The best dog harnesses in 2025, tried and tested

CNN

5 days ago

The best dog harnesses we tested
Best dog harness: Non-Stop Dogwear Line Harness 5.0
Best harness for big dogs: Ruffwear Flagline Harness
Best harness for smaller dogs: Ruffwear Front Range Harness
Best budget dog harness: PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort Harness The best dog harnesses can help distribute force across your pup's chest and body, help manage pulling and keep them looking stylish. But with so many types of dogs and even more types of harnesses, how can you know which harness you should get?
There's no need to worry, because I enlisted my dogs (and their doggy friends) to try on 10 of the best harnesses available. Together, the dogs and I tested for fit, ease of use, support and more. After an absurd amount of walks and an even more absurd amount of dog treats, here are the four harnesses we recommend.
Non-Stop Dogwear Line Harness 5.0
Allowing the best range of motion and offering the largest number of sizes, the Non-Stop Dogwear Line Harness 5.0 is a clear winner.
Ruffwear Flagline Harness
For bigger or longer dogs with odd proportions, the added adjustability of the Flagline means it can fit almost any dog.
Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness
This padded and super-comfortable harness is great for smaller dogs because of its short length.
PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort No-Pull Harness
If you want to save a few bucks, I also loved the adjustable fit and supportive padding of this PetSafe harness. While some dog harnesses are better for certain breeds and body types, if I could recommend one harness for any dog, it would be the Non-Stop Dogwear Line Harness 5.0. The reasons are quite simple, too. It has a versatile design that fits dogs like a dream, a huge sizing selection so you can buy a harness that actually fits the first time, an easy-to-put-on build and padded straps that keep your pup comfortable and supported.
Fit was the hardest thing to judge when I started testing these harnesses. Since dogs have all sorts of body types, a harness that fits well on a long dachshund probably won't work for a French bulldog. However, the Line Harness looked great on every dog we tried. This is due to its smart and spacious design that uses minimal material, so your dog's movement is never restricted.
My dogs, Miso and Dashi, are both very long but have deep chests, which means they're extra susceptible to harnesses being too short. When harnesses don't fit, the straps can rub on a dog's armpit, limiting shoulder mobility and possibly causing irritation. This is obviously a bad thing, so I made sure to look at how much armpit clearance each harness offered. The option with the best clearance? The Non-Stop Dogwear Line.
When I put the harnesses on both my dogs, there was no rubbing, and they could move freely without any restrictions. My only issue with the fit is that the neck openings aren't adjustable. If your dog has an extra-blocky head, it may be difficult to put the harness on, even if it fits perfectly on their chest.
Plus, thanks to the 10 sizes the Line Harness is available in, it's easy to find the right one. This harness isn't as adjustable as others I tested, so it's important to accurately measure (and re-measure) your dog to ensure you get the right size.
It's no surprise this harness is designed so well, since Non-Stop specializes in harnesses for dog sports like skijoring and canicross. Beyond its fit that keeps movement unrestricted, the Line Harness 5.0 is built incredibly well. It has three places to attach a dog leash (only two for sizes 0 to 2), including a front clip to help dissuade pullers. The padding is thin but comfortable, and it also has reflective trim so you can easily see your dog at night. Plus, I've had one I've been testing for nearly a year now, and it's still in great condition.
Non-Stop also offers a version of the Line Harness with a handle, but it's more for added control over your dog, not for picking them up. Hikers or owners of older dogs who might want to give their buddy a boost should keep reading, as some of our other winners might be better suited.
Most dogs — and owners — will love the Non-Stop Dogwear Line Harness 5.0. With such a wide range of sizes, you can easily find the right fit, which is the most important feature of a dog harness. And when you take into account all the well-built details and its durable design, there aren't many reasons not to buy this one.
As mentioned above, fit is the critical piece to finding the right harness for your dog. Because of that, I made sure to include picks that can accommodate body sizes that might not fit in the Non-Stop. To that end, if you have a dog that's long and lanky, you'll want to check out the Ruffwear Flagline.
The Flagline has more clips and can be a little more annoying to put on than other harnesses I tested, but what you get is an unrivaled amount of adjustability and support for longer dogs. No harness I tested extended as far down my dogs' backs as the Flagline, which makes it perfect for breeds like border collies, rough collies, greyhounds and more. When I put most other harnesses on my lanky dogs, they would look comically small on their backs. Not so with the Flagline.
The elongated design of the Flagline means your oddly proportioned pup will have more shoulder clearance and feel more supported. The six adjustment points, tied for the most of any harness I tested, mean you can accurately dial in the fit if your dog has odd body measurements.
Plus, the handle is positioned far back on the harness instead of right behind the neck, which means your pup will be better supported if you need to give them a boost. If you're picking up your pup occasionally on hikes or when they're getting into the car, this handle will suffice. However, if you need to pick up your dog more often, check out the Ruffwear Web Master, which has more padding and support to keep your dog comfortable while being lifted.
The details of the Ruffwear Flagline aren't lacking either. There are two leash attachments on the back and one on the chest to help manage pullers, and it comes with reflective trim (I do wish there were more of it, though). There's even a tiny pocket to stash a poop bag or their dog tags so they don't jingle down the trail.
If you have a long dog or want a harness that's better equipped for hiking, the Ruffwear Flagline should be your pick. It's sleek but supportive, actually fits longer dogs thanks to its superior adjustability and comes in cute colors too.
On the other end of the spectrum, small dogs with boxier shapes who don't need a long harness will love the Ruffwear Front Range. It's a low-profile, padded harness that's perfect for daily walks and small adventures.
While the Front Range was too short for my lanky dogs, it fit smaller dogs perfectly. Dogs with boxier shapes had plenty of armpit clearance, and the minimal padding strikes a good balance of comfort and weight, especially for small dogs who might get tired wearing a heavier harness.
Like the Flagline, the details on the Front Range are excellent. Sturdy-feeling buckles, reflective trim, a secret pocket and two attachment points make this a surprisingly feature-filled harness. Plus, it only has two clips, which means it's faster to put on than the Flagline (but has less adjustability). One thing this harness is missing is a handle, but since it'll probably be on smaller dogs, that isn't as big a deal.
The Front Range comes in five sizes from XXS to L/XL, and the sizing felt slightly on the smaller side. If your dog is between sizes, I'd recommend choosing the larger option. Although you can only adjust the neck opening and the two chest straps, each has a wide range of adjustability to help you dial in the perfect fit. If your dog is extra tiny and doesn't fit in the recommended sizes for the Front Range, I'd recommend checking out the Ruffwear Hi & Light, which is essentially a trimmed-down version of the Flagline that comes in an XXXS.
For small, boxy dogs who want a lightweight yet padded and comfortable harness, the Front Range is a no-brainer. It's durable and easy to clean, too, making it a solid all-around pick.
If you're looking to save a few bucks, the best budget harness I tested was easily the PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort Harness. Its adjustable fit has a better chance of fitting longer dogs, and it has good shoulder mobility, plenty of padding and a price tag of only around $35.
What helped make the PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort stand out was its surprisingly decent fit. Most low-cost harnesses I tried had wonky sizing that didn't fit my dogs (and I made sure to measure them to order the right size) or would ride up into my dogs' armpits. The Easy Walk, on the other hand, had more room in the shoulder areas than others.
This PetSafe harness has an adjustable length on the bottom, and while that feature was found on other budget harnesses I tested, this one fit my pups much better. The top isn't adjustable besides the neck opening, so it still looked a bit short on them, but not as comically short as other harnesses I tested.
I also liked the feel of the padding on the Easy Walk. One of the other harnesses I tested, the Blue-9 Balance, actually had a better fit than the Easy Walk thanks to its adjustable top and bottom, but it had zero padding and fell out of contention because of it.
Another design element I appreciated was that the leash attachment is at the very back of the Easy Walk harness. That means when my dog pulled into the harness, the weight was more evenly spread out. If a leash attachment is at the front of a harness, you might as well be walking them on a collar.
The materials feel reasonably well-built and durable, and while the harness doesn't feel as sturdy as the Ruffwear options, it still feels solid, especially when you consider the price tag. The one thing I don't love about this harness, though, is its handle. It's big and easy to grip, but the harness was too short on my dogs to safely use the handle to pick them up. Since the handle is near the front of the harness, I'd be picking them up at their shoulders, which would force their spine into an awkward position. You can use it to hold your dog and gain more control, but if you want to pick them up, I'd recommend the Flagline or Web Master from Ruffwear.
With a solid fit, ample padding and a price tag below $40, the PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort is a great option for dog owners on a budget. It won't fit longer dogs as well as the Flagline, and it doesn't give your dog the same freedom of movement as the Non-Stop, but for daily walks and trips to the park, this harness fits the bill.
I put every harness on my two dogs and tested for fit, support, ease of use and more. I also enlisted the help of some doggy friends with different body types to see how certain harnesses fit.
Usability
Ease of use: I put each harness on my dogs, judging how difficult the process was.
Performance on different coat types: I put each harness on Miso, a short-coated border collie mix, and Dashi, a long-coated rough collie, and paid attention to how each interacted with their coats.
Fit and sizing
Brand-recommended sizing: I took my dogs' measurements and ordered the harnesses according to the brands' size charts. I took note of how they fit once I put them on my dogs.
Fit and pulling test: I let my dogs pull at the end of the leash while wearing each harness to see how secure it was. I observed how well the harness supported the dogs as they pulled and if it moved around at all.
Shoulder mobility test: I observed the dogs as they walked and ran while wearing each harness, noting their shoulder mobility and any rubbing.
Size options: I counted how many sizes each harness comes in.
Exchange policy: In the event you order the wrong size, I researched each brand's exchange and return policy.
Design and durability
Build quality: I thoroughly examined each harness, pulled on straps, squeezed clips and pressed on padding. I took note of how durable each harness felt.
Portability: I folded down each harness to see how easily they could be packed for a trip.
Number of adjustment points: There are two ways of thinking about fitting a harness. Brands could offer several sizes with fewer adjustments, or fewer sizes with more adjustability. I tried to balance both in my picks and took into account the number of sizes and the number of adjustment points while testing.
Number of connection points: I counted how many places you could attach a leash on each harness and judged their quality.
Extra features
Extra features: I took note of any extras on the harness, such as an ID tag pocket, handle, reflective trim and more.
To ensure you buy the right harness the first time, I consulted with dog trainers to determine what you should look for and why you might need a harness in the first place. 'Harnesses are great for keeping pressure off of a dog's neck and having a more thorough connection with their body,' said Matt Mason, animal trainer at the Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior in the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. That means they're easier on your dog's body than collars when going on walks. This is particularly important for all dogs, but even more crucial for those that pull or engage in more challenging activities, such as hiking.
Here's what to think about when shopping for a harness, according to Kirsten Belinsky, certified dog trainer and founder of Canine Athletics Training Center. 'Shoppers should look for something that allows for freedom of movement, durability, ease of attachment points and how easy it is to put on the dog,' Belinsky said. When it comes to fit, Belinsky said to ensure the harness doesn't restrict movement or touch your dog's shoulder blades or armpits.
'A well-fitted harness should strike a balance between comfort and safety,' Mason said. 'Straps should rest on solid areas like bone and not cut into organs or 'squishy' parts of the dog. Keep straps out of joints or other crevices where chafing is likely to occur. Watch your dog walk, trot and run both with and without the harness. There should be no noticeable differences in your dog's gait while wearing their harness.'
To ensure a good fit, it's important to measure your dog. Most harnesses need the girth of your dog and the circumference of their neck. If you don't have a soft tape measure, you can wrap a leash around your dog, mark the spot where the leash overlaps, then measure the length on the leash. Most brands have some tips on how to best measure your dog. But just in case the harness doesn't fit the first time, it's a good idea to research each brand's return and exchange policies in case you need to swap sizes.
'The general rule of thumb is dog equipment should be snug enough that you can only fit two fingers beneath each strap,' Mason said. 'Depending on your dog's coat length or individual build, you may want to go a little bit tighter for safety. It is important to tug on individual straps and assess if your dog would easily be able to escape the harness.'
While fit is the most important factor, other details like durability and ease of use matter a lot too. If a harness is too hard to put on, you won't use it. And if the leash attachment pops off the first time your dog pulls hard, your harness is useless. You might not want to spend the extra money on a higher-quality harness, but your money will last longer when it lasts for years instead of months.
Another factor Mason said to consider is material. 'If you find yourself on night walks, using reflective harnesses (or attaching reflective/glowing material to an existing harness) is a must,' Mason said. 'If you end up in the water with your dog, waterproof materials are available. Make sure to read up on the cleaning requirements and durability of each material to make sure it fits your lifestyle.'
Ruffwear Hi & Light Lightweight Dog Harness
This harness is essentially the front half of the Flagline. It was too short for my dogs, but it comes in XXXS, so it could be a good option for toy breeds. This harness has a very similar construction to the Flagline in that it's light, but it's much shorter. It doesn't have as many clips, which means less adjustability. However, it does come in a smaller size than the Front Range, so if your dog is too small for that padded harness, this is a great alternative.
Blue-9 Balance No-Pull Dog Harness
I loved the adjustability of this harness, but its straps can easily get tangled and don't offer much support. The adjustability of the Blue-9 harness was my favorite during testing. You can tweak the neck opening, girth, bottom length and the top length, which gave it one of the best fits out of any harness I tried. However, there's zero padding, and the harness is mainly a series of nylon straps, which don't offer much support. I also found that when all the straps are unclipped, they can get tangled, which makes putting them on harder than other harnesses I tested.
Ruffwear Web Master Dog Harness With Handle
This harness has too much padding for most and made my rough collie a bit too hot on a summer day. However, all that extra padding and support mean it's the best option I tested for lifting your dog. This big harness is built to make lifting your dog as easy as possible. It's got a huge, well-positioned grab handle, four clips that go under your dog's chest and tons of padding. It's the perfect option for search and rescue dogs, service dogs or other canines that might have to be lifted a lot. But for everyday walks, it's a bit too bulky and hot.
PetSafe 3-in-1 Dog Harness
This harness is similar to the Blue-9 above in that it doesn't have great support, but it also offers less adjustability. With a similar design to the Blue-9, this barebones harness has decent adjustability. However, the top length can't be changed, which made it slightly worse than the Balance harness in my rankings.
PetSafe EasySport Dog Harness
This harness doesn't have an adjustable neck, and the sizing felt a bit off to me. It was smaller than I expected, and I wish there were more size options since it isn't as adjustable as others. The sizing on this harness felt small, and its neck opening isn't adjustable. This wouldn't be a huge deal if it offered more sizes (like the Non-Stop), but since it only comes in four sizes, it will probably be harder to find one that fits perfectly.
Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness
The fit for this harness felt off, and it was super short on my dogs, which looked awkward to me and couldn't have been comfortable for them. The sizing on this harness also felt off, and since it was so short, it rubbed in my dogs' armpits. It's cheap, but it doesn't have any adjustability on the top or bottom, and it has minimal padding. I think the PetSafe Easy Walk is a much better harness for about the same price.
The following FAQs were answered by certified dog trainer Kirsten Belinsky and animal trainer Matt Mason.
What is the best way to put on a dog harness?
What is the best way to put on a dog harness?
'Whenever you introduce a new piece of equipment to a dog, make it a slow and positive experience,' Mason said. 'Harnesses with many clips can be taken apart and introduced to the dog strap-by-strap. If your harness has to be put over the dog's head like a T-shirt, practice holding the harness up a few feet away from the dog's head and passing treats through the hole where their head will go. As your dog gets comfortable with the process, gradually get closer to the dog and have the treat closer to the harness opening so the dog has to investigate the inside of the harness.'
What method is the best to measure your dog for a dog harness?
What method is the best to measure your dog for a dog harness?
'Most reputable harness brands provide sizing guides that will require you to take physical measurements of your dog,' Mason said. 'Using a tailor's tape or a piece of string and a ruler will do the job.'
'Always make sure to check the manufacturer recommendations,' Belinsky said. 'Usually, the two things you'll measure are the circumference of your dog's neck and the circumference of your dog's chest at the widest point.'
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights.
Kirsten Belinsky, certified dog trainer and founder of Canine Athletics Training Center
Matt Mason, animal trainer at the Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior in the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test all the products we cover and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have an experienced team of writers and editors with several years of testing experience who ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it makes sense to ensure we are testing each product accurately and discussing each item's pros and cons.
For this article, pet editor Kai Burkhardt put all 10 harnesses on his dogs. He ran each harness through a series of tests to assess comfort, support, ease of use, mobility and more.