MidWest iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate

Dad

Okay, I bought this. You were there when I opened the box. What did you think?

Boldo

The sound was terrible. Metal on metal. I thought something was breaking. Then you assembled it and it smelled like a warehouse—zinc coating, industrial shipping. Not welcoming. I investigated the interior corner seams for probably five minutes. They're tight. No escape routes, which I hate you for thinking about.

Dad

Let's talk about the smell. I know that's your main thing.

Boldo

The smell faded by day two. That's the point of powder coating. What didn't fade was the plastic mat on the bottom—it has that new rubber smell that makes me not want to lie down for long. By the end of the week it was fine. Not offensive. Neutral. Which is boring but acceptable.

Dad

You've had some time with it now. Is it any good?

Boldo

It's sturdy. The latch works. I tested it. The divider panel is clever if you want to make the space smaller, though I have no idea why you'd do that. Wait—is that the cat's food bowl I hear rattling in the kitchen? No? Okay. Anyway. It doesn't wobble. The door swings smoothly. I hate that I'm admitting this but it's built to last.

Dad

I paid around $90 for this. Be honest. Worth it?

Boldo

For ninety dollars you got a crate that folds flat and doesn't fall apart the first time you travel with it. Other crates I've seen people drag into the vet's office are bent at the corners within a year. This one looks like it'll survive longer. That's not nothing. You also get the carrying handle, which is actually useful instead of you dropping it and cursing. I wouldn't call it a bargain but it's not wasteful spending.

Dad

Final answer. Would you recommend this to other dogs?

Boldo

I'd recommend it to dogs whose people actually travel with them or move apartments. If your crate lives in one corner of the basement and never moves, save your money on something cheaper. But if you need reliability and portability, this is fine. Better than fine. Not that I care what other dogs think. They're not me.