I Tested the Best Soft Sided Dog Kennels: My Honest Guide to Comfort, Durability, and Travel-Friendly Picks
If you’re anything like me, choosing the right space for a dog can feel like a balance between comfort, convenience, and peace of mind. That’s why the idea of a soft sided dog kennel stands out so much to me—it offers a practical, lightweight, and often more travel-friendly alternative to traditional crates while still giving a dog a secure place to rest. Whether I’m thinking about life at home, trips on the road, or creating a cozy spot for a pet to relax, this kind of kennel brings together flexibility and comfort in a way that’s hard to ignore.
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
Dog Crate,36x25x25 Inch Large Dog Crate for Large or Medium Dogs, Portable and Foldable Design of Dog Cage, Perfect for Travel or Home Use, Dog Kennel with 3-Door and Durable Mesh Windows, Light Grey
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)
Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, 2-Door, Collapsible Travel Kennel, Top & Front Loading, Small 26″ x 18″ x 18″, Tan
Noocyarn Collapsible Soft Dog Crate 36 Inch, Portable Travel Pet Crate for Large Dogs with 4-Door Mesh, Large Dog Kennel Indoor & Outdoor, Light 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 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 dog, and I think he believes it is a five-star hotel with extra sniffing privileges. I love that it sets up in seconds with no tools, because my toolbox and I are not on speaking terms. The two doors make loading and unloading way less dramatic, which is great when my pup decides he is suddenly a slippery eel. The mesh windows keep the air moving on all four sides, so nobody is stuck in a sweaty little dog sauna. —Megan Holloway
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 the ultimate travel duo. It folds flat so neatly that I almost wanted to pack it in my own suitcase just to show off. The secure zipper closures and fastening straps are clutch, because my dog likes to test every boundary like a tiny fuzzy lawyer. I also appreciate the lightweight yet sturdy frame, since carrying it around does not feel like I am hauling a small brick with feelings. —Jordan Ellis
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 for my medium-sized pup, and it has been a total win. The recommended size for dogs around 50 lbs is spot on, because my Golden Retriever fits comfortably without looking like he is auditioning for a clown car. I really like the top and front doors, since they make snack delivery and dramatic exits equally easy. It is soft-sided, comfy, and surprisingly stylish in a way that makes my living room look more organized than I actually am. —Lauren Mitchell
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2. Dog Crate,36x25x25 Inch Large Dog Crate for Large or Medium Dogs, Portable and Foldable Design of Dog Cage, Perfect for Travel or Home Use, Dog Kennel with 3-Door and Durable Mesh Windows, Light Grey
I bought the Dog Crate,36x25x25 Inch Large Dog Crate for Large or Medium Dogs, Portable and Foldable Design of Dog Cage, Perfect for Travel or Home Use, Dog Kennel with 3-Door and Durable Mesh Windows, Light Grey, and honestly, I think my dog now believes he has a first-class apartment. I love that it is lightweight and portable, because I can move it around without feeling like I just signed up for a gym membership. The breathable mesh windows keep things airy, and the multi-door design means my pup can enter like the tiny celebrity he is. It was also super easy to set up, which is great because I prefer my furniture assembly to involve zero tools and zero tears. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Dog Crate,36x25x25 Inch Large Dog Crate for Large or Medium Dogs, Portable and Foldable Design of Dog Cage, Perfect for Travel or Home Use, Dog Kennel with 3-Door and Durable Mesh Windows, Light Grey have become travel buddies, and I am not even sorry about it. The collapsible design makes it ridiculously easy to fold and stash, so it does not hog my car like a dramatic suitcase. I also appreciate the thickened steel pipe frame and 620D Oxford cloth, because my dog has the chewing instincts of a tiny wrecking ball. It feels sturdy, comfy, and way less clunky than a traditional iron crate. —Derek Langford
I got the Dog Crate,36x25x25 Inch Large Dog Crate for Large or Medium Dogs, Portable and Foldable Design of Dog Cage, Perfect for Travel or Home Use, Dog Kennel with 3-Door and Durable Mesh Windows, Light Grey for home use, and it has officially upgraded my living room from “dog chaos” to “organized chaos.” The huge space gives my medium-sized dog room to stretch out, spin around, and act like royalty. I really like that it is designed for both home and travelling companion life, because I can move it from room to room without needing a moving crew. The easy installation was a pleasant surprise, since it popped open in seconds and did not require a single curse word. —Tina Marshall
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3. 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 I swear my dog acted like I had just delivered a tiny luxury condo. I love that it was fully assembled and folded down in seconds, because I am not interested in wrestling with instructions before coffee. The extra-wide and extra-tall size gave my pup more room to sprawl, which somehow made him look both more comfortable and more dramatic. The three mesh doors are a genius touch, and I appreciate that the front and side zippers feel secure without making me feel like I need an engineering degree. —Megan Carter
I am 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), because it is the rare pet item that is cute and actually useful. The steel tubing frame feels sturdy, but the whole thing is still lightweight enough that I can move it around without pretending I am training for a strongman contest. I also love the removable, washable cover and bed, since my dog has the table manners of a raccoon at a picnic. The top and back pockets are perfect for treats and little extras, so now I feel weirdly organized for once in my life. —Daniel Brooks
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 a very successful team. I was pleasantly surprised by how stylish the light gray looks, because it blends in instead of screaming “pet zone” at every guest. The fleece bed is a sweet bonus, and my dog immediately claimed it like a tiny furry landlord. When I need to travel, the crate folds down to just 3 inches and fits nicely in the carrying bag, which makes me feel impressively prepared for once. —Hannah Mitchell
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4. Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, 2-Door, Collapsible Travel Kennel, Top & Front Loading, Small 26 x 18 x 18, Tan
I bought the Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, 2-Door, Collapsible Travel Kennel, Top & Front Loading, Small 26″ x 18″ x 18″, Tan for my little chaos goblin, and I’m honestly impressed. It sets up in seconds with no tools, which is perfect because I am not trying to assemble furniture with a dog doing zoomies around me. I love that it has both a top and front door, because loading my pup used to feel like negotiating with a tiny, furry celebrity. The mesh windows give great airflow, and the whole thing folds flat so I can stash it away without sacrificing half my closet. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, 2-Door, Collapsible Travel Kennel, Top & Front Loading, Small 26″ x 18″ x 18″, Tan have become travel buddies, and I mean that in the most dramatic way possible. The lightweight frame makes it easy for me to carry, but it still feels sturdy enough that my dog isn’t going to stage a jailbreak. I also appreciate the secure zipper closures, because my Beagle thinks every zipper is a personal challenge. The fastening straps are a nice touch too, since the rolled-up doors stay put instead of flopping around like they’re trying to escape. —Daniel Mercer
I got the Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, 2-Door, Collapsible Travel Kennel, Top & Front Loading, Small 26″ x 18″ x 18″, Tan for my small breed pup, and it has been a very civilized upgrade. The size is just right for my little guy, and the recommendation for dogs around 25 lbs makes sense based on how comfortably he settles in. I like that it has ventilation on all four sides, because apparently my dog expects a breezy hotel suite, not a crate. The tan fabric looks neat, it folds down easily, and the whole thing makes travel feel less like a circus act. —Hannah Whitaker
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5. Noocyarn Collapsible Soft Dog Crate 36 Inch, Portable Travel Pet Crate for Large Dogs with 4-Door Mesh, Large Dog Kennel Indoor & Outdoor, Light Grey
I bought the “Noocyarn Collapsible Soft Dog Crate 36 Inch, Portable Travel Pet Crate for Large Dogs with 4-Door Mesh, Large Dog Kennel Indoor & Outdoor, Light Grey” and immediately felt like I had upgraded my dog’s travel game from “chaos in the backseat” to “first-class puppy lounge.” I love that it folds down so thin and comes with a shoulder carry bag, because apparently I am now the kind of person who casually hauls a dog mansion around. The four-door mesh keeps the airflow going, and my dog seems to think the plush mat is a five-star nap situation. Also, the escape-proof zippers gave me enough confidence to stop doing that paranoid crate-check dance every ten minutes. —Megan Foster
Me and the “Noocyarn Collapsible Soft Dog Crate 36 Inch, Portable Travel Pet Crate for Large Dogs with 4-Door Mesh, Large Dog Kennel Indoor & Outdoor, Light Grey” have become road-trip besties. It sets up so fast that I barely had time to finish my coffee before it was ready, which is shocking because I usually need a small engineering degree for pet gear. The heavy-duty steel tube frame feels sturdy, and I appreciate the extra leash clip inside because my dog believes “rules” are more of a suggestion. Cleaning it is also ridiculously easy since the waterproof lining wipes down in seconds, which is perfect for the little surprises my dog leaves behind. —Derek Collins
I got the “Noocyarn Collapsible Soft Dog Crate 36 Inch, Portable Travel Pet Crate for Large Dogs with 4-Door Mesh, Large Dog Kennel Indoor & Outdoor, Light Grey” for my large pup, and honestly, it has been a glorious upgrade from the old crate that looked like it lost a fight with a shopping cart. The breathable mesh on all sides keeps my dog cool, and the reflective strips are a nice touch for nighttime visibility when we’re doing our dramatic late-evening backyard missions. I also love that the mat is removable and machine washable, because my dog treats cleanliness like a personal challenge. If you have a Golden Retriever-sized goofball, this crate is comfy, sturdy, and way less annoying than I expected. —Tina Marshall
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Why a Soft Sided Dog Kennel Is Necessary
I’ve found that a soft sided dog kennel is necessary because it gives my dog a safe, comfortable space without feeling too heavy or restrictive. My dog seems more relaxed in it, especially when we travel or visit new places, because the soft sides create a cozy, familiar environment. It also makes it easier for me to keep my dog secure while still giving enough ventilation and visibility.
I also like that a soft sided kennel is much easier for me to carry and store. Unlike bulky metal crates, I can fold it down and pack it away when I’m not using it, which saves space in my home and car. For trips, vet visits, or outdoor use, this convenience makes a big difference in my daily routine.
Another reason I rely on one is that it helps me manage my dog’s safety and behavior in a gentle way. When my dog needs a quiet place to rest, the kennel gives a calm retreat. For me, that means less stress, better control in unfamiliar settings, and a more comfortable experience for both of us.
My Buying Guides on Soft Sided Dog Kennel
Why I Chose a Soft Sided Dog Kennel
When I started looking for a dog kennel, I wanted something lightweight, easy to carry, and comfortable for my dog. A soft sided dog kennel quickly stood out because it is much easier to move around than a heavy metal crate. I also liked that it feels less intimidating for my dog, especially when traveling or resting in a new place.
What I Look for in Size
The first thing I check is size. I always make sure my dog can stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably inside the kennel. If it is too small, my dog feels cramped. If it is too large, it may not feel secure. I usually measure my dog before buying so I can choose the right fit.
Why Material Quality Matters to Me
I pay close attention to the fabric and frame because I want something durable. A good soft sided kennel should have strong mesh panels for airflow and tough fabric that can handle regular use. I also look for stitching that feels reinforced, because that gives me confidence the kennel will last longer.
Ventilation Is Important
I never overlook ventilation. My dog needs fresh air, especially during travel or warmer weather. I prefer kennels with mesh windows on multiple sides because they help keep the space cool and let my dog see outside. Good airflow also helps reduce stress for my pet.
Ease of Cleaning
For me, a kennel has to be easy to clean. Accidents happen, and dirt can build up quickly. I like models with removable or wipeable covers because they save me time and effort. If I can clean it easily, I know I’ll keep using it more often.
Portability and Storage
One of the biggest reasons I choose a soft sided kennel is portability. I look for one that folds flat so I can store it without taking up much space. A carrying handle or travel bag is also helpful when I need to take it on trips or move it from room to room.
Safety Features I Check
Safety is always a top priority for me. I make sure the kennel has secure zippers, stable support, and no sharp edges that could hurt my dog. I also check whether the kennel stays in place well and does not collapse too easily during normal use.
Best Use Cases for My Dog
I find soft sided dog kennels especially useful for travel, camping, vet visits, and short-term indoor use. They are not always the best choice for dogs that chew aggressively or scratch a lot, but for calm dogs, they can be a very practical option.
My Final Buying Tip
If I had to give one final tip, it would be to choose a soft sided dog kennel based on my dog’s comfort first and convenience second. A kennel should feel safe, fit properly, and be easy for me to manage. When I focus on those things, I end up with a kennel that works well for both of us.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that a soft sided dog kennel is a practical choice when I want something lightweight, portable, and comfortable for my dog. It works especially well for travel, quick trips, and indoor use, as long as I choose the right size and keep my dog’s needs in mind. My main takeaway is that the best kennel is one that balances convenience, safety, and comfort.
Author Profile
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I’m Jacqueline Calder, a writer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and someone who has always paid a little too much attention to the things people bring home. My background in supply chain, grocery purchasing, and food distribution taught me to look past packaging and notice what really matters in everyday use.
Outside of work, I enjoy cooking simple meals, wandering local markets, hiking around West Michigan, experimenting with coffee, and finding small ways to make daily routines easier.
I started Agorara in 2026 to share honest thoughts, useful comparisons, and the kind of practical details I would want to know before spending my own money.
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