Best Soft Collapsible Dog Crates: EliteField Soft Dog Crate Review

Growing up, I always had the standard heavy duty, aluminum metal dog crates. Now, don’t get me wrong, aluminum metal dog crates are best for crate training your dog and they’re also great travel dog crates. However, when I started attending my mom’s dog dock diving classes with her lab Remi and my own dog agility training classes with Annie, I found out quickly that having a dog crate was an essential and that it didn’t have to be the typical metal dog crates.

Now I will say, some people still bring metal dog crates to trainings and events like this as it can be a personal preference (and you know your dog better than anyone!), but after discovering soft sided dog crates and seeing how easy they are to transport compared to the others, I knew I had to have one.

After doing some research, I found the EliteField soft dog crate and after looking at many, including my mom’s Noz2Noz soft crate (which I’ll do a short comparison below), I think the EliteField soft dog crate is one of the best soft collapsible dog crates. If you’re trying to decide on a soft sided dog crate for a large dog or small dog, check out my review below to find helpful sizing information, accessories included and helpful storage/traveling tips to see if the Elitefield soft dog crate is right for you!

EliteField Soft Dog Crate Features:

Since I had seen my mom’s Noz2Noz soft crate multiple times, initially that was the one I wanted to buy. When I went to get it, however, I was disappointed that there was only one color available. This might sound silly, but wanting a soft sided dog crate in a different color is truly what started my search to see what was out there, ha!

When I found the EliteField soft dog crate, not only did it come in many colors (20 to be exact!), but it also had way more features compared to the Noz2Noz soft crate. Below is a breakdown of the helpful features this soft sided dog crate has.

Great Sizing Options:

The first reason I chose the EliteField soft dog crate is because of the great sizing options available. Now, they do have the exact same size offerings as most soft sided dog crates, including the Noz2Noz soft dog crate. The next features that I’ll share are more of the reason why I chose it, however, I still wanted to highlight the sizing options available and show how BOTH of my dogs fit in this soft sided dog crate, which honestly was a surprise with Diesel!

The EliteField soft dog crate sizes available are:

• 20″L X 14″W X 14″ H
• 24″L X 18″W X 21″H
• 30″L X 21″W X 24″H
• 36″L X 24″W X 28″H
• 42″L X 28″W X 32″H

I have the largest size available which is the 42″L X 28″W X 32″H. If you’re wondering what size to get for your dog, I would start by measuring the height and length of your dog. You don’t need something that’s too big but you also don’t need something that’s too small. Even though Diesel fits in it perfectly, I wouldn’t recommend this for a dog that’s bigger than him, and he’s my little moose at home in general, ha! Below are both Annie and Diesel’s measurements and breed types for reference and I also have photos of both of them below:

• Annie: 28″L (neck to tail) 30″H (standing mostly)
  • Pointer/Aussie/Cattle Dog Mix
• Diesel: 31″L (neck to tail) 32″H (standing and sitting)
  • Mastiff/Hound/Staffy/Great Dane Mix
  • Again, he’s at the tail end of what can fit in here!

My mom has the same size in her Noz2Noz soft crate for her Labrador Remi if that also helps any Labrador owners looking to choose the right size!

Here’s a quick side by side of both soft sided dog crates so you can see the sizing is the same!

Additional Accessories Included:

The EliteField soft dog crate also came with a handful of helpful accessories that the Noz2Noz soft crate did not include. Even though this large soft sided dog crate was $4 more, I think for $4 you’re getting a WAY better deal! The additional accessories that were included in the EliteField soft dog crate are:

• Washable Dog Crate Pad
  • Now, it’s not this super nice or expensive crate pad, but the fact that it’s washable and comes with it was a win for me! I personally love to use my DGS Pet Dirty Dog Microfiber Dog Cushion Crate Pad! It’s not a 100% perfect fit, but the largest size fits quite well inside. If you’re getting this soft sided dog crate for dog dock diving, then I highly recommend checking this dog crate pad too! This was my Christmas present for my mom and Remi for their dock diving this year! Check out my full review of the DGS Pet Dirty Dog Microfiber Dog Crate Pad here. 
• Storage bags attached to the top and back of your soft sided dog crate.
  • This is something I LOVED about this large soft sided dog crate. You can easily keep your treats, leashes, collars, portable water bowls and any other essentials you’ll need with this crate at all times! 
• Storage bag with strap attachment for easy carrying
  • Even though the Noz2Noz soft crate came with a storage bag, it did not have the shoulder strap. Which, to be honest, when you’re loading and unloading all of your dog items as well as your dogs, having that shoulder strap really makes a difference. Both have handles on the bags itself, but unless you’re truly asking for an arm workout, just skip it and use the shoulder strap (learn from me! Ha!).

Additional Features:

In addition to the extra accessories included with the EliteField soft dog crate, some of the main features of this collapsible soft sided dog crate are:

• 3 Mesh Doors (top, front and side) for quick access and full ventilation.
  • SUPER important for anyone who lives in a warmer state like me who wants to get one. I’m in Florida if you’re new here!
• Velcro Straps on two door openings to secure rolled up mesh door in place.
• Durable foundation made of strong steel tube
• Durable 600D fabric for overall cover
• Clips on both sides to secure soft sided dog crate in place when storing away.

Now, the last thing I want to quickly share is how this collapsible soft dog crate actually fits into your vehicle. Check out the next section to see how this large soft sided dog crate fits into my 2017 Nissan Rogue versus my Mom’s 2022 Subaru Forester (it’s a big difference!).

Traveling/Storage Tips:

When my mom and I took Remi to her first official dock diving competition at the National Dog Show in Orlando, we were able to fit the Noz2Noz soft dog crate, her wagon and a few other things perfectly sideways in the back of her 2022 Subaru Forester. So when I got the EliteField soft dog crate, I knew it would fit perfectly in her car too since it’s the same size as her soft sided dog crate.

For my 2017 Nissan Rogue, the back of my car is not as wide as her Subaru so I actually can’t lay it down in the back. The only ways I can fit it in my car is to put it upright like in the photos below or to put it behind my front seats on the floor standing up sideways. Now ,depending on how you travel with your dogs (i.e. with your dogs in crates, on the backseat, etc.) there are many ways to fit this soft dog crate that can meet your needs! I figured it would still be helpful to show how one option fits in two different SUV’s for reference!

Above: EliteField soft sided dog crate in 2022 Subaru Forester. Below, EliteField soft sided dog crate in 2017 Nissan Rogue. 

I really think that I got the best soft crate for dogs with the EliteField soft dog crate. When you really compare the Noz2Noz soft crate and the EliteField soft dog crate, to me you just get more for your money and it’s a much better investment! I’m beyond excited to bring this large collapsible soft sided dog crate to more of our agility dog classes, dock diving events and so much more!

If you loved learning more about this soft sided dog crate, check out more of my posts featuring some awesome dog product reviews about dog travel accessories and more Dirty Dog Microfiber products (they rock!) as well as some awesome dog-friendly travel locations:

• 4 Dog Travel Accessories For Traveling With Large Dogs
• Big Barker Backseat Barker SUV Dog Bed Review 
• The Alfond Inn Dog Friendly Hotel Winter Park, Florida (rated top 15 best resorts in Florida!)
• Dog Friendly AirBnB Mount Dora, Florida The Heirloom Retreat 
• 3 Pet Travel Organizer Bags That Make Traveling With A Dog Easier 
• Dirty Dog Cushion Pad: Washable Dog Crate Pad Review 
• Dirty Dog Shammy Microfiber Dog Towel Review 

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Photography: Kate Kelley Collection