The 8 Best Dog Harnesses for Hiking of 2023

Best Overall

Ruffwear Web Master Dog Harness with Handle

4.8

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Durable and rugged, the Ruffwear Web Master Dog Harness is our top all-around choice for most dogs. It has padded chest and belly straps, plus five points of adjustment for a secure fit. The leash attachment point is an aluminum V-ring on the back of the harness. The fabric is sturdy and there’s a label inside where you can put your dog’s information, in case he or she accidentally ventures off without you.

The harness includes a built-in, padded handle so you can lift your pup over obstacles on the trail, or into and out of a vehicle. The Web Master comes in three colors and there’s reflective trim for safety. According to Ruffwear, this harness is preferred by many service dog handlers, avalanche rescue dog programs, as well as owners of dogs that have lost a leg.

Ruffwear is also the brand of choice for Katherine Aromaa, owner and head trainer at Cooper’s Dog Training in Portland, Oregon.

“I have found that their backpacks and harnesses are always well-made, durable, and comfortable for the dogs. They also have so many different options,” Aromaa says. “I think a harness or backpack harness is a great idea to go hiking with dogs. You may need to grab onto something if they start to slip or any other precarious situation arises.”

_{Size(s): Xx-small, x-small, small, medium, large/x-large | Colors: Red currant, blue dusk, twilight gray | Material: Polyester ripstop}

Best Lightweight

Blue-9 Balance Harness

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Some dogs don’t like the bulk that comes with traditional hiking harnesses. Depending on their body type or how they move, your dog might feel restricted, or the extra material could cause chafing. The Blue-9 Balance Harness is a simple strap harness with six points of adjustment, plus rings on the front or the back to attach a leash. The straps stay out of the way and offer a smooth range of motion. There’s even a buckle neck loop for dogs that don’t like having things pulled over their heads. The Blue-9 Balance Harness comes in five sizes and nine colors.

This is the harness most often recommended by Rachel Callery, certified professional dog trainer and owner of Unleash ATL Dog Training in Atlanta.

“It’s the best in terms of taking your dog’s anatomy and movement into consideration (no straps in places they shouldn’t be) and provides a comfortable, minimalist fit,” Callery says. “It’s not the style that many people are looking for in a hiking harness, as it lacks the padding and extra storage—but this is exactly what makes it so comfortable in my opinion!”

_{Size(s): X-small, small, medium, medium/large, large | Color(s): Black, blue, camo, hot pink, orange, purple, red, sky blue, hunter green | Main material: Nylon}

Best Budget

Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness

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Like other Ruffwear gear, the Front Range harness is durable and looks great. It’s well padded and has tough construction, including substantial buckles, heavy stitching, and sturdy fabric. It’s a little more basic than some of the other models, but it still has four spots where you can make fit adjustments and there are two places (front and back) to attach a leash.

There’s no lift handle on this harness, but because it has a lower profile and less material, it can be just as useful on neighborhood streets as it is on wilderness trails. There’s a cool little pocket on the neck where you can tuck in your dog’s ID tags to keep them from jingling or getting snagged on anything. The harness comes in five sizes and eight colors.

_{Size(s): Xx-small, x-small, small, medium, large/x-large | Color(s): Aurora teal, blue moon, campfire orange, twilight gray, hibiscus pink, huckleberry blue, red sumac, tumalo teal | Main material: Polyester ripstop}

Best for Medium and Large Dogs

Kurgo Journey Air Dog Harness

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This handsome harness fits dogs up to about 110 pounds. The Kurgo Journey Air is made of a sturdy ripstop fabric, and is both padded and reflective. For smaller dogs (or strong owners of big dogs), there’s a back handle for lift assistance. There are also four adjustment points, and the harness snaps on and off easily with strong plastic buckles. Aluminum hook leash attachments can be found in both the back and on the front, for if your dog is a puller (front attachments redirect a dog's pulling to the sides, back toward you). There’s a mesh lining in the chest plate for breathability, but the harness is relatively lightweight overall. The Kurgo Journey Air comes in six colors and five sizes.

It's worth noting: the fabric loops on the front are design elements, and so shouldn't be used as leash attachment points.

_{Size(s): X-small, small, medium, large, x-large | Color(s): Blue, red, black, orange, violet, coral | Main material: Ripstop fabric}

Best for Small Dogs

Gooby Pioneer Dog Harness

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Tiny dogs want to go hiking too. Harnesses for small pups can be difficult to find, but this Gooby version is just for them—it comes in four sizes, and the largest only fits dogs up to 35 pounds. Made of padded neoprene for protection and comfort, the harness is adjustable around the neck and chest. The Gooby Pioneer Dog Harness fastens around the chest, using double fasteners with both Velcro and plastic clips for extra security. Even with this fail-safe design, the harness is still easy to slip on and off. Leash attachment points are located on both the front and back, plus there's a handle for easy lifting.

In addition to the four available sizes, the Gooby Pioneer Dog Harness also comes in five different colors.

_{Size(s): Small, medium, large, x-large (up to 35 pounds) | Color(s): Blue, gray, red, sand, turquoise | Main material: Neoprene}

Best Budget Backpack

Outward Hound DayPak Dog Saddleback Backpack

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The DayPak from Outward Hound is a good starter backpack for puppy-packing newbies who want to give their dog the opportunity to share the load. Made with breathable mesh, the DayPak Dog Saddleback Backpack is lightweight, but still has four areas for storage, built into two roomy saddlebags that distribute weight evenly on each side. Adjustable straps ensure a secure fit.

In addition to the D-ring leash attachment on the back, the backpack also includes a handle so you can lift your pup out of any jams. While it's not very heavy duty, and probably not large enough for multi-day camping trips, the DayPak still has plenty of space for poop bags, treats and other day hike basics.

The Outward Hound DayPak comes in two bright colors for high visibility.

_{Size(s): Small/medium, medium, large, large/xlarge | Color(s): Blue, green | Main material: Nylon}

Best Heavy Duty

Ruffwear Approach Dog Pack

5

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If you and your dog are seriously outdoorsy and ready to carry a lot of gear, this is the pack for the experienced canine hiker. Since carrying a load requires a good fit, the integrated harness has five points of adjustment for optimal load-bearing balance. While roomy, the saddlebags are low-profile, holding close to your pet’s body to allow for a wide range of motion without flopping around.

The 420 denier nylon ripstop fabric is ultra durable and designed for low-light visibility, including reflective trim and an attachment point for a light. Accordingly, the Ruffwear Approach Dog Pack only comes in one color—bright orange—to ensure it's easy to spot.

Even if the Approach Dog Pack has more room in its saddlebags, Ruffwear recommends against loading your pup with more than 25% of his or her body weight, so it's worth being mindful against overloading.

_{Size(s): X-small, small, medium, large/x-large | Color(s): Orange poppy | Main material: Nylon ripstop}