ahead of us and bought a temporary solution at the closest pet store we could find (this pooch pouch for small dogs!).
Later, when we arrived back home, we decided it was time to invest in a good backpack for him. We felt we had upgraded to the next level on using our backpack. Walk in the purchase of the Navigator Cat Backpack.
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Why We Chose The Navigator Over “The Fat Cat” Cat Backpack?
Your Cat Backpack is more well known for their Fat Cat Backpack. This is the iconic cat backpack with a bubble.
So why didn’t we opt for “The Fat Cat” backpack?
I have a few issues with “The Fat Cat” cat backpack. Don’t hate me, but I don’t love the bubble.
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My digital cat travel planner template has everything you need to travel with your cat: research pet-friendly places, cat packing lists and checklist. You can print it out or use it digitally on your phone, tablet, or computer.
The whole point of taking my cat outside is to have him smell the fresh air and feel like he’s outside. He wouldn’t have been able to do that as much in “The Fat Cat”. (P.S. you can replace the bubble with mesh but it’s still a lot smaller than the air flow on the Navigator).
I think it’s definitely more for cats that aren’t used to being on a harness or going outside. The Navigator feels so open compared to the Fat Cat Backpack!
Plus, the Navigator is branded as the cat backpack for hiking – which is what we were more interested in using it for. We wanted something that had good back support for us on longer walks, and good breathability! Plus we liked that it could hold our water and had very useful pockets (not just for the cat!). But more on all that in a bit!
The Navigator Cat Backpack Features I LOVE
The Navigator Cat Backpack is expensive, but for good reason. It comes with a lot fo good qualities that other cat backpacks don’t have, or just don’t do as well.
It has all the obvious travel cat backpack features like the zipper clips on all the zippers to avoid your cat opening it up. It’s also scratch proof mesh so they can’t rip it with their claws.
On top of those features, you’re also getting some really good quality materials with the Navigator Cat Backpack.
Impressively Comfortable
The comfort is one of the main benefits this cat backpack for hiking or just longer walks with your cat.
The Navigator is very nicely padded and fits around your back. It also comes with straps to take the weight off, but you honestly don’t even need those.
This is a huge change, especially compared to our old backpack where we accepted to be uncomfortable. We’ve walked for over an hour with this backpack without any pain (this wasn’t the case for our old backpack).
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Spacious Base For Kitty Comfort
The Navigator travel cat backpack doesn’t expand but it has a pretty wide base.
We were worried about this because our old backpack expanded and we used that feature quite often. We would expand it at restaurants or in parks, and he loved it!
But, The Navigator has a much wider base than our other backpack did, so he doesn’t even notice it. Plus I think he likes the actual backpack better.
In fact, he goes in the backpack for naps during the day sometimes when we leave it out – which he never did with the old one!
Great Pocket Space – For Water & More!
Another main perk of the Navigator as a travel cat backpack are all the pockets it comes with.
After the disaster with the last backpack, I now know to travel with certain precautionary items. The reason I didn’t have them when disaster struck is because there was just no room for them!
Now I fit everything I ever need (and more!). I’m never out of space. So I can even fit a few things that I need in the backpack (like my massive Thermoflask water bottle – yup, it fits one of those!).
There’s also a pocket to fit your water bladder in – making it an even better cat backpack for hiking!
What’s In My Travel Cat Backpack?
Traveling with your cat? Check out my cat travel planner with a packing list for your furry friend on Etsy here!
Other Bonuses For Traveling!
Some other great features of the Navigator Cat backpack are that it flattens, turns into a duffel, and is airline approved.
I can’t fully comment on any of these because I haven’t really used these features. But they’re definitely nice to have!
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My digital travel planner template has everything you need to plan your vacation and it’s paired with my cat travel planner.
Click Here to see the bundle on Etsy
Folds & Flattens
I’ve only used this feature once so far but is definitely useful on longer drive with your cat.
For short car rides, we keep our cat in hi backpack. But, if we’re going on a longer drive (over an hour) we put him in our large carrier (like this on one Amazon). If we’re tight on space in the car, the Navigator just folds up to just barely take up any space!
Once we arrive at our destination we transfer him bak into the backpack because it’s much easier to carry him. The larger carrier just stays in the car.
Although it’s great that the Navigator folds up, but it’s a bit of a tedious process to put back together. It’s not so bad but it’s harder to do quickly on the fly (compared to our old backpack)!
Turns Into A Duffel…
The Navigator comes with an extra strap to turn the backpack into a duffel bag. This is useful for airline travel and longer car rides to give your cat a bit more space (instead of transferring them into another carrier).
It’s definitely useful to have, but there are a few things I don’t love about how this feature works…
For starters, I wish there was a way to take off the backpack straps. When you use it as a duffel they just end up hanging down…
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On top of that, when you place the bag on the floor, the straps make it a bit more unsteady. And now the potentially dirty floor is touching where you’re back is going to touch when you use it as a backpack again…
The second weirdness with the design is that they say the removable mat folds to fit both ways (backpack and duffel). Although it does fit both ways, it’s not as secure when it’s used for the duffel. It has velcro to fit in perfectly and not move as a backpack, but the velcro isn’t in the right place as a duffel…
Airline Approved
Like I mentioned, this is also made for air travel so it’s for the most part airline approved. There is an asterix next to this point of course because every airline is different and has different requirements.
So if you are flying with your cat, it’s always important to double check with your airline first.
Learn more about that here.
The ultimate cat travel planner!
My digital cat travel planner template has everything you need to travel with your cat: research pet-friendly places, cat packing lists and checklist. You can print it out or use it digitally on your phone, tablet, or computer.
Things I Like Less About The Navigator Cat Backpack
Things aren’t all perfect with the Navigator Cat Backpack, here are some things I like a little less. You can say I’m nit picking here, but it’s just so you have all the facts before making such a big purchase!
The Price…
I feel like this is kind of an obvious one. The Navigator Cat Backpack hella expensive. You get a lot for what you pay for but it’s still not perfect in my mind.
The Navigator cat backpack sells for $150 US ($275 CAD).
It’s a very steep price tag for something that you don’t know if you’re going to like. I think it’s the most expensive backpack I’ve ever bought. I didn’t even spend that much on my travel suitcases!
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The Strap Dangles In Your Cats Face
This is more of a minor frustration and not a deal breaker. It just seems like something that could have been made easier to use.
When you open the mesh in the front, there’s a strap you can use to keep it open. The issue comes when you close the window. That strap that was used to keep the mesh open ends up dangling in front of your cats face.
There is a hook inside the backpack that you can use to keep the strap out of the way – it’s just so hard to find.
Not Easy To Wash…AT ALL!
After a poop incident with our last backpack I was really upset that the removable mat isn’t machine washable.
Usually these mats have a zippered covered you can take off and throw in the wash (our last backpack did anyway). For some reason, this isn’t the case with the Navigator Cat Backpack…instead you have to spot clean or hand wash the mat… (and I reached out to customer service to confirm how to clean it…)
I mean if he poops in there again, there’s no way I’m hand washing that! I don’t really think spot cleaning poop will be enough to get rid of the smell! This just seems like such poor design for such an expensive price tag.
As it is, I line it with a pee pee pad because accidents do happen. But that brings me to my next point…
It’s Not Easy To Keep The Pee Pee Pad In Place
Because of the way the mat is Velcroe-d to stay in place, the pee pee pad doesn’t stay. The second my cat moves, so does the pee pee pad… so what good is that?
Now, not only is it not that easy to clean, but if he does have an accident, the pee pee pad probably won’t save the bag.
The ultimate digital travel planner bundle for you and your cat!
My digital travel planner template has everything you need to plan your vacation and it’s paired with my cat travel planner.
Click Here to see the bundle on Etsy
Too Much Leash Length
My cat has somehow figured out how to take full advantage of being on the leash.
From the main window, he full on hangs outside the backpack. I mean he absolutely LOVES it! I mean he looks relaxed, he can see everything he wants, and he’s safe!
If we open up the top mesh, he’s able to climb up on our shoulders and hang out.
So what’s the problem? When he hangs out of the main window, it adds a lot of weight to the backpack. He pulls you down, and you really notice his weight when he does this.
When he goes out through the top, he’s not fully trained for that. So sometimes he’ll see something and try to chase it – completely falling out. He’s legit been there dangling from the leash outside the backpack. Needless to say, we don’t let him out through the top anymore.
I feel like if they made the leash just a bit shorter these may have been less of an issue – but it all depends on your cat. I’m hoping with a bit extra training, he’ll learn to stay on our shoulder because that’s the most comfortable!
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Is The Navigator The Best Cat Backpack?
I can’t say – obviously, I haven’t tried every cat backpack.
But because it’s so expensive I had such high expectations for it and it’s ultimately not perfect.
It might be the best cat backpack for hiking though. In terms of comfort for longer walks I don’t think other backpacks will compare. You can keep it on your back for a while before feeling it.
The pockets are also a huge advantage – you can fit everything for your cat and some extras for you (like snacks and water!).
Is The Travel Cat Navigator Backpack Worth It For You?
At the end of the day, it depends on you and your cat!
I think before investing in the Navigator, you should really see if you’re cat likes being in a backpack first. We went with the Pecute cat backpack and for what it was (and how much it cost) it really wasn’t bad!
It gave us time to train our cat, and see if he even likes going out. Then when we realized we were going to be out for longer (and wanting to hike with him) we needed a better backpack.
If you already have a cat backpack and looking for an upgrade ask yourself if the Navigator will fix the problem if your current bag. For us, it was all about comfort – the Pecute just wasn’t comfortable for long walks. The Navigator successfully fixed that need!
At the end of the day, you’re paying for quality and comfort with the Navigator travel cat backpack.
Where To Buy The Navigator Cat Backpack?
You can purchase the travel cat backpack directly from their website (even if you’re in Canada). You can also buy it on Amazon.com here.
They often have deals (we got 10% off) and offer free shipping over a certain amount (which is always higher than the backpack).
Shipping to Canada was very easy and quick, they included duties and fees in their costs.
Cat Backpack Alternatives If The Navigator Isn’t For You
If you aren’t ready to spend that much on a backpack, I highly recommend the Pecute cat backpack (see it on Amazon here).
It served us really well. Read my full review here, but we loved that it expanded and our cat got to feel the fresh air and hang out!
He also really loves the Pooch Pouch (updated version is the PupPak). Although it’s meant for dogs, we noticed our cat really likes being in the front instead of the back. Plus, this is a lot more lightweight to carry (that I’m even able to walk with him in it!). It also has a considerably lower price tag! See it on Amazon here.
The ultimate digital travel planner bundle for you and your cat!
My digital travel planner template has everything you need to plan your vacation and it’s paired with my cat travel planner.
Click Here to see the bundle on Etsy
Quick Links – What You’ll Need To Travel With A Cat
Read More Related Posts
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- How To Prepare A Cat For Travel: Training Tips & More
- Everything You Should Know Before Travelling With A Cat: Is It Worth It?
- 15 Important Cat Road Trip Tips To Know Before Staying With A Cat In A Hotel
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Last update on 2024-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API