When it comes to the connection that matters most, Ruffwear goes all-out. Every dog lead we make is strong and reliable by design, built to enhance and celebrate the journeys you and your dog take together.
And because every dog-and-human duo is different, we’ve crafted a variety of leads to choose from so you can find one that’s right for the paths ahead for you.
With the help of some Ruffwear dog-and-human duos, we’re here to help untangle the often-overwhelming world of dog leads. Below is a quick-start guide to help highlight the types of things worth considering when finding your next leash followed by an in depth explanation of the various types of features worth considering when picking your leash.
FIND THE RIGHT LEAD
CHOOSING THE BEST LEAD FOR YOU & YOUR DOG
Leads all start with the same purpose: keeping you and your pup connected.
From there, different leads can excel for certain applications based on factors like the activity, your preferences, your dog’s personality, and even your height and your dog's height.
Those are the things we consider when designing each of our leads, and those are the things you get to consider when choosing one.
WHAT LENGTH LEAD SHOULD I GET?
When choosing a lead length, make sure to account for your height, your dog’s height, and the space you want in between.
Depending on the height of both the dog and the human, a 2.5 ft (.79 m) lead can create vastly different experience than that of a 5 ft (1.5 m) lead, like Heather and Jackson with our Knot-a-Long™ on the left and the Knot-a-Lead™ on the right.
A single lead can also have different experiences for different duos. The same size medium Roamer™ Lead fits differently for Liz and Bernie (left) as it does for Travis and Atlas (right).
While it provides plenty of room and stretch for Liz and Bernie to run together, Travis and Atlas might need a little more room and opt for the longer size large Roamer™ Lead.
Looking to find the sweet spot for you and your dog? You can use a piece of string to play around with finding the optimal length for you and your dog, and then measure that. Or, opt for a lead with an adjustable length.
Shorter leads help keep your dog closer in high-traffic zones, like crowded areas, shops, or busy streets.
Top picks for short dog leashes:
- Knot-a-Long™ Lead (2.5 ft/.79 m)
- Quick Draw™ Lead (22 in/.5 m)
- Patroller™ Lead (adjustable 2.5-4 ft/.76-1.2 m)
Longer leashes offer extra room for your dog to roam or for your legs in full-stride activities like running. And adjustable leashes are great for flexing between different activities and needs.
Top picks for long dog leashes:
- Hitch Hiker™ Lead (adjustable up to 12 ft/3.65 m)
- Switchbak™ Lead (adjustable from 2.5-7 ft/.7-2.1 m)
- Flagline™ Lead (6.5 ft/1.9 m)
- Roamer™ Bungee Lead, Large (7.3-11ft/2.2-3.4 m)
Top picks for mid-length dog leads:
- Crag™ Lead (adjustable from 3.5-6 ft/1-1.8 m)
- Crag™EX Lead (adjustable from 3.5-6 ft/1-1.8 m)
- Knot-a-Lead™ (5 ft/1.5 m)
- Front Range™ Lead (5 ft/1.5 m)
- Hi & Light™ Lead(4.5 ft/1.4 m)
- Roamer™ Bungee Lead, Medium (5.5-7 ft/1.7-2.1 m)
Last thing to note about lead length: Some lead laws specify a maximum lead length when out walking with your dog. 6 ft (1.8 m) is pretty common, but it's best to check regulations in your local area.
HANDS-FREE VS HAND-HELD LEADS
For a more interactive connection or a dog that needs a little guidance on lead, go hand-held. You'll be able to help direct or guide your dog a little easier.
Hands-free is great for freeing up your hands while running, hiking, or walking. Hands-free leads are also great in the winter – they free your hands to stay warm in your pocket rather than exposed to the cold elements.
The other perk of a hands-free lead is you can still use it hand-held. The distance between you and your dog will be shorter when worn around the waist compared to using it hand-held, like Nate and Winston (left) and Liz and Bernie (right) demonstrate with the Flagline™ Lead.
STATIC VS DYNAMIC: DECIDING BETWEEN TRADITIONAL WEBBING & BUNGEE LEADS
A static lead (no stretch) will give you a fixed length and a more responsive connection to your dog. If you need a bit more control over the connection between you and your dog, opt for static.
Some of our top-rated static leads are the Front Range™ Lead, Crag™ Lead, Crag™ EX Lead (pictured below), and Hi & Light™ Lead.
A dynamic lead is a little more forgiving for the stop-and-sniffers and a smoother ride for the the dog and human. This is particularly nice when it comes to wearing a lead around your waist for hands-free running and hiking.
Check out the Roamer™ Bungee Lead (hands-free) and Trail Runner™ Lead (hand-held, pictured below).
WHICH LEAd CONNECTION HARDWARE SHOULD I CHOOSE?
As you start to dig into our leads, you'll spot different hardware on certain leads.
The Crux Clip™ is light, strong, and lockable, and it's our most low-profile lead connection hardware option. The smaller hardware is featured on some of our lighter leads or wherever minimal bulk would be appreciated. A great option if you're looking for a lockable lead connection.
The Talon Clip™ was originally designed by Ruffwear in response to difficulty in finding reliable bolt-snaps. The Talon Clip's lobster-claw like design is strong, durable, and easy-to-use and can be found on some of our most iconic leads. It's a great option for a quick clip-and-go connection.
The Carabiner: Our rope leads feature strength-rated locking carabiners. Carabiners are known in the climbing world for their impressive strength. They're not exactly known for being ultralight, but to accommodate our smaller dog sidekicks, the size small in the Knot-a-Lead™ uses a smaller-sized locking carabiner.
OUR BEST LEAD OPTIONS FOR HIKING, WALKING, RUNNING, OR EVERYDAY
Looking for a hands-free running lead? The Roamer™ Lead has bungee-like Wavelength™ webbing that absorbs shock, and the Flagline™ Lead is lightweight with some extra length.
Looking for an everyday walking lead? The Front Range™ Lead and Hi & Light™ Lead are both lightweight, strong, and a great mid-range length for everyday use. Bonus: they have matching harnesses and collars.
Looking for a hiking lead? The Crag™ Lead, Crag™ EX Lead and Switchbak™ Lead both have adjustability and versatility – not just in length, but in also using both hand-held and hands-free. They'll adapt to any trail ahead.
Looking for an off- lead option? The Quick Draw™ Lead can be worn around your dog's collar when not in use, and the Patroller™ Lead can be worn around your waist when not in use, and the Front Range® Short Lead can be used for quick transitions.
Looking for a long line? The Hitch Hiker™ Lead is adjustable up to 12 ft (3.65 m).
If you have more questions, our Customer Experience team is here to help. Let us know what you're looking for in a leash, and we can help you narrow down the search. Use the chat box in the lower right corner of this screen, or email bark@ruffwear.com.