Best Dog Harness For Goldendoodles (Jan 2023 Update)

I was so excited to receive the harness – it seemed like a huge upgrade from the old one I bought from Tractor Supply that my dog was using. Well. It took twice as long as expected to arrive which is ridiculous when I paid for shipping. The shipping fees were refunded, but I had purchased the item with the intent to use it by a specific date which didn’t happen since it didn’t arrive until MUCH later. When it finally did show up the package was ripped almost completely open and the packaging of the product was all messed up which is also ridiculous. Alright it’s here, looks like **** but it’s here. It’s a much brighter blue than I expected which I like. It took a little while to figure out how to adjust as the ends were so firmly tucked into the harness I thought I was going to break it. Finally got it on and adjusted and “Meh”. It’s not deep enough (front to back) in my opinion, and my dog is not an odd or unusual shape. I do like that it covers less surface area, she appears to stay cooler (but a double coated black dog in the humid Midwest is always hot). It does sag when wet (which is almost always as she swims regularly) BUT it dries and goes back to the original fit which is a pro I guess. I say I guess because I didn’t expect a harness I paid over $80 to sag at all when wet but ‍♀ It doesn’t show any wear yet which it shouldn’t for only having it 2 weeks. It does shift like crazy. Not as bad as the cheap tractor supply one, but again I expected ZERO shifting from the $80+ harness. Honestly I probably won’t buy again. I was super excited to find a harness with everything I wanted: reflectors (which the ones on this harness ****, seriously for $80 y’all couldn’t put reflective piping on all edges?!), a handle on the back, bright blue, goes over the head/ NOT a step through and had a back leash clip. But honestly I’m pretty disappointed. There is a lot of room for improvement in what I consider an expensive harness (more reflective piping, padding under the middle set of buckles, better fit, better choice of shipping carriers). I’m not going to get rid of it and it does fit better than the Tractor Supply but I don’t absolutely love it like I hoped.Seva P.

My girl discovered early on that she can back out of her harness in a heartbeat. She can't back out of the Flagline harness (yay!) and – more importantly – if needed, I can pull on the leash / harness without fear of hurting her. (There have been a couple times when we've encountered dogs who are too friendly — having the Flagline harness on my girl made it much easier to pull her back to a safe distance without fear of hurting her or having the harness pop off at a bad time.) The harness is easy to put on / take off. It's strong. The reflective trim helps make her more visible. The adjustable straps make it easy to size up during the winter time when she's got winter coat(s) to accommodate. Having clips for closure is so much nicer than harnesses with velcro closures. (Velcro closure doesn't last long – and trying to wash anything with velcro – oy veh!) The price was a little more than I thought I'd spend for a harness – but having a harness I can trust and that will last is worth every penny. 100% recommend!Karen G.

The harness is super adjustable and fits my pups barrel chest so well! We wanted the waist clip as the single rib clip always slipped off or got loose and it wasn’t enough security for us. We also really love the handles! The front loop works super well to mitigate some pulling (pups only 8 months old) and my favorite feature is the inner material that rests on his body, it’s not mesh or fabric that his short coat sticks into so his hair isn’t being rubbed off or sticking in the harness getting stuck in cracks and making it itchy or difficult to clean. This harness is also super easy to wash and I really love the hardy materials on this harness. Wish it came in orange but the grey works just as well on our pup! This harness just fits Róka so well and I’m so pleased with it!!!! It fits and contours to his whole body and moves with him when he’s moving around! Thanks so much for an awesome product!!!Kassandra H.

First the Pros: this harness is durable and I have no doubt it is strong and durable enough to hold my 70lb pittie when needed. It also does a great job of keeping her from pulling when using the chest loop. We love the Ruffwear brand and I (and my dogs) love the sweaters/clothing as they are always cold in temps below 70°. Cons: I watched the video on fitting the harness and every single walk results in raw skin/bleeding/scabs under her armpits (she has very thin fur on her underside) due to the material of the harness rubbing in this area. I also find the buckles a bit difficult to unclip as they are partially hidden inside the attachment area which means you have to squeeze the buckle through the thick harness material to release the clasp. Because of my love of their other products and the front clip feature, I may try to put some padding or softer material in the underarm area to see if that helps.Melissa S.

For the most part I really like this harness. The construction seems sturdy and the color is nice, and it’s very easy to get on and off. That said, I think it could be improved by lengthening the body (the neck to back, if you will). I have two mixed breed dogs who are very similar in shape, size, and weight. I purchased two of these harnesses, one in extra small and one in small. The small is overall a bit too large around, and the small (although ok for girth) is way too short. I am always trying to keep an eye on their underarms and backs of their elbows to make sure they aren’t getting raw spots. I’ve seen the same issue in other reviews, so I don’t think it’s just my dogs. I would also love it if you could purchase extenders in different sizes, because I think often a smaller size is better all around, but doesn’t extend in girth quite enough, while the next size up is too big. The good still outweighs the not perfect though, and I keep coming back to Ruffwear to buy different styles of harnesses!Samantha N.

I saw this harness at my local REI and without knowing anything about the brand or how it would impact my life, I knew it was “cute”. I bought it for my mischievous lab puppy who weighed around 50 lbs at the time, solely for that reason. The cute factor. I then came here and ordered the Ruffwear Knot-a-leash rope dog leash to match. We used the harness and leash combo for about a week, when my fearless puppy decided to show me how well it works. I was driving on the freeway, and while waiting in traffic to exit on the off ramp, I opened my back windows for her to get some fresh air. She was clipped to a cheap “doggie seatbelt clip” so she was secure, or so I thought. I hadn’t noticed that she had un-clipped herself from the seatbelt until the moment I saw her jump right out the car window, and disappear from my view. She wasn’t trained at the time and would make a run for it anytime possible. I panicked picturing my dog running into freeway traffic and being hit, but to my disbelief I found her hanging off the car window, being securely help in place by this harness and the rope leash that was still inside the car. The impact of her weight combined with the momentum of the jump, did nothing but dent the locking system of the carabiner shut, and held her weight without letting her escape or even touch the ground for that matter, and not a single rip happened to either the harness or the leash otherwise. This “expensive, but cute” dog accessory prevented my dog from a terrifying death that would have surely happened had she not been wearing both of these incredible, life-saving items. Thank you, Ruffwear, for making such amazing products that are truly life saving. I owe my dog’s life to you guys and I am forever grateful for that.Sabrina

I saw this harness at my local REI and without knowing anything about the brand or how it would impact my life, I knew it was “cute”. I bought it for my mischievous lab puppy who weighed around 50 lbs at the time, solely for that reason. The cute factor. I then came here and ordered the Ruffwear Knot-a-leash rope dog leash to match. We used the harness and leash combo for about a week, when my fearless puppy decided to show me how well it works. I was driving on the freeway, and while waiting in traffic to exit on the off ramp, I opened my back windows for her to get some fresh air. She was clipped to a cheap “doggie seatbelt clip” so she was secure, or so I thought. I hadn’t noticed that she had un-clipped herself from the seatbelt until the moment I saw her jump right out the car window, and disappear from my view. She wasn’t trained at the time and would make a run for it anytime possible. I panicked picturing my dog running into freeway traffic and being hit, but to my disbelief I found her hanging off the car window, being securely help in place by this harness and the rope leash that was still inside the car. The impact of her weight combined with the momentum of the jump, did nothing but dent the locking system of the carabiner shut, and held her weight without letting her escape or even touch the ground for that matter, and not a single rip happened to either the harness or the leash otherwise. This “expensive, but cute” dog accessory prevented my dog from a terrifying death that would have surely happened had she not been wearing both of these incredible, life-saving items. Thank you, Ruffwear, for making such amazing products that are truly life saving. I owe my dog’s life to you guys and I am forever grateful for that.Sabrina

I love this harness. I haven't used it for the reason I bought it yet, (to be used on my dog while paddle boarding), but I have discovered it's amazing ability to thwart my dog's whale like antics to throw herself backward, going limp, and melt right out of the harness like a cooked noodle when she doesn't want to go or leave somewhere. My dog is a 55lb Golden Retriever / Border Collie, she's a big heavy noodle. I used to own the Rabitgo dog harness which was nice for her to wear while we biked, however within 3mo she learned how to pinch her shoulders together and melt out of the harness. She would also (mostly at the dog park) go stiff leg when we would leave and then rear up and throw herself backward ( like a whale jumping out of the ocean )so she was sprawled on the ground. Your only option was to literally drag her from the park. She is 4yrs old now and is an amazing whale flopper.. she can slip out of anything… until now. I can literally just hold her in the air by my side while she tries to wiggle and squirm out of the harness to no avail with this RuffWear harness. For that reason alone this harness is worth every penny to me, whether or not it works in the water. As far as fitting goes, I bought the large. Her neck is 19inches. Behind the front legs 31inches. In front of the back legs 25 inches. From base of neck to the start of the tail is 27 inches in length. It seems to fit her well. The components are well built the D ring is sturdy the buckles are heavy duty and it's well stitched. I think the only thing that could make this harness better would be having another D ring in the front. I know they have other harnesses with this feature, but multiple attachments is just handy when it comes to dogs. Overall, I would recommend this harness and I won't be going back to my previous harness.McKenna B.

This harness is perfect for our furry escape artist! We've been using this harness for years (this is our third one) and she has never gotten out of it. It is adjustable to get a comfortable fit. The handle is wonderful when you need to make sure you have solid control, such as when small children want to greet the doggo nose to nose. Even though this is our third harness purchase, I want to clarify that the previous harnesses did not wear out and they are still structurally sound. We walk a lot and they faded due to sun and water exposure after a few years. And one of them took a beating from my cleaning attempts after an unfortunate encounter with a skunk. We are so thankful for this harness — it is perfect for us!Sandra S.

I saw this harness at my local REI and without knowing anything about the brand or how it would impact my life, I knew it was “cute”. I bought it for my mischievous lab puppy who weighed around 50 lbs at the time, solely for that reason. The cute factor. I then came here and ordered the Ruffwear Knot-a-leash rope dog leash to match. We used the harness and leash combo for about a week, when my fearless puppy decided to show me how well it works. I was driving on the freeway, and while waiting in traffic to exit on the off ramp, I opened my back windows for her to get some fresh air. She was clipped to a cheap “doggie seatbelt clip” so she was secure, or so I thought. I hadn’t noticed that she had un-clipped herself from the seatbelt until the moment I saw her jump right out the car window, and disappear from my view. She wasn’t trained at the time and would make a run for it anytime possible. I panicked picturing my dog running into freeway traffic and being hit, but to my disbelief I found her hanging off the car window, being securely help in place by this harness and the rope leash that was still inside the car. The impact of her weight combined with the momentum of the jump, did nothing but dent the locking system of the carabiner shut, and held her weight without letting her escape or even touch the ground for that matter, and not a single rip happened to either the harness or the leash otherwise. This “expensive, but cute” dog accessory prevented my dog from a terrifying death that would have surely happened had she not been wearing both of these incredible, life-saving items. Thank you, Ruffwear, for making such amazing products that are truly life saving. I owe my dog’s life to you guys and I am forever grateful for that.Sabrina

I love this harness. I haven't used it for the reason I bought it yet, (to be used on my dog while paddle boarding), but I have discovered it's amazing ability to thwart my dog's whale like antics to throw herself backward, going limp, and melt right out of the harness like a cooked noodle when she doesn't want to go or leave somewhere. My dog is a 55lb Golden Retriever / Border Collie, she's a big heavy noodle. I used to own the Rabitgo dog harness which was nice for her to wear while we biked, however within 3mo she learned how to pinch her shoulders together and melt out of the harness. She would also (mostly at the dog park) go stiff leg when we would leave and then rear up and throw herself backward ( like a whale jumping out of the ocean )so she was sprawled on the ground. Your only option was to literally drag her from the park. She is 4yrs old now and is an amazing whale flopper.. she can slip out of anything… until now. I can literally just hold her in the air by my side while she tries to wiggle and squirm out of the harness to no avail with this RuffWear harness. For that reason alone this harness is worth every penny to me, whether or not it works in the water. As far as fitting goes, I bought the large. Her neck is 19inches. Behind the front legs 31inches. In front of the back legs 25 inches. From base of neck to the start of the tail is 27 inches in length. It seems to fit her well. The components are well built the D ring is sturdy the buckles are heavy duty and it's well stitched. I think the only thing that could make this harness better would be having another D ring in the front. I know they have other harnesses with this feature, but multiple attachments is just handy when it comes to dogs. Overall, I would recommend this harness and I won't be going back to my previous harness.McKenna B.

This harness is perfect for our furry escape artist! We've been using this harness for years (this is our third one) and she has never gotten out of it. It is adjustable to get a comfortable fit. The handle is wonderful when you need to make sure you have solid control, such as when small children want to greet the doggo nose to nose. Even though this is our third harness purchase, I want to clarify that the previous harnesses did not wear out and they are still structurally sound. We walk a lot and they faded due to sun and water exposure after a few years. And one of them took a beating from my cleaning attempts after an unfortunate encounter with a skunk. We are so thankful for this harness — it is perfect for us!Sandra S.

Very study and would trust it to protect my pup. Unfortunately she does like wearing it. We now only use it when we know we’re going to be doing high speeds on a Highway/freeway. She just wears her normal harness otherwiseLil Luna

This is a reassuringly robust harness. Looking at the size guide, the guidance on harness size for weight of dog shows a large overlap between small and medium. We bought the medium harness. It fitted but the underneath pad came right up to our dogs chin when she was lying down in the car, making it uncomfortable. We decided to buy the small harness to use until the dog fits into the medium one. This is MUCH smaller than the medium harness. It barely fits our dog. I think the design of the harness and its sizing are poor even though its construction is sturdy.0114lecturer

I insist that my dogs be secured when in my truck. Kennels are not an option and most wont hold up in an accident anyway. Having been through numerous harnesses I strongly recommended this one. Its easy to put on and fully protects your pet in the event of an accident.legaleus

Bought this harness when I (and family) adopted our new retriever mix and were required to get a martingale harness as part of the adoption agreement. We've had him for just over two weeks now and I’m disappointed to discover that the straps of the harness we bought then have frayed dramatically at several points in such a short time; including one point at which a key strap is holding on by just a few threads! It seemed to fit relatively well during the time we have been using it. I’ve seen discussion that this kind of thing starts with a nick in the side of the strap, that must somehow have been caused by the dog chewing and/or scratching. As part of our work to train our dog, we’ve been very aware of his overall behavior, especially when going for walks. He’s not a puppy and never actively scratched or bit at the harness to our knowledge but, of course, it’s not impossible that this might have happened once or twice. I do question, however, the value of a dog harness that is unable to stand up to that kind of treatment.RalphtheDog

My Luna is a 2yr old black lab-pitbull mix. She's husky, friendly, and a puller when she's on a lead. Having a harness that helps with the pulling is a blessing. She loves going on walks but will drag you down the sidewalk. Since using the easy walk harness regularly, she has much better behaved. The easy walk harness goes around her chest and back and has a leash attachment on the front. This design takes the pressure off of her neck and shoulders, making it more comfortable for her to walk without pulling. As a result, she's been able to enjoy her walks more and I haven't been left dragging behind her like a limp rag doll.LifeWithAnnaC

This no pull harness is great for any dog that you have pulling problems with. It allows you to walk your dog without worrying about pulling on a collar or harness with a top buckle. The harness is very easy to adjust and put on your dog. It has two snap buckles for easy release. The leash attachment is on the chest area where you walk your dog from. My dog is 65 pounds and sometimes will pull when she sees other animals or people. This really does control the pulling and makes it easy for me to lead her. This is a great harness if you are looking for a solution for your dog that pulls. It is also great for those dogs that don't. It is good for both you and your pet.peewee09

I bought this harness about a month or so ago for my Plotthound Lab Mix! This harness is a very great quality harness and my dog is comfortable and happy in it! He is a working dog so this harness is great for when we are on the move or running! The neck area has a bit of stretch to it so if we need to make a sudden stop and it pulls on him he wont be choked! It has a pretty good wide open space for working dog patches or stickers! I have 2 other dogs and this harness is still standing! Overall I rate this harness a 5 stars! Totally Recommend!Alexis1234

Our pittie is about 30 pounds and he is not even done growing. He is full of energy and excitement when we go for walks, so it’s extremely imperative for me to have a harness that I can rely on for sturdiness to hold him steady. What I love about this harness is, just that! I had an incident before with a dog jacket that had a built-in harness – forget about it! He saw another pittie who was as playful, slipped right through it and started running. Imagine my fear. Now that I have this great harness by EasySport, I am very confident that it will never happen again. The relief is immense. Despite my dog tugging his leash at times, this harness is so comfortable for him. Not a trace of skin redness caused from it even after all that craziness he does. Trust me, my pittie is strong and yet, it’s a piece of cake for this harness! Not a slight sign of wear and tear. This thing is built to last. I love that he will grow into this in time as well, because the upper limit on ours is 50 pounds. Perfect! Also, there is a nice handle on the back of the harness – so well sewn. Keep your dog stable by holding onto it, when needed. Even someone in a small build like myself can have great control due to the well-thought out design. Can you tell I am pleased, because I could keep talking!Ocasey

I have been using the EasySport Medium Harness for about a month now. I live by the Dunes on Lake Michigan and take our puppy there several times a week. She is about forty five pounds and has quite a bit of energy. When first trying this on her I noticed I was able to loosen the straps. It was very easy and took seconds to loosen. The fit was perfect and she seemed very comfortable. I noticed the straps were thicker and when she pulled, I wasn’t worried the straps would break. While walking through the dunes, some of the pathways can be very narrow. I am training her to stay at my side while other hikers walk by. Having that strap at the top has made it even easier to train her to stay. Now all I have to do is tap the top and she knows to sit. The convenience of the strap and the padding added for comfort are two huge added bonuses for us. Our puppy is very active and while walking her in public I need to trust that I have the best products. I need to be able to rely on our leashes and harnesses so we can enjoy our walks with no worries. This harness has been fantastic. When she pulls too much or gets excited and runs, I know that the harness won’t break. I do believe I will need to size up soon. I ordered a medium and I think it fits very well. I am sure after a few more months of growing though that I will need the large. I will be purchasing the next size up when she’s ready. If this harness can withstand my puppies energy, it is tough enough for any dog!JoeFav

Great fitting harness and the adjustable neck section is great . I've had other harnesses in the past and whilst they fit my English Staffordshire around the body I found they got to a point where they were difficult to get on and off over his big lump of a head . Overall a great product and I'll definitely look at getting the bigger one once he outgrows this one .Scott M

I have a 70lb Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless). I purchased both the Hurtta Cooling Coat and the Swamp Cooler Dog Vest by Ruffwear. Both are made from similar material and work the same way. The Hurtta coat has much more coverage, has extended hind end flaps and front chest flaps, resembles a horse jacket. Whereas the Ruffwear is more of a fitted vest. I would have given the Hurtta Cooling Coat 5 stars however, the stitching that secured the chest strap isn't reinforced and tore out of the material the first time used. I then outfitted the dog in the Ruffwear Swamp Vest, which worked beautifully. Since my dog is hairless it was easy to feel how well the vest worked. Placing my hand on exposed skin, then touching skin under the vest, there was a noticeable difference in temperature however his skin was dry – just cooler. I have stitched the Hurtta strap back on and feel it will be equally as good if not better than the Ruffwear due to it's increased surface area.Laura

There’s no denying it. My little Joey (four pounds of adorable Maltese) ❤S his dinky American River Step In Harness and it shows when we walk. He holds his head a little higher and prances…at least as much is a guy of his stature can prance. And I love it more than Joey does. This is the first harness that truly fits properly. No more choking or pulling, and security features that keep him safe whenever we walk. Thank you Dinky Dog Club!Shelley S.

I have 4 of these harnesses from a few years ago and loved them. I decided to order 2 more… Unfortunately the new ones all gape at the neck terribly! Even pulling it back more so it’s flat on the neck first doesn’t work as it won’t close the Velcro and then the arm holes rub under the armpits. I realized they changed the arm holes slightly (by overlaying it onto my old ones) and it’s thrown off the whole pattern. They are now useless. So Disappointing since all else is perfect- quality, price, patterns. Try the “Wrap & Snap” instead, it fits great and is nice for summer as there’s no extra fabric on the back.Dog Mom

There’s no denying it. My little Joey (four pounds of adorable Maltese) ❤S his dinky American River Step In Harness and it shows when we walk. He holds his head a little higher and prances…at least as much is a guy of his stature can prance. And I love it more than Joey does. This is the first harness that truly fits properly. No more choking or pulling, and security features that keep him safe whenever we walk. Thank you Dinky Dog Club!Shelley S.

I have 4 of these harnesses from a few years ago and loved them. I decided to order 2 more… Unfortunately the new ones all gape at the neck terribly! Even pulling it back more so it’s flat on the neck first doesn’t work as it won’t close the Velcro and then the arm holes rub under the armpits. I realized they changed the arm holes slightly (by overlaying it onto my old ones) and it’s thrown off the whole pattern. They are now useless. So Disappointing since all else is perfect- quality, price, patterns. Try the “Wrap & Snap” instead, it fits great and is nice for summer as there’s no extra fabric on the back.Dog Mom

These harnesses worked in a pinch for us. We took our dogs camping with us and we wanted to make sure to keep them safe. Pros: It is easy to put the harnesses on and take them off. They are a light weight material which allows for fast drying and minimal weight on the dog. They utlilize the the over the shoulder Y design style which is the least likely to impede a dog's range of motion in the front legs. The color was listed as salmon red but is more of a burnt orange which is actually good because of how close it is to safety hunter orange. Cons: This harness utilizes plastic buckles that are light weight and don't hold up to rigorous use. We don't utilize the leash clip on the rear portion of the harnesses because it is not sturdy if the dog pulls and this harness is not designed to handle load bearing forces. The only measurement used for sizing is measuring around the dog's mid-section or "girth" (not a good representation of many dogs). The harness does not come down the back far enough. Overall: The only reason we bothered getting these is because the other ones we ordered we placed on back order from a company that does custom dog gear and we wanted to keep our dogs safe from hunters or other people. As a professional dog training and care company we would prefer to go with other options because we have a high standard for our personal dogs. If you are on a budget or need something quick to satisfy a safety risk by all means get these or something similar, we certainly did. No one piece of equipment is the best, they all have their pros and cons and each buyer has factors that influence their buying choices. We hope our review can help future customers and the Ruffwear company.Sean G.

I prefer these over other harnesses due to the free moving open shoulder design. Love how lightweight but sturdy they are. Would like to see a small handle added. There is some shifting while walking due to leash angle and the fact that in many small dogs, the neck straps just don't seem to fit perfectly. If it's Tight enough for their neck. you can't slip the harness over the dogs head and loose enough to do so is too loose on their neck and allows more shifting. My dogs aren't heavy pullers so these issues dont detract too much from the value of having a very lightweight but strong harness that is easy on and off.Cynthia R.

My 68 lb. golden/standard poodle mix Gibson and I are longtime Ruffwear fans and have had several of their products over the years. He measures 32" around the widest part of his chest, so he's right on the cusp of the M or L sizing. He has always been a Large in Ruffwear harnesses (the Front Range specifically), but I had to return the Large Hi & Light for a Medium as the straps around the neck were way too big, even tightened all the way! The Large harness gaped at the neck. I was super bummed! Thankfully Ruffwear returns are super quick and easy, so I received the Medium replacement quickly, and it fits well, although maybe a little short on his torso. It seems fine, and he seems comfortable, so I don't think it's a problem, but my mom said it looks silly on him (rude!), which made me question whether that's how it's supposed to fit. It does seem to fit a little shorter on his torso than the Front Range, which, again, he wears a size larger. I did also want to mention the larger sizing because the sizing tool states to take the larger size if between sizes, which Gibson is, and I found that due to the length of the neck straps, we actually needed to size down! Hope that's helpful. Gibson is kind of deep-chested and leggy but generally seems pretty well-proportioned. He's built more like a poodle than a golden, for reference. Overall, though, I adore the color, and I absolutely love how lightweight the material is! Gibson gets hot easily and living in the South, I want to keep him as comfortable as possible, so this is an excellent summer alternative to the Front Range. I love the option to clip the leash to the front of the harness, although I do wish the front clip wasn't made of fabric (metal would feel more secure). The only problem I have is that the harness twists on him when he pulls even the slightest bit, and I find myself adjusting it on him frequently. This might be user error, though, and I'll keep working on figuring out the best fit for him. With a few tweaks, it would be perfect!Chelsea M.

Seems like good construction. I liked the pads on top to prevent pinching, but overall, it is still the same standard harness you can get everywhere. Unfortunately, I am still on the hunt for a good harness to use for running with my dog. The harness rubbed under his armpits and rubbed them raw. To be fair, though, my dog pulls during a lot of the run.SandyB

The look of the harness is great however the material cannot stand up to chewing which is not covered under warranty. I bought one yesterday and this morning I left to get breakfast and when I got back 20 minutes later he had chewed through one of the straps and had taken a chuck out of the nylon canvas chest piece. Very disappointed in the product and was hoping it was made better and would hold up for years like their jackets have.Brady

Rugged ,tough , durable harness . Works like it should . It takes a little time to get a proper adjustment , unless your dog is growing it's a one time thing . We like it better than other harnesses we have . I find it laughable that people would give a poor review because their dog chewed on it . That's on the owner and their poor dog . It's not the harness' fault .steve

I have struggled to find a dog harness for my energetic adventurous beagle that wouldn't chafe his skin while walking and running with him and that he couldn't wriggle out of. This harness does the trick, finally.we_heykr_fkgbl5flfj

First the Pros: this harness is durable and I have no doubt it is strong and durable enough to hold my 70lb pittie when needed. It also does a great job of keeping her from pulling when using the chest loop. We love the Ruffwear brand and I (and my dogs) love the sweaters/clothing as they are always cold in temps below 70°. Cons: I watched the video on fitting the harness and every single walk results in raw skin/bleeding/scabs under her armpits (she has very thin fur on her underside) due to the material of the harness rubbing in this area. I also find the buckles a bit difficult to unclip as they are partially hidden inside the attachment area which means you have to squeeze the buckle through the thick harness material to release the clasp. Because of my love of their other products and the front clip feature, I may try to put some padding or softer material in the underarm area to see if that helps.Melissa S.

For the most part I really like this harness. The construction seems sturdy and the color is nice, and it’s very easy to get on and off. That said, I think it could be improved by lengthening the body (the neck to back, if you will). I have two mixed breed dogs who are very similar in shape, size, and weight. I purchased two of these harnesses, one in extra small and one in small. The small is overall a bit too large around, and the small (although ok for girth) is way too short. I am always trying to keep an eye on their underarms and backs of their elbows to make sure they aren’t getting raw spots. I’ve seen the same issue in other reviews, so I don’t think it’s just my dogs. I would also love it if you could purchase extenders in different sizes, because I think often a smaller size is better all around, but doesn’t extend in girth quite enough, while the next size up is too big. The good still outweighs the not perfect though, and I keep coming back to Ruffwear to buy different styles of harnesses!Samantha N.

So, I had been waiting until our pup was close to full grown to invest in this harness, as it's a bit pricier. I really wanted to love this harness SO much and give it the best review, as the quality is fantastic and it's really just an all around durable and beautiful harness!! BUT…… it did not work well for our English Cocker Spaniel Pup. I bought her an XS at our local pet store and we tried it on there to make sure it seemed to fit right, as she is pretty much full grown now. I don't think the XXS would fit her girth properly, so we got the XS, which fits nicely around the chest, but after grooming her puppy fur around the neck, the harness is too loose at its tightest now, and when I use the front hook (which is ideal for training her on the leash), the harness shifts terribly and has caused really awful matting of her fur under her armpits, to the point where I had to stop using the harness. And now I have to cut off all that matted fur under her armpits. We comb and brush her regularly, but she's also active and we hike and swim and have done lots of activity in this harness. It's such a shame, as the front clip was my favorite way to leash train her and I just love the overall look/style of the harness, but I don't think the XXS is going to fit, as I can barely get the XS over her head at it's tightest and then it's too loose at the neck. All that to say, if you have a floofy spaniel pup who likes to pull, you may want to make sure you can get sizing exact and be sure to check the fur constantly. I'm giving this 3 stars because it is a really well made harness, just did not work out well for our ECS. None of my other harnesses have caused matting like this, even when her puppy floof was at it's longest, so I know it's this harness and using the front loop hook and just the fit not working right for her. Looks great, doesn't fit great. I'm so bummed about it. I really wanted to love this harness. I would recommend it to a pup that does not have long fur.Lindsay

Used the ComfortFlex Sport to take my 95lb bully breed girl for a walk yesterday and never felt out of control. Really appreciate the loop handle at the top of the harness for added control, which is fantastic for training. Super easy on and off!! Really happy with my purchase.LaShonna S

Harness arrived promptly. Exactly as promised. Fit & color great & my minidoodle has no complaints. The other portion of my order has not yet arrived.Margaret T

As comfortable for our dog and as easy to put on as shown in the online video. No struggles. Sturdy craftsmanship, great sporty design. The handle loop is ingenious and practical.Patricia A

I really liked this when I first fitted it on my cairn terrier. I had it snug around his tummy and the front velcro was secure. On our first outing he took off after a bunny and the velcro just busted open and he came right out of the harness. I'm lucky he ran into some bushes and not into traffic. Im afraid to use it again and will be seeking a refund from chewy.Nise

When our dog outgrew here last harness, I wanted something that was durable and had the ability to add patches as she is still in training and has social anxiety. We love to hike, but was discouraged by most of the harnesses we purchased in the past as they would just slide around and my dog didn't like using them. This harness however, my dog actually gets excited to wear… likely because its comfortable and it means we are out on another adventure. It doesn't slide, even when loaded with the optional pouches attached to both sides.TrailHound

This harness is impeccably constructed. Definitely worth the cost. We purchased the harness and the backpack attachments and love the versatility of the system. Our puppy is slightly leash reactive so we loved the ability to add “ask to pet” and “in training” patches when we’re working with him. For size reference, we have a miniature American Shepherd and got the medium size.Janna

Fits very well and is easy to put on. The reflective material is awesome at night and low light, but not during the daylight. Works great.John G jr

Four of my dogs are huge beasts that have special harnesses that they wear when I take them for a walk; it allows me to feel confident that they are under control (especially if they see a cat roaming around) and I know that even if they start pulling on the leash they aren't going to get the air choked out of them. For my small dog I needed something that he wouldn't be able to wiggle out of; he is a true escape artist and this harness is the only one that he has never been able to get out of when we've been on walks. It is soft and comfortable on his body and he still has a full range of motion when it is on him; getting it on and off of him takes about a minute if he isn't jumping around and excited when he sees me pull it out of the hall closet. One of the best things about this harness is that I don't have to take his neck collar off when I put this on him; he still has his registration and vet tags on him so if he should happen to pull a disappearing act at least I know that if someone finds him they will know that he is indeed a pet and not a stray. I originally got this in gray but opted to get a second one in orange so that he is easier to spot if we go for a walk in the evening. If I am walking to the store in the evening I usually put the orange one on him so I can see exactly where he is in relation to my feet so I don't accidentally step on him. The harnesses are machine washable and have help up perfectly since I got them. I know that when he is wearing one there's almost no chance that he will be able to wiggle his way out of it and that when he starts pulling on the leash when he gets excited he isn't putting undue pressure on his neck or throat.AlexFortune

Jax has several Puppia Harnesses, Jackets and accessories but this is my absolute favorite. I use it as my “go to” harness. It pairs well with the Susan Lanci ultra suede leash. All Puppia products are absolute quality and shopping on BaxterBoo is always a pleasure.Joanne T

We have five small dogs and all of them love this harness. When I found these online I was so excited to find a harness that is designed with both comfort and function in mind. These harness are so much nicer for the dogs to wear. The soft fabric and the shape of the harness is much more comfortable for our dogs to wear then the thin harnesses you find in the store. The thinner harnesses would cut into our dogs armpits and cause discomfort. These harnesses provide nothing but comfort. Another plus for the Puppia harness is how easy it is to put on and take off. Our dogs basically step right into them on their own. With regular harnesses they are tight and we have to battle with them. The fabric is breathable and light allowing airflow but they are also sturdy and keep the dogs secure. The only problem that we face with them is the non adjustable neck. Although the chest can be tightened the neck cannot so if you have a dog that is in between sizes you have to go up a size and the neck is a bit big. This is the case for two of our dogs. Where is it not a problem for one of them the other one tends to get her leg through her neck and eventually make her way out of it. That is the only down side I have for these harnesses. If you plan on getting one measure your dog carefully and enjoy choosing one out from all of the amazing colors and patterns! There are so many great choices it is hard for me to resist buying several for each of our dogs 🙂trinnym

These harnesses worked in a pinch for us. We took our dogs camping with us and we wanted to make sure to keep them safe. Pros: It is easy to put the harnesses on and take them off. They are a light weight material which allows for fast drying and minimal weight on the dog. They utlilize the the over the shoulder Y design style which is the least likely to impede a dog's range of motion in the front legs. The color was listed as salmon red but is more of a burnt orange which is actually good because of how close it is to safety hunter orange. Cons: This harness utilizes plastic buckles that are light weight and don't hold up to rigorous use. We don't utilize the leash clip on the rear portion of the harnesses because it is not sturdy if the dog pulls and this harness is not designed to handle load bearing forces. The only measurement used for sizing is measuring around the dog's mid-section or "girth" (not a good representation of many dogs). The harness does not come down the back far enough. Overall: The only reason we bothered getting these is because the other ones we ordered we placed on back order from a company that does custom dog gear and we wanted to keep our dogs safe from hunters or other people. As a professional dog training and care company we would prefer to go with other options because we have a high standard for our personal dogs. If you are on a budget or need something quick to satisfy a safety risk by all means get these or something similar, we certainly did. No one piece of equipment is the best, they all have their pros and cons and each buyer has factors that influence their buying choices. We hope our review can help future customers and the Ruffwear company.Sean G.

I prefer these over other harnesses due to the free moving open shoulder design. Love how lightweight but sturdy they are. Would like to see a small handle added. There is some shifting while walking due to leash angle and the fact that in many small dogs, the neck straps just don't seem to fit perfectly. If it's Tight enough for their neck. you can't slip the harness over the dogs head and loose enough to do so is too loose on their neck and allows more shifting. My dogs aren't heavy pullers so these issues dont detract too much from the value of having a very lightweight but strong harness that is easy on and off.Cynthia R.

My 68 lb. golden/standard poodle mix Gibson and I are longtime Ruffwear fans and have had several of their products over the years. He measures 32" around the widest part of his chest, so he's right on the cusp of the M or L sizing. He has always been a Large in Ruffwear harnesses (the Front Range specifically), but I had to return the Large Hi & Light for a Medium as the straps around the neck were way too big, even tightened all the way! The Large harness gaped at the neck. I was super bummed! Thankfully Ruffwear returns are super quick and easy, so I received the Medium replacement quickly, and it fits well, although maybe a little short on his torso. It seems fine, and he seems comfortable, so I don't think it's a problem, but my mom said it looks silly on him (rude!), which made me question whether that's how it's supposed to fit. It does seem to fit a little shorter on his torso than the Front Range, which, again, he wears a size larger. I did also want to mention the larger sizing because the sizing tool states to take the larger size if between sizes, which Gibson is, and I found that due to the length of the neck straps, we actually needed to size down! Hope that's helpful. Gibson is kind of deep-chested and leggy but generally seems pretty well-proportioned. He's built more like a poodle than a golden, for reference. Overall, though, I adore the color, and I absolutely love how lightweight the material is! Gibson gets hot easily and living in the South, I want to keep him as comfortable as possible, so this is an excellent summer alternative to the Front Range. I love the option to clip the leash to the front of the harness, although I do wish the front clip wasn't made of fabric (metal would feel more secure). The only problem I have is that the harness twists on him when he pulls even the slightest bit, and I find myself adjusting it on him frequently. This might be user error, though, and I'll keep working on figuring out the best fit for him. With a few tweaks, it would be perfect!Chelsea M.