Harnesses are a must-have piece of equipment for dogs. They provide safety and comfort during walks and can be helpful for handling and travel. Every expert we spoke to agreed that harnesses are safer than collars because they don’t put strain directly on the neck, and they contain your pet more securely.
But for experienced dog people and new pet parents alike, it can be hard to make heads or tails of all the product options. Young dog energy requires something sturdier than the harness you’d choose for an elderly couch potato. A fragile Chihuahua might be more comfortable in a mesh vest-style harness, while a ridgeback that pulls will be better handled in a strap-style harness with a control loop. A French bulldog should have something that doesn’t constrict their chest or throat, like a soft step-in harness that distributes their weight.
After extensive testing on different types of dogs, our overall picks for most dogs are the head-in Ruffwear Front Range harness and the step-in Coastal Pet K9 Explorer Reflective Dog Harness. The Front Range is a sturdy yet comfortable product that includes convenient features. If you’re looking for a simpler option, the Coastal Pet K9 Explorer step-in strap harness is a quality piece of gear that’s easy to use.
Our pick
This dual-clip, head-in harness is sturdy yet light enough that it won’t weigh down your dog. It has several built-in safety details and fits most dogs with chests ranging from 13 to 42 inches, but it might be too bulky for some smaller dogs.
The Ruffwear Front Range Harness, a head-in harness that’s lightweight yet keeps its form, doesn’t twist or slip around on your dog’s body like other models we tested (an issue that can be caused by subpar design or low-quality materials). It’s lightly padded but not bulky and features safety extras like reflective stripes and an ID pocket to store your dog’s tags. There’s an aluminum V-ring leash attachment point on the back and a tough nylon loop leash attachment in the front, so walkers have the option of clipping on the front to mitigate pulling. This is a durable everyday dual-clip harness that we kept coming back to, especially for our wild, young Labrador tester.
Our pick
This durable, minimal harness is simple to put on, even if you’re new to harnesses or handling an energetic dog. It’s good for medium and large dogs, and reflective stitching adds an extra layer of safety.
The Coastal Pet K9 Explorer Reflective Dog Harness, a step-in, strap-style harness, is sleek and extremely easy to use—there’s even a tag depicting which part of the dog goes where. It has durable straps with reflective stripes woven in for safety and a padded chest piece that keeps force distributed, rather than focused at the neck. The simple step-in design is extremely easy to put on, which is hugely helpful if you’re wrangling a rambunctious dog. The leash attaches to double metal D rings over a single clip.
Also great
This longtime pick is hard-wearing and easy to put on. It has front and back attachment points and offers sizes and adjustments to fit most dogs. It comes with a seatbelt strap, but it hasn’t been crash-test certified by the Center for Pet Safety.
The Kurgo Tru-Fit Dog Harness, a longtime Wirecutter pick, is a head-in vest made from lightweight padded polyester and nylon. Dual attachment points and quick-release buckles are also helpful when on the go, even just for, say, a groomer. Wirecutter readers have commented about buckle issues with this model, and a detached strap went missing in our latest testing. But the durable ripstop fabric won’t easily pill, tear against sharp dog nails, or fray from normal pulling and play, and the harness comes with a lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects. The Tru-Fit harness comes with a 10-inch seatbelt tether, but we have not performed safety tests on it.
Also great
Our long-standing favorite harness for small dogs works well for pups that have a hard time finding a good fit in other head-in styles, but there are no adjustment points around the neck.
Puppies, toy dogs, and low-slung pooches may have trouble fitting in a standard harness. The Puppia Soft Harness, another longtime Wirecutter pick, is a head-in option that’s stretchy and breathable. The vest style has one simple adjustment point and a back leash attachment, which should be just fine for small dogs, but we think the material is a little thin for larger dogs and might wear out, especially if they’re a puller. Sizing can get tricky since Puppia’s vest design doesn’t have any give in the collar, so double-check your pup’s measurements before making a purchase. If you have an especially wiggly little dog that needs a little extra security, opt for our next pick instead.
Also great
Secure even the tiniest of pups with this vest-style harness that fits onto a dog with adjustments in the neck, rather than the chest. It features three layers of fasteners to help keep small escape artists in place.
The Voyager Step In Air Dog Harness is similar to the Puppia, except that it fastens to a dog at the back of the neck instead of the chest, via an adjustable hook-and-loop fastener beneath its buckle. Metal double D rings for the leash attachment add extra security.
Also great
This harness is ideal for brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs, thanks to a unique X-shaped vest design that won’t add pressure against their shorter airways. Breathable mesh also makes it a cool option for any dog prone to overheating.
The Gooby Comfort X Step-in Harness was the favorite harness by far for use on our bulldog tester. Brachycephalic breeds—so-called “smoosh-faced” or “flat-faced” dogs like bulldogs and pugs—can have a harder time breathing because they have shorter airways. The Gooby Comfort X features a unique “X” step-in style that’s comfortable, lightweight, and doesn’t pull near the trachea. It’s easy to put on and it stays securely in place.
Also great
With thick straps and a chest plate made of rugged neoprene, the Kong Max is ideal for any dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors. A handle on the top helps you grab on fast in an emergency.
Kong is known for its durable dog toys, so it makes sense that the brand’s harness, the head-in Kong Max, would also hold up to bigger, active dogs like our wild Labrador tester. The inside of the chest plate is lined with neoprene—the same material wetsuits are made from—and both the buckles and the front and back D rings are metal (the other harnesses we tested have plastic buckles). The Kong Max is significantly stronger than our other picks and a great choice for dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors, as well as large breeds that need a strong, structured harness.
Also great
This streamlined, strap-style harness is great for better control while walking a dog, thanks to a design that prevents dogs from pulling their full weight. Strips of velvet prevent underarm chafing, and the largest size can handle dogs up to (and even over) 250 pounds.
No matter how strong of a grip you think you have on your 100-pound behemoth’s leash, there’s no planning for when they suddenly lunge at a squirrel darting across the street. The 2 Hounds Design Freedom No-Pull Harness was tested by a young golden retriever and a teenage Labrador, and it held up to the energy and size of these big dogs.
The design is minimal, with a belly strap behind the armpits and a horizontal attachment point along the lower chest rather than at the neck. That lower attachment point grants walkers greater control over their pets because if the dog pulls, they are guided to the side and unable to throw their entire weight into pulling you forward. Or, if you prefer, you can use the back attachment ring for a typical walking experience—the leash is less likely to get tangled when clipped to the top of the dog.
The front-clip metal D ring is a must for dogs that pull, although training is the way to truly stop pulling. And 2 Hounds also offers lifetime replacements of their Freedom No Pull harness—including for chewing damage—for a fee that averages a third of the purchase cost.
