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Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier Review

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Mallory Crusta / Cats.com

The Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier is a flight approved pet carrier that fits right under your seat. If for some reason you are turned away from your flight due to your pet carrier, Sherpa will refund you the cost of your flight and airline pet fee.

Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier has a wooden base for durability covered in a waterproof lining. The machine-washable faux lambs wool liner will keep your kitty comfy during the flight while the mesh will give him plenty of air.

At around $45, the Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier may be the right way to travel with your cat. But is it worth the cost when comparing it to other pet carriers on the market?

After testing the Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier out, we have the details on its quality and my personal experience using it with my two cats.

We independently purchased this item and subjected it to in-depth testing, monitoring how our cats used it and if they preferred it over other pet carriers.

Click Here To Shop Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier On Chewy

Click Here To Shop Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier On Amazon

Mallory Crusta, our Head of Content, tested the Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier in December of 2020 and I tested it myself this year. Check out Mallory’s in-depth video review of the Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier on the Cats.com YouTube channel.

Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier Overview

This carrier comes in three sizes and can accommodate both dogs and cats and even rabbits when traveling. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com

The Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier is an airline-approved carrier. You can place it right underneath your airline seat, keeping your cat with you at all times.

This carrier comes in three sizes and can accommodate both dogs and cats and even rabbits when traveling. The small carrier is 15″ long x 10″ wide x 8.5″ high and accommodates pets up to 8 pounds. The medium size measures 17″ long x 11″ wide x 10.5″ high and can hold pets up to 16 pounds while the large is 19″ long x 11.75″ wide x 11.5″ high and fits pets up to 22 pounds.

The inside offers a faux lambskin liner that can be removed for washing. The sides are made of mesh to give your cat a lot of breathing room and the entire thing is leak proof in case your kitty has an accident while traveling.

You can also choose from several different colors such as: Red, Paisley, Plum, Black, Brown, Gray, Blue, and Purple. It has rubber feet on the bottom to protect the bottom from getting wet and also offers a nice, roomy, side storage pocket that zips closed. The carrier also folds up when not in use for easy storage.

The carrier offers several entry points to get your cat in and out of easily. The top zipper entry makes it easy to access your cat and put him into the carrier. There is also a side zipper opening if your cat prefers to exit that way.

This carrier also has two handle straps to carry it like a duffle bag or a detachable shoulder strap. It also has a luggage strap to attach to your suitcase which makes getting around the airport much easier.

Is The Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier Safe?

The carrier is soft-sided and made with a patented spring wire frame allowing the back end to be pushed down several inches to slide beneath the airline seat without restricting your cat’s head space. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com

Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier is great for almost any kind of travel and your cat will be safe regardless of how long of a trip you are taking.

It does feature mesh sides offering sufficient ventilation, as well as top and side entry with locking zippers for safety. It has a removable padded shoulder strap with adjustable no-slip padding and machine-washable faux lambskin liner.

The carrier is soft-sided and made with a patented spring wire frame allowing the back end to be pushed down several inches to slide beneath the airline seat without restricting your cat’s head space.

The carrier has a luggage strap to secure to your luggage when moving through the airport. It also has a seatbelt strap to help secure the carrier in the car, although it has not been approved for car safety by any organization.

How Much Does The Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier Cost?

The carrier has a luggage strap to secure to your luggage when moving through the airport. Mallory Crusta / Cats.com

The Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier costs around $59.00 for the small size on Amazon. You can buy the medium size carrier for $46.92 on both Amazon and Chewy. The large size will cost you around $49.17 on both sites give or take a few dollars.

If you need replacement liner pads for the bottom of the carrier they are available on Amazon. You can buy a two pack for around $12.19 for all three size carriers.

How Do You Clean the Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier ?

The Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier is fairly easy to clean. You can wipe the outside of the carrier off with a rag, warm water and gentle soap then let it air dry.

The artificial sheepskin liner can be gently washed at a cool temperature and air dried. To clean the inside, remove the stability board from the base of the bag, and wipe it the same way you would the outside.

Did My Cats Like the Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier?

We purchased the Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier in size medium and our cat fit in it well with plenty of space to move around. She seemed comfortable and liked the fact she could see out of the sides of the carrier.

However, don’t just take our word for it, there are many positive reviews and thousands of cats and their owners that really love this pet carrier.

What Do Customers Think Of the Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier ?

Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier has almost all positive reviews

Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier has almost all positive reviews not only on Amazon and Chewy but all over the internet. Generally speaking, customers like the durability and how lightweight it is as well as the price in comparison to other pet carriers. The few negative reviews are complaints about size or their pet not liking it.

That being said, every customer’s experience is exclusive. Keep reading to see a positive and negative customer review for the Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier.

Positive Customer Reviews For the Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier

“Lightweight but sturdy space-saver. I bought two of the large carriers to replace old plastic hard-sided carriers for my two 11-year-old cats. I was really pleased with how lightweight these carriers are compared to my older ones. Much easier to transport my cats, who are 10 and 16 pounds. The carriers are sturdy but also collapse down easily when not in use. Both of my cats seemed to like the view, compared to their old carriers.” – Caitlyn

“Very Satisfied. This is my second travel case, I use it a least 4-5 times weekly, so it gets a lot of use. It’s very attractive, practical ,sturdy and easy to maintain. I like the fact that you can either wash or change the bedding. For what it costs, I don’t think you will find a better product. I used the first one so often that the zipper started to wear.” – Poppy1934

Negative Customer Reviews For the Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier

“Not really large. I got two of these for my cats. By the chart, I could have gotten one medium and one large but decided to get two large to make sure they wouldn’t feel so cramped and claustrophobic. The thing is, the smaller cat will be fine. The other one barely fits in the carrier. I chose this carrier because it seems to be more open and airy than the old ones I have, and the cats hate, but I feel like the size and design is for the comfort of the parents, not the cats. For small cats, I suggest the large size. For medium size cats, the large is ok for short trips only. For cats that are slightly large than a medium size cat, don’t buy this” – Justme

Dog Carrier. I have been having a hard time finding a travel carrier for my cockerpoo. I love the way this carrier is made. It’s very sturdy and although it’s made for dogs up to 20 lbs, the medium was too small and she is 12 pounds. I think this would be better for a smaller dog or small cat. I’m going to order the larger size and hope it fits.” – jgra

Would We Recommend the Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier ?

The Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier has plenty of helpful features

Yes! The Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier is practical, comfortable, durable, has high ratings, plus offers a lower price point.

The Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier has plenty of helpful features, like the mesh side ventilation, the removable washable liner, and the flexible wireframe that can scrunch down to fit under airplane seats. You also have many options when carrying using carrying handles, removable shoulder strap or attaching it to your luggage.

This carrier is also approved by most airlines and offers an exclusive Guaranteed on Board program. The small carrier is approved for American Airlines, AirTran Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, U.S. Airways, United Airlines, Air Canada Airlines and WestJet Airlines. The medium is approved for American Airlines, United Airlines and Air Canada Airlines. The Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier in Size large may not be suitable for all airlines, due to its height. We recommend inquiring with the airlines before booking your flight.

Our only complaint about the Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier is the lack of a tether to attach to your cat’s harness to increase security.

What We Liked:

  • Removable liner
  • Comes in various colors
  • Available in 3 sizes
  • Meets most airlines requirements
  • Covered by company guarantee

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Complaints of zipper malfunctions and ripping
  • Not car safety approved
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About Amy Brown-Towry

Amy Brown-Towry is a Certified NAVC Pet Nutritionist and animal lover. She is the proud owner of two cats and a dog and her love for animals has led her to a successful career as a freelance writer specializing in pet care, nutrition, and product reviews.