We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
We tested a variety of dog harnesses from brands like Ruffwear, OneTigris, PetSafe, Eagloo, Auroth, and more to help you find the best options for your dog.
We've tested a lot of harnesses over the years. Whether on the farm, at the crag, in the backcountry, or in the hunting field, there is a versatile model that is probably perfect for your pup.
Credit: Benjamin Hickok
By Benjamin Hickok ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated November 28, 2025
Are you looking for a new harness to better handle and train a puppy, or a better-padded harness with a handle for an aging canine who may need a little help getting into the car? We selected 13 promising models, ranging from simple webbing styles to heavily padded ones, and used each one with our own canine friends. We evaluated practicality, safety, and versatility, and closely examined the design of each model to determine if they kept our four-legged friends comfortable.
The model that works best for most dogs is the Auroth No Pull Harness; it meets all the basic needs you'll have, and has some extra features that allow you to attach small packs, hook-and-loop patches, and includes a handle.
For those on a budget, the Eagloo No Pull Pet Harness is a strong value-oriented option. It offers more than you might expect at this price point, with a no-pull clip-in point, good fit, padding, and decent adjustability in addition to basic features.
Editor's Note: Our dog harness review was updated on November 28, 2025, after testing new harnesses from Ruffwear, Voyager, and PoyPet.
The Auroth No Pull Harness is an exceptional dog harness that offers your K9 friend a lot of comfort thanks to breathable, padded fabrics and outstanding adjustability that should fit a wide range of dog shapes and sizes. This model meets all the basic handling needs, with a no-pull front clip and a large handle on top of the harness. It also offers a lot of versatility with hook and loop MOLLE/PALs webbing straps across the top of the harness, allowing you to attach small compatible packs, reflective patches, or a bluetooth tracker. “My Catahoula, Cora, has worn the harness on and off for years now. It's not only affordable and loaded with features, but it's comfortable and durable, and you can get one with a more casual styling, rather than one that looks like something worn by a dog riding in the back of a K9 police unit.” The harness comes in a variety of colors, including those with reflective stitching in the webbing and materials featuring reflective trim. There is even a denim color option if you want to achieve the Canadian tuxedo look without sacrificing the utility of a tactical style harness.
SPECIFICATIONS
Size Tested
Large
Sizes Available
S, M, L, XL
No-Pull Design
Yes
Handles
1 (Firm)
Number of Clip-In Points
2
Every dog harness we tested had some drawbacks, or could be just a tad better, and the Auroth No Pull is no exception. In the world of tactical style harnesses, buckles on the collar are often present, and allow a harness to be donned and removed without pulling it over your dog's head, but this model does not have those buckles. The soft handle can bend and pinch your hand when restraining an excited dog, so we wish it were a bit more rigid. All things considered, we've been really impressed with the Auroth No Pull — it is a versatile, comfortable harness for your pup and includes some value-added features that will excite the handler, too. If your main focus is your dog's comfort on trail runs or in the backcountry, check out the Ruffwear Front Range, or if you need a handle, the similar but more lightly padded Ruffwear Flag Line.
The Auroth No Pull dog harness is ergonomic, comfortable, versatile, and effective, making it one of the best all-around harnesses available. Credit: Ben Hickok
The Eagloo No Pull Pet Harness delivers an impressive amount of functionality and features for a price that is hard to beat. It feels well-constructed with sturdy stitching and durable webbing that will handle years of regular use. Most harnesses at this price point skimp on comfort, but the chest and belly straps provide cushioning in the right places, and the webbing straps don't chafe during walks. All the webbing incorporates reflective materials that make it easier for people to see your dog in low-light settings, enhancing your dog's safety. A metal front clip discourages pulling, while a clip on the back can be used in the more traditional way, and a handle, albeit a bit flimsy, is sufficient for keeping an excited dog at your side. “I've tested many harnesses over the years, and I think this is an excellent choice for any dog owner who wants a quality, no-pull, no-fuss design without breaking the bank.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Size Tested
Large
Sizes Available
S, M, L, XL
No-Pull Design
Yes
Handles
1 (Flimsy)
Number of Clip-In Points
2
While the harness excels in many ways, and very clearly offers a lot of value at the price point, we had a couple of criticisms. The handle is a bit flimsy, and if your excited dog pulls while you are holding it, you will pinch your hand a bit. The webbing also flops around a bit when you are trying to buckle the harness. We also think the padding could extend a little further in a few places to offer maximum comfort. While we like this model for the price, we also think it is worth spending just a little more for our top pick, the Auroth No Pull Harness. Not only does it offer a few extra features and a better, more contoured fit, but the increase in cost is almost negligible. And if you're looking for a harness that can allow you to pick up a dog and pull them out of a cattle alley, or toss them into a vehicle, you'll want to look at a model like the OneTigris X Destroyer Harness.
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
The Ruffwear Front Range is still the reigning champ for a rugged, but lightweight, harness with most of the bells and whistles you'll need in the backcountry, fishing at the lake, or hanging at the crag. Webbing strap adjustments offer a great fit, padding in the right places offers good comfort, and it is generally easy to put on and take off. The design has ergonomic contours that fit most dogs really nicely. “I love this thing!” tester Ben Hickok said. “My dog wore this during hot days hunting Wyoming sage grouse during an unusually warm hunting season.” Unlike other Ruffwear models, it is offered in a blaze orange color, providing high visibility in the field for safety. It is a great harness that has just enough useful features, a great fit, and, in high visibility color options. This is a great harness for most dog owners, across the board, especially for those who don't need a handle or a more substantial no-pull clip-in point.
SPECIFICATIONS
Size Tested
Medium
Sizes Available
XXS, XS, S, M, L/XL
No-Pull Design
Yes
Handles
No
Number of Clip-In Points
2
It is pretty easy to like the Ruffwear Front Range. “After using it for a couple of months, I can confidently recommend it as a great harness,” our tester said. Previous testers shared the same sentiment. However, there are a few things that kept it from being the best overall harness in our lineup. The first issue, while not a deal-breaker for most dogs, is that it must be donned over your dog's head. Mellow dogs may be okay with this, but it can become a frustration every time you are about to go somewhere if your dog dislikes having anything placed over its head. Our second issue is the lack of a handle, which would be great for assisting a dog over an obstacle like a downed tree or boulder, or up into the bed of a truck or a vehicle. It would also be a great option for better handling of an excited dog. Ben noted, "I personally really like the Ruffwear Flag Line for my very excitable dog, which is essentially a less-padded, longer version of the Front Range, but offers a handle, which allows me to take my high-energy dog to the local brew pub, and keep her at arm's length."
The Ruffwear Front Range is great around the farm, in the field on hunts, and in the backcountry. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
The OneTigris X Destroyer Harness offers dog handlers the best feature suite, including a no-pull front clip-in point and three large, reinforced handles for lifting and assisting dogs into vehicles and over obstacles. The durable, water-resistant nylon fabric — which wraps around most of your dog's body — offers good protection from abrasion against objects. It is also surprisingly easy to don, as it employs front buckles where the neck meets the shoulders and on the sides, meaning it does not have to be put on over your dog's head. From hunting and farm dogs to ski patrol pups to military and police patrols, this is an ideal harness for any dog with a job that demands safety and support. “My dog Cora wore the harness crashing through the sedge and brush on a steep ravine to get to an irrigation pump in a creek, and it was no worse for the wear,” Ben said. “It's a cool-looking harness that's versatile and offers some safety from pokes and punctures, and allows me to provide her with support when needed.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Size Tested
Large
Sizes Available
M, L, XL
No-Pull Design
Yes
Handles
3 (Extra Firm)
Number of Clip-In Points
3
All the protection, versatility, and support the OneTigris X Destroyer offers come with some drawbacks. Despite being comfortable regarding fit and ease of adjustment, this harness doesn't feature comfortable padding or plush fabrics in the design. The water-resistant nylon offers protection from sharp and abrasive objects, but is not very breathable. Furthermore, the nylon may cause a dog to overheat and chafe if worn for extended periods, depending on the climate. It might be a great option for a few miles a day, in cool weather, or while hunting in the shoulder seasons, but it is not necessarily the best pick for multiple warm days of backpacking where you will be racking up the mileage. Looking for something a bit more versatile and a little less tactical when adventuring off the clock? We are particularly fond of the Ruffwear Front Range's lightweight, streamlined fit — perfect for long trail days in the backcountry, distraction-filled runs through busy crowds, or a day in the sage hunting upland game. If you need a handle for occasionally restraining an energetic pup, but prefer a lighter-duty harness, then check out the Ruffwear Flag Line.
The OneTigris X Destroyer harness offers a lot of protection for working dogs. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
Compare Products
The ideal dog harness is comfortable, easy to put on, easy to adjust, and adds the right amount of features and functions for the day's chores, a trail run, multiday backcountry trips, or a day hunting upland game. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
How We Tested
We spend hours looking for new and updated products year after year, to find the best dog harnesses to test. We carefully select the current most promising models of different styles, designed to meet the needs of a wide range of dog owners with different recreational and handling interests. We thoroughly test each harness in a series of side-by-side tests and evaluations, examining the details of their respective designs, assessing the practicality and usability of their features, and our four-legged friends help us to discover which models are easiest to don and adjust for a good fit. We have our dogs wear them extensively to see how well they work in our day-to-day routines. This helps us dissect the nuanced differences between the various models and helps determine which ones are suitable for long journeys versus short walks.
We divided our testing of dog harnesses into five rating metrics:
Ease of Adjustment (25% of overall score weighting)
Ease of Donning (25% weighting)
Clip-in Points (20% weighting)
Doggie Comfort (20% weighting)
Added Features (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Ben Hickok brings extensive testing expertise to GearLab. He has evaluated hundreds of products across a wide range of categories, from dog collars and heat guns to all in one printers since joining the team, and further refining his skills in product testing and assessment. He is a dedicated outdoorsman and tech nerd, with extensive product design, development, and fabrication knowledge. This background made Ben an ideal lead tester for dog harnesses, particularly given his hands-on experience working with his dog on his small farm, on upland game hunts, and backcountry excursions. He has developed a keen eye for the subtle details that determine whether a harness works, having trained dogs of all sizes and temperaments from small and mellow to large and spirited. His 3-year-old female Catahoula Leopard, Cora, served as one of multiple canine testers for this review. She exemplifies the strong-willed work and hunting dog personality that can challenge any harness (or dog owner), revealing strengths and weaknesses during real-world use.
Andy Wellman, a senior reviewer at GearLab since 2013, helped establish this category alongside Rishi, his one-and-a-half-year-old male Goldendor — half Golden Retriever, half golden Labrador Retriever. With multiple decades of big granite rock climbing ascents under his belt and years of experience writing and publishing climbing guidebooks, this devoted rock climber possesses intimate knowledge of all types of gear and the technical expertise to assess the finer points of any harness you put in front of him.
All dog harnesses were tested in a variety of conditions, from walking through a neighborhood, controlling an excited pup at the local brewery, working on the farm, trail runs, backcountry treks, and even hunting upland game. We also analyzed materials, how buttons and clip-in points operate, material comfort, and overall designs.
Analysis and Test Results
There is a lot more to a dog harness than its ability to restrain a dog. Dog comfort, versatility, owner handling, no-pull features, ease of use, ease of donning, safety features, and value all make a difference to your and your dog's well-being.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
Value is subjective, as different dog owners look for different features in a dog harness. A product with tactical style attachment points for MOLLE/PALs or hook and loop-compatible accessories and patches, protective heavy materials, and oversized handles for large energetic dog handling may not be as valuable if all you really need is a simple webbing harness with high-visibility reflective stitching for a brief walk around the block in the evening after work. Ease of donning is likely more important for folks with excitable dogs, and owners of smaller dogs may not find it as important to have a no-pull harness. We highlight the best harnesses based on individual metrics so that you can choose the perfect harness for you and your dog.
The Eagloo No Pull Pet Harness offers great value for its nice balance of features and affordability. It performed well in almost all our testing and includes the features we've come to expect, such as a no-pull front clip-in point, a handle for restraining, reflective stitching for safety, and locking buckles. It is neither bulky nor heavy, yet it is much better padded than just simple bar-tacked webbing harnesses that often cost just as much.
If you are on a particularly tight budget, the Copatchy No Pull Adjustable stands out as a good option. It includes most of the features that make a good harness at an incredibly budget-friendly price. Even if you only use this harness a couple of times — like to transport your pup to the vet, for example — it won't feel like a waste of money. Another standout model we tested was the Auroth No Pull Harness. This option adds the versatility and features of a tactical harness while remaining exceptionally comfortable for your pet and maintaining a more pedestrian appearance. This top model, surprisingly, settles around the average price point, or even lower, for all the harnesses in the test group.
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
Ease of Donning
The last thing you want is for your K9 to dread wearing a harness, and if the harness is uncomfortable or cumbersome to don, your dog is almost guaranteed to have an aversion to putting it on every time they see it come out of the closet or off the coat rack. Most harnesses are easy enough to slip over your dog's head, but the easiest harnesses to put on have additional buckles that attach over the sides of the collar. Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the spectrum, a couple of harnesses we tested were more awkward and cumbersome, but most fall somewhere in the middle.
The OneTigris X Destroyer, Copatchy No Pull Adjustable, and PoyPet No-Pull harnesses topped our list as three of the easiest to put on your pup. The OneTigris has buckles on each side of the collar, so the harness can be easily put on or taken off your dog without pulling it over their head. Oversized buckles on the extra belly strap of this rather long harness are easy to snap, which only aids in easy donning or removal. While different in design, the Copatchy also does not require donning over the head. Instead of a chest plate or padding, it opts for a strap around the neck and another around the belly, each with unobstructed and easy-to-snap buckles.
Oversized sidelock buckles on each collar make the OneTigris one of the easiest harnesses to remove, without pulling it over your dog's head. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
Unfortunately, most dog harnesses we tested require the harness to be placed over your dog's head, with the co-requisite single strap around the ribcage behind the shoulder, and in the case of full-length harnesses, a second strap around the stomach.
Although the Auroth No Pull Harness, like many others, requires donning over your dog's head, most models incorporate enough padding and material along portions of the harnesses to give them some structure and a little rigidity. This makes placing them on a dog easier and helps keep the harness from getting tangled, like might occur with more flimsy and webbing-only models.
Oh, he hates it! Rishi always dodges a harness when he sees one coming. Many harnesses, like the Kurgo Tru-Fit, require you to get your dog's head through the neck hole before buckling up each side. Having a harness that is easy to get on him quickly makes our lives much easier. Credit: Elizabeth Riley
Both the Ruffwear Flag Line and the Ruffwear Front Range require donning over the head, but neither requires stepping in, unlike the Ruffwear Webmaster. Fortunately, probably due to their ergonomic designs, both are very easy to comfortably place over a dog's head, and only those with stubborn dogs that resist objects being placed over their head will have any frustration with either model.
The Ruffwear Flag Line has four large buckles that are easy to release. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
If the harnesses we tested were compared to swimwear, the aforementioned harnesses would be more akin to bodysuits, whereas the PetSafe 3-in-1 Harness and 2 Hounds Freedom No-Pull Harness venture into string bikini territory. Their thin, unpadded webbing designs and the metallic rings incorporated at the intersections of straps allow harnesses to twist, bend, and sometimes tangle.
As the name suggests, the Voyager Step-In Air requires your dog to step into the harness. Which, in the case of our spicy little friend Pua the Corgi, means wrestling both front legs into holes, wrapping the harness around the back, adjusting with velcro, then securing with standard plastic buckles.
This is not our favorite design in harnesses. Fortunately, Pua, our spunky little Corgi, didn't put up too much of a fight this time around. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
The Ruffwear Web Master was a less-than-ideal exception requiring a dog to step one leg into a harness before it could be pulled over the head. It is one of the strangest ways of putting on a harness and was our K9 tester Cora's least favorite harness to don. Why Ruffwear didn't just make this model like either the Ruffwear Flag Line or the Ruffwear Front Range is a real mystery.
The Ruffwear Flag Line has a great fit, is light, full-length, and includes a handle. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
Ease of Adjustment
While you will initially make the most adjustments to a brand-new harness, your dog may still be growing or may fill out as it matures. As such, it's ideal to have a harness that is easy to adjust to properly fit your K9 companion throughout its life.
While the Voyager Step In-Air doesn't offer a wide range of adjustments, it does offer one of the most minimal and simple ways to adjust a harness. After awkwardly placing your dog's front legs into the harness, a large patch of hook and loop fabric is used to get a good fit. The stretchy material does most of the work, so long as the hook and loop patches are fairly snug, but not too tight. Outside of that, there isn't much room for adjustability. Two webbing adjustments offer very little adjustment overall, and because they slip a bit, they seem rather useless. So it is important to measure your pup and order the appropriate size for a comfortable and appropriate fit.
The OneTigris X Destroyer was one of the easiest harnesses to adjust, thanks to its extra-large webbing and ladder lock style buckles. The harness is a 'cinch' to tighten for the correct fit, even for clumsy hands or, possibly, somebody dealing with the challenges of arthritic hands. Velcro also helps to get the harness in place, while buckles firmly secure everything. The Copatchy No Pull Adjustable is also really easy to adjust, simply due to the limited number of adjustments. The harness's simple design and lack of a chest plate or strap leave very little to mess around with.
Two inch buckles makes donning the OneTigris harness a snap. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
The Ruffwear Web Master, Ruffwear Front Range, and Ruffwear Flag Line all offer a good range of adjustments that are easy to make. These harnesses offer typical plastic buckles and ladder lock adjustments that are unobstructed by padding, decreasing the effort needed to achieve a comfortable fit on your dog.
The Ruffwear Flag Line has 6 total adjustments, one on each strand of webbing around the neck, ahead of the shoulder, one on each side behind the ribcage, and one on each webbing strap that goes from the spine to the belly. Combined with a great design that contours to your dog's shape, this model offers excellent fitment, even on an unusually shaped or barrel-chested dog, like Catahoulas or Boxers.
The Ruffwear Front Range is pretty easy to don and remove, and large buckles are easy to operate. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
Similarly, the Ruffwear Front Range has four webbing straps, with an adjustment on each one, located on each side of the collar and along the sides of the ribcage.
The Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness features double-back buckles similar to those on a climbing harness. While the large buckles are easy enough to grab, they are slightly more finicky to adjust than the typical buckles most consumers are used to.
The low-profile PetSafe 3-in-1 harness looks nice, but it can be challenging to adjust and put on. It has a habit of getting tangled up, and both the front and back look identical, making it easy to accidentally put on backwards. Credit: Elizabeth Riley
Other models, like the PetSafe 3-in-1 and Rabbitgoo No Pull harnesses, although still relatively easy to adjust, sometimes presented problems simply based on design. While these are not bad harnesses, the more difficult-to-operate buckles and flimsy webbing that tend to twist make them a little more troublesome.
The PoyPet No-Pull has 3 adjustments overall. This includes a single point of adjustment for the neck strap that connects to the chest plate in front of the shoulder, and two points of adjustment behind the front legs, one on each strand of webbing that connects to the chest from the spine, behind the front legs. However, the webbing straps on the PoyPet No-Pull are generally long, thin, and a little flimsy, making it a little bit more finicky to adjust than other harnesses with a similar design.
The Rabbitgoo No Pull harness is a great option 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
Clip-In Points
We evaluated the versatility of each harness based on the number of clip-in points. Important features like a 'no-pull' clip-in point — ergonomically designed to control a stubborn or overly excited dog humanely — earn extra points in this metric.
The majority of the models we tested offered a no-pull clip-in point, at a minimum. This singular point is incredibly effective, while other models offer even more versatility with additional clip-in locations. However, a few products we tested completely missed the mark by not offering an effective restraint system. The harnesses in our lineup employ a range of clip-in-point designs, from small rings to large loops, and even webbing points.
Different harnesses use different materials for clip-in points. They range from webbing and metal to simple synthetic fiber loops.
Topping our list of harnesses for this metric is the OneTigris X Destroyer Harness. It features a well-supported front no-pull clip-in, a secondary ring between the shoulder blades, and a third ring near the rear of the harness. The clip-in points are large, durable metal D rings that are easy to clip, meaning this harness could be used for some non-typical tasks, like helping to pull a stroller or skijoring.
Harnesses with two clip-in points, such as the PetSafe 3-in-1, 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
While the PetSafe 3-in-1 Harness includes a no-pull and back clip-in point, thin webbing can roll and create hard, unpadded pressure points on your dog. This can cause chafing, unlike other budget, no-pull options like the Eagloo No Pull Pet Harness. Padded no-pull systems that cause a dog to bend downwards or toward the leash with even pressure are much less prone to injuring your dog. As such, more ergonomically designed models like the Auroth No Pull, Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness, and even the PoyPet No-Pull, (which is slightly less padded than the others), scored much better in this metric.
Although the handle of the Auroth could be a bit thicker and more rigid, a large, well-tacked ring between your dog's shoulder blades is easy to clip. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
While most of the tested harnesses met our requirements for handling, the Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness adds an attachment point designed to secure your dog in a vehicle. It is a good choice for folks whose dog can't settle down, or who want to simply increase their dog's safety while traveling in a vehicle.
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
The design of the Copatchy No Pull harness lacks a chest plate or strap and completely lacks any sort of no-pull attachment, which is odd — don't be fooled by its name alone!
Lastly, the Ruffwear Front Range does not include a front clip as a no-pull harness and instead opts for a webbing strap. This is worth noting, as most other no-pull harnesses opt for a metal ring as a front clip-in point.
Cora is highly visible and comfortable, wearing Ruffwear Front Range, while working in the pasture. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
Doggie Comfort
Comfort is incredibly important for our four-legged friends. Some harnesses can chafe and create hot spots. While this may not be apparent — or matter as much on an occasional walk around the block — it can cause your dog serious discomfort and even injury over longer periods of time. A few harnesses stood out as more comfortable than others, thanks to a mix of features and design.
The Voyager Step-In Air proved to be a great option for smaller dogs who need light handling and great comfort. Its soft mesh padding seems to breathe well, stretches to the unique shapes and contours of your dog, and provides a high level of comfort.
The Voyager Step-In Air's flexible material is breathable and stretches to fit Pua's cute little Corgi shape.
At the upper end of the weight and size limit, a spunky little farm dog like Pua, our Corgi used to test the Voyager Step-In Air, could benefit from a no-pull design, a handle, and a more durable construction, but if you have a smaller four-legged friend that doesn't pull, this is a decent choice.
The Auroth No Pull Harness is fairly lightweight for how padded it is, and the design leans toward minimal for a tactical-style harness. The padding is an extremely effective breathable mesh that keeps your dog cool, even on hot days, and the fit is very ergonomic and comfortable.
The Auroth harness offers one of the most comfortable and breathable fabrics in our product lineup. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
The Ruffwear Web Master uses a foam material to increase rigidity, but is lined with a semi-breathable material. A chest and belly band offer some padding, but the design strikes a complicated balance between lightweight comfort and freedom while avoiding using loftier padding.
The Ruffwear Web Master offers a nice fit, but could be better padded. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
Similarly, the Ruffwear Front Range is comfortably padded in critical areas. But it is also a very minimalistic design that keeps the harness lightweight while maintaining plenty of mobility. It strikes a great balance with a less-is-more approach and is an excellent pick for long trails and backcountry trips, especially if overheating could be a concern.
The Ruffwear Flag Line is an excellent full-length harness, that is comfortable and lightweight. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
If the Ruffwear Web Master is the long underwear version of Ruffwear harnesses, and the Ruffwear Front Range is their version of briefs, then the Ruffwear Flag Line is essentially a thong. It is very well designed and perfectly fits contours, but is made of very light materials. It has a slightly different material that faces inwards than the more aesthetically appealing material that faces outwards, and that barely there approach makes for a very comfortable fit, even for barrel-chested and odd-shaped pups.
The first photo shows the thick and rigid Ruffwear Web Master material. The second image shows the Ruffwear Front Range thickness (top) compared to the Flag Line (bottom).
The Rabbitgoo No Pull and the Eagloo No Pull Pet Harness both did well in our testing. They may not offer padding everywhere, but both harnesses thread the needle by balancing padding with a more minimalistic webbing design, and putting that padding where it is needed for comfort and support.
The water-resistant nylon material of the OneTigris offers a lot of protection to a dog, but it can get warm. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
While the OneTigris X Destroyer offers some of the best support and physical protection by running the full length of a dog's torso, the water-resistant nylon is rigid and does not breathe well. So, while the harness is comfortable for certain situations — like lifting into vehicles or over obstacles — it may not be the most comfortable option for multi-day backcountry trips, or days chasing small game during an unseasonably warm fall.
The PoyPet No-Pull is a fairly standard harness that includes a handle and reflective materials, but its fit is just okay, and at the price point, it makes sense to step up to a better harness all-around. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
The PoyPet No-Pull is a pretty basic harness, and is more similar to typical webbing harnesses, but adds padding in specific areas to provide comfort and a secure fit. The padding is a little stiff when compared to other, more supple harnesses, but it would probably break in and soften up with continued use. The padding is a little less strategic and fitting than you'll find in the similarly designed Rabbitgoo No Pull and Eagloo No Pull Pet Harnesses.
Cora running through the sage, living her best life. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
Added Features
While much of our focus is on function, adjustability, and comfort, it is also important to note additional design features that enhance a harness's ease of use or add versatility for unique tasks.
The majority of harnesses we tested didn't include very many (or any) value-adding features, although the Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness offers a seatbelt harness attachment, providing extra safety and security for your dog while traveling in vehicles. While this may be an important feature if your dog needs to be restrained when in a vehicle, the harness offers average reflective stitching and trim, a less-than-awesome handle, and is a fairly basic harness otherwise.
In the case of the OneTigris, multiple oversized handles, combined with the full-length design of the harness, make it easy to lift and assist even the largest dogs. A large amount of MOLLE/PALs webbing lets you attach equipment, like a first aid kit, water, snacks, and even shot shells.
Extra handles, protective materials, reflective materials, MOLLE/PALs webbing, pockets, and Velcro straps can transform a simple harness into the ultimate backpacking, dog training, tactical, or hunting harness. The Auroth No Pull and OneTigris X Destroyer stood out from the other harnesses we tested for features that greatly increase their versatility. Both have Velcro tacked to the top of the harness, making it easy to add “working dog” patches or blaze orange indicators during bird hunting season to enhance their safety.
Simple material straps serve as attachment points for an ID tag or light, across many Ruffwear models. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
Both the Ruffwear Front Range and the Ruffwear Flag Line include an attachment point for either an ID tag or a light. It is a nice, albeit simple feature, as it is little more than a small loop, made from a thin strip of the same material as the harness. The materials appear to be a ripstop of sorts, and securely bartacked, but you may want to leave your dog's ID attached to a more secure location, like a collar.
The PoyPet No-Pull includes a handle, as well as reflective webbing and trim, and a locking buckle on the collar.
The PoyPet No-Pull is not a super-featured harness, but it does include a locking buckle on the webbing that goes around the collar. Beyond a handle and reflective materials, it also includes a little mesh pocket below a D ring for tucking attached tags into so they don't jingle around.
Cora is posing in the tall grasses next to a creek, wearing the Auroth harness, waiting for permission to take a swim. Credit: Benjamin Hickok
Conclusion
Whether you are handling dogs on a farm, taking walks through the neighborhood, trekking through the backcountry, hunting upland game, or simply looking to lend a hand to your four-legged friend when getting in and out of a vehicle, the right harness can be a massive help.
We've rigorously tested dozens of top models over several months, and even years, to identify their strengths and any shortcomings, helping you find the perfect fit for your pup. Regardless of budget, whether you're shopping for your first harness, upgrading from a worn one, or seeking better safety features, our review will guide you to the best possible option for your dog's needs. We also understand that a harness may not be for everyone. If you prefer a simpler alternative, check out our comprehensive review of dog collars. We have a ton of great recommendations for you there.
