Here’s the scenario this crate exists for: you’re road-tripping with a crate-trained dog, and the hotel room has no good place for a 40-pound wire crate. You want something that folds flat in the trunk, pops open in the hotel room, and gives your dog a familiar den without hauling steel. The Top Paw Indoor & Outdoor Portable Crate — a canvas, soft-sided crate sold only at PetSmart — promises exactly that.
The honest note most soft-crate reviews skip: a soft crate is a convenience product, not a containment product. The mesh and zippers that make it light and portable are also the parts a motivated dog destroys first. PetSmart’s own product page says it plainly: this product should only be used with pets who are crate trained. So the real question isn’t “is it sturdy” — it’s “is your dog the kind of dog a soft crate works for, and is this one built well enough for that dog?”
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The Crate: Top Paw Indoor & Outdoor Portable Dog Crate
The Top Paw portable crate is a canvas soft-sided crate with an internal steel-tube frame, mesh windows on the sides, and three zippered entries: top (with a clip-lock), front, and side. The front door zips off entirely for open-den use, there’s a waterproof bottom for damp grass and muddy paws, and a small accessory pocket for treats and a leash. It folds flat for the trunk and comes in Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large — the Medium is about 30″ long, the Large is 42″L x 30″W x 30″H.
On price, it sits in the soft-crate sweet spot: around $42–$67 at PetSmart depending on size, frequently on sale. That’s cheaper than most name-brand soft crates, which is the appeal — you’re paying travel-crate money, not premium-crate money.
Specs: Small to X-Large (Medium ~30″L; Large 42″L x 30″W x 30″H) · canvas with mesh windows and internal steel-tube frame · zippered top entry with clip-lock, zippered front and side access, removable front door · waterproof bottom · accessory storage pocket · folds flat · grey · spot clean · for crate-trained dogs only · PetSmart exclusive.
Pros: genuinely light and trunk-friendly — folds flat in seconds; three entries make it flexible in tight hotel rooms and cars; mesh all around means great airflow and the dog can see out (less “locked up” anxiety); waterproof bottom handles wet grass and muddy paws; the price undercuts most soft-crate competitors; clip-lock on the top zipper is a nice anti-nose-poke detail.
Cons: this is the important part — documented PetSmart reviews report dogs chewing straight through the mesh and fabric. One owner watched their 40-lb beagle-mix scratch and chew the net window and side panel and escape within two hours; two more owners report dogs destroying the zipper in under a minute. When zippers or mesh fail, PetSmart sells no replacement parts — one owner confirmed the brand owner (PetSmart) offers nothing. The mesh is the weak link by design; the waterproof bottom is thin; and like all soft crates, it’s useless in a car crash (mesh panels won’t hold a dog in a collision) and offers zero protection from an anxious chewer.
Verdict: A good travel den for a genuinely crate-trained, non-destructive dog — and a waste of money for any dog that chews, scratches, or panics when left alone. The failure mode isn’t subtle: the dog exits through the wall. Know your dog before you buy. Check the price at PetSmart.
Who It’s For — and Who Should Skip It
Buy it if: your dog is already crate-trained and settles quietly in a crate; you need a lightweight second crate for hotels, camping, and visits; your dog is small-to-medium and non-destructive; you want a familiar-smelling den that makes new places less stressful.
Skip it if: your dog chews bedding, zippers, or mesh — documented escapes happened in under a minute; your dog has separation anxiety (a soft crate will not contain a panicking dog, and the dog can injure teeth and claws trying); you need crash safety in the car (get a crash-tested carrier or a secured wire crate instead); you want something that survives years of daily use as a primary crate.
How to Choose a Soft-Sided Travel Crate (and Where Top Paw Fits)
Start with the dog, not the crate. Soft crates only work for crate-trained, non-destructive dogs. If your dog has ever chewed out of anything, scratched at doors, or panicked when confined, stop here — no soft crate, at any price, is the answer. This is the single most important selection criterion, and it’s about temperament, not product specs.
Check the zipper and mesh quality in person. These are the two failure points on every soft crate. Zippers should be chunky with locking pulls or clip-locks; mesh should be tight and taut, not loose enough to get teeth under. Top Paw’s zippers are the documented weak point — multiple owners report them failing fast — so inspect them in the PetSmart aisle before buying.
Ventilation is the point of the category. The whole reason to choose soft over wire or plastic is airflow and visibility. Look for mesh on at least three sides plus a top opening. Top Paw delivers here — mesh sides all around and a top hatch — which is why calm dogs tend to settle in it quickly.
A waterproof bottom is non-negotiable for “outdoor.” Grass is wet, campsites are muddy, and hotel room floors are someone else’s problem. A waterproof base keeps the mess contained and the dog dry. Top Paw’s is thin but present — fine for occasional use, not for a dog that digs.
Size it like a wire crate, then go one up if between sizes. The dog should stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. The Medium (~30″) suits beagles and similar; the Large (42″) suits Labs and similar. When between sizes, size up — a cramped soft crate is a chewed soft crate.
Remember what it can’t do. No soft crate is crash-safe, chew-proof, or escape-proof. It’s a familiar den for a trustworthy dog in low-stakes settings — the hotel room, the campsite, the friend’s living room. For the car, secure it so it can’t slide; for anxious dogs, use a wire crate and a training plan instead.
Bottom line: the Top Paw Indoor & Outdoor Portable Dog Crate is a fair-priced, well-ventilated travel den that does its job for calm, crate-trained dogs — and fails loudly and quickly for any dog that isn’t. The documented mesh and zipper failures aren’t manufacturing flukes; they’re what happens when the wrong dog meets a soft crate. Buy for the right dog and it’s a bargain; buy hoping your chewer “will be fine” and you’ll be shopping for a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Top Paw portable crate good for travel?
For the right dog, yes — it folds flat for the trunk, pops open in seconds, and gives a crate-trained dog a familiar den in hotels and campsites. For car safety specifically, no: soft crates aren’t crash-rated, so secure the crate against sliding and don’t rely on it to protect your dog in a collision.
Can a dog chew through the Top Paw soft crate?
Yes — and owners have documented it. A 40-lb beagle-mix chewed through the mesh window and fabric side and escaped within two hours; other owners report zippers destroyed in under a minute. This crate is only for non-destructive, crate-trained dogs. If your dog chews, get a wire crate.
What sizes does the Top Paw Indoor & Outdoor Portable Crate come in?
Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large. The Medium is roughly 30″ long (good for beagle-sized dogs); the Large is 42″L x 30″W x 30″H (good for Lab-sized dogs). Measure your dog standing and lying down, and size up if you’re between sizes.
Is it waterproof?
The bottom is waterproof, which handles damp grass, muddy paws, and minor accidents. The canvas walls and mesh are not — this is a fair-weather and indoor crate, not a rain shelter. Don’t leave it (or the dog) out in real rain.
Where can I buy replacement parts?
You can’t — PetSmart doesn’t sell replacement zippers, mesh panels, or frame parts for this crate, as one owner discovered after their dog chewed the mesh. If a zipper or panel fails, the crate is done. Factor that into the price: it’s a consumable, not an heirloom.
Is Top Paw only sold at PetSmart?
Yes — Top Paw is PetSmart’s house brand and isn’t sold on Amazon or Chewy. The practical upside: you can inspect the zippers and mesh in the store before buying, pick it up same-day, and return it easily if your dog rejects it.
