What It Is and Key Specs
The MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate is a folding metal wire dog crate available in a 42-inch double-door configuration. According to the manufacturer listing, it measures 42.88 × 28.75 × 30.38 inches, sized for dogs in the 71–90 lb range. The double-door design offers front and side access, and the crate ships with a divider panel, a leak-proof plastic tray, rubber feet, and a carry handle. MidWest notes that tool-free assembly is part of the package, and the folding format makes it portable for travel or multi-room use.
The manufacturer's sizing guidance is worth noting directly: for dogs closer to the 90 lb upper limit, MidWest itself recommends considering the 48-inch model to ensure enough room to get comfortable. That's a candid acknowledgment that this crate sits at the top of its intended weight range for the largest eligible dogs.
Build Quality and Safety
MidWest describes a sturdy metal wire construction finished with a protective black e-coat designed to resist rust and everyday wear. The corners feature rounded clips, and the latches use a slide-bolt design with what the brand calls a "Paw Block" — a mechanism aimed at reducing the risk of accidental escapes and minimizing snag or cut hazards. The company states the iCrate undergoes rigorous safety testing, and MidWest Homes for Pets is a family-owned business based in Indiana with over 100 years of pet product experience and US-based customer service.
The manufacturer's published instruction manual, available via
manuals.plus, confirms the dimensional specifications and includes breed-to-size guidance consistent with the listing claims.
Real-World Fit: Who It Suits, Who Should Skip
This crate is a reasonable fit for owners of mid-to-large breeds — Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Australian Shepherds — who fall comfortably within the 71–90 lb range. The included divider panel is a practical feature for puppy owners: it allows the interior to be partitioned down during early crate training and expanded as the dog grows, effectively letting the crate serve across multiple life stages without requiring a separate purchase.
The large door openings and low thresholds cited by MidWest address a common friction point in crate training — reluctant dogs are easier to coax in when entry feels less confined. For households that move the crate between rooms or travel frequently, the folding design and carry handle add genuine convenience.
However, owners of dogs at or near 90 lbs should take the manufacturer's own upsell advice seriously. If your dog is already at the top of the weight range, the 48-inch model is likely the better choice. Those seeking a crate for very small or medium breeds will find the 42-inch footprint oversized and potentially counterproductive for training purposes.
Honest Limitations
No product at any price point is without tradeoffs, and some published feedback surfaces a specific quality-consistency concern. A review on MidWest's own product page notes that a 42-inch unit arrived with one side panel slightly larger than specified, resulting in a top corner that wasn't square — a fit issue not reported with the reviewer's earlier 36-inch iCrate from the same brand. This points to a potential variability in manufacturing tolerances at this size, and prospective buyers should inspect their unit upon arrival and contact MidWest's US-based customer service if dimensional irregularities are found.
The crate is metal wire rather than solid-panel construction, which means it provides less visual insulation for dogs that are calmer in enclosed, den-like spaces. Owners of anxiety-prone dogs may need to supplement with a crate cover — a common accessory in this category but not included here.
Category Context
Wire folding crates in the large-breed segment are a crowded space, and the iCrate competes on a combination of brand heritage, safety feature detailing, and an unusually large base of reader feedback. With a readers' aggregate of 4.7 out of 5 from over 80,000 Amazon ratings, it sits among the most broadly rated options in its size class — that volume of feedback carries more signal than a smaller sample would. That said, aggregate scores don't eliminate unit-level quality variation, as the fit issue noted above illustrates.
Bottom Line
The MidWest iCrate 42-Inch is a well-specified, safety-considered crate for large breeds in the 71–90 lb window, built by a manufacturer with a long track record and domestic customer support. The divider panel, rust-resistant finish, and portable folding design add practical value for training and everyday use. The main caveats are straightforward: size up if your dog is near the top of the weight range, inspect for dimensional consistency on arrival, and consider a cover if your dog needs a more enclosed environment.
