7 Best Dog Harness For Hiking that will put your dog’s safety and comfort first
We’ve reviewed the top dog harnesses for hikers so you know which ones are worth buying.
We need to start by looking at all the different types of dog harnesses available and then narrow them down to just a couple.
We’ve been hiking with dogs for years and know how important it is to take care of their safety when they’re out on the trail.
We’ve included only the best pet carriers for dogs that prioritize their safety and comfort above everything else.
If you enjoy going hiking or camping with your pet, then a lightweight harness can provide many advantages over a traditional leash. A pet pulling on a traditional leash
We look at the hundreds of different options available and choose the ones that are best for specific types, which are the most dependable, and what to look out for when buying.
We’ve reviewed over 15 dog harness reviews and narrowed them down to the seven best ones. You won’t need to read through them all.
RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness
Our favorite harness for hiking and everyday wear with all kinds of pets is the RUFFWEAR Front Country Dog Harness. It features a well thought out, highly functional, and durable construction that makes sure your pet remains safe and comfy during a hike.
It has an adjustable strap so that every dog gets a comfortable fit and doesn’t feel uncomfortably tight.
The soft padding ensures that your dog will feel comfortable when running around and the durable webbing and shell materials mean that the harness will last for a long time.
We’ve been using this harness for several months now and we think it’s among the best options available for walking with dogs. Its design offers maximum support and comfort.
We’ve tested this dog collar for hours on end and found it to be comfortable and easy to use. It’s our top-rated dog collar for hikers.
Buy here the RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness
Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength Dog Harness
The Kurgo Tru Fit Enhanced Strength Dog Harnesses is probably the best-reviewed dog leash/harnesses available today. With over 3000 reviews on Amazon and an average review score of 4.5 stars, you can be sure most of the people who bought this product absolutely loved it.
One of the main reasons why people choose this new harness is because it is crash tested for large breeds up to 75 pounds and so is suitable for use in vehicles to secure your pet while they’re riding in them. We think this is an invaluable addition.
It comes with a leash and carabiner that attaches to your seat belt but is also good to use as a leash when walking your pet. There’s a D‑shaped attachment point at the top for attaching to your backpack when hiking and one on its front for a no-slip harness feature.
With five different styles and five adjustable strap positions, you’ll be able to customize the harness for your dog’s size and shape.
Buy here the Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength Dog Harness
PACKT Endeavor All-Terrain Dog Harness
The PACKT EndurAll-Terrain Dog Harnesses are the most hygienically designed harnesses and are best for muddy dogs who always come home covered in dirt. These dog harnesses for hiking are manufactured using a special coating called BioThane which is basically a woven fabric.
It means you get all the benefits of a traditional pet harness without having to worry about odors or stains.
The durable coated webbed leash is strong enough for even large dogs.
With its high-quality leather and durable buckle, this lightweight harness provides an excellent combination of comfort and safety for dogs. It has five adjustable straps so you can get the perfect fitting for your pet.
Buy here the PACKT Endeavor All-Terrain Dog Harness
Urban Trail Padded Adjustable Dog Harness
The Urban Trail Padded Dog Harness provides a strong but comfortable fit for dogs of all sizes. It’ll be easy to put on and reliable for all outdoor activities.
The reinforced webbing has 100 percent coverage with Polartec 300 fleeceloft material which is soft and breathablle.
Even though the harness looks like a dog harness, it doesn’t restrict breathing like a traditional dog leash.
The Urban Trail Padding Adjustable Pet Harnesses have two secure fasteners for a snug fit and are available in four sizes to suit your pet’s size. They have three D-rings on their tops so that they’re evenly distributed across the entire length of the leash.
It’s made from durable materials so it’s ideal for large breeds.
Buy here the Urban Trail Padded Adjustable Dog Harness
RUFFWEAR Approach Dog Pack
The RUFFWEARS approach pack is the best choice for camping because it has plenty of room for your supplies, including enough space to store a week’s worth of food, water, poop bags, and treats. It keeps your backpack free from any snacks and leaves more room for your own stuff.
Most dogs are happy carrying their own gear and for an active young puppy, it is a great workout. You shouldn’t overload your pup with too much gear though; keep it at no more than 25 percent of his/her body mass.
The RUFFWEARS approach harness is adjustable in five places to get the best fit for your dogs and is designed to distribute the load evenly across their body.
The top of this leash has an easy grip so you can easily grab hold of it if your pet gets too close to something dangerous. It’s perfect for going camping with your pooch because he’ll be thrilled every time you pull him out of his crate.
Buy here the RUFFWEAR Approach Dog Pack
RUFFWEAR Doubleback Strength-Rated Belay Dog Harness
The RUFFWEARS Doubleback Strength-Rated Dog Harness is the perfect solution for climbers who need to be able to climb safely with their dogs. It allows them to ascend and descend steep climbs without worrying about their dog slipping out from under them.
If you’re using a double rope system yourself, why not buy one for your dog too? The DoubleBack has been tested rigorously to ensure that it can safely be used to belay your four-footed friend.
It’s not just for dogs either; the Doubeback is a highly versatile piece of equipment that can be used as an ordinary dog collar.
Unlike other types of climbing gear, this one has two shoulder pads that provide the stability and balance required to safely belayer or ascend on a rope without having to leave your friend behind. If you’re an adventurous and kind person who loves to climb without leaving your companion behind, then this is definitely the most comfortable and safe climbing gear for belaying.
Buy here the RUFFWEAR Doubleback Strength-Rated Belay Dog Harness
SGODA Dog Harness Reflective Dog Harness
The SGODA Hi-Vis Reflective Hiking Harness is the best high-visibility hiking harness for dogs. It’s made from tough nylon, so it’s suitable for any size of pet. And it has visibility strips which help keep you visible when walking at dusk or dawn.
The 3M Reflective Trim travels all the way around the shell fabric to reflect light from any direction. This helpes keep your dog visible to both you and others if walking in low light or running off a lot. The bright yellow factor also helps with visibility during dayshifts if your dog blends into the surroundings or runs off a lot
Available in eight colors and four different chest size options, this leash makes it easy for you to match any breed of dog to its own collar and be sure that they’re comfortable during hikes.
With two buckles making taking this off and four adjustable straps letting you adjust it to suit your dog, this harness makes it easy for you to put it on and take it off.
We really enjoyed the premium attachments on top and appreciate the lift and assistance handles when carrying our dogs. It’s an affordable harness for hiking and is a good choice if you want something inexpensive but still high quality.
Buy here the SGODA Dog Harness Reflective Dog Harness
FAQ
What to Look for In Dog Harness for Hiking
Depending on your pet’s breed, shape, and weight, you might want to look for a specific type of collar. For example, if your pet is a large, sturdy bullmastiff, then a wider fitting harness that doesn’t get in the way of his neck would be ideal.
Bigger dogs may require heavier duty attachments as well as other additional features. Here are some things to consider when looking at dog grooming equipment.
Attachments
Most pet leashes will have an upper attachment that sits at the middle of their back just behind the shoulder blades. This helps prevent them from strangling themselves if they pull too hard.
For smaller breeds, this is ideal because you have a lot of control but for larger breeds, it can be tricky. You can also get attachment mounts but I find they don’t work well and tend to twist the hardness if you’re not careful.
Fit and Sizing
To determine which harness best suits your dog, measure its chest, stomach, neck, and body length from collar to the bottom of the dog’s back.
Once you know this you can start to match it to different harness sizes.
Is It Better to Walk a Dog with A Harness or Collar?
For certain breeds of dog that have short snouts or trouble breathing, harnesses are often preferable to leashes when hiking.
Harnessing doesn’t restrict breathing as much as a collar and if you’re going for a hike up a mountain with a smaller dog, then harnesses will give them enough air to breathe. If you can train them not to tug or be trusted off-lead, then this is better than having a harness to keep them from pulling.
Collar training is one method of training dogs to not pull. However, collaring them may be too bulky for certain breeds of dogs.
What Kind of Harness Is Best for A Dog that Pulls?
A good type of leash for a pulling breed is one that fits securely across your pet’s chest without putting any pressure on its neck.
If your pet is a particularly strong puller, then I’d recommend using both a leash and a collar so that you can give him/her a correction if he/she pulls too hard.
Should You Leave a Harness on A Dog All the Time?
If you’ve ever been rock-climbed or wore a harness for any reason, you’ll know that you’re eager to get rid of it once you no longer need it. The same goes for your dog’s harness.
Once you’ve finished walking, remove the leash from your dogs neck. You may want to put a lead on him/her so they don’t run away if they get too far ahead.
Can a Dog Wear a Collar and A Harness at The Same Time?
A good way to keep track of your pet is by wearing a tag and attaching it to his/her ID. You can then use the tag to identify him/her when you’re out walking.
Also, having a collar and a harness makes sure that no matter where you go, your pet always has something attached to him/her so he/she doesn’t get lost.
How Do You Walk a Dog that Pulls?
If your dog pulls on hikes, the first step you need to take is to spend some time training him.
You could hire a dog trainer, take a class, read books, watch YouTube videos, use a harness, or give your dog some rewards for pulling.
