Be water, my friend! Bruce was right about this, but when you’re hours into a ride and your loyal trail dog is rasping for breath, your hydration-obsessed self would prefer to hear the words “Have water, my friend.” That’s why it’s good to have a collapsible dog bowl stashed in your pack – and we’re got a clear favourite for our pups.
The sigh of relief when you get to the summit is usually followed by the slurp of your thirst-quenching beverage, then a guilty look down at your feet – your dog’s panting may have subsided but their tongue is hung out like a carpet. What would you do in this situation: offer up your own bottle, mouthpiece and all, or fashion a bowl with your hands, kneeling down and losing most of the contents of your bottle between your fingers? One thing we’ve learned as dog-accompanying riders: Neither of you end up winning the hydration game in this instance.
Luckily, there are companies out there who have developed products for moments like these: Our go-to is the Solognac Fold-down Dog Bowl 100 from Decathlon, which we never go anywhere without these days, and it’s done an exceptionally good job for not only water but also wet food, dry food, and even pâté.
Luckily, there are companies out there who have developed products for moments like these: Our go-to is the Solognac Fold-down Dog Bowl 100 from Decathlon, which we never go anywhere without these days, and it’s done an exceptionally good job for not only water but also wet food, dry food, and even pâté.
The Fold-down Dog Bowl 100 is made with a flexible material so that it collapses for portability, making it super compact and easy to slot into a backpack, onto your frame, or even in the pocket of your pants. It’s hard-wearing and still reigning after five years of use, in which Bonnie has not gone hungry nor thirsty on a ride – although at times he had to wait for the right moment to stop. What’s more, it’s proven itself really easy to clean during this time and is very familiar with the dishwasher.
You can get the Fold-down Dog Bowl in various sizes to suit your particular pup.
Our thoughts on the Solognac Fold-down Dog Bowl 100
In short: a no brainer! We’re a hydration-obsessed bunch and this should apply to how we treat our animals too. Durable, practical, and easy-to-clean, this bowl is an indispensable piece of kit for trail dog owners, whether on a bike or on foot.
Tops
- lightweight
- takes up minimal space
- budget friendly
- flexible
Flops
- struggles to regain form after a long time folded up
- a clip/hook accessory would be useful
More info decathlon.com
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Words: Julian Lemme Photos: Julian Lemme
