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Hitting the trails with your dog can be one of the best bonding activities there is. But when you’re out on a path, walking your dog on leash can be challenging—they pull, they stop frequently, they have so many new smells to explore! Finding the right hiking dog leash is one of the best ways to ensure a fun experience for you both.
A dog leash that works for hiking may not be the same one you use for your daily neighborhood walks. A good hiking leash will be durable, dirt- and water-resistant, and versatile. Bonus points if it’s less likely to tangle and can help with pulling, too. We’ve reviewed the best dog hiking gear on the market and rounded up some of our favorite hiking leashes.
Best Long Lead: Ruffwear Hitchhiker Leash (Verified Review)
This polyester mesh rope dog leash gives you tons of options that are perfect for longer hikes and camping. At full stretch, it’s 12 feet—but you can choose your length and stow the extra in the attached pouch, while a handy mechanism on the leash locks it in place. The waistband doubles as a sturdy tie-off when buckled around a tree or post, and the rounded rope style does a nice job of preventing twists and tangles.
Unlike a lot of shorter hands-free leashes, there’s no stretchy bungee portion, which reflects the intent: the hitch hiker is designed for dogs who like to roam. In our testing, we loved the lightweight and compact design but found it worked best for small to medium-sized dogs. We especially appreciated how easy it was to use for hikes, camping trips, training sessions, and casual strolls. Pet parents with powerful pullers may want to find a belt with more cushion, though, as the waistband has no padding.
Key features:
- Adjustable strap can be used as a handle for a handheld leash, a waist belt for a hands-free leash, or a wrap to secure your dog to a tree or post
- Rope is 12 feet long
- Convenient and durable stow bag contains rope tail end
- Light and strong lockable Crux Clip™ attaches securely to your dog’s collar or harness
Rover test pup Roo always has a smile on a hike.
Best Rope Leash: Ruffwear Knot-a-Leash Dog Leash
Strong climbing ropes inspired this sturdy nylon hiking dog leash. It provides relief for human hands with a tubular handle that’s easy to hold or wrap around your wrist. This 5-foot leash features a durable metal locking carabiner that attaches to your dog’s harness or collar and works well for adventurous and casual walks. There’s also an accessory loop right below the top handle that can be used to store waste bags or clip hand sanitizer on.
What we like:
- Available in sizes small (7 mm size—lighter weight and smaller carabiner) and large (11 mm size—thicker rope leash and larger carabiner lock)
- Reflective strips throughout the rope design for visibility
- Each size available in 10 colors
Best Waterproof Hiking Leash: Cycledog Reflective
These leashes are handmade in Portland, Oregon, from upcycled rubber tubes from bikes—that material durability translates well to a tough and waterproof hiking dog leash that reviewers report don’t chafe hands. It has a reflective strip on one side and is machine washable, though with the touted odor- and bacteria-resistance, you may not need to wash it often. They’re a standard 6-foot length, come in many colors and patterns and, in a very Pacific Northwest-style touch, they sport a bottle opener ring too.
Key features:
- Odor- and bacteria-resistant
- Made from recycled bike tire rubber tubing
- Reflective strip is highly visible for low light
- Machine-washable
Best for Trail Running: Iron Doggy Hands-Free Dog Leash (Verified Review)
Rover test pup (and giant softie) Big Boy models this tough hands-free leash.
For trail running and more demanding hikes, this hands-free dog leash is one of our favorites. It’s easy to use and adaptable, with rings set in the leash that allow you to adjust the length to match your stride, plus two handles along the leash length so you can quickly get control in different environments.
It features flexible webbing to give dogs like Big Boy the right amount of room to adventure, and the waist belt extends to 48 inches for human comfort. We like this leash especially for trail runners (it’s been shouted out in a number of running and fitness articles) and those with bigger dogs.
Key features:
- Adjustable to three different lengths (30, 46, and 54 inches)
- The hook on the belt moves back and forth with your dog to allow better mobility
- There are two handles for more control
- Belt extends to 48 inches
- Clip that attaches to the belt slides back and forth
Best Hands-Free Hiking Leash: Tuff Mutt
Ruffwear’s 12-foot Hitch Hiker is a good choice for dogs who like to roam (and have excellent recall)—but for pups who should stay close on the trail, a more traditional hands-free leash like the Tuff Mutt is a better choice. The leash’s bungee can absorb any pulling without throwing a human off their stride, and the shorter leash length (4 feet, extending to 5 feet at full stretch) keeps them within reach.
Our test team liked the Tuff Mutt and found it loaded with helpful features. The handles built into the leash help with control or reining in your dog, and the clip that attaches the leash to the belt slides, which provides flexibility for the pet parent as the dog roams. We also like that Tuff Mutt offers a lifetime guarantee.
Key features:
- 48 inches or 4 feet long, extends to 60 inches or 5 feet
- Bungee allows for extra movement and shock absorption
- Two control handles on the leash
- Clip that attaches the leash to the included belt slides back and forth
- Lifetime guarantee
- Variety of color options plus reflective stitching for low-light visibility
- Belt accommodates waists up to 48 inches
Best Hiking Leash for Big Dogs: Wilderdog Reflective Rope
Rope leashes make great hiking leashes for bigger dogs because they’re extra tough, won’t tangle, and are made to carry a lot of weight, so pullers won’t phase them either. It’s available in a five-foot length for smaller dogs or training, and a long ten-foot leash if you like to let your dog roam a bit more on the trail. Reflective stitching offers a measure of safety in low-light conditions, and an aluminum carabiner promises security.
Key features:
- Two lengths available, 5 foot and 10 foot
- Made with 3/8 inch polypropylene/polyester climbing rope
- Reflective stitching
- 16 color choices
- Lifetime warranty
- Aluminum carabiner attachment clips on easily
Best for Small Dogs: Ruffwear Crag Dog Leash
Formerly called the Slackline Hands-Free Dog Leash, the updated Ruffwear Crag Dog Leash is excellent for smaller dog breeds due to the ability to adjust the leash length (though it can also be used for medium and large dogs). The metal slider makes it quick and easy to adjust the length with one hand, from 3.5 to 6 feet. The material has reflective strips that shine in low light settings, can easily transform into a hands-free leash, and is made of strong nylon webbing. It also has an adjustable padded handle you can use to keep a hand on your pup when needed.
What we like:
- Option to use as a hand-held or waist-worn leash
- 6 colorful design options, all with reflective trim
- Metal talon clip attachment allows you to clip on your dog’s harness or collar with one hand
Best for Pullers: Elite Tactical Bungee Dog Leash
Sometimes you need a little extra support when hiking with large breed dogs, and this nylon leash with a shock-absorbing and extendable bungee design is up to the task. It was strength-tested to pull up to 400 pounds, with many reviewers complimenting how well it works for strong and athletic dog breeds, like an American Bully and German Shepherd. It’s designed with two handles, one at the top and a soft-padded one towards the bottom, for extra control. An alloy hook clips on your dog’s collar or harness securely.
What we like:
- Great for hiking, training, or walking in crowded outdoor spaces
- Available in 5 colors: green, black, brown, grey and camouflage
- Expands from 38-51 inches in length
Best Reflective Hiking Leash: Kurgo Quantum 6-in-1 (Verified Review)
Big Boy glows in this reflective Kurgo leash.
For the hiker who loves versatility, the Quantum six-in-one dog leash from popular dog sporting brand Kurgo might do the trick. Its many configurations include a 3–foot training leash, a 6-foot standard leash, and a couple of hands-free choices. We like it for hiking because it’s both highly reflective and lightweight—plus the handle is padded for comfort.
While six options is awesome, we found that we really only needed two and didn’t take the time to adjust the leash back and forth. Our testers also noted that the “courier” crossbody option might not work for all body types—it makes the leash fairly short and requires the dog to stay relatively close to you.
Key features:
- Adjustable from 48 to 72 inches
- Six-in-one: 3-foot training; over the shoulder; tether; belt-style; two-dog leash; standard
- Highly reflective for low-light hiking or running
- Lifetime warranty
- Steel carabiner is also a bottle opener
How We Chose
The dog hiking leashes featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We prioritized durability, dirt- and water-repellence, and versatility, among other trail-ready qualities. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pups, who are never stingy with their feedback.
