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Every dog needs a good leash—or several. The trouble is there are so many options out there, and choosing the right ones for the right purposes can be a challenge.
For example, are you looking for a hands-free leash for running, or something for training? Will you be walking a single dog or multiple pups? Are you shopping for an option to use in the yard or on a hike? Or do you want a good lead that won’t smell after a swim?
We’ve rounded up a variety of options for all sorts of situations. Whether your dog is a loose-leash expert or a freight-train puller, we’ll help you find the best dog leash for all kinds of adventures.
Best Basic Leash: PetSafe Nylon Dog Leash (Verified Review)
There are lots of great leashes out there for a variety of purposes—but no matter what kind of adventures you want to go on, it’s always a good idea to have a basic six-foot lead around. It might be your primary leash for daily outings, your training leash, or just a backup that you keep handy in the car.
This affordable model from PetSafe is made from soft, sturdy nylon webbing, with a metal snap bolt clip that attaches to a D-ring easily. It doesn’t have doubled material or a length-adjustment slider, but that’s not always a bad thing—there’s nothing to tangle in your pup’s legs or to weigh the leash down.
We like this simple lead for beginners, daily outings, and trips around the city. If you’re feeling fancy, you can choose from six different colors, or stock up on a couple for your emergency supply.
What we like:
- Made from soft-but-sturdy double-stitched nylon webbing
- Available in 4- and 6-foot lengths and 3/8-, 3/4-, and 1-inch widths
- Water-resistant material
To consider:
- Not suited for powerful pullers or leash chewers
Best for Hiking: Ruffwear Hitch Hiker Leash (Verified Review)
Part tie-out, part hands-free leash, the Ruffwear Hitch Hiker is an excellent piece of gear for hiking, camping, and other outdoor adventures. Offering plenty of room to explore, the sturdy but lightweight lead extends to 12 feet, but you can adjust it to any length via a handy locking mechanism. Whatever part of the leash you don’t use, simply tuck it neatly into a waterproof stow bag.
Our testers found that the Hitch Hiker works best for small to medium dogs, as there’s no stretchy bungee portion or padded waistband to protect against powerful pulling. But if you do have a bigger dog that walks nicely on a leash, you might still be able to add this multi-functional tool to your outdoor kit.
What we like:
- Adjustable hands-free leash; extends to 12 feet
- Weather-resistant stow bag
- Waistband doubles as a tie-out
- Crux Clip prevents leash from detaching from collar or harness
To consider:
- Not suited for powerful pullers
Best for Running: Ruffwear Trail Runner Dog Leash
If you like to run with your dog, a good hands-free leash is hard to beat. The Ruffwear’s Trail Runner uses stretch webbing to absorb the shock of different paces and bodies for smoother trails. Like the Hitch Hiker above, this running leash has a swiveling and lockable trademarked Crux Clip that stays securely connected to your dog’s harness.
You can use it independently or paired with the Trail Runner Running Belt for hands-free runs. The compact design also stashes easily in your pocket for those times you can safely (and legally) let your dog off-leash.
What we like:
- Adjustable: 3.3-5.9 feet
- Shock absorbent for smooth runs
- Compact and lightweight leash
- Pairs well with Ruffwear running belt
To consider:
- The Crux Clip can be hard to unbuckle quickly
Best Waterproof: Fable Magic Link (Verified Review)
The best waterproof leashes will repel water effectively, prevent odor, and be easy to clean. The Fable Magic Link meets all three criteria to elevate your rainy romps and swims. Our reviewers liked that it’s highly adjustable to keep your hands free (and dry)—wear it across your body, on your wrist, or around your waist.
Or use it as a slip lead when you need to leash your dog up quickly, like navigating from the car to inside the vet’s office. Available in two sizes, the Magic Link is tough, too, holding up to 350 pounds of pull force.
Our testers appreciated this leash’s reach and convenience, though its lack of give took some getting used to after traditional nylon leashes.
What we like:
- Two lengths: 40-70 inches and 45-80 inches
- Wearable in several hands-free fashions
- Mold- and odor-proof
- Strong, durable option
To consider:
- The feel of the rubbery leash can be an adjustment
Most Versatile: Kurgo Quantum 6-in-1 (Verified Review)
If you like the versatility of the Fable Magic Link above but want more configurations or the feel of traditional nylon, the Kurgo Quantum 6-in-1 might be your answer. This adaptable leash transforms into, you guessed it, six different versions. Wear it around your waist or across your body, or shorten it to 3 feet for training.
In their review, Rover test pup Big Boy and his human found the crossbody option a bit short and unsuitable for all body types. They did, however, enjoy it for hiking, appreciating that it’s both lightweight and reflective.
What we like:
- Adjustable: 48-72 inches
- Transforms into six different configurations
- Lightweight and reflective for hiking and running
To Consider:
- The crossbody option might be too short for some handlers
Best for Big Pullers: SparklyPets Heavy-Duty Rope Bungee Leash
Big dogs who pull need a durable lead that protects them and their humans from leash pressure. This heavy-duty option by SparklyPets features thick, braided nylon rope and a strong metallic hook. The soft padded handle offers a comfortable grip, while the reflective trimming provides visibility.
An attachable bungee section extends the leash to 68 inches and helps absorb the shock of sudden lunges. A traffic handle also offers pet parents more control. For training, remove the bungee section for a shorter 43-inch leash.
What we like:
- Adjustable length: 43-68 inches
- Bungee section to extend length and absorb shock
- Padded handle for a soft grip
- Sturdy braided nylon rope
To consider:
- Quite short without the bungee extension
Most Stylish: Wild One Adjustable Leash
Want to be the most stylish dog-handler duo on the block? Wild One offers chic leashes in classic and limited-edition colors, so you and your pup can always look your best. Use the leash on its own, or pair it with a matching collar, harness, and poop bag carrier to complete the set.
The flex-poly straps are water-, odor- and dirt-resistant, making them easy to clean after muddy and wet walks. Snap hooks at each end are also simple to adjust—you can even add another leash for tandem walks with another dog.
What we like:
- Comes in two lengths: 5.5 feet or 4.25 feet
- Stylish and strong all-weather leash
- Waterproof and resistant to dirt and odor
- Coated carbon steel rings prevent rattling
To consider:
- Not recommended for extra-large dogs over 80 pounds
Best Long Line: Viper Biothane Waterproof Lead (Verified Review)
Long leashes are fantastic tools for training recall and exercising your dog with limited space. They also give reactive and aggressive pups more freedom to move around while still being safely on a lead.
This super-tough Viper leash features heavy-duty polyester webbing and a waterproof coating. It comes in four long lengths—10, 15, 20, and 33 feet—so you can choose your own adventure. In our testing, we found it stood up well to rain, snow, and challenging terrains like rocky riverbeds.
Though it does add a bit more weight, we also liked the option to choose from thicker widths. And while we wouldn’t recommend this leash for super chewers, Rover test pup Roo and her human find the leash to be so sturdy that they use the end for games of tug on the go.
What we like:
- High-quality long lead in four lengths: 10-33 feet
- Waterproof and odor-proof
- Easy to clean
- Option to choose wider widths that won’t tangle
To consider:
- Not recommended for super chewers
- Thick widths might be heavy for small dogs
Best Tie-Out Yard Leash: Taglory Tie-Out, Long Dog Leash
Tie-out yard leashes are handy when you want to give your dog plenty of room to roam but also need to keep them secure—think unfenced yards, parks, or campsites. The Taglory Dog Tie-Out offers everything you’d want in a yard leash. It’s made of durable nylon, has secure attachments, and offers multiple lengths spanning 15 to 66 feet.
Swivel metal clip hooks on each end help prevent tangling, and a carrying bag makes it easy to transport. You can also opt for a leash with a handle on one end if you want to use it for long-line walks, too.
What we like:
- Four tie-out lengths: 15, 30, 50, or 66 feet
- Made of wear-resistant nylon
- Two swivel clips at each end
- Option to add a handle
- Includes a stow bag for easy transport
To consider:
- Avoid leaving dogs unattended on a tie-out leash
Best Double-Dog Leash: SparklyPets Rope Bungee Dual Leash (Verified Review)
If you have multiple dogs, a double leash can save you time and frustration, allowing you to walk both pups simultaneously. This option by SparklyPets offers dual shock-absorbing bungees to protect everyone from leash pressure. We especially liked the comfortable human handle at the end and the traffic handles on each extension. In fact, our reviewers found it to be the best leash to get wayward pups back on track.
What we like:
- Double bungee design to absorb pulling from each dog
- Traffic handles on each leash
- Two swivel hooks help prevent tangling
To consider:
- May be too heavy for extra-small dogs
Best Triple-Dog Leash: Sonqueen 360°Swivel No-Tangle Three-Dog Leash
Walking two dogs together is already a challenge, so walking three at a time is no easy feat. A triple-dog leash, however, can make the experience much more manageable. Made from mountain-climbing rope, this extra-strength lead has three connectors, each with a 360-degree swivel so each dog can move freely.
On the days you’re only up for double dog duty, unclip one of the connectors and transform it into a dual-dog leash. The padded handle also helps absorb any tension from pulling while adding extra comfort for longer strolls.
What we like:
- Two sizes: small for 6-40 pound dogs and large for 20-150 pound dogs
- Total length measures 5.7 feet
- Made of extra-strength, braided nylon polyester
- 360-degree swivel for each connector
To consider:
- Not recommended for three large dogs at a time
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts. We prioritized heavy-duty materials, durable attachment points, safety, and variety in size and length. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
