Best Soft Sided Dog Crate and Travel Crate Picks: When Fabric Works and When It Does Not

A soft sided dog crate is fabric and mesh over a light, collapsible frame. As a travel dog crate, it suits a calm, crate-trained dog on the road, at a campsite, or on a short stay away. It does not suit a chewer, an escape artist, or a puppy left alone: canvas and mesh cannot hold a determined dog.

Our top pick is the Thule Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Black, a steel-rod crate with three zippered openings. If your dog settles quietly in a crate, a soft dog crate packs lighter than wire. Size it so your dog can stand and turn around inside. Our six picks were listed from $44.99 to $105.99 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026.

When a soft-sided crate is the right crate, and when it is not

The short answer: soft-sided crates are for calm, crate-trained dogs during travel and short stays. Chewers and escape artists need a sturdier wire, metal, or rigid plastic crate. A puppy or a newly adopted dog who is still learning to settle needs one too.

That line comes from trainers and veterinarians, not from retailers. Stephanie Colman, a trainer writing for Whole Dog Journal, says soft crates are meant only for dogs who are already reliably crate trained. She calls confining a puppy or a non-crate-trained adult in one "just asking for trouble."

VCA Animal Hospitals says crates are for times when no one is available to supervise a young puppy or a newly adopted dog. That is exactly the dog a fabric crate is least able to hold. VCA describes a metal box-style crate as one a dog cannot escape or damage by chewing.

Use this as a quick yes or no before you shop:

If your dog lands on a "No" row, our guide to the best dog crates covers wire and plastic options, and the best puppy crates guide covers crates for the early weeks. Start a young dog with our steps on how to crate train a puppy before any fabric crate enters the picture.

What is a soft crate for dogs?

A soft crate is a dog crate made of fabric on a collapsible, rigid frame. Humane World for Animals, formerly the Humane Society of the United States, lists it as one of three crate types, with plastic crates and collapsible metal pens. Most of our picks pair a steel frame with mesh and zippered doors.

Are collapsible crates good for dogs?

They are good for the right dog. A collapsible fabric crate folds flat for the car or a closet and is light to carry: Whole Dog Journal weighed the 36 inch EliteField at 14 pounds. VCA still prefers a sturdy metal crate at home and calls fabric more portable but less sturdy.

Our picks: the best soft-sided dog crates

WebVet did not test these crates hands-on. Each pick rests on the maker's published specifications, the Chewy listing, and the trainer and veterinary guidance cited here. Every one is a crate for a dog who is already calm and crate-trained; none is a fix for a chewer.

How to narrow the six down:

• For the car: the Thule Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Black, whose listing describes placing it securely in your vehicle.
• For published sizes: the EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Khaki, 36 inch, whose maker gives inch measurements for each size.
• For frequent washing: the Petsfit Soft Sided 3-Door Collapsible Dog Crate, Grey, Small or the Noah & Paw Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Grey, 26-in.
• For a growing dog: the Pet Adobe Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Black, with its removable divider panel.
• For a small dog or cat: the Armarkat Folding Soft Dog & Cat Crate & Carrier, Beige.

Color is a cosmetic choice, so pick on frame, doors, and size. The largest published size in these picks is 42 inches long, from EliteField and Noah & Paw; no 48 inch soft crate made the list.

Thule Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate: best overall soft-sided crate

From ChewyIn stock

Thule Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Black

A collapsible 600D polyester crate on steel rods with three zippered openings, built to sit securely in your vehicle.

$89

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Thule's soft crate was listed at $89.00 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026. The listing describes a portable, lightweight crate that assembles in minutes and can be placed securely in a vehicle, then folded down and carried by its handle.

What the listing describes:

• Durable 600D polyester fabric over sturdy steel support rods.
• Three large zippered openings with mesh windows for ventilation and access.
• A design meant for use on a surface, not for carrying with a dog inside.

Who it suits: a calm, crate-trained dog who travels by car often and needs a crate that packs down between trips. Three openings help you load the dog from whichever side of the car is clear.

The tradeoff is information. Thule's own dog crate pages list only its rigid Allax crates, which Thule describes as crash-tested from the front, rear, and in rollover situations. The soft crate is a different product, and the listing does not publish its dimensions or a weight limit.

Petsfit Soft Sided 3-Door Collapsible Dog Crate: best three-door fabric crate

From ChewyIn stock

Petsfit Soft Sided 3-Door Collapsible Dog Crate, Grey, Small

A three-door fabric crate in 600D Oxford cloth with lockable zippers and a cover you can tighten after washing.

$69.81

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The Small Petsfit was listed at $69.81 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026. Petsfit builds it from 600D Oxford cloth over internal stainless steel pipes, with mesh doors on three sides.

What the maker and listing describe:

• A patented spiral head design that lets you adjust how tight the cover sits, even after multiple washes.
• Lockable zipper doors, plus roll-up doors held with fabric fastening tape.
• Three-door ventilation, a reinforced mesh window, and a side storage pocket.
• A cover the maker says withstands repeated washes.

Petsfit also says every seam is triple stitched, and a large mesh window sits opposite the side door for airflow.

Who it suits: a small, calm dog whose crate goes indoor and outdoor and gets washed a lot, since the maker says the cover stays adjustable after multiple washes.

The tradeoff: the maker page shows its Small to XL sizes only in a chart image, with no measurements in the text, so check that chart against your dog before ordering.

EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, 36 inch: best for medium to large calm dogs

From ChewyIn stock

EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Khaki, 36 inch

A 36 inch soft crate on a steel tube frame with three mesh doors, a carry bag, and a fleece bed included.

$105.99

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The 36 inch EliteField was listed at $105.99 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026. EliteField gives it a sturdy steel tubing frame, a 600D fabric cover with hex mesh panels, and three mesh doors on the top, front, and side.

What the maker and reviewers report:

• The 36 inch size measures 36 inches long, 24 wide, and 28 high.
• It folds down to just 3 inches high and ships with a carry bag and fleece bed.
• Whole Dog Journal weighed it at 14 pounds and describes the cover as thick canvas and sturdy mesh that can be removed and washed.
• Five sizes run from 20 to 42 inches long.
• The front and side doors have zipper locks; the top door gives a second way to reach your dog.

Who it suits: a medium to large dog who is calm in a crate and needs real floor space on the road. Pick it if you want published inch measurements before you buy.

The tradeoff is price, the highest of the six. The listing calls it a sturdy kennel, but the maker page carries no chewing or escape guidance, so the dog-behavior limits in this guide still apply.

Noah & Paw Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate: best value collapsible crate

From ChewyIn stock

Noah & Paw Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Grey, 26-in

A 26 inch collapsible crate with four mesh doors that sets up or folds in under a minute with no tools.

$66.93

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The 26 inch Noah & Paw was listed at $66.93 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026. Its listing describes a folding mechanism that assembles or collapses the crate in under a minute with no tools.

What the listing describes:

• Four mesh doors for ventilation.
• Weather resistant fabric that the listing calls military grade.
• Durable handles, a dog bed, two travel pockets, and a storage bag.
• A machine washable build.

Noah & Paw lists the 26 inch size at 26 x 17 x 17 inches, on a stainless-steel frame with a removable, washable cover and a 0.8 inch mattress. At 17 inches high, it suits a small to medium dog; measure your dog's standing height first. Larger sizes run to 42 x 31 x 31 inches.

Who it suits: an owner who sets up and packs down a crate often, such as a weekend camper, and wants a four-door crate at the second-lowest listed price of the six.

The tradeoff: the listing pitches the crate for an anxious escape artist. The trainer guidance above points the other way, since even some well crate-trained dogs have freed themselves from soft crates.

Pet Adobe Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate: best for a growing dog

From ChewyIn stock

Pet Adobe Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Black

A collapsible crate with a removable divider panel, so one crate adjusts in length as a young dog grows.

$88.78

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The Pet Adobe crate was listed at $88.78 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026. The case for it is buying once: a removable divider panel lets you shorten the length now and open it up as your dog grows.

What the listing describes:

• 600D Oxford fabric with a PVC coating over a steel structure.
• A spring-loaded frame for quick setup that collapses for storage.
• Three zippered mesh doors and two extra mesh windows.
• Integrated carrying handles, and a design meant for dogs and cats.

Who it suits: a calm, crate-trained young dog, or a household that wants one fabric crate for a dog and a cat.

The tradeoff: the listing opens with "Remember to measure your pet" but gives no dimensions in its description, so confirm the size chart first.

Armarkat Folding Soft Dog & Cat Crate & Carrier: best small crate and carrier in one

From ChewyIn stock

Armarkat Folding Soft Dog & Cat Crate & Carrier, Beige

A foldable crate and carrier in water-resistant polyester with three zippered openings and a removable fleece pad.

$44.99

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The Armarkat was listed at $44.99 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026, the lowest price of the six. It is a carrier-sized crate for small dogs and cats.

What the listing describes:

• Water-resistant polyester with ventilated mesh panels.
• Three zippered openings and a removable fleece lounge pad.
• A foldable design and inside and outside pockets for treats and toys.

Who it suits: a small, calm dog or a cat who rides in the car and needs a resting space at the other end.

The tradeoff is air travel. The listing suggests it for flights, but Armarkat states that its PC201B folding steel-frame soft carrier, a 20 x 14 x 14 inch model rated for 20 pounds, is not airline compatible. The listing does not say which model it is, so check your airline's limits first.

The figures below come from the makers' published specifications and the Chewy listings for each pick.

Chewers, diggers, and escape artists: the fabric crate risk

Whole Dog Journal is blunt: canvas and mesh just are not designed for the clawing and biting a determined dog delivers. A zipper door and a mesh panel are the soft points of any fabric crate, and even some well crate-trained dogs have been known to free themselves from one.

The danger is not only the escape. The American Kennel Club warns that dogs can end up hurting themselves while trying to escape a crate. Wire is not automatically safe either: VCA notes that dogs who chew crate wires can injure their teeth or jaws.

Signs your dog is not a soft-crate candidate:

• Chews bedding, zippers, or crate edges when left alone.
• Digs or paws at the walls or door of any crate.
• Has escaped a crate, a pen, or a closed room before.
• Salivates, vocalizes persistently, or does not settle once inside.

VCA says a dog who salivates, vocalizes persistently, tries to escape, or does not settle in a crate should be discussed with your veterinarian, since these can be anxiety signs. For a young dog who cries at night, our guide to a puppy crying in crate covers what to try first.

Are soft-sided dog crates safe?

They are safe for a calm, crate-trained dog, and unsafe for a chewer, a digger, or an escape artist. Fabric cannot hold a dog set on getting out, and a dog working at the crate can hurt itself. Keep supervision close, and move a determined dog to heavy duty dog crates.

Sizing a soft crate: length, height, and frame sag

The sizing rule is the same for fabric as for wire. Humane World says the crate should let your dog stand up and turn around. For a puppy, the AKC says just big enough to stand, turn, and lie down, since an oversized crate lets a puppy eliminate at one end and sleep at the other.

Compare inches, not size names such as small or large. The maker of the EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Khaki, 36 inch publishes it in five lengths from 20 to 42 inches, including:

• 30 inch: 30 inches long, 21 wide, and 24 high.
• 36 inch: 36 inches long, 24 wide, and 28 high.
• 42 inch: 42 inches long, 28 wide, and 32 high.

The 42 inch EliteField and the 42 x 31 x 31 inch Noah & Paw XXL are the largest published sizes among our picks. If your dog needs a 48 inch crate or more, see our guide to the best XL dog crates instead. Our dog crate size chart matches your dog's measurements to a crate size.

Height and frame sag

Height matters more on fabric than on wire, because a fabric roof can give. Whole Dog Journal notes that a crate without a solid internal frame is less sturdy overall. None of our six listings say how much the roof or sides give under a leaning dog, so leave headroom.

Pop-up styles have the tightest limits. Whole Dog Journal judged one pop-up soft crate a poor choice for dogs much larger than a Shetland Sheepdog. A steel frame, like the steel tubing EliteField uses or the steel pipes in the Petsfit, gives the cover a firmer shape.

Small dogs and carrier sizes

At the small end, a soft crate overlaps with a carrier. Armarkat rates its PC201B folding soft carrier, 20 x 14 x 14 inches, to hold 20 pounds. For small breeds who need a full-time crate, our guide to the best small dog crates covers wire and plastic options in small and medium sizes.

Travel, camping, and hotel stays with a fabric crate

Travel is where a soft crate earns its place. It folds small and sets up in a car, a tent, or a hotel room. EliteField says its crate folds to a height of just 3 inches.

What to pack for a trip with a soft crate:

• The crate, folded in its carry bag.
• The bed or mat your dog already sleeps on in the crate.
• Safe chew toys, which VCA recommends keeping in the crate.
• A seat belt or strap to secure the crate in the car.

For camping, pick a washable cover and a frame you set up by hand. Petsfit says the cover on its Petsfit Soft Sided 3-Door Collapsible Dog Crate, Grey, Small withstands repeated washes, the Noah & Paw Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Grey, 26-in listing calls its fabric weather resistant, and the Pet Adobe Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Black fabric has a PVC coating. None of these listings call a crate waterproof, so keep it sheltered from rain.

Indoor and outdoor use also changes door choice. A crate with one door needs open space in front of it, while three or four doors let you open whichever side faces your campsite or hotel bed.

Hotel stays are the hardest test. A strange room raises the stakes for a dog left alone, and VCA advises monitoring with a camera during early separations to confirm the dog is not distressed. Humane World gives 4 to 5 hours as a daytime limit for adult dogs in a crate.

What is the best collapsible dog crate for travel?

For most calm, crate-trained dogs, the EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Khaki, 36 inch is the most travel-ready pick here. It folds to 3 inches high, ships with a carry bag, and has published measurements for every size, so you know it will fit the car and your dog before you leave.

Airline and car use: what soft crates can and cannot do

For car trips, a soft crate is a reasonable choice for a calm dog. VCA lists a light plastic or fabric crate, secured to the car seat with a seat belt or strap, as a portable but less sturdy option. VCA also offers a seatbelt harness as an alternative to a crate.

Do not read crash protection into a fabric crate. Reporting on Center for Pet Safety crash tests, iHeartDogs notes that no U.S. test protocol or performance standard backs "crash tested" crate claims. Consumer Reports says those labels usually rest on the manufacturer's word.

Flying is different. On a plane, a soft crate only works in the cabin, as a carrier small enough to fit under the seat. The IATA Live Animals Regulations say an in-cabin container does not have to be rigid, so a soft carrier can be used if it meets the other rules. Those rules include:

• Delta recommends a soft-sided kennel no larger than 18 x 11 x 11 inches, and the kennel must fit fully under the seat in front of you.
• VCA says only service dogs and dogs who fit an under-seat carrier may fly in the cabin; other dogs fly as cargo, and each airline sets its own carrier size.
• For cargo, IATA lists fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, welded wire mesh, and solid wood or plywood as container materials. Fabric is not on the list.
• IATA requires room for the animal to stand, sit erect, lie naturally, and turn about normally, and check-in staff must refuse a container that fails those minimums.

The smallest EliteField soft crate is 20 inches long, already longer than Delta's 18 inch recommendation. A collapsible soft crate is a car and destination crate; for the flight itself, plan on an under-seat carrier or a rigid cargo kennel.

Are collapsible impact dog crates airline approved?

No crate is airline approved by IATA itself: IATA says it does not certify, approve, or endorse any container brand or model. For cargo, a collapsible crate must be built from an IATA-listed material, which excludes fabric, and meet its space rules. The airline decides at check-in, so confirm before booking.

Setting up and cleaning a soft-sided crate

Setup varies more than the listings suggest. Some frames spring open, some unfold, and some are a one-piece build:

• The Noah & Paw Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Grey, 26-in listing says it assembles or collapses in under a minute with no tools.
• The Pet Adobe Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Black uses a spring-loaded frame for quick setup that collapses for storage.
• The Thule Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Black listing says it assembles in minutes and folds down to carry by its handle.
• The EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Khaki, 36 inch opens from a flat 3 inch profile and stores in its carry bag.
• The Petsfit Soft Sided 3-Door Collapsible Dog Crate, Grey, Small listing describes a one-piece frame that removes the need for folding, with a spiral head to tighten the cover.

A fabric crate earns its keep on the road; for a crate that stays in the living room, see our guide to dog crate furniture.

Before your dog uses a new crate, check every zipper door and the frame joints, then set it on a flat surface. Thule's listing says its crate is designed for use on a surface and not for carrying with a pet inside, and the same habit protects any fabric frame.

Inside the crate, the guidance is the same as for any crate:

• Provide safe chew toys, as VCA advises.
• Never use the crate as punishment, Humane World says.
• Keep daytime stays for adult dogs to 4 to 5 hours or less, per Humane World.

Cleaning is where fabric is most convenient. Whole Dog Journal notes the EliteField cover of thick canvas and sturdy mesh can be removed and washed, and its Chewy listing says the cover and mat are both washable. The Noah & Paw is listed as machine washable, and Petsfit says its cover withstands repeated washes.

Soft-sided dog crate questions