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Harnesses are great tools for walking with a large breed dog. They help limit pulling while maintaining good direct control to simplify everything from hiking on tricky trails to navigating crowded spaces. KONG is one of the most recognizable brands in the dog world—so we’ve reviewed two of the company’s most popular harnesses to find out which is best for large breeds.
With the help of mother-and-daughter dog duo Ruby and Sabine, we product tested the KONG Reflective Harness with Pocket and the KONG Comfort Padded Chest Plate Harness. Both girls are considered large breeds. Ruby (Bernese Mountain Dog) tips the scales at 85 pounds, while Sabine (Bernedoodle) is a much taller but more slender 65-pounder.
Both dogs walk well on a leash, though Sabine has a tendency to pull when she sees something she loves (this ranges from butterflies to babies to all furry critters). Because of their size and talent for drawing crowds who want to stop and swoon, maintaining positive control while on walks is a must.
Harness 1: KONG Reflective Harness with Pocket
Ruby shows off the KONG Reflective Harness with Pocket.
This versatile harness features strong nylon webbing, comfortable neoprene lining, metal hardware for leash hook-ups, and easy-to-use plastic buckles and adjusters. It’s reflective—ideal for nighttime or low-visibility activities—and has a handle for direct control options. We especially like that it includes a zippered pocket for poop bags or small cargo (such as treats).
Like many KONG harnesses, this includes a comfort chest plate that offers pet parents better control during walks while maximizing comfort for their dogs.
Harness 2: KONG Comfort Padded Chest Plate Dog Harness
Sabine looks chic in the KONG Comfort Padded Harness.
This comfort padded chest plate harness has a neoprene-lined handle and chest plate for maximum comfort for both dog and owner. It uses strong and durable hardware that allows easy adjustments. It has a metal D-ring for durability and easy-to-use plastic buckles. This harness comes in blue and pink and is machine-washable. A minimalist style, this is a simple and durable harness that holds up well.
Comparing Two KONG Dog Harnesses
We ran each harness through a variety of different situations, including walking through crowded areas, nature walks, and walks on the road. The verdict? Both harnesses have great qualities to help pet parents maintain contact and control in a variety of different active situations. Which one is right for your situation? It will all depend on your dog’s specific needs and how you plan to use the harness.
| Activity | Recommendation |
| Everyday Walk | KONG Comfort Padded Chest Plat Harness: This is a lighter harness that checks all the boxes for casual walking. |
| Hiking or Camping | KONG Reflective Harness with Pocket: This harness has features that make it great for more intense outdoor activity, such as a pocket and reflective materials. |
| Nighttime Walks | KONG Reflective Harness with Pocket: This harness features reflective materials throughout. |
| Running | KONG Comfort Padded Chest Plate Harness: This is a more minimalist harness that still offers great control features. |
| Crowded or High Traffic Areas | Both Harnesses are ideal for this scenario. They both feature great options for control. |
| Hot Weather | KONG Comfort Padded Chest Plate Harness: This harness has great comfort features and has less bulk. |
| Swimming | KONG Comfort Padded Chest Plate Harness: This harness dries quickly (but hand-wash is recommended!). |
Which KONG Harness is More Durable?
The verdict? Both harnesses are very durable and built to last.
The KONG Reflective Harness with Pocket (Ruby models above) uses a strong nylon strap that goes under your dog’s front legs. This same material is used for the collar section of the harness. Unlike the more minimalist Comfort Harness, the KONG Reflective Harness also features a robust dorsal portion made from polyester and a soft neoprene lining. This uses solid and heavy-duty plastic buckles for attachment, with a rear metal D-ring for attachment and a circular ring that serves as a nexus for the nylon straps. This harness also features strong stitching.
The KONG Comfort Padded Chest Plate Harness (Sabine models) is a much lighter-weight harness but is made from very durable and strong nylon. This harness features a rear metal attachment point and the same sturdy plastic buckles as the Reflective Harness. The Comfort Padded Harness also uses strong stitching.
Which KONG Harness Improves Visibility?
The verdict? The KONG Reflective Harness with Pocket has more visibility features.
As the name indicates, the KONG Reflective Harness uses reflective material across the back portion and reflective stitching along the nylon portions. The reflective material is incorporated into the entire harness for all-around increased visibility.
The KONG Reflective Harness features materials to increase visibility.
Which KONG Harness Is Most Comfortable?
The verdict? Both harnesses are designed for comfort. For cooler days, the KONG Reflective Harness (Ruby) has a soft neoprene liner for maximum comfort across the entire harness. However, on warmer days, dogs may prefer the lighter and more minimalist Comfort Padded Chest Harness (Sabine) version. After multiple uses, neither dog exhibited any signs of chafing or discomfort.
The KONG Reflective Harness with Pocket incorporates many design features aimed at comfort. The wide nylon straps have four sturdy points of adjustment for maximum comfort, and the chest portion is also lined with mesh neoprene to help keep your dog cool. The chest plate connects at a metal ring to allow maximum flexibility of movement.
The KONG Comfort Padded Chest Plate Harness has an ultra-soft liner on the chest portion for maximum comfort. The nylon straps are slightly narrower and more rigid than the other model. Because of this, we chose to keep this harness a little looser on Sabine to prevent any chafing.
Sabine models the fit of the KONG Comfort Harness.
Which KONG Harness Has Better Utility?
The verdict? The KONG Reflective Harness with Pocket packs more punch for the outdoor adventurer.
The KONG Reflective Harness has a few features that make it more versatile. Specifically, the pocket can be very useful for poop bags or small treats. The harness actually features two zippered pockets, one larger and one smaller. The smaller pocket is ideal for bags, money, or car keys, while the larger pocket can accommodate treats, first aid items, or a trail map.
Neither pocket is overly large, so there’s little risk of packing too much weight on your dog’s back. The handle is especially helpful for situations where you may need direct control. It is firmly attached, features the same comfortable lining, and distributes any force across your dog’s back. (The KONG Comfort Chest Plate Harness features a similar handle.)
Which KONG Harness is Better for Pullers?
The verdict? Both harnesses have features to help with dogs who pull.
The KONG Reflective Harness has a rear leash attachment that helps to spread the weight of a pulling dog across the dog’s shoulders, instead of their neck. Because the nylon leg straps attach the the chest plate, the force is well distributed and dogs respond to the pressure of the leash. The rear handle also assists in controlling a dog who may be prone to pulling.
The KONG Comfort Chest Plate Harness uses a very similar design to deter pulling. The chest plate connects to the nylon straps to act as that force distributor and the handle helps with control. This harness also features a rear attachment point. The main difference here is the thickness of the nylon straps and chest plate—the Comfort Harness features narrower straps.
Other Points to Consider
We found both of these KONG harnesses to be great products. They were comfortable for long wear, use high quality materials, and gave great direct control when needed. If you are considering either of these harnesses, check the manufacturer’s recommendation for sizing. We found that the KONG Comfort Chest Plate Harness ran smaller than the KONG Reflective Harness with Pocket.
Both harnesses stood up well to mud, dirt, rolling, and general wear and tear. However, we found that hand-washing and line-drying worked best for both designs.
Lastly, both of these harnesses are similarly priced but may be more expensive than other popular harnesses. However, we found that the quality, durability, and comfort of these harnesses exceeded our expectations.
How We Chose
We selected the KONG harnesses featured here 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 utility, comfort, safety, and versatility. 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.
