MidWest iCrate Review: Ours Has Held Up for More Than a Decade
A dog crate is one of those purchases where I mostly want to stop thinking about it after I buy it.
Set it up. Use it. Clean it when necessary. Have it still be there years later. The crate has lasted through the same years of dog ownership in which martingale collars became my default and the second handle on a leash proved genuinely useful.
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That has basically been my experience with our metal dog crates, including the 42-inch MidWest double-door iCrate I bought in 2015.
We still have all of the dog crates we have purchased.
They have held up well.
The exception is when certain unnamed people stack things on top of the crate like it is a shelf and eventually bend the top a little.
Not that I would know anything about that.
My short version: the MidWest iCrate has been a durable, practical wire crate for us. The exact 42-inch ASIN I bought is still sold today. I would buy this type of crate again, but I would recommend using an actual shelf for storage.
My iCrate ownership at a glance
- Bought: 2015
- Exact product: MidWest 42-inch double-door iCrate
- ASIN: B000QFT1RC
- Still have it: Yes
- Overall durability: Good
- Self-inflicted weakness: The wire top can bend if people pile things on it
The exact 42-inch crate is still around
More than a decade after my purchase, MidWest still sells the iCrate line, and the same Amazon ASIN from my 2015 order still resolves to the 42-inch double-door version.
The current MidWest product line still uses the familiar folding wire-crate design with a removable pan, divider options, and single- or double-door configurations depending on model.
That continuity is useful when you are writing about something you bought years ago. I am not reviewing a product that vanished three companies ago.
What held up well
The basic wire structure, doors, and everyday function have held up for us.
I do not remember replacing the crate because a latch failed or the whole frame came apart. We still have it.
That is probably the most useful durability statement I can make after this much time.
What happens when you use the crate as furniture
The top can bend if you repeatedly stack things on it.
That is not something I would blame on MidWest. A folding wire dog crate is not a shelving unit just because the top happens to be flat.
This is one of those ownership lessons where the product survived my misuse but did not remain perfectly straight while doing it.
The folding design is part of why I like this style
Wire crates can take up a lot of room when assembled, especially at 42 inches.
The iCrate folds down without requiring a tool-filled disassembly project. MidWest still markets the line around quick setup and folding storage.
I do not collapse ours every week, but I appreciate that the option exists.
One important crate-safety detail: remove collars and tags
MidWest’s current crate instructions warn owners to remove collars, tags, and leads before placing a pet inside because they can become caught and create an entanglement hazard.
That is exactly the kind of safety detail I would rather repeat from the manufacturer than improvise from memory.
A crate needs to be appropriately sized, assembled correctly, kept in good condition, and introduced to the dog properly. A durable crate does not automatically mean every dog is safe being confined in every situation.
Would I buy another MidWest iCrate?
Yes.
The crate has done what I wanted: remained useful for years without becoming a recurring purchase.
In a site full of things I bought, I have a special appreciation for the products I do not have to keep buying.
MidWest iCrate FAQ
How long has your MidWest iCrate lasted?
I bought the 42-inch double-door model in 2015, and we still have our crates more than a decade later.
Does the top of an iCrate bend?
Mine has bent some where people used the top as a storage shelf. I consider that misuse rather than a normal-use failure.
Does the iCrate fold flat?
Yes. MidWest’s current iCrate line is designed to fold down for storage or transport without tool-heavy disassembly.
Should a dog wear a collar inside a wire crate?
MidWest’s current safety instructions say to remove collars, tags, and leads before placing a pet in the crate to reduce entanglement risk.
Is the 42-inch MidWest iCrate still sold?
As of August 2026, the exact ASIN from my 2015 order still has a current Amazon listing, and MidWest continues to sell the iCrate line.
Crate-safety note: Use the correct size and configuration for your dog, inspect the crate for damage, remove collars/tags/leads as directed by the manufacturer, and do not use a crate as a substitute for appropriate training, exercise, or supervision.