The Best Dog Harnesses to Buy for Your Adventurous Pup
Let’s go for a walk!
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In This Article:
The Top 10 Kinship Reviewed Dog Harnesses How to Choose the Dog Harness That Is Right For You
If you’re like us, walking your pup(s) is a highlight of your day. Of course, the leisurely activity can go a bit askew if your dog (like so many) likes to stubbornly sniff the same spot for minutes at a time or frantically pull you forward any time they see a mailman or another dog.
Fortunately for us, harnesses exist for this very reason. Dog harnesses are designed to give the walker more control of the dog by encapsulating the pup’s entire upper body, as opposed to just their neck. This is also better for the pup’s health and wellbeing overall, as tugging on their fragile necks can lead to lasting damage. Suffice to say, if you’ve been stressing about the nature of your walks and dreaming of a more serene stroll with your doggo, harnesses are here to help. And, as always, so are we.
Ahead, explore our top 10 picks for the best dog harnesses currently on the market.
Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)
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The top 10 Kinship reviewed dog harnesses
Best overall: Ruffwear Front Range Everyday Dog Harnessopens in new tab
Most stylish harness: Wild One Dog Harnessopens in new tab
Best vest harness for small dogs: Puppia Soft Harnessopens in new tab
Best step-in harness for small dogs: Voyager Step-In Air Dog Harnessopens in new tab
Best customizable harness: PawPawify Custom No-Pull Dog Harnessopens in new tab
Best step-in harness: LupinePet Step-In Harnessopens in new tab
Best harness for car rides: Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Dog Walking Harnessopens in new tab
Best tactical harness: SlowTon No Pull Dog Harness opens in new tab
Best minimal dog harness: Ruffwear Hi & Light Reflective Front-Clip Dog Harness opens in new tab
Best no-pull harness: Canada Pooch Complete Control Dog Harness opens in new tab
How to choose the dog harness that is right for you
Size: Dog harnesses should fit snugly but comfortably. To determine your dog’s harness size, keep their neck and chest measurements on hand. When shopping for a dog harness, prioritize adjustable designs. That way, even if your pup loses or gains weight, they’ll remain comfortable in their safety accessory.
Safety: Dog harnesses enhance pup safety not only from a leash-led stance. Thanks to reflective accents, padded silhouettes, and handle inclusions, harnesses can help protect dogs from passing cars as well as from close calls with terrain or aggressive animals.
Type: Most harnesses fall into one of two categories: overhead/vest harnesses or step-in designs. These categories are then divvied up by clip placement. Front clips are ideal for stubborn dogs who sometimes need to be tugged along; back clips are best for dogs who know how to heel. If you have a dog who often pulls, opt for front or dual-back clips, as they offer better control of a pup’s shoulders and, as a result, forward momentum.
Price: Dog harnesses run the gamut from affordable to expensive. Typically, you get what you pay for. While there are plenty of budget-friendly harnesses on the market ($15 to $30), the ones that you invest in ($50-plus) tend to come with warranties that make them well worth the investment.
Best overall dog harness
The Ruffwear Front Range Everyday Dog Harnessopens in new tab is beloved by thousands of shoppers for its lightweight, extremely durable design that’s made to feel comfortable day in and day out, whether strolling the sidewalk or traversing the trails. The cult-favorite adjustable harness is sold in eight colors and five sizes, XXS to L/XL.
Pros
Front and back clip options
Four-way adjustable design
Reflective seams
Beacon light loop (add-on accessory)
Lightweight
ID pocket to keep tags from jangling
Cons
Some dogs don’t dig the overhead design
Overall review
This is my personal favorite dog harness for my 14-pound Jack Russell Chihuahua, Cash. The ultra-lightweight design doesn’t overwhelm his little body, and the padded, reflective design ensures he stays safe on walks and hikes alike.
Review rating: 5/5
Most stylish harness
The Wild One Dog Harnessopens in new tab is a fan-favorite everyday harness that’s as stylish as it is durable. The padded neoprene overhead harness features four adjustable straps, plus the ability to fully unhook the neck if your pup prefers not to have things slipped over their head. Logistically, the Wild One Dog Harness is sold in 12 fashionable colors and four sizes, XS to L.
Pros
Four-way adjustable design
Cushy padded material
Three clip options: one front and two back
Machine-washable
Cons
Because neoprene is somewhat stretchy, this harness doesn’t do much in terms of negating pulling, regardless of where the leash is hooked.
Overall review
For shorter walks, as well as everyday jaunts, I love the Wild One Dog Harness for its fun colors and cozy design. Cash has it in five colors, which makes matching quite fun. That said, even in the proper size, the neoprene buckled harness looks a bit bulkier on his small frame.
Review rating: 4.5/5
Best vest harness for small dogs
The Puppia Soft Harness was my go-to for the first year and a half of Cash’s life. When he was five to 10 pounds, it was the perfect accessory to walk him comfortably without putting pressure on his neck. Once he gained a few more pounds, though, I found that the flexible nature of the mesh harness wasn’t enough to manage his pulling.
Pros
Soft and lightweight
Machine-washable
Takes pressure off the neck
Two-way adjustable design
Cons
Not sturdy enough for large dogs, unless they’re super controlled walkers
Overall review
The Puppia Soft Harness was my go-to for the first year and a half of Cash’s life. When he was five to 10 pounds, it was the perfect accessory to walk him comfortably without pressure on his neck. Once he gained a few more pounds, though, I found that the flexible nature of the mesh harness wasn’t enough to manage his pulling.
Review rating: 4.3/5
Best step-in harness for small dogs
If you like the idea of a cushy mesh harness but can’t get your dog on board with overhead designs, don’t worry. The Voyager Step-In Air Dog Harness earns high reviews for its fuss-free, accessible design. The step-in, back-clip harness is sold in 20 colors and seven sizes XXXS to XL.
Pros
Accessible step-in design
Padded seams for comfortable wear
Dual back rings for extra security and control
Machine-washable
Cons
The mesh harnesses can stretch over time, making them less durable overall.
Expert review / shopper review
“This is such a great harness! This is my second one; the first one is still perfectly good, just wanted another color. It’s so easy to get on, just lay it flat and she walks right in, then just lift up and clip!” — Chewy shopper
Review rating: 4.4/5
Best customizable harness
Whether you want to put your pup’s credentials loud and clear on the side of their harness or need to apply a “Do Not Pet” warning to passersby, the PawPawify Custom No-Pull Dog Harness is a great option. The heavy-duty, no-pull harness features velcro straps to attach the patches of your choice. It’s sold in 17 colors and six sizes, XS to XXL.
Pros
Heavy-duty straps
No-pull, no-choke design
Custom velcro patch compatible
Built-in handle for extra control
Reflective accents
Cons
Price varies by size.
Expert review / shopper review
“This is one of the best dog harnesses we bought for our dog. It has a ring on the back that allows us to connect a seatbelt strap for car travel. Fits well. Good quality, quick-release buckle and has Velcro for our service-dog patches. It holds up well in wet and dry conditions.” —Amazon shopper
Review rating: 4.3/5
Best step-in harness
The LupinePet Step-In Harness is adored for its simple, stylish, adjustable design, sold in a variety of everyday and seasonal prints, as well as solid colors. The dual-back-clip step-in harness lightly limits the range of motion, helping to prevent pulling in the process. It’s sold in 26 colors and prints, three widths, and six sizes.
Pros
Four-way adjustable design
The highly tailored approach makes it one of the most secure step-ins on the market
Matching leashes are available for each print
Cons
The straps aren’t padded, so they might be uncomfortable for some pups.
Overall review
I’ve long been loyal to LupinePet collars and leashes, and the harnesses are worth writing home about, too. They’re about as form-fitting as it gets, as well as specifically designed to prevent escape artists from doing their thing thanks to the dual-clip back. One note: My Jack-Chi goes through chewing phases and was able to easily gnaw through a strap in just a few minutes, so if your pup is a destroyer, this harness may not be the best bet for you.
Review rating: 4.2/5
Best harness for car rides
If you like the looks of the best customizable harness but have a larger dog in need of a deeper level of security, look no further than the SlowTon No Pull Dog Harness, the best tactical harness in our book. Dubbed an Amazon’s Choice product, this harness features adjustable thick patch straps and front and back buckles for optimal control. It’s sold in four colors and four sizes, S to XL.
Pros
Four-way adjustable design
Front and back clips
Built-in seatbelt loop
Cons
Limited color and size selection
Overall review
“Absolutely the best harness. So versatile, from walking to car rides. Confidence in keeping your fur baby safe.” —Petco shopper
Review rating: 4.3/5
Best tactical harness
If you like the looks of the best customizable harness but have a larger dog in need of a deeper level of security, look no further than the SlowTon No Pull Dog Harnessopens in new tab, the best tactical harness in our book. Dubbed an Amazon’s Choice product, this harness features adjustable thick patch straps and front and back buckles for optimal control. It’s sold in four colors and four sizes, S to XL.
Pros
Front and back buckles
Durable thick straps
Velcro patch compatible
Reflective stitching
Cons
Limited color selection
Expert review / shopper review
“The quality is unbelievable for the price! [It] has made a big difference with [a] front-attach leash when controlling my 75-pound dog. [It’s] padded and comfortable for [my] dog! [I] can not say enough good things about this product!” —Amazon shopper
Review rating: 4.3/5
Best minimal dog harness
Upon first glance, you might think this is the same harness as the Front Range Everyday silhouette but it’s different! The Ruffwear Hi & Light Reflective Front-Clip Dog Harness is renowned for its ultra-lightweight design that makes it the ideal minimalist harness for active, well-behaved pups. It’s sold in four colors and six sizes, XXXS to L/XL.
Pros
Super lightweight
Four-way adjustable design
Reflective seams
Fun colorblock design
Cons
Limited color offering
So lightweight that it’s not entirely beneficial for dogs who pull
Overall review
“[My dog] Coco loves wearing a harness at all times. It seems to give her security, so I was looking for something lightweight. She has worn this most of the summer. It doesn't cause her to be hot, dries quickly if it gets wet; it is washable; and it doesn't cause any irritation anywhere on her.” —Chewy shopper
Review rating: 4.6/5
Best no-pull harness
The Canada Pooch Complete Control Dog Harness is a particularly popular no-pull dog harness because it not only features front and back clips but a reinforced handle, too. It’s sold in four colors and four sizes, S to XXL.
Pros
Front and back clips
Reinforced handle
Reflective seams
Five-way adjustable design
Cons
Limited color offering
Expert review / shopper review
“I have a six-month-old large breed puppy, he has been a puller. Other front-clip harnesses have shifted a lot when he tugs. This one shifts the least amount of all the ones we have tried. It really is helping. I also really like the top handle for holding him in place.” —Chewy shopper
Review rating: 4.6/5
FAQs
What size dog harness do I need for my dog?
Dog harnesses should fit snugly. To determine your dog’s proper fit, measure their neck and the widest part of their chest. Compare those measurements to the specific product’s size guide to find the correct harness size for your pup.
What is the safest dog harness?
All dog harnesses offer enhanced safety, as they provide pet parents the ability to better control their dog, all without added pressure on their necks. That said, over-head and vest harnesses tend to be the safest, as some pups can finagle their way out of step-in designs.
How many types of dog harnesses are there?
There are a handful of different dog harness silhouettes on the market. The most popular dog harnesses include step-in designs for convenience and overhead/vest designs for everyday comfort and control; front and dual-clip placement to prevent pulling, and back-clip placement for a full range of motion.
How much does a dog harness cost?
Dog harnesses are sold at various price points, with the most affordable ringing up around $15 and the most expensive edging toward $70. While most brands charge the same price across sizes, some up-charge for larger dogs.
Rebecca Norris
Rebecca Norris is a full-time freelance writer living in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Over the past ten years, she’s covered a range of lifestyle topics, including pets, travel, home, beauty, style, wellness, and celebrity news. Her work has previously appeared in Byrdie, Country Living, Food Network, HGTV, Veranda, and more. She is a mom to two drastically different pups who are the best of buds: Cash, a four-year-old, fourteen pound Jack-Chi, and Archer, a five-year-old, ninety pound Black Lab-Husky-German Shepherd mix. Together, they’re the goofiest geese who light up her life.
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