Running with your dog is a privilege. It’s a great way to get you both out of the house and to keep you fit. Dogs need to expend energy regularly, or they get pent up and begin to act out. Running is an excellent way to get them active.
You’ll need a harness while running to ensure your dog is secure and comfortable, but which are the best dog harnesses for running? We’ve taken the time to review the best dog harnesses for running on the market, to save you the hassle.
The RUFFWEAR Front Range harness is perfect for everyday or regular hiking adventures with your dog. This harness made of durable nylon material has padded chest and belly panels for added comfort, and two strong leash attachment points for greater control when running.
We love the feel and quality of the material. The vital chest and belly areas are padded, and the reinforced chest area reduces strain as your dog runs. The reflective trim gives high visibility in low light, and the integrated ID pocket ensures your dog is returned to you safely in case they wander off and get lost.
The adjustment straps in the belly area do not fit well. We had a hard time keeping them in place as they kept slipping.
If you typically run with your dog, this is an excellent harness to buy. It reduces strain on your dog as they run alongside you.
If you need a lightweight harness that won't weigh your dog down, or you have a smaller pup, the PetSafe 3-in-1 is a perfect choice.
This harness is incredibly light and comfortable. For dogs who don’t like harnesses when they are out and about, they’ll hardly know they have one on.
While it stays on once you get it on your dog, putting this harness on your dog is a bit of a challenge. There are also areas that aren’t padded and seem a bit flimsy.
If you regularly go out with your dog, and they do not like wearing harnesses, this PetSafe 3-in-1 harness is ideally suited. It feels as light as air and will not distract your dog as they run.
BlueBerry Pet made this harness with the ultimate comfort in mind. The padded chest area reduces strain on the neck, and the harness is lightweight for most dog breeds.
We love the neoprene padding around the dog’s chest area. It keeps your dog comfortable by reducing strain on the neck area. Reflective stitching and the back buckle add extra comfort and safety as you run with your dog, too.
For smaller dogs, the sizing chart may be slightly off. Measure your dog carefully before ordering.
Overall, this is a high-quality running harness that is padded in the chest area for extra comfort.
This harness is designed with both the dog and owner in mind. It is made of durable nylon material and comes in three colors, with four adjustment sizes.
We love the durable no-rip nylon and quadruple stitching with military-grade reflective thread. The anti-chafe padding also makes this a comfortable harness for your dog. The reinforced leash attachment also ensures that the leash doesn’t come off as your both running.
The adjustments could be made tighter. Some dogs have an easy time slipping out of this harness.
This harness is straightforward to use. Adjust the chest and neck, and then slip over your dog’s head.
This soft yet highly durable dog harness is made from tough polyester material. It has a no-choke design and flexible air mesh for comfortable running.
We love the LED patches that glow in the dark and last for 8 hours. You will undoubtedly see your dog in this harness, even in the dark of night. The adjustable belt and quick-release clasps also make it easy to wear.
Those Led lights are an awesome addition, but sadly they don't always work, which is a shame being they are this harness's main selling point. The ring attachment for a leash is also a bit weak.
There’s no mistaking this harness. It was made for high visibility. If you run in high-traffic areas with your dog, this harness will be useful for increased visibility.
This silver Babyltrl big dog harness has a unique triangular design that reduces strain and does not tear as your dog runs. The premium and durable nylon Oxford material are soft padded and incredibly comfortable for the dog.
We love the two D-rings that make it easy to control your large dog form any angle. Attach the leash to the back for natural running, and the front for no-pull controls.
The front piece can sometimes cut into the dog's neck, making them uncomfortable.
If you have a large dog, this harness is perfect! It fits snugly and comfortably, yet is fully adjustable, and has two strategic D-rings for the ultimate no-pull leash control.
The Voyager harness is the perfect running harness for your small dog. It is made with all-weather breathable and lightweight nylon mesh material that’s guaranteed to last.
We love the easy step-in design. This leash is comfortable to put on your small dog and to take off as well. The double D-rings at the top of the harness also make attaching your leash easy, and the reflective stitching makes your dog visible in low-light, keeping them safe.
The sizing chart provided by the manufacturer may not correspond with your dog's measurements. Measure your dog carefully before purchasing a harness to avoid buying the wrong one.
This harness works well for smaller dog breeds. The step-in design is perfect for them, especially if you’ve got a nervous dog on your hands.
Choosing the best dog harness for running shouldn’t be too difficult. There are many harnesses on the market that are lightweight and comfortable, and that will allow your dog the freedom of movement it needs as it runs with you.
Among other factors, these are the top considerations you should put in mind before buying a running harness for your dog.
The best running harnesses must be comfortable. It should fit your dog like a glove, and if possible, be lightly padded. They also shouldn't slide on your dog as this can cause chafing, which irritates the dog's fur and skin.
Choose harnesses that feature ample padding around the chest and neck areas. Padding will reduce friction, and also reduce strain around the dog’s neck and throat.
Harnesses made with a breathable nylon mesh material also come in handy. Remember, dogs don't sweat, so harnesses with this material will keep your dog cool and relaxed as they accompany you on the run.
It's vital to choose the correct size running harness for your dog. Most manufacturers will provide a sizing chart, but these may not be accurate. Make sure you take your measurements of your dog's neck and chest circumference, despite the manufacturer’s sizing chart.
An adjustable harness is also ideal in case you need to fine-tune it as your dog wears it.
Most dog harnesses allow for some adjustment points. The best ones also feature multiple adjustable straps to ensure you get a snug fit. Ensure that the harness isn’t too tight, or this may cause breathing problems for your dog. Four to five points of adjustment are best.
A running harness needs to be sturdy to handle all the strain of numerous outdoor activities.
It should be made of a durable material like Oxford nylon material or polyester that will not rip or tear easily. Cotton harnesses, for instance, would not be able to withstand the strain that nylon or polyester would. All material should where possible, have a second inner lining, and as a bonus be chew-resistant.
The leash attachments should also ideally be made from durable metal and the handles of soft leather. Both the straps and buckles must be rugged and robust, to withstand the strain produced when running. Double-stitched seams also increase the durability of a running harness.
Front leash attachments are ideal if your dog tends to pull. They exert a rotational force on the dog’s body, forcing it to go in one direction, and gently preventing the dog from pulling.
Back attachments, however, are what you need when running. Back leash attachments are also more durable and less likely to snap.
Many of the best running dog harnesses have a reflective material or rechargeable LED lights incorporated into the body of the harness. This feature makes it easier for people and oncoming traffic to see your dog in low-light. LED lights can be charged via a USB cable, with a 2-hour charge typically lasting 8 hours.
While you may not always be able to afford every harness on the market, you must carefully balance your budget with quality. Cheap harnesses may not be worth it in the long run as they may not be chew-resistant or may begin to fray sooner than expected.
As running is an intensive activity, we recommend that you go for the best harness you can afford. Look for padded harnesses that are lightweight, reflective, and adjustable to keep your dog secure and comfortable.
You do not want to buy a harness that will cause chafing and pain to your dog.
Expert Tip:
A dog harness is not meant to replace a dog collar. Your dog needs to wear a dog collar to have their ID and contact details on them at all times. Some harnesses have ID pockets, but it pays to have this information on your collar as a safer alternative.
We hope you enjoyed our review of the best dog harness for running. It’s important to note that a standard dog harness will not secure your dog well and could make them uncomfortable. This is because these harnesses are not designed with running in mind. Running harnesses distribute the weight over your dog's body, are not too heavy, and provide sufficient freedom of movement.
The running harnesses we have covered above give you complete control of your dog’s movement. Keep your dog secure and comfortable as they run with you with these top harnesses.
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