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Choosing the Right Dog Harness

Whatever the adventure, Ruffwear harnesses are designed to take canine explorers where they want to go. They're built from a dog's perspective and offer solutions for everyday wear, training or leash pulling, or lift-and-assist.

Here's a quick overview of key features on our most popular dog harnesses. Then, read below or watch the video for more details to help you choose the harness that's best for your pup's needs.

Ruffwear Dog Harness Overview & Comparison Video

For a quick walkthrough of our harness line-up, watch this video where our Ruffwear Pack talks you through the different styles and features of our harnesses.

Front Range® Harness

A padded harness dogs can wear all day, every day.

  • Great for explorers looking for a padded everyday harness
  • Leash attachment points on the dog’s back and at the chest - great for redirecting dogs when they pull on leash
  • Side-release buckles for easy on/off

Pugs on the trail in front range harnesses.

For all-day, everyday wear, our popular Front Range Harness is a great choice. It features two leash attachment points: One is an aluminum V-ring centered on the dog’s back for everyday walks and the other a reinforced webbing loop at the dog’s chest for teaching polite leash manners. With four points of adjustment, the Front Range Harness fits a range of dog shapes and sizes.

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Hi & Light™ Harness

A minimal, low-profile harness for fast or light pursuits.

  • Great for explorers looking for a lightweight running or everyday harness
  • Fur- and debris-resistant liner
  • Side-release buckles for easy on/off

A woman sitting on a bench holding a small dog.

The Hi & Light Harness is our minimalist, low-profile harness option. This lightweight harness has two leash attachment points on the back and front, and offers four points of adjustment for a sleek, comfortable fit. The Hi & Light is scaled to fit even the smallest canine companions, with size offerings ranging from XXXS to L/XL. And the debris-resistant liner will shed dirt and fur, making the Hi & Light Harness a great option for any adventure, from neighborhood jaunts to running trails.

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Web Master™ Harness

A structured, multi-use harness with a handle and belly strap.

  • Great for hiking, scrambling, or offering mobility assistance
  • Foam-padded construction for comfortable extended wear
  • Five points of adjustment and a belly strap for a secure fit

Woman sitting on the ground watching a pitbul

If adventures with your canine companion take you into challenging terrain or your dog can benefit from mobility assistance — our Web Master Harness is the solution. It’s a supportive, multi-use harness built for maneuvering and assisting dogs up and over obstacles. It’s also the harness of choice for many working dogs. It has a handle on the back and five points of adjustment for a secure fit, and the padded chest and belly straps make the Web Master comfortable for all-day use.

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Flagline™ Harness

A lightweight, multi-use harness with a handle and chest/belly panel.

  • Great for hiking, scrambling, mobility assistance, and fast and light pursuits
  • Six points of adjustment and easy on/off design
  • Three points of leash attachment - including one at the chest, good for redirecting dogs that pull on leash

Man sitting on a skateboard feeding a small dog

The Flagline Harness is a fast, light, and comfortable harness that keeps dogs in their flow, from scrambling in the backcountry to conquering everyday obstacles. A handle and load-dispersing chest/belly panel make for easy lift-and-assist in a nimble design good for all-day wear. High adjustability and easy on/off make the Flagline secure and accessible, giving dogs a little boost and a lot of freedom when the path ahead is anything but flat.

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Switchbak™ Harness

A padded everyday harness with pockets for carrying small essentials.

  • Great for hiking and everyday use
  • Two zippered low-profile pockets to carry pick-up bags, treats, a packable bowl, or other small essentials
  • Five points of adjustment and a belly strap for a secure fit
  • Two points of leash attachment - including one at the chest, good for redirecting dogs that pull on leash

Woman riding an arm bike with a dog running next to her

The Switchbak Harness has the padded comfort of an everyday harness with the bonus functionality of carrying small essentials. The two low-profile zippered pockets have room to stash those day-to-day necessities like pick-up bags, a leash, or some treats.

It features two leash attachment options: a V-ring centered on the back and a reinforced webbing loop at the chest, great for redirecting dogs that pull on leash. Dial in the right fit with high adjustability and a padded belly strap - critical for stable gear carry and when giving a little boost with the low-profile handle. All in all, the Switchbak melds comfort and convenience into a performance harness ready for both town and trail.

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NEED A LITTLE MORE HELP CHOOSING A DOG HARNESS?

We find that most folks pretty quickly start to gravitate toward one of two camps that our harnesses can be grouped into: the “everyday walking, hiking, and running” camp, and the “something a bit more” camp.

“I need something for our everyday walks and hikes.”

If this is you and you're looking for a general, day-in and day-out harness, the Front Range and Hi & Light ticks those boxes. They’re both low-profile, easy on/off options with a single chest panel and no handle.

If you think your dog would appreciate more padding, check out the Front Range. For faster endeavors or for smaller dogs that might appreciate a minimal style, explore the Hi & Light.

Another key factor could be the front leash clip-in point. If you are working on leash pulling with your pup, the front leash clip-in point is helpful for redirecting dogs that pull on their leash. In this case, the Front Range is the way to go.

“I really like the idea of more coverage, a belly strap, or a handle…”

Looking for a more secure option with the additional belly strap, or a lift-and-assist option with a handle and belly support? The Web Master, Flagline, and Switchbak all meet those needs.

Just like with the Front Range and Hi & Light, the next step to take is choose a path of minimal and lightweight (Flagline) or more structured (Switchbak or Web Master). Or, again, if having a front leash clip-in point is important, the Flagline or Switchbak will both offer that feature.

FOR THAT SOMETHING SPECIAL

Pursuing new heights or discovering new passions with our dogs sometimes calls for a Ruffwear specialty harness. They are designed with activity-specific applications in mind and meet unique needs. Here's a quick overview of harnesses inspired by and built for dogs who work, climb, travel, and jore by our side. You can click through for more information on each.

Specialty HarnessesDoubleback Harness Comparison ChartLoad Up Harness Comparison ChartOmnijore Harness Comparison Chart

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