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The 4 Best Dog Harnesses

We tested a variety of dog harnesses from brands like Ruffwear, PetSafe, and Babyltrl in order to find the best options for your dog
Best Dog Harness
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Our Top Picks

By Andy Wellman ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 19, 2022

Are you looking for the best dog harness but aren't sure which one fits your needs? We researched over 50 different varieties before purchasing the top 10 to the test in a comparative, side-by-side review. The harnesses we've covered include useful features such as no-pull front leash attachment points, easy-to-grab handles, reflective strips, and locking buckles. We've also thoroughly tested how comfortable they are for the dog and how easy they are to put on and adjust. A dog harness can greatly increase the level of control over your dog. No matter your best friend's breed, age, or size, we have some great recommendations for you.

We want our pets to be happy and comfortable, and we know you do too! We've tested a wide variety of dog and cat items, from top-rated dog beds to the best dog toys to keep your pup comfortable, clean, and entertained. If you need a great leash to go with your harness, or perhaps would like to opt for a traditional dog collar instead, we've done the work of figuring out which products are worth your time and which to leave behind.

Editor's Note: We updated this review on October 19, 2022, with information about updates to the Ruffwear harness and further info on our testing metrics.


1

Best Overall Dog Harness


Babyltrl Oxford No Pull


No-Pull Front Clip-In Point: Yes | Handle: Yes — small
REASONS TO BUY
Large rings are easy to clip and allow for no-pull configuration
Easy to grab handle
Locking buckles
Ample reflective material for night walks
Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Thick straps are harder to quickly adjust
A bit bulky and hot

The clear favorite in our dog harness testing was the Babyltrl Oxford No Pull. There is a clip-in point on the front and one on the back, and both are easy to clip. The handle is easy to grab hold of, and if your dog has any Houdini tendencies, fear not, because the buckles on this harness are locking. Our head test dog, Rishi, seemed to find this model comfortable on long runs and didn't experience any chafing. It's the most reflective harness in our lineup, providing extra peace of mind for night walks. The price is nice, too.

We had very few bones to pick with this harness, but we did have to finagle a bit at first to find the right fit. The super thick webbing doesn't slide through the buckles easily, which is great for securing the correct fit once you find it, but makes the initial adjustment more difficult. The padded material also feels thicker than perhaps necessary, which may make some dogs hot. Overall, though, this is our favorite harness and it comes at a great price. This harness is well suited to medium and large dogs, particularly those that sometimes need to be grabbed or have a penchant for pulling when leashed.

best overall dog harness
A great set of features is one reason we think the BABYLRTL is the best overall harness. Here you can see the very large and easy to clip metal ring, as well as the handle that we are holding onto. The red dots on the buckle are locking mechanisms that can be toggled back and forth, and everything on the harness that is white is reflective for better night visibility.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

2

Best Bang for Your Buck


Copatchy No Pull Adjustable


No-Pull Front Clip-In Point: No | Handle: Yes — large
REASONS TO BUY
Very affordable
Flexible, breathable mesh fabric
Large handle easy to wrap around the whole hand
Quick and easy to put on and adjust
REASONS TO AVOID
No front leash attachment means it isn't "no-pull"
Lack of sternum strap allows it to slip to the side
Not super reflective

The Copatchy No Pull Adjustable is an excellent choice if you need to rein in your spending and want an economical harness for your canine friend. Its mesh construction is light and airy, which helps your dog stay cool. The large handle is easy to quickly wrap a hand around, and with only two straps, this is one of the easiest to adjust and put on.

The biggest downside is that it lacks a front clip-in point, so it isn't "no-pull" as the name suggests. If your dog is a real tugger, this design is not the ideal solution for you. Since it doesn't have a sternum strap like many other models, it's also easier for this harness to shift to the side of the dog. Due to the lack of no-pull functionality, we think this one likely works best for small to medium dogs and ones that don't have a habit of yanking all walk long.

dog harness - best bang for your buck
The CoPatchy Adjustable harness has a large, easy to grab flexible handle, as well as a large clip-in point. We like the flexible, lightweight mesh fabric. This harness only has two straps, making it easy to adjust and quick to put on, but also enabling it to slide off to the side and needing readjustment.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

3

Best for Active Dogs


Rabbitgoo No Pull


No-Pull Front Clip-In Point: Yes | Handle: Yes — small
REASONS TO BUY
Large front clip-in point
Highly reflective
Comfortable for athletic dogs that love to run
Rear handle gives you something to grab
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Handle is a bit small
Takes a bit of work to adjust initially

The Rabbitgoo No Pull is our favorite choice for active dogs because it has plenty of useful features while also providing a comfortable and simple fit for dogs while out on the trail. This harness is nearly identical to another harness we tested, the Eagloo No-Pull design described below. Not only is it comfortable for long days, but it has both front and rear clip-in points, a handle to grab onto when needed, and a healthy amount of reflective material.

Stable, comfortable, efficient, and affordable are how we would describe this harness, though we wish that the handle was a bit bigger. It's hard to fit all our fingers through it, and if the dog pulls off to the side, it can twist uncomfortably and be challenging to hold. Like many similar models, this one takes a bit of fiddling to get the ideal fit adjustment the first time. While this option should work great for all medium and large dogs, we think it is suitable for athletically minded owners who like to go for runs instead of short walks.

dog harness - best for active dogs
The Rabbitgoo is a great harness for active dogs and big adventure days. It is comfortable enough to be worn all day without issue, and has both front and back clip in points. It is also quite affordable.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

4

Best for Older Dogs


Ruffwear Web Master


No-Pull Front Clip-In Point: No | Handle: Yes — large suitcase
REASONS TO BUY
Great handle for giving a boost or a weight assist
Double underside straps for best weight distribution
Light and well made
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks a front clip-in point
Lots of straps to adjust
Expensive
Since our test period, Ruffwear updated the Web Master with a new chassis foam that is designed to be more flexible and breathable.

Older dogs still enjoy walks in the woods or on the trails, even if outings need to be a bit shorter and slower. For taking your elderly friend hiking, it can be beneficial to have a dog harness with a big handle to give them an assist when they need it, whether that's jumping up on a log or down a steep section of trail. The Ruffwear Web Master features a vertically oriented suitcase-style handle so you can help Fido out when he or she needs it, and Ruffwear also adds an extra strap under the belly to assist in the weight distribution when being helped.

This model is pricey and doesn't have a front "no-pull" leash attachment point, but most older dogs have given up trying to yank your arm off. If you've got an aging friend who still likes to play with you outside, we highly recommend the Web Master.

dog harness - best for older dogs
The Web Master is the only harness that we tested with an extra strap running across the belly. When lifted with its suitcase style handle, this strap helps distribute the dogs weight and help them stay balanced. Because of these features, this is our favorite harness for old dogs that need some assistance.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

5

Easy to Adjust With Large Handle


Expawlorer Big No Pull Harness


No-Pull Front Clip-In Point: No | Handle: Yes — large
REASONS TO BUY
Easy to adjust
Large plastic handle
Huge rear clip-in point
Very affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks a front "no-pull" clip-in point
No sternum strap means it slides to the side

The Expawlorer Big No Pull Harness has a few notable advantages that other models don't. It only has two straps, and they are some of the easiest to quickly adjust out of any that we've tested. That makes this a good model to conveniently swap out between different dogs, and also makes it easy to put on quickly and go. It also has a substantial plastic handle on the back that is easy to grab and hang onto if your dog needs to be kept in place.

Unfortunately, despite the name, this harness isn't what we would consider a "no-pull" design since it lacks a front clip-in point. There is only one on the back, which allows the dog to pull to its heart's content. It may need constant adjustment due to the overly simple design without a sternum strap means. This design makes it easy for this harness to slide off to the side of the dog. This is an affordable option for big dogs who don't pull too much, or for those who want simplicity and a handle.

dog harness - ellie is a medium sized dog friend that gave us a hand with testing...
Ellie is a medium sized dog friend that gave us a hand with testing one day. The Expawlorer is great because it is far and away the easiest to adjust, making it a great loaner, or one to trade between dogs. It also has a large clip in point and huge plastic sheathed handle. The downside is there is no front "no pull" clip in point and it has a tendency to slip off to the side since there is no sternum strap.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

6

The Outdoorsy Choice


Ruffwear Front Range


No-Pull Front Clip-In Point: Yes | Handle: No
REASONS TO BUY
Front and rear clips for no-pull use
Has keeper spot for dog tags, so no collar needed
Looks nice
REASONS TO AVOID
Not cheap
Lacks a handle

Ruffwear is a company that makes all sorts of outdoor equipment for adventurous dogs. The Front Range is a trendy choice among the outdoor recreation crowd, and there's a good chance you'll see it out on the trails in popular mountain towns. This model is exceedingly lightweight, shows some of the best craftsmanship of any that we tested, and pays attention to the little details, including a place to affix doggie ID tags, as well as the vertically oriented front clip-in point.

This harness would be nearly perfect if it only included a handle or something to grab onto on the back. It's also among the more expensive choices that we've tested, and like similar designs, it can take a bit of work to fine-tune the fit for the first time. If your dog is an outdoor trail crusher, he or she will look right at home wearing the Front Range.

dog harness - rishi cruising the banks of the deschutes river outside of bend, or...
Rishi cruising the banks of the Deschutes River outside of Bend, OR, home to Ruffwear. The Front Range is a popular harness that is lightweight, comfortable, and has both front and rear clip in points, but sadly lacks a handle.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

7

Big Dog Option with Seatbelt Restraint


Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness


No-Pull Front Clip-In Point: Yes | Handle: No
REASONS TO BUY
Comes with dedicated seatbelt attachment strap and carabiner
No-pull attachment point on the front
REASONS TO AVOID
Very heavy and not super comfortable
No handle
No nighttime reflectors

The Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness is a solid choice for large dogs that need to be restrained while in the car. It comes with a sewn loop of webbing and carabiner expressly for that purpose, which you can girth hitch to a rear seatbelt, and also has a no-pull clip-in point on the front for added options.

It doesn't have a handle, though, and also isn't shaped very ergonomically with regards to the dog. It lacks reflectors for nighttime visibility and is one of the heaviest of the harnesses we tested, with bulky metal buckles and an oversized sternum strap. It will certainly work better for large, energetic dogs in the car, but it isn't our top choice for going on walks.

dog harness - the kurgo comes with a loop of webbing and carabiner for attaching...
The Kurgo comes with a loop of webbing and carabiner for attaching the dog and harness to a seatbelt, as shown here. This is a great feature if you have a dog that needs to be restrained in the car, or that you want to be protected in case of an accident.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

8

Smaller Dog Option with Seatbelt Restraint


PetSafe 3-in-1 Harness


No-Pull Front Clip-In Point: Yes | Handle: No
REASONS TO BUY
Comes with an included seatbelt restraint strap
Front and back clip-in points
REASONS TO AVOID
Confusing and difficult to put on
No handle
Thin straps can chafe

The Petsafe 3-in-1 Harness is made with thinner webbing straps that have padding on the inside. It also comes with an included seatbelt restraint strap, and due to its design, it is likely a better choice for medium or small dogs for this purpose than for large ones.

Unfortunately, this harness is confusing to orient correctly and has a habit of getting tangled up. Small, helpful tags telling you where each strap goes on the dog easily ripped off. There is also no handle. This option will work best for small to medium dogs in the car or for short walks.

dog harness - this harness looks nice but is among the most challenging to adjust...
This harness looks nice but is among the most challenging to adjust and put on the dog each day. It has a habit of getting tangled up, and both the front and back look identical, making it easy to attempt it in reverse. It comes with a sewn webbing lanyard for car restraint, and has a no pull clip in point, as shown here.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

9

No-Pull Option Best for Walking Smaller Unruly Dogs


2 Hounds Freedom No-Pull


No-Pull Front Clip-In Point: Yes | Handle: No
REASONS TO BUY
Includes double attachment point leash for added control
Front clip-in point for no-pull use
REASONS TO AVOID
Thin straps are uncomfortable and don't sit flush against dog
Not easy to adjust or quickly put on

The 2 Hounds Freedom No-Pull has one feature that we really like: the included double attachment point leash that clips to both the front and back of the harness at the same time. This design has the effect of preventing the dog from pulling too hard, while also keeping them close on one side or the other of you, but not yanking all over.

Despite this, the harness uses thin, unpadded webbing that isn't very comfortable, according to our dog tester Rishi. It doesn't have a handle and is challenging to get on correctly, especially when the dog is resistant. We think it would work better for small, willful dogs but don't think it's an ideal choice for bigger dogs.

dog harness - our favorite part of this harness is the included double clip leash...
Our favorite part of this harness is the included double clip leash that attaches to both the front and back and equalizes itself with a sliding handle. This design kept Rishi oriented on one single side of us, without the ability to continually cross over, which he likes to do, while also reducing his ability to pull.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

10

Another No-Pull Choice for Active Dogs


Eagloo No Pull Pet Harness


No-Pull Front Clip-In Point: Yes | Handle: Yes — small
REASONS TO BUY
Large front clip-in point is no-pull
Comfortable for long days and active pursuits
Highly reflective
Low price
REASONS TO AVOID
Small handle
Not the easiest to adjust the first time

Despite the difference in name, the Eagloo No Pull Pet Harness is very similar to the Rabbitgoo. Both have similar capabilities, and the better buy might be whichever one is most affordable at the time. The best thing about this design is how comfortable it is, and our dog Rishi was happy wearing it all day out in the mountains without annoyance or chafing. It is easy to set up for no-pull, has lots of reflective tape incorporated in the material, and is quite affordable.

Our main complaint is that the handle is a bit too small and can be hard to hold onto without twisting if the dog chooses to leap off to the side. This option is excellent for large dogs and is a good choice if you need an inexpensive option for running or long days out with your best friend.

dog harness - the eagloo is an excellent harness for active dogs and big days. it...
The Eagloo is an excellent harness for active dogs and big days. It has a handle, front and back clip in points, and is quite comfortable for the dog to wear all day. Best of all, its really affordable.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Why You Should Trust Us


For our dog harness review, we started by researching over 50 top harnesses on the market before settling on the ten models tested here for review. We purchased these ten harnesses at full price and, with some canine help, put them through the wringer. We went on leashed walks in town and runs on mountain trails, assessing how easily the harnesses adjusted, whether they were confusing to put on, how comfortable they were, and what features were available.

Our testing of dog harnesses is divided across five rating metrics:
  • Ease of Adjustment
  • Ease of Putting Harness On
  • Clip-In Points
  • Added Features
  • Doggie Comfort

Our expert head tester for this review is the dog Rishi. Rishi is a one-and-a-half-year-old male Goldendor (half Golden Retriever, half golden Labrador Retriever) who lives in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, USA. He weighs around 65 pounds and is extremely active, as most young dogs are, running and hiking on trails each day, swimming in whatever body of water he stumbles across, or playing fetch. When on a leash, Rishi is a pretty fierce puller, so a dog harness works best for preventing him from choking himself with impatience, and a "no-pull" front leash attachment point makes walking him far more manageable for his human advocates. However, he usually hates wearing harnesses, so he is a very discerning tester willing to share his opinions for the benefit of all dogs. Some of Rishi's friends also helped with testing for this review.

The human advocates who compiled the results of Rishi's testing are Andy Wellman and Elizabeth Riley. Andy has been a senior reviewer at GearLab since 2013 and often includes Rishi on his trail running, backpacking, and rock climbing adventures. Elizabeth usually joins them with the professional role of photographer. Testing took place while hiking and running on mountain trails and while running errands in town by foot, where Rishi must always be on a leash.


Analysis and Test Results


We tested each product based upon five metrics deemed critical to optimal performance: Ease of Adjustment, Ease of Putting Harness On, Clip-In Points, Added Features, and Doggie Comfort.

What is a "No-Pull" Harness?
Pretty much every dog harness has the words "No-Pull" in their name, but beware that this is a misnomer, as not all include what we would consider a no-pull attachment point. The no-pull leash attachment point is on the front of the harness, in the region of the dog's chest or sternum. Clipping in here makes it so when the dog pulls, he or she is naturally turned sideways, which both redirects the dog's momentum and usually annoys them enough to stop pulling. The harness may not look as comfortable when clipped this way, and likely isn't, but we've found the no-pull attachment point to be very effective at slowing a dog down. In contrast, clip into the back of a harness, and your pooch is free to pull like a sled dog.

dog harness - here rishi is clipped into the front of the harness, the "no-pull"...
Here Rishi is clipped into the front of the harness, the "no-pull" position, and while he still likes to lead the team, you can see there is actually slack in the leash, which never happens if he is clipped into the back. While the harness is pulled to the side in a way that looks a bit uncomfortable, the reality is this design is very effective.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Ease of Adjustment


Upon initially purchasing your harness, you will need to adjust all the straps to fit your dog perfectly. Many designs have upwards of six straps that need adjusting, and this is often not very easy on an impatient pup. We graded for how quickly and easily we were able to fine-tune the fit on Rishi. The Expawlorer Big No Pull Harness was the clear winner in this metric, with only two straps needing adjustment and using a straightforward method of sliding buckles to do so. Another two-strap option, the CoPatchy No Pull Adjustable, was also a top scorer. On the other end of the spectrum, we found the Petsafe 3-in-1 to be confusing and faced some difficulty forcing the webbing through the buckles.

dog harness - the first thing we did was adjust all of the harnesses to properly...
The first thing we did was adjust all of the harnesses to properly fit, which meant for a long afternoon for Rishi. While some harnesses can be adjusted quickly while on the dog, the vast majority required us to take the harness off in order to make the necessary adjustments -- a process of trial and error.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Size Your Harness Correctly
While all harnesses that we tested are adjustable, be sure that you order the correct size for your dog. Each company has a different sizing scale, so compare their charts once you have settled on a purchase. To do so, you will need to measure your dog around the chest and neck. A dog harness that doesn't fit perfectly will be uncomfortable and may not work as designed.

Ease of Putting Harness On


If your dog isn't a fan of wearing a harness, then having one that goes on smoothly can save some effort. The two-strap models — the CoPatchy and Expawlorer — were the easiest to get on in a hurry, but since they lack a sternum strap, they often slide off to the side of the dog. Most designs attach the same way: by sliding one loop over the dog's head, then buckling up on each side. Some, like the 2-Hounds Designs Freedom and the PetSafe 3-in-1, are easily tangled and a challenge to orient correctly, making them harder to put on.

dog harness - oh, he hates it. rishi always dodges a harness when he sees one...
Oh, he hates it. Rishi always dodges a harness when he sees one coming. Having a harness that is easy to get on him quickly makes our lives much easier. Many designs follow a similar pattern, requiring you to get your dog's head through the neck hole before buckling up each side. Designs with only two straps are a bit easier.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Clip-In Points


Every design in this review has a rear clip-in point for attaching the leash to the dog's back, but some of these are tiny little D-rings that are much harder to clip than a large metal loop, especially if the dog is trying to get free. The "No-Pull" attachment point is on the front of the harness in the center of the chest. Only about half of the models tested have this no-pull attachment point, despite most of them being labeled as "no-pull." Those with both types of rings that were large and easy to clip, such as the Babyltrl Oxford, received the highest scores.

dog harness - harnesses with two clip-in points, such as this one with a front...
Harnesses with two clip-in points, such as this one with a front no-pull clip, are more versatile than those that only have a rear clip. A larger clip-in ring is far easier to quickly grab and clip, especially if the dog is focused on something else.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Added Features


Besides offering a choke-free or no-pull way to attach a leash to your dog, most harnesses have several other handy features. The most common is a handle for grabbing and restraining your dog up close, although not all models have one. The Ruffwear Web Master has a vertically oriented suitcase-style handle that is the easiest to grab and hold. Designs with small, horizontally oriented handles are okay as long as your dog doesn't leap or pull to the side, which can twist the handle and pinch the fingers painfully, making it hard to keep your grasp.

dog harness - this suitcase-style handle is the best one we tested, and easiest to...
This suitcase-style handle is the best one we tested, and easiest to grab onto. It allows you to give the dog a boost by lifting some of their body weight, which can be really handy for old dogs.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Other common features include reflective strips for greater visibility at night and locking buckles that make it harder for extra crafty dogs to unclip themselves from the harness. The Babyltrl Oxford has the best combination of features, which is the main reason why it's our favorite overall model.

Doggie Comfort


Finally, we graded based on apparent comfort for the dog. Since Rishi isn't adept at human language, his advocates closely monitored him for signs of discomfort, agitation, or annoyance while wearing each harness. Points of chafing were a major red flag. Another way we discerned his discomfort was by taking note of any extra scratching and itching and how often he tried to shake or bite his way out of a harness. The excitement of the adventure usually outweighed the annoyance of the harness. The Rabbitgoo and Eagloo models seemed to be the most comfortable (they are nearly the same). At the same time, it was evident that he liked the Kurgo and 2 Hounds Freedom the least, which had the perverse side effect of working to keep him more effectively in line than most when walking on a leash.

dog harness - don't we all just want to be comfortable? the best harnesses allow...
Don't we all just want to be comfortable? The best harnesses allow the dog to be themselves all day long without getting chafed or becoming frustrated by constrictions, and don't pinch. This allows one's mind to stay on what's important, like sticks.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Conclusion


A harness for your dog provides a safer and more secure way of attaching a leash to your dog than a simple collar, and a no-pull attachment point has the added benefit of adding extra humane control to overzealous dogs. We hope the information above has been helpful in your search for a new outfit for your best friend.

dog harness - frolicking in the alpine, sniffing the air, enjoying some sun, what...
Frolicking in the alpine, sniffing the air, enjoying some sun, what could be better than a hike with the dog? Even if s/hes not always on leash, having a harness allows you to quickly grab and control, or leash up, your dog when you need to.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Andy Wellman


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