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The daily walk (or three) is an integral and healthy ritual and bonding activity for dogs and their humans. The best dog walking gear only makes it better—especially on those days when you or your pup are dragging a little bit to get out the door. We’ve picked some of our favorite gear for getting out there, rain or shine.
Best Leash: Wilderdog Reflective Rope
The best leash is the one that works for your walking style and habits, which may mean having more than one leash for going hands-free. But one of our all-around favorites is this durable rope-style leash that comes in 5- and 10-foot lengths. Longer can be a great option for hiking if you like to let your bigger dog roam more on the trail. This leash, made with rope that climbers use, is extra tough, won’t tangle, and is made to carry a lot of weight.
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 No-Pull Harness: Rover Gear Better Walk
This no-pull harness is a popular piece of walking gear among Rover pups, and it’s easy to see why. The padded Y-shaped harness has four adjustment points and two leash rings—one on the front for no-pull training and one on the back for more casual adventures.
There are clear labels for fuss-free fitting, and a nylon webbing design helps pet parents make sure they have an even fit on each side. Testers praised its versatility for a huge range of walking styles and dog body types.
Key features:
- Clear visual cues for an accurate fit
- Durable design that reduces shock from pulling or lunging
- The Y-shape front allows for a full range of motion
- Front and back ring to help dogs learn training/working mode vs. leisure/play mode
- Buckles are designed to reduce confusion or twisting of the belly strap
Find on the Rover Store Find on Amazon
Best Collar: Ruffwear Front Range
For our daily walking gear, we generally like collars with quick-release buckles best, as well as those made of sturdy and easy-to-clean materials, and with solid lasting hardware. This everyday collar model hits all those highlights and more. It has an aluminum leash attachment ring, a smaller ring with a silicone tag silencer for your dog’s tags, and the webbing fabric is Jaquard woven, which integrates the patterns into the material, making for a uniquely washable and fade-resistant collar.
Key features:
- Aluminum leash ring
- Tag ring with silicone silencer
- Several color options
Find on Amazon Find on Ruffwear
Best Tags: Red Dingo Stainless Steel
Dog identification tags are among the most important pieces of gear your dog should own. The best tags are those that stay in place and don’t get dinged up easily, so you don’t have to replace them too often. Red Dingo’s tags are stainless steel (one of the most durable tag materials) and come in two sizes and with lots of colors and designs to choose from.
Key features:
- Comes in three sizes: small (0.78 inches), medium (1.2 inches), and large (1.5 inches)
- Several patterns and colors to choose from
- Made from durable stainless steel
Best Poop Bag Holder: RC Pets P.U.P. Bag
The best poop bag gear is convenient for when you need them but unobtrusive otherwise. That’s why we love this holder, which fits one roll of bags inside and wraps onto your leash via Velcro, so there’s no dangling or swinging like with some holders. There are some simple bonus features too, such as cord loop on one end that can cinch a full poop bag until you get to a trash can.
Key features:
- Attaches to leash with hook-and-loop flap—no swinging
- Drawcord can be used to carry a full bag
- Comes with a roll of dog waste bags
Best Dog Waste Holder: Tuff Mutt Bag
There are lots of options for carrying your rolls of empty poop bags—but what about gear for walking with a full bag? This tidy holder is one of the best we’ve seen, carrying your used/full bags in the main compartment and your roll of spare bags in the back. The zip-top and carbon lining keeps full bags contained and odors neutralized. It comes with a strap and loops so you can sling it around your waist or even attach it to your leash or a backpack strap.
Shop on AmazonBest Light-Up Collar: Blazin’ Safety LED Rechargeable
Nighttime walks, particularly in winter when nights are longer, are much safer when you dog (and you!) wear reflective and lighted gear. This nylon collar is one of the best for serious visibility, with bright LED lights embedded in it. Unlike some collars, it charges via USB, so no need to worry about batteries (especially those hard-to-find sizes). These collars are adjustable and come in several colors and sizes.
Key features:
- Rechargeable via USB
- Works for up to eight hours on a full charge
- Comes in four sizes
- Three lighting modes: on, strobe, and blink
- Lifetime guarantee
Best Treat Gear for Dog Walking: Chuckit! Treat Tote
Your choice of treat pouch depends a lot on if you want it to do more than just serve up treats (like carry your keys or poop bags). For our money, this no-frills treat tote is just the right gear for all your basic treat carrying needs, particularly if you have a puppy in training. The plastic clip slides this pouch onto pants, a belt, or even a pocket and the draw string allows you to cinch it closed.
The material is easy to clean—there are two durable layers, an inner ripstop nylon liner and the outer nylon packcloth. One downside: You can’t choose which color you get (blue, red, or black). But the low price point means you can probably order a spare. It comes in two capacities, for one or two cups of treats.
Key features:
- Comes in 1- or 2-cup capacity
- Two layers of durable nylon—you can flip the inner liner out for cleaning
- Hard plastic clip slides onto a waistband, belt, or pocket
- Drawstring closure
Best GPS: Whistle Go Explore (Verified Review)
Our Rover testers think this is among the best dog walking gear around; the GPS component uses cell towers to keep track of your dog via app; it also features fitness and behavior (sleeping, licking, scratching) tracking that our skeptical testers found surprisingly useful.
All of it helps you see what’s normal for your dog and what isn’t, but most importantly it lets you know where your dog is when you need it. Our testers found it lives up to its promise of long (up to 20 days) battery life, and it’s small and lightweight for fitting onto your dog’s collar.
Key features:
- Tracks location via cell tower signals
- Monitors activity levels and behaviors
- Small and lightweight (for dogs 25+ pounds)
- One lithium ion battery required, included
- Long battery life—up to 20 days
- Monthly subscription fee
Shop on Amazon Shop on Whistle Shop on Whistle Shop on Chewy
Best Water Bottle: Gulpy Water Dispenser (Verified Review)
Another important piece of dog walking gear is a water bottle or travel bowl. The Gulpy is one of the best classic and affordable portable water bottles. A plastic bottle with attached bowl, it’s a great item for extended outings with your dog, or on hot days when the extra hydration is important. It weighs just 0.15 pounds and can slide onto a belt or waistband or go in a backpack.
It dispenses water based on how hard you squeeze the bottle, though it can’t suck the extra your dog doesn’t drink back up like some dog water bottles can. This is among our favorite dog water bottles; our testers especially like that it’s easy to use one-handed.
Key features:
- Clips to your waistband or fits in a side compartment of a backpack for easy access
- 20-ounce carrying capacity
- Fits in most car cupholders or can slide into or clip onto other car nooks
Best Dog Raincoat: Ruffwear Sun Shower (Verified Review)
We especially like this rain jacket for larger dogs because it’s sized to provide adequate chest coverage without hindering their gait—but it’s a great all-around raincoat for many types of dogs, and comes in six sizes that includes three smaller size options. The chest straps are adjustable for a snug fit. It’s ideal dog walking gear in milder climates; in colder weather, it can be used as an added lightweight layer.
Our testers found it to run larger and longer than most other Ruffwear gear—providing extra coverage for Roo, a 40-pound, long and leggy Lab mix. We particularly like that it’s light, easy to put on, and easy to wear. Coverage is up top—if you’re looking for belly coverage, check out our other raincoat recommendations.
Key features:
- Oversized storm collar can be folded back or extended for extra protection
- Split at the backside accommodates different tails
- Elastic leg loops on hind legs keep it in place
- Leash hole on back to connect to harness
- Waterproof, unlined, and uninsulated
Find on Amazon Find on Ruffwear Find on REI
Best Boots for Dog Walking: Bark Brite All-Weather Neoprene
The best dog boot for your dog walking depends a little on what it’s for: are you protecting them from hot pavement, sharp terrain, or snow? For lighter and versatile paw protection, we like these Bark Brite booties, which are lightweight and perfect for hot pavement, moisture, or a bit of rough terrain.
They’re flexible neoprene with rubber soles so they can also be great for older dogs who slip on some indoor surfaces. They go on like a sock and come up a bit higher on the leg than some other dog boots out there, which for some dogs can mean a boot that stays put on their paw.
Key features:
- Lightweight and flexible with neoprene body and rubber soles
- Secure Velcro fastening higher up on the foot than some shorter boots
- Comes in five sizes and three colors
- Water-resistant but not waterproof
Best Dog Saddle Bags: Kurgo Baxter and Big Baxter
Some pups, especially working breeds, get a lot out of carrying their own gear—and a dog backpack like this one is the ideal solution if you want your dog to be able to carry their own accessories. This backpack is lightweight enough to keep your dog comfortable, even when it’s fully stocked. Plus, it doubles as a harness, complete with a rear-mounted leash hook and sturdy handle.
Multiple adjustment points help dial in the right fit—the smaller Baxter is generally for dogs 30–85 pounds, while Big Baxter is for dogs 50–110 pounds, you’ll have to measure your dog’s neck and chest and use Kurgo’s sizing chart to figure out which one is just right.
Note that not all dogs should wear saddle bags; check with your vet to make sure it’s right for your pup, and never ask your buddy to carry more than 10% of their own body weight in gear.
Key features:
- Comes in two sizes: Baxter and Big Baxer (see Kurgo sizing chart for neck and chest measurements)
- Includes top padded handle to lift your dog over tougher obstacles
- Integrated harness has back D-ring for leash attachment
- Reflective details
- Mesh fabric helps ventilation and cooling
Best Cooling Vest: Ruffwear Swamp Cooler (Verified Review)
Ruffwear appears on our lists frequently, and for good reason: it lives up to the company’s reputation for durable, well-designed products for active pups. This vest is no exception. It’s designed with three polyester layers: a wicking and heat-reflecting outer layer, an absorbent middle layer, and a mesh lining to keep the moisture off your dog’s fur. We tested the Swamp Cooler on a 15-mile hike in 70-degree weather and found it needed refreshing with water only once every two to three hours. The mesh cover didn’t snag or tear on brush, and it cleaned up easily in the wash machine.
It slips on over your dog’s head and fastens with adjustable side buckles that are hidden by fabric, helping prevent chafing and fur-pulling. Pet parents looking for a vest that doesn’t go overhead or a snugger fit can check out our other top cooling vest picks.
Highlights:
- Adjustable, fabric-covered buckles prevent chafing
- Roomy fit accommodates pups of unusual dimensions
- Over-the-head style may not be suitable for all pups
- Machine washable and easy to clean
Shop on Amazon Shop on Ruffwear Shop on REI
Best Dog Backpack: Kurgo G-Train (Verified Review)
Made from sturdy tactical materials and breathable mesh, this comfortable back-facing dog backpack is great for hiking and outdoor adventures. We especially like the waterproof Armorsole base that makes it easy to set down on the trail when you need to load and unload a pup. The pack also works nicely for urban adventures and errands with handy extra pockets, including a laptop compartment.
Our reviewers found that it worked well for a 16-pound Dachshund’s longer frame, but smaller dogs had a harder time peering out. If you’re looking for a backpack sized for a larger dog, we also reviewed the K9 Sport Sack, among our top backpack-style carrier picks.
Key features:
- Waterproof
- Sturdy base with removable padding
- Mesh ventilation and top window
- Comfortable padded straps with lots of options for adjustment
- Laptop compartment
- Suits dogs up to 25 pounds
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on Petco Shop on Kurgo
Best Dog Wipes: Earth Rated Wipes (Verified Review)
These compostable wipes come in unscented or lavender-scented and contain ingredients that are gentle enough on dog skin and fur for daily cleaning use, including aloe, shea butter, chamomile, and cucumber. They’re effective, too, with sheets that won’t fall apart as you swipe grime from the dog park or slobber from your dog’s bff easily and well. While they’re not for ears and eyes (you can check out other wipes for that), they’re a key tool in your dog walking gear kit.
Key features:
- Resealable packaging keeps wipes fresh
- Available in 400 or 100 count packages
- Compostable to reduce landfill waste
- Scented version has a very light scent
How We Chose Our Dog Walking Gear
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 the best dog walking gear based on our own reviews, as well as durability and quality. 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.