The short answer for a Sphynx
A Sphynx needs a carrier that works as clothing, not just transport. With no fur coat — only a fine down over warm, suede-like skin — a Sphynx loses heat quickly and feels every draught, cold surface and rough edge that a coated cat never notices. Choose an enclosed, draught-proof carrier with room for a genuine blanket nest and a smooth interior, and treat temperature as the first specification.
Warmth: the Sphynx-specific priority
A Sphynx rides most comfortably in a carrier that holds still, warm air. Solid sides with modest, baffled ventilation beat open mesh on every side, which lets air conditioning and cool breezes wash straight over bare skin. In winter or in a cold car, line the carrier with a folded fleece blanket thick enough for her to burrow under completely, and warm the car before she travels. In summer the risk reverses: bare skin sunburns, so keep the carrier out of direct sun through car windows, and never leave her in a parked vehicle. If she arrives shivering, curled tight and cold-eared, she was under-dressed for the journey — add insulation next time and mention repeated chilling to your vet if she seems unwell afterwards.
Skin-kind interiors and easy washing
A Sphynx's skin produces oils that a coat would normally absorb, and those oils transfer to everything she lies on. Carrier bedding will need washing after almost every significant trip, so choose or add a removable, machine-washable liner and keep a spare blanket in the car for accidents. Inside surfaces should be smooth: coarse mesh, exposed seams and rough plastic edges can rub skin that has no fur to protect it during a long, vibrating journey. Check her belly and the insides of her legs after longer trips for redness where she pressed against the carrier.
Fit for a lean, active cat
A Sphynx is medium-sized but long, lean and surprisingly muscular, with big ears that need headroom when she sits up. Measure her standing height to the ear tips; those tall ears should clear the roof without brushing. Sphynxes are also social, athletic and curious — many want to see their person — so a carrier with one good viewing panel at the front suits the breed better than total blackout, provided the rest of the shell stays enclosed and warm. Secure latches matter: an inquisitive Sphynx will work at a door she has seen opened.
People-focused travellers
A Sphynx typically bonds intensely and travels best close to her person, hearing a familiar voice. In the car, position the carrier where she can see you and where the seat belt holds it steady, away from direct air-conditioning vents. Talk to her at stops. Many Sphynx owners add a worn T-shirt to the blanket nest — the familiar smell genuinely settles this breed. Carrier training is usually easy: a warm, blanket-filled box is already close to a Sphynx's idea of a good place, so leave it out at home and let her claim it.
Watch-outs for a hairless traveller
Watch for a Sphynx who comes home with sunburnt-looking patches, chilled and lethargic, or with rubbed-raw skin — each points to a carrier fix, and persistent skin changes deserve a vet's look. Because the breed sees vets regularly for skin and routine screening, paperwork tends to accumulate across clinics. KinsLe's Pet Passport gathers a Sphynx's records into a single packet, so her history is complete and in one place whichever practice you visit.