The 7 Best Dog Harnesses for Running – Keep Your Pup Fit & Healthy
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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.
OUR TOP PICK
Our top pick is the RUFFWEAR Front Range Harness made of durable nylon material has padded chest and belly panels for added comfort. It is definitely perfect for everyday or regular hiking adventures with your dog.
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.
Key Features
Reinforced chest area webbing
Padded panels on chest and belly area
Four customizable fits to allow for free motion
Reflective stitching for high visibility
Weight: 5.9 oz.
What We Like
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.
What We Don’t Like
The adjustment straps in the belly area do not fit well. We had a hard time keeping them in place as they kept slipping.
Pros
Reinforced webbing on the chest area reduces neck strain as your dog runs with you
Lightweight and comfortable to wear— it doesn’t rub in the dog’s armpits
Easy to clean—simply hand wash mild detergent and air-dry
Comes in six bright and attractive colors
Cons
Some users find that the straps have too much give and regularly slip
Some owners find the harness too bulky
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.
Key Features
Back leash D-ring ideal for running
Five customizable and adjustable fits
Two-point control leash to stop pulling
Reflective stitching
Seatbelt attachment
Weight: 11.8 oz.
What We Like
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.
What We Don’t Like
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.
Pros
Lightweight yet durable—dogs who hate harnesses will love this one
Use this harness without worry on car rides
Reflective stitching for nighttime visibility
Available and responsive customer care department
Cons
Slightly challenging to put on
Some areas on the harness are not lined making them 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.
Key Features
Neoprene padded durable nylon material
One-click back buckle for easy control
Reflective stitching
Comes in six adjustable fits
Weight: 2.88 oz.
What We Like
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.
What We Don’t Like
For smaller dogs, the sizing chart may be slightly off. Measure your dog carefully before ordering.
Pros
Easy to put on and take off
Reflective stitching for high visibility
Durable back handle for greater control of your dog while running
Eight attractive color options available
Cons
Might be too bulky for smaller breeds
The chest strap can restrict movement in some breeds as they run
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.
Key Features
Durable nylon material construction
Reinforced leash attachment
Four sizes – x-small, small, medium, large
Three color variations
Reflective stitching
Weight: 8 oz.
What We Like
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.
What We Don’t Like
The adjustments could be made tighter. Some dogs have an easy time slipping out of this harness.
Pros
Easy to put on and take off
Fully adjustable for a comfortable fit
Reinforced front leash attachment for secure running and no-pull action
Comes with a 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
Not suitable for smaller-sized dog breeds
The buckles can loosen unexpectedly
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.
Key Features
Glowing LED patches for high visibility
Ultra-soft, highly durable polyester material
Adjustable belt and quick-release buckle
USB-rechargeable
Weight: 3.2 oz.
What We Like
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.
What We Don’t Like
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.
Pros
Great for all manner of outdoor activities, including running
Highly visible, especially in low-lit, high-traffic areas
Non-restrictive and free-flowing for natural running
LED lights last for 8 hours without the need for a recharge
Cons
The LED lights can malfunction on occasion
Ring attachment is not sturdy
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.
Key Features
Premium, nylon Oxford material
No-pull, no-choke design
Quick-release locking features
Sturdy, back and front D-rings for leash attachment
Reflective stitching
Weight: 9.6 oz.
What We Like
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.
What We Don’t Like
The front piece can sometimes cut into the dog's neck, making them uncomfortable.
Pros
Durable and sturdy—made with a not-tear, premium-grade nylon
Padded areas make this harness comfortable to wear
Back D-ring for secure running leash attachment
Highly visible at night due to reflective material
Cons
Not chew-resistant
The plastic snap buckles have been known to snap
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.
Key Features
All-weather breathable mesh material
Step-in-and-go design
Comes in four adjustable fits – x-small, small, medium, and large
Reflective stitching
Buckle and double D-rings
Weight: 3.2 oz.
What We Like
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.
What We Don’t Like
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.
Pros
Durable and sturdy—the material is weather-resistant
Easy to put on and take off, especially with smaller fussy dogs
Fully adjustable for a comfortable fit
D-rings present for secure leash attachment during running
Comes in 13 fashionable colors
Cons
The harness can sit lop-sided on some small dog breeds
The adjustment sliders and harness, in general, are not chew-resistant
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.
Overall Rating - 4.4/5
Buying Guide – All You Need to Know Before Buying a Running Harness for Your Dog
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.
Comfort
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.
Correct Sizing
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.
Adjustability
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.
Durability
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 or Back Leash Attachments
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.
Reflective Material or LED Lights
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.
Budget
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.
Final Thoughts
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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