More often than not, owners who wish to fly their pets along with them are often faced with a single, yet most important, choice of all. You see, when you wish to fly along with your pet on the airplane, they would need to be housed in an airline approved dog carrier. While there are indeed numerous of these airline approved dog carriers (some come in Hard Sided variants), there are two of them which people usually compare with. They are the Sturdibag and the Sherpa dog carriers. Which of this should be the top choice then?
SturdiBag vs Sherpa
As mentioned, both of the bags are indeed well-reviewed online. Each of them has its own merits as well as its demerits. For the purpose of this article, we will not be showing favoritism to any of the brands.
Sherpa
The Sherpa Delta Airlines Deluxe Pet Dog Cat Carrier is truly an amazing piece of work. You can buy them almost in every pet shop that you have in America. In terms of material, you do not have to worry as the entire structure is sturdy and durable. This is made possible by the fabric that Sherpa uses in conjuring up the dog carrier. What’s more, in terms of ventilation, Sherpa has enabled positive ventilation into this pet carrier by placing mesh panels whenever they can into the design of the Sherpa pet carrier.
For comfort, the faux sheepskin pad is thick and comfortable enough for dogs to rest on while they are in the carrier itself. When I use this pet carrier, I would usually bring along the dog’s treats and some of the toys too. Instead of storing it in my own personal bag, I could easily place the items into the pockets that can be found in the pet carrier. Keeping the items secured is made easy due to the zips!
There is the luggage panel on the sides, which really allows me to secure the pet carrier to a rope or any safety belts. Keeping the dog secure? No problem!
While there are positives, I guess Sherpa does have its own limitations. For one, when I am on the airplane, I cannot see what my dog is doing inside the pet carrier itself. This is because the top of the Sherpa dog carrier does not have any window at all. It is entirely solid. The structure can be too rigid at times. This gets on my nerves when I wish to collapse the entire crate in the fastest time possible.
Last but not least, it can be tough carrying this on your shoulder. Not that it is heavy. Rather, there is no pad on the shoulder strap at all. This means that when it comes to prolonged usage of the pet carrier on your shoulder, you will surely feel pain set in after just a few minutes of carrying the crate.
SturdiBag Pet Carrier
I actually do not have that good experience in using the SturdiBag Pet Carrier. This is strictly personal, so I am going to make this as objective as I can.
In terms of materials and keeping the pet secure, the SturdiBag does its job pretty well. This is to be expected, and this should be the minimum that anyone of you should be expecting. The material is resistant to water, dirt as well as scratches.
What I don’t like it is that the wireframe inside the crate (the one that keeps the structural integrity upright) pokes through the fabric, it can hurt my dog. I noticed that this occurred more than once on the two SturdiBag that I had. There is no luggage strap at all, which means I cannot secure the pet carrier to anything.
A Detailed Comparison/Breakdown between SturdiBag vs Sherpa
Now that we have seen the above 2 descriptions of the individual products, let us dive deeper into the comparison of the carriers. Here’s a comparison table summarizing the key differences between the SturdiBag and Sherpa pet carriers:
| Aspect | SturdiBag | Sherpa |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Sturdy, rectangular with soft top and hard sides | Soft-sided with mesh panels |
| Comfort | Soft fleece pad, removable for washing | Removable and machine-washable faux lambskin liner |
| Durability | Hard sides provide extra protection, seatbelt strap for safety | Soft-sided design may not provide as much protection, no seatbelt strap |
| Ease of Use | Top-loading design for easy loading, lightweight | Side-loading design, includes strap for securing to luggage |
| Price | Generally more expensive | Generally more affordable |
| Availability | Widely available online and in pet stores | Widely available online and in pet stores |
Design and Comfort
Both SturdiBag and Sherpa offer a variety of designs and sizes to accommodate different types of pets. SturdiBag’s design is sturdy and rectangular, with a soft-sided top and hard sides. This design provides a secure space for your pet while allowing them to see their surroundings. Sherpa’s design is a soft-sided carrier with mesh panels, allowing better airflow and visibility for your pet.
In terms of comfort, both carriers provide a cozy and secure environment for your pet. SturdiBag offers a soft fleece pad that can be removed for washing. Sherpa’s carrier also includes a removable and machine-washable faux lambskin liner. However, some pet owners have reported that the Sherpa carrier’s bottom is not as sturdy as SturdiBag, which may cause discomfort for some pets.
Durability and Safety
SturdiBag’s design offers a high level of durability and safety. The hard sides of the carrier provide extra protection, and the carrier also has a seatbelt strap for securing it in a car. Additionally, the SturdiBag’s design allows it to maintain its shape, even when not in use.
Sherpa’s design is less durable compared to SturdiBag. The carrier’s soft-sided design may not provide as much protection as a hard-sided carrier. Additionally, the carrier does not have a seatbelt strap, which could be a safety concern in the event of an accident. However, Sherpa’s carrier does feature locking zippers, which can prevent your pet from escaping.
Ease of Use
Both carriers are relatively easy to use, but there are some differences between the two. SturdiBag is easier to load your pet into, with a top-loading design that makes it easy to place your pet inside. Additionally, the carrier is lightweight and easy to carry, making it convenient for travel.
Sherpa’s carrier has a side-loading design that can make it a bit more difficult to load your pet. However, the carrier includes a strap for securing it to your luggage, making it more convenient to travel with.
Conclusion
Overall, both SturdiBag and Sherpa offer excellent options for pet travel. SturdiBag’s sturdy and durable design provides a high level of safety and comfort, while Sherpa’s carrier offers a softer and more affordable option. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
When selecting a pet carrier, it is essential to consider your pet’s safety and comfort first. With both SturdiBag and Sherpa, you can rest assured that your pet will be safe and comfortable while traveling. We hope this review has helped you in your search for the perfect pet carrier.
