When it comes to dog walking, many people prefer harnesses to collars. Some dogs will choke themselves on a collar, while others do fine on a collar but are far more comfortable going for a walk with a harness on, helping them feel secure. It’s important to pick the right harness for your dog. Harnesses aren’t one size fits all, and some dogs may require a harness with built-in safety mechanisms to prevent pulling or Houdini-level escapes.
If you’re struggling to find the perfect harness for your dog, these 10 reviews may just become your best friend. These are some of the best harnesses on the market, narrowed down into one list to make things easier for you. The more time you save selecting the right harness, the more free time you have for more walks!
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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (Updated in 2024)
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall | PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness |
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Best Value | Frisco Padded Nylon No Pull Harness |
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Premium Choice | Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness Nylon Reflective No Pull Harness |
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Best for Puppies | Puppia Vest Polyester Step In Harness |
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Chai’s Choice Premium Harness |
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The 10 Best Dog Harnesses for Walking
1. PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness – Best Overall
Sizes: | Petite, petite/small, small, small/medium, medium, medium/large, large, x-large |
Colors: | Apple green, black & silver, red & black, royal blue & navy, purple & black, fawn & brown, raspberry & gray |
Front or back clip?: | Front |
Price: | $$ |
The best overall dog harness for walking is the PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness, available in eight sizes and seven color combinations. It features a patented front loop that discourages pulling, and it is the leading vet and dog trainer-recommended no-pull harness. It features less material than most harnesses, making it an especially good choice for warm weather. The snap buckles make it easy to get on and off, and the color difference between the top and bottom of the harness makes putting it on the right side a breeze. It can be adjusted to fit your dog along all three sets of straps, allowing you to get the perfect fit. There are size differences in the width of the straps between some of the sizes, which can make it difficult to find the right fit if your dog falls somewhere between two sizes.
- Eight sizes and seven color combinations
- Patented no-pull front loop
- Top recommended no-pull harness
- Breathable and features less material than most harnesses
- Easy to get on and off
- Can be adjusted along all straps
- Strap sizing changes significantly between some sizes
2. Frisco Padded Nylon No Pull Harness – Best Value
Sizes: | Small, medium, large, x-large |
Colors: | Pink, red, blue, black |
Front or back clip?: | Both |
Price: | $ |
The Frisco Padded Nylon No Pull Harness is the best dog harness for walking for the money. It is available in four sizes and four colors. It has a front and back clip, allowing you to choose where to connect your dog’s leash based on your needs. It features a padded chest piece, ensuring maximum comfort for your dog. There are adjustable sliders on the belly strap and both shoulder straps, ensuring the best fit. It is easy to get on and off your dog. Some users of this harness have reported the sizing chart being off slightly, causing the harness to run larger than advertised.
- Best value
- Four sizes and four colors
- Front and back clips
- Padded chest pieces keep your dog comfortable
- Adjustable sliders in three locations
- Easy to get on and off
- May run larger than advertised
3. Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness Nylon Reflective No Pull Harness – Premium Choice
Sizes: | Baby 1, baby 2, mini-mini, mini, size 0, size 1, size 2, size 3 |
Colors: | Aquamarine, blue, black, red, pink, orange, USA flag |
Front or back clip?: | Back |
Price: | $$$ |
The premium pick for dog harness for walking is the Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness Nylon Reflective No Pull Harness. It is available in eight sizes and seven colors, including an American flag pattern. The inner lining is made from Eco-Tex, which is breathable and comfortable against the skin. The buckles are break-resistant and freeze-proof, and the harness is coated with a water-repellent cover. The chest strap is highly reflective, making this a good option for walking in low-light conditions. The design provides great freedom of movement for dogs without allowing your dog to slip out of the harness when fitted properly. Although this is listed as a no-pull harness, many users report not finding it beneficial for strong dogs that are prone to pulling.
- Eight sizes and seven colors
- Inner lining is breathable and comfortable
- Break-resistant and freeze-proof buckles
- Water repellent coating
- Highly reflective chest strap
- High freedom of movement without limiting a secure fit
- May not help decrease pulling in some dogs
4. Puppia Vest Polyester Step In Harness – Best for Puppies
Sizes: | Small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large, xxx-large |
Colors: | Beige, black, green, gray, pink, red, royal blue, sky blue, brown, camo, navy, orange, wine, yellow, purple |
Front or back clip?: | Back |
Price: | $ |
If you have a puppy learning to go for walks, try out the Puppia Vest Polyester Step In Harness. This harness is available in six sizes and 15 colors, including a camo pattern. It’s easy to get on and off, and it’s padded for comfort. It’s breathable but features a secure vest-style fit that won’t allow your pup to slip out. It includes double D-rings on the back for an extra level of security. Many people report finding this harness to run small, so it may be necessary to purchase multiple sizes for a growing pup to find the perfect fit.
- Best for puppies
- Six sizes and 15 colors
- Padded and breathable for comfort
- Secure vest-style fit
- Double d-rings maximize security
- May run small
5. Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure Reflective Harness
Sizes: | X-small, small, medium, large, x-large |
Colors: | Black, green, orange, teal, purple, royal blue, red, fuchsia, chocolate |
Front or back clip?: | Both |
Price: | $$ |
The Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure Reflective Harness is available in five sizes and nine colors. It features a front and back clip, allowing you to choose where you’d like to hook the leash. It has padding throughout and helps distribute weight so your dog doesn’t end up with pressure on the neck and throat. It has reflective piping woven into the fabric, making this a good option for low-light walking. It’s adjustable for a great fit, and it has a handle on top for accessibility and better control. According to some reports, the straps may be difficult to adjust, so this might not be the top pick for someone with arthritis or other weakness in the hands.
- Five sizes and nine colors
- Front and back clip
- Padded for comfort and weight distribution
- Reflective piping in the fabric
- Has a handle for control and accessibility
- May be difficult to adjust for fit
6. Pawtitas Nylon Reflective Back Clip Harness
Sizes: | XX-small, x-small, small, medium/large, large/x-large |
Colors: | Green, orange, purple orchid, pink, blue, red, teal, black, purple |
Front or back clip?: | Back |
Price: | $$ |
The Pawtitas Nylon Reflective Back Clip Harness is available in five sizes and nine colors. It’s easy to get on and off, and it features a back clip and two buckles with adjustable straps. The reflective strip is great for low-light environments, and the harness features neoprene padding for comfort and a great fit. It’s very sturdy and made to last. The part that slips over the head is not adjustable, so it’s important to measure your dog carefully before purchasing this harness. It does run slightly smaller than the size chart, so you may need to size up.
- Five sizes and nine colors
- Two buckles and adjustable belly straps
- Reflective strip for low light environments
- Neoprene padding for comfort and fit
- Sturdy design
- Over the head loop is not adjustable
- May run small
7. Best Pet Supplies Voyager All Season Mesh Harness
Sizes: | X-small, small, medium, large, x-large |
Colors: | Pink, gray, green, blue |
Front or back clip?: | Back |
Price: | $ |
The Best Pet Supplies Voyager All Season Mesh Harness is available in five sizes and four colors. It’s made of breathable mesh that can help cool your dog in the heat and insulate your dog in cold weather. It features a step-in design and double D-rings that enhance security beyond the back buckle. It’s sturdy and built to last, and it distributes pressure evenly to avoid putting pressure on your dog’s throat or neck. This is a budget-friendly harness pick. Some people report not finding this fit to be secure for dogs with heads that are smaller than their necks, like Greyhounds. According to the size chart, this harness runs small, with some people recommending you size up two sizes.
- Five sizes and four colors
- Breathable mesh helps your dog maintain a safe body temperature
- Double D-rings and buckle closure
- Distributes pressure evenly to avoid neck and throat pressure
- Budget-friendly
- May not fit securely for all dogs
- May run small
8. Kurgo Stash n’ Dash Harness
Sizes: | X-small, small, medium, large, x-large |
Colors: | Black |
Front or back clip?: | Both |
Price: | $$$ |
The Kurgo Stash n’ Dash Harness is available in five sizes and one solid color. It has a front and back ring, allowing you to connect your leash to either spot. It features breathable mesh padding and adjustable straps for comfort. It also has a stash pocket on the back that can hold poop bags, treats, food, and other small items. It comes with a lifetime warranty for manufacturer defects and general wear and tear. It does fit a little on the large size, which makes it prone to slipping to the side, especially when using the front clip. It may not be secure enough for escape artists.
- Five sizes
- Front and back clip
- Breathable mesh padding for comfort
- Stash pocket for treats and more
- Lifetime warranty
- One color
- May fit on the loose side
- Not a good option for escape artists
9. HDP Big Dog No Pull Harness
Sizes: | Medium, large, x-large, xx-large |
Colors: | Red, black, bluebird, purple, navy, pink |
Front or back clip?: | Back |
Price: | $$ |
The HDP Big Dog No Pull Harness is available in four sizes and six colors. It is made specifically for big dogs in mind and helps reduce or prevent pulling. It has a wide design and padding for comfort, and it includes a built-in handle for extra control when needed. It uses easy-click buckles for a secure harness that is easy to get on and off. Some people do report the adjustment slides being loose enough to come loose while in use, so this should be considered when looking at this harness for your dog. Since it’s designed for large dogs with wide bodies, this harness may not work well for large, narrow breeds, like Irish Wolfhounds and Greyhounds.
- Four sizes and six colors
- Made specifically for large, broad dogs
- Padding for comfort
- Built-in handle allows for extra control
- Adjustable straps and buckle closure
- Slides may come loose while in use
- Not a good option for escape artists
- Doesn’t work well for large, narrow breeds
10. Doggie Design American River Ombre Nylon Reflective Harness
Sizes: | XX-small, x-small, small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large, xx-large/xxx-large, xxx-large |
Colors: | Aruba blue, cobalt sport, limestone gray, midnight sky, northern lights, rainbow, raspberry pink & orange, raspberry sundae, sugar plum |
Front or back clip?: | Back |
Price: | $$ |
The Doggie Design American River Ombre Nylon Reflective Harness is available in nine sizes and nine ombre color combinations. It uses a patented, choke-free design to protect your dog’s throat and neck. It has a heavy-duty buckle with double D-rings for extra security. It’s made of breathable mesh and has reflective strips on the chest for low-light walks. X-large and larger sizes are reinforced with nylon webbing, giving them a break strength of up to 386 pounds. It runs small, so it may be necessary to size up one size. However, it seems to run large in the neck and upper chest area, so it may gap in this area but fit in the chest. Dogs with shorter jaws may be able to get their jaw stuck in the fabric.
- Nine sizes and nine ombre colors
- Patented choke-free design
- Uses a buckle and double D-rings for security
- Breathable mesh that is reinforced in sizes x-large and above
- Reflective chest strap
- May run small
- May gap in the throat/upper chest area
- Some dogs may get their jaw stuck in the fabric
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Harness
How to Measure Your Dog for a Harness
It is important to know how to measure your dog for a harness when starting your search. This will help you narrow down the options and start choosing from harnesses that look like they will fit your dog according to their size guide. This video shows you how to properly measure your dog for a harness to ensure you get the best fit.
Our Selection Process For Best Dog Harnesses for Walking
To create this buyer’s guide, our writing team and editorial staff checked customer reviews, brand reputation, and veterinary approval ratings to present the dog harnesses we think should be highlighted for our readers. In some cases, we conducted hands-on testing along with seeing how much our dogs liked the dog harnesses. All these factors were considered when selecting these listed dog harnesses to help you make the best purchase for your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Since 2004, Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online, which means we have a lot of experience with dog harnesses. We take pride in promoting the well-being of all dogs—from toy breeds to giant canines. Our in-house veterinarians, writers, and editors examine each product on our lists, ensuring its quality and reputation. As pet owners ourselves, we only want the best for our furry companions. At Dogster, we are transparent about the products we promote. The nutritional information, overall brand reputation, and customer reviews are all considered for these lists. We inform you how we want to be informed.
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Conclusion
Let’s recap these reviews to identify the top picks. The best overall harness for dog walking is the PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness, which is highly recommended by veterinary and training professionals. The more budget-friendly option is the Frisco Padded Nylon No Pull Harness, which is sturdy and works well. If you are buying one for a puppy, the Puppia Vest Polyester Step In Harness is the top option due to its size range and secure fit. If you have a higher budget, check out the Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness Nylon Reflective No Pull Harness, which has a wide size and color range and is built to last.
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Featured Image Credit: Chewy