Adventure Pets: Yakima Products Uniquely Suited for the Dog-Days of Summer

Regardless of your interest level in the growth of consumer markets, there’s one recent trend you likely haven’t been able to miss: DOGS.

That’s right, man’s best friend has perhaps never been more popular than right now. Public (and private) spaces, like hotels, restaurants, and retail shops are noticeably more dog-friendly these days, with special accommodations and complimentary treats becoming the new norm. Honestly, I meet pups at the airport with more flying experience (and better manners) than most humans. And let’s not even try to unpack the whole doggie daycare phenomenon currently gripping the country.

From ergonomic beds and BPA-free chew toys, to NHTSA-approved car harnesses and gluten-free cookies, humans have officially designated dogs as not just mere pets, but valued family members. The American Pet Products Association estimates that Americans will spend roughly $75.38 billion on their pets in 2019. And while not all of that pertains to puppers, I think we can agree they’ll be taking a pretty big piece of the pie. (Which they will eat immediately before sincerely begging for more.)

So, what does this data have to do with Yakima products?

Well, long at the forefront of market trends, Yakima—very smartly—has been incorporating dogs into its marketing, building brand awareness one wagging tail at a time. Often using the hashtag, #neverleavethedogbehind, the company encourages outdoor enthusiasts to share photos of their pets tagging along for adventures, while making the most of their Yakima gear.

“But lots of companies use dogs in their advertising,” you might think. “What makes Yakima so special?”

Yakima isn’t just capitalizing on an adorable face. The company actually has canine brand ambassadors on social media. Affectionately dubbed “Adventure Pets,” these dogs (and a cat named Baloo) head off the grid with their humans, showcasing how Yakima products are specially designed with not only your safety and comfort in mind—but that of your furry friends, too.

SkyRise Tents Give Pets a Whole New Point of View

For example, we’re likely all familiar with Yakima’s excellent line of SkyRise tents. Ruggedly constructed of weatherproof material, they are the ultimate in rooftop camping. But did you know that just because you opted for an elevated tent, doesn’t mean your four-legged companion has to stay at home?

The secret? “Put a yoga mat over the hood and windshield, give them a boost, and they can walk right up and go through the side window,” advises the company. And as RackPack Ambassadors, Henry and Baloo’s owner Cynthia Bennett points out, when camping with animals, “That zip off mattress cover? Extremely important!”

If this has you itching to take your doggo on an off-grid adventure ASAP, you might be interested to learn that Yakima products now include two new tent additions. The SkyRise HD Tents in Medium and Small, feature a heavier duty fabric construction than their predecessors (hence the “HD”). Using 600D Ripstop polyester in lieu of the traditional 210D nylon, they also sport extra-large windows and doors for epic views and better ventilation. (Another detail you might want to consider when sleeping next to a pup who enjoys rolling in foreign substances.)

The small tent accommodates two people (up to 400 pounds), while the medium sleeps three (up to 600 pounds).

New Truck Racks Offer Reliable Support

If you’re a truck owner looking for a durable and strong bed rack to support an elevated tent system, Yakima’s got you covered there as well—again, with two new products.

The BedRock HD has a sleek, low-profile design that offers 300-lb. on-road capacity and a platform for bikes, cargo, or a SkyRise tent, all while preserving valuable in-bed storage underneath. “This powerhouse truck rack provides strength and security, easily-accessible tie-down points, and T-slot attachment capability that makes adding gear easy,” says Yakima. All without the need for any drilling, welding, or hair-pulling installation nonsense. And at $240, it sits at a price point most adventurers can work with.

Also new is the OutPost HD truck rack. A little further upmarket at $500, this unit sits higher up to allow easier bed access, as well as accessory side mounts. “The OutPost HD truck rack is a firmly engineered foundation for a fully loaded overland rack system,” says the company. With a 500-lb. on-road carrying capacity, easy clamp-on installation, and T-slot attachment potential, it easily accommodates all your Yakima products and, of course, any adventure pets tagging along for the ride. (Did we mention it has a built-in bottle opener…?)

And back to those pets…

It’s important to remember that our furry friends have limitations. Namely, opposable thumbs and the ability of speech. When traveling with your dog, there are many safety and comfort conditions to keep in mind, but a big one is fresh water and plenty of shade on those hot days. The SlimShady awning—an affordable SkyRise accessory offered by Yakima—is a great add-on for outdoorsy types visiting hot locales with their pups. “They make setting up camp a breeze and a lot more comfortable,” explains Bennett. “Now, anywhere we go, we can create our own shade.”

The SlimShady mounts quickly and easily to the side of a vehicle’s base rack, taking up only a mere six inches of bar space. Just pull it out like a window-shade and insert the poles. The canopy is light and strong, built of 420D nylon fabric with a waterproof coating that repels water, and offers 42 sq. ft. of dry, shaded coverage for those dog-days of summer.

“Our first consideration at Yakima when we design a new product is the people who will use it,” says the company. “We consider the challenges people might face when trying to carry their favorite gear and focus on designing innovative solutions.”

Clearly those solutions now include a variety of adventure pets and how they’ll be interacting with Yakima products, as well. It’s both a forward-thinking win for the company’s marketing team and an initiative that remains true to the brand’s core message—that of sharing outdoor experiences and “putting more butts in seats.” (Even if those butts happen to be a little furrier than usual, with happy tails attached.)

You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks

If you’re a business owner, we suggest you take a cue from Yakima’s playbook and begin adding some dog-friendly vibes to your corporate culture and see where it leads you.

And for those of you who are just here to get your daily dose of dog, check out these other useful nuggets of advice concerning pet-friendly travel, compliments of Yakima’s globe-trotting adventure pets:

• “Never head out on the road without Wet Wipes or rubber boots.”
• “Take less stuff. Just commit to that. Give more room to your dogs.”
• “Start slow. Know your dog’s skill and comfort level. Familiarity reduces fear.”
• “Research is your friend. Look up the leash laws in specific parks or monitor the 5-day forecast.”
• “Stay organized and have the right gear. There’s nothing worse than being out on a trail and realizing you forgot the poop bags.”