The 10 Best Dog Harnesses, Tested By Going On Walks With Real Dogs

Best Overall

Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness

$92 at Amazon $25 at REI View on Ruffwear.com

A properly fitting harness is key for comfort and to prevent your dog from slipping out while on walks. With five size options (xx-small to large/x-large), all with four adjustment points, the Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness can provide the right fit for a variety of dogs.

The foam-padded construction of the overhead-style harness is designed to be gentle and comfortable so it won't chafe or irritate your pup. When preparing for walks with our participating tester—a young and energetic Siberian husky—the Ruffwear Front Range harness only took a few minutes to put on and adjust, even with their excited wiggles for walk time. The tester said the harness did not loosen up with use, in comparison to other harnesses they've tried. Three months past their first use, our tester says that the quality remains the same, even with the husky yanking it frequently on walks.

The well-constructed harness has two leash connection points: a beefy aluminum V-ring on the back and a reinforced webbing loop on the chest to correct pulling—though we recommend using this harness with dogs who are already leash trained and/or only need mild correction.

The harness is suitable for daily walks, easy to wipe clean, and durable enough to handle most outdoor activities. For low-light adventures, the built-in 360-degree reflective piping keeps your dog more visible to other humans you come across. And for additional safety, there is an ID pocket where you can stash your contact information as a backup to their collar with tags.

_{Sizes: XX-Small, x-small, small, medium, large/x-large | Materials: Aluminum, nylon | Colors: Red sumac, aurora teal, blue moon, campfire orange, hibiscus pink, huckleberry blue, purple sage, red clay, river rock green, blue pool, tumalo teal, twilight gray}

Best Fitting

Blue-9 Balance Harness

$50 at Amazon View on Sitstay.com $40 at Blue-9.com

The Blue-9 Balance Harness has a relatively minimal design that does a fantastic job of conforming to a dog’s body without getting in the way. It's available in five different sizes and has six points of adjustment so you can find a configuration that won’t chafe or impede your dog’s movement.

To ensure you are putting on the harness correctly, the strap that needs to be face up on your dog's back is always a different color webbing than the rest of the harness. It has a Y-neck design at the front, which fits higher up on your dog’s neck—though still below where a collar typically rests—so that it doesn’t impede their front legs. It has two attachment points for a traditional or hands-free leash in either the back or front, making it useful for no-pull training and other adjustments to your dog’s leash etiquette. It’s also a good pick for nervous dogs since it has a buckle for the neck portion of the harness, which means you’ll never have to pull it over your dog’s head. 

Our tester said that although their dog will always be a puller, they feel much more in control of him when he's wearing this harness. They also said that they didn't notice any signs of wear and tear over the course of the three-month testing period.

Blue-9 generously offers a 90-day chew warranty, where you can replace a chewed and damaged harness for half price, but if your dog is prone to chewing, you might find that the thin yet highly durable nylon webbing is no match to your dog's desire for chomping. We also wish the Balance Harness had some reflective elements for better visibility in low-light conditions.

_{Sizes: X-small, small, medium, medium/large, large | Materials: Nylon, plastic, metal leash rings | Colors: Black, blue, camo, hot pink, hunter green, orange, purple, red, sky blue}

Best Budget

Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness

Orig. $18 $15 at Amazon Orig. $36 $25 at Walmart View on Rabbitgoo.com

With a padded design for comfort and two connection points for a leash (back and front), the Rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness is suitable for a variety of outdoor excursions. It's available in five sizes and 14 colors, but all combinations of the overhead-style harness are available at a very approachable price.

With four points of adjustment, this Rabbitgo harness can be modified to fit most dogs, but the straps might be too bulky for very petite pups. Two fast-release buckles on either side of the torso make it easy to clip the harness securely in place and also to take it off with ease. Our tester loved the multiple points of attachment, the security, and the durability; three months later it still looked new—minus some dirt.

In addition to its adjustable fit, the Rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness has other features to enhance your dog's comfort, including an airy, mesh lining, a sturdy top handle for those times when you need to keep your dog extra close (which our tester loves), and reflective stitching to make nighttime walks safer.

_{Sizes: Small, medium, large, extra large | Colors: Baby blue, bright pumpkin, classic black, cherry pink, honey wheat, lemon yellow, light gray, mint green, modern violet, navy blue, passion red, rose red, tranquil teal, vibrant lime | Material: Polyester, nylon}

Best Minimalist

Harness Lead No Pull Dog Harness

$32 at Chewy $35 at Amazon $34 at Walmart

The unconventional design of the Harness Lead No Pull Dog Harness keeps the pressure across your dog’s chest, instead of on their neck. It’s made of double-braided polyester which can resist thousands of pounds of pulling strength. However, our tester said the material once caused a slight rope burn when her dog pulled unexpectedly.

The loop goes around your dog’s neck, then you take the leash length and wrap it across their chest and back through a slit opening. You now have a leash emerging from your dog’s back, attached to two loops, and adjustable rubber stoppers can be moved to capture the right adjustment lengths. It's one continuous piece that takes a moment to understand for proper use, so if you have a dog walker or leave your dog at doggie daycare, make sure to instruct anyone who will be walking your dog how to use it properly.

While you’re more likely to ensure your dog’s comfort with a harness made of flat straps, with more points of adjustment, the Harness Lead is a good minimalist introduction to the harness concept, which does an excellent job of avoiding pressure points or impeding your dog’s natural movements. If you're worried about your dog slipping out of a harness or collar, this is a great option because it's virtually impossible for dogs to escape from.

The Harness Lead is available in two sizes and ten colors, some with reflective accents. It’s even machine washable (hang to dry).

_{Sizes: Small/medium, medium/large | Material: Double-braided polyester, rubber stops at adjustment points | Colors: Purple/green/yellow, red reflective, blue/turquoise, black reflective, orange reflective, pink/purple, blue/lime, purple, purple/turquoise, pink}

Best for Training

PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness

$18 at Chewy $23 at Amazon View on PETCO

The PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness gives the human holding the leash more control over their dog than any other harnesses we tested. The Martingale loop on the front—patented by PetSafe—will stop your canine from pulling and twisting which is essential when training.

The Easy Walk harness is designed to offer a safe and snug fit without any chafing or discomfort while also giving you the ability to steer your dog back toward you whenever they start pulling or misbehaving. The webbing-constructed harness sits across a dog’s chest instead of near their throat, providing an additional layer of comfort that is not indicative of many no-pull harnesses on the market. Another major element that distinguishes the Easy Dog Harness is its colored belly strap which easily lets you know the harness is on correctly. The harness is priced affordably and is well-made with nylon webbing that is easy to wipe clean.

In terms of fit, the PetSmart Easy Walk Harness is fairly narrow, so for large and especially wider dogs, the harness may be too tight or not give the owner enough control. If that sounds like your doggo, we recommend you check out our pick for Big Dogs, the 2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harness.

_{Size: Petite, small, small/medium, medium, medium/large, large, petite/small, x-Large | Colors: Apple green/grey, black/silver, deep purple/black, fawn/brown, raspberry/gray, red/black, royal blue/navy blue, teal | Material: Nylon}

Best Designer

The Foggy Dog Dog Harness

View on Thefoggydog.com

At the intersection of style and function is the Foggy Dog Dog Harness. It comes in a variety of colors and prints with seasonal offerings released throughout the year. The harnesses are constructed in the United States with durable nylon and then covered with natural cotton, so they are sturdy yet breathable and soft to the touch.

The harnesses are available in five sizes and each is complete with four adjustable buckles, two at the neck, one around the belly, and one at the chest for length. A gold-colored D-ring on the back is positioned to evenly distribute pressure when connected to a leash. Our Pomeranian tester immediately picked up the pace of their walk, and the harness stayed in place, preventing the pup from accidentally slipping out. The harnesses are priced higher than others that made our list, but they are well-made with an aesthetic approach that keeps a dog comfortable and pawlished.

A buckle at the back makes it easy to get on and off a dog, and a leather logo patch indicates which side of the harness goes on top so you can be certain the harness is on correctly. It's easy to spot clean but is also suitable to be machine washed and air dried. Our tester says this harness is still the same quality three months later, and the gold hardware is still shiny.

_{Size: X-small, small, medium, large | Colors: Olive, evergreen, cider, hot pink, ruby, onyx, ocean | Material: Cotton, nylon}

Best Padded

Wild One Harness

Orig. $48 $34 at Amazon View on PETCO View on Wildone.com

The padded polyester construction of the vest-like Wild One Dog Harness is soft against a dog's skin to help prevent chafing, and they are made with nylon webbing around the neck and the body that's adjustable to fit your dog's unique shape. Our tester said her old nylon harness dug into her dog's armpits, causing irritation, but that has completely gone away with the padded Wild One harness.

The lightweight, stretchable harnesses are available in a variety of colors with the option to purchase a matching leash and poop bag carrier. There are three coated carbon D-rings for leash attachment. One is located at the front which can help to detour pulling and two are located at the back, one near the base of the neck and the other mid-back. Our participating Dachshund mix felt most comfortable with the leash clipped to their back, but you may find your dog prefers another spot. With frequent walks in the wet and muddy Seattle weather, we found this harness is fairly easy to clean, but our tester said some marks have not come out with washing.

The price point is high, but the harness is well-made and offers a shape that is comfortable for many dogs to wear. It's available in six classic colors with designer collaborations and limited-release colors offered seasonally. If you opt for a brightly colored harness and have a light-colored dog, you should first hand wash and hang dry to avoid dye transfer. We also recommend paying close attention to neck sizing when selecting a size for your dog, and size up if they are between sizes. The harness is placed over the head, which takes some dogs a moment to get used to, and snaps closed around the torso.

_{Size: X-small, small, large, extra-large | Colors: Lilac, black, navy, blush, gray, green, pink, tan | Material: Nylon, polyester, coated carbon}

Best for Hiking

Ruffwear Web Master Dog Harness

Orig. $73 $56 at Amazon View on Ruffwear.com

Designed for trail conditions, the Ruffwear Web Master is constructed of durable weather-resistant polyester fabric along with perforated foam offering padded, breathable protection that won't impede movements.

The Ruffwear harness is designed to go easily on and off with five points of adjustment for a proper fit. On the back, you'll find an aluminum v-ring as the primary leash attachment point, followed by a sturdy padded handle to assist your dog over obstacles, and lastly, a reinforced webbing loop where you can attach items like a light or GPS tracker. The front of the harness has a Y-neck with adjustable sliders for unrestricted front leg movement, and around the torso is a set of adjustable straps that offer support. Our tester found the harness to be incredibly secure, even more than other Ruffwear harnesses.

There are additional safety features, too, including bright fabric with reflective trim lines for visibility at any time of day and in any weather. In addition to hiking, this versatile harness is also beneficial for dogs with mobility issues. Keep in mind this harness does not feature a front clip.

_{Sizes: XX-small, extra-small, small, medium, large/extra-large | Colors: Red Currant, Twilight Gray, Blue Dusk, Slate Blue, Red Sumac, Purple Rain}

Best for Big Dogs

2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harness

$32 at Chewy $42 at Amazon $32 at Walmart

The 2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harness is designed to accommodate dogs weighing up to 250 pounds with a maximum chest width of 44 inches. The patented design features two stainless steel D-rings for leash connection—one at the front that avoids the sensitive neck area and a Martingale loop at the top. For optimal control, the harness should be used in tandem with a double connection training leash that has two prongs for simultaneous attachment to both harness clips. 2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harnesses are often sold with a training leash, but you can also purchase it separately.

Our participating Bernadoodle tester has the common canine habit of getting excited and lunging toward squirrels. With sudden forceful movements, especially from big dogs, this harness gives the leash holder a needed double-powered assist to counteract the momentum of a dog hurling themself forward. The extra-strength strap of the harness that goes around the belly from behind the armpits to the lower chest allows for wielding a great deal of control without any unnecessary discomfort directed toward the pulling pup. The harness is constructed of rip-resistant, industrial-grade nylon with velvet lining, so it's soft against a dog's skin.

Our tester said that even with extensive daily use, the quality is still great after three months. They have found that using this harness in combination with leash training has significantly improved their dog's leash manners and cut back on pulling.

The harness must be put on and taken off over the head, which some dogs do not enjoy, but once it's on, four adjustment buckles can help you get a comfortable fit around your dog. It can also be used for more relaxed walks with a leash connected to one of the D-rings.

_{Sizes: X-small, small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large | Colors: Red, royal blue, purple, brown, rose pink, raspberry, turquoise, teal, burgundy, hot pink, navy, neon green, neon orange | Material: Nylon, velvet, stainless steel}

Best for Car Rides

EzyDog Drive Dog Car Harness

$125 at Chewy Orig. $125 $108 at Amazon View on Ezydog.com

The EzyDog Drive Dog Car Harness is a secure, padded harness that has two handles on the back designed for your car’s seat belt. It has a contoured and padded chest plate, which distributes any tugging across your dog’s body. As far as dog seat belts go, you can't go wrong with this harness.

The EzyDog uses beefy components for maximum safety, though it can make it tricky to fit to your dog initially. But once you’ve fit the EzyDog to your pooch you can lock in the strap configuration, and then it’s straightforward to take it off and put it on again using the magnetic clasp. 

While the EzyDog is usable as a walking harness, its complex fit, bulky straps, and padded front are geared toward keeping your dog safe on car rides, so it might not be the most comfortable for active dogs. The EzyDog Drive Dog Car Harness was independently crash-tested and certified by the Automotive Safety Engineering in Australia.

_{Sizes: Small, medium, large | Color: Black | Material: Nylon, synthetic fabric}