If you have a pup, you’ll need a dog leash — even if the extent of your travels is a once-yearly trip to the vet or monthly groomer visit. The best leashes keep dogs safe and out of trouble and allow owners to maintain control in the event of an emergency.

　　Hundreds of different leashes are available, so it can be difficult to know exactly what to choose for your pet and your lifestyle. We did the research to narrow down the best leashes on the market today so you and your dog (or your whole pack) can get outside and have a worry-free adventure.

　　Our tester, Kristi Pahr, rigorously tested seven different dog leashes in various environments and weather conditions. She and her four dogs used these leashes on walks and hikes in sunny and rainy weather through different terrains such as woods and farm fields. This comprehensive testing process gives you a clear idea of how each leash performs in different situations. Kristi, who has extensive experience caring for various animals (furry, feathery, scaly, and wet), understands the importance of a reliable leash.

　　Take a look at our picks for the best dog leashes on the market so you and your dog can start on your next adventure. Learn about what differentiates dog leashes in our comprehensive buyers guide and FAQ at the bottom of the article. Our comparison chart can help you make a decision. Otherwise, read our full gear guide below.

　　The Best Dog Leashes of 2024 Best Overall Dog Leash:  Ruffwear Roamer Bungee Dog Leash Best Budget Dog Leash: Ruffwear Front Range Dog Leash Best Dog Leash for Small Dogs: Orvis x Fishe Wear Leash Best Hands-free Dog Leash: Fido Pro Remi Runner Leash Best Overall Dog Leash Ruffwear Roamer Bungee Dog Leash Specs Price $40 Materials Nylon, aluminum clasp Best For Everyday use, hiking, running Unique Features Bungee, hands-free

　　Pros Hands-free capabilities Bungee webbing Padded handle Cons Price Might be too heavy for smaller breeds Kristi Pahr The Ruffwear Roamer Bungee Dog Leash ($40) stands out as our top pick for several reasons. It offers hands-free capabilities, thanks to its bungee webbing and padded handle. This leash is versatile in terms of length and color options and converts, allowing for secure hands-free control of your pooch. 

　　Made from durable nylon webbing and Ruffwear’s proprietary Wavelength stretch webbing, with a heavy-duty plastic buckle and aluminum clasp, this leash proved itself against our tester’s strongest pullers. The padded handle provides a comfortable grip for owners, and the waist belt can extend to 48 inches when in hands-free mode. This leash is available in three colorways and two lengths — 5.5 feet that stretches to 7 feet and 7.3 feet that stretches to 11 feet. 

　　Over the course of about two months, our tester used this leash with her adolescent mixed breed and two rambunctious German Sheperd mixes. It was up to the unique challenges presented by all three dogs — pulling, a little chewing, and a lot of frolicking — and looks as good today as it did on day one. The “talon” swivel clasp allows for more movement with less tangling, and the leash can be secured around a post or tree using the waist clip without removing the leash from your dog. 

　　The Ruffwear Roamer Bungee Dog Leash is great for wilderness use, and its integrated traffic handle also makes it ideal for city use when you need to keep your dog close at hand and out of danger.

　　$30 at REI$40 at Ruffwear$30 at Amazon Best Budget Dog Leash Ruffwear Front Range Dog Leash Specs Price $20 Materials Nylon Best For Small to medium breeds, low-intensity walks Unique Features Lightweight, affordable price

　　Pros Affordable Lightweight Locking clasp Traffic handle Padded handle Cons Thin Small clasp Kristi Pahr Looking for a quality everyday leash at an affordable price? Look no further than the Ruffwear Front Range Dog Leash ($20). It is light enough for small breeds, and the locking clasp provides extra security. If you’re walking your dog in the city, the integrated traffic handle lets you keep dogs close in traffic or crowds. Made from tough fade-resistant nylon webbing. the colors stay vibrant even after prolonged use.

　　Ruffwear’s Tubelock jacquard webbing prevents fraying and fading and should last a lifetime with proper care.

　　This leash is quite thin and not suitable for unruly dogs, dogs who chew, or dogs who like to walk themselves by holding the leash in their mouth. Our tester found that the Front Range Dog Leash wasn’t ideal for her German shepherd mixes but worked great for her young mixed-breed and geriatric, laid-back boxer.

　　Its available in seven colors but only one width (3/4-inch) and length (5 feet). The handle is a bit stiff on first use but softens and becomes more comfortable over time.

　　Best for small to medium breeds or low-key adults who don’t pull, the Ruffwear Front Range Dog Leash is an affordable option for everyday use. Matching harnesses and collars are available so your pup can be extra stylish and coordinated.

　　$15 at REI$20 at RuffwearCheck price at Amazon Most Stylish Dog Leash Orvis x Fishe Wear Leash Specs Price $45 Materials Polyester Best For Small breeds, daily use Unique Features Beautiful patterns

　　Pros Lightweight Beautiful patterns Alligator-style clasp Cons Expensive Limited designs Kristi Pahr The Orvis x Fishe Wear Leash ($45) combines beauty and functionality into a great leash for mellow walks around town. Its lightweight polyester weave and small clasp make it the perfect choice for a park stroll or a neighborhood walk. This line is a collaboration between Orvis and Alaska-based, woman-owned fishing gear company Fishe Wear.

　　The pattern our tester tried out, Dolly Vee, is a rainbow trout-inspired print of vibrant oranges and greens, sure to catch the eye of any outdoors person. It showed no signs of fading during testing, and the polyester weave did not fray.

　　This leash is not suitable for dogs who like to pull or pups who need a lot of freedom on walks. The edges of the handle are a little stiff, initially making for an uncomfortable hold, but they soften up with time. It is available in two patterns and two widths (¾-inch and 1-inch) and is 6 feet long. The leash is expensive for a pretty bare-bones item with no additional features besides the collab patterns.

　　The Orvis x Fishe Wear Leash is best for everyday use and low-intensity walks. And, if you’re an angler or just love a stylish leash for your pup, this could be the leash for you and your dog.

　　Check Price at Orvis Best Hands-free Dog Leash Fido Pro Remi Runner Leash Specs Price $49 Materials Nylon Best For Hiking, running, and backcountry adventures Unique Features Hands-free, dual handles, extenders

　　Pros Rugged construction Hands-free option Bungee Dual-handles Cons Expensive Not suitable for small dogs Kristi Pahr If you’re looking for the perfect way to keep your dog contained on your backcountry adventures, the Fido Pro Remi Runner Leash ($49) is definitely the leash for you. This leash has so many valuable features it’s hard to list them all. The hands-free option is great for any activity that requires you to use your hands — cross-country skiing, hiking (with poles), and running, to name a few. And the waistband is adjustable up to 46 inches, so its versatile enough to be used by multiple dog parents.

　　Our tester loved walking her country property using the waistband, leaving her hands free to snap photos of critters. She also loved that the bungee provided a little extra give. As a result, she didn’t feel like her spine would snap if her dog flushed a bunny from the underbrush.

　　This leash has two handles: one traffic handle for more control closer to the dog and a second one farther up. The leash comes with webbing extenders for greater length and a little more freedom for your pup to roam. On the other hand, there are D-rings along the length of the leash if you want to shorten it up a bit. The leash is about nine feet long and fully extended with the bungee stretched and extenders in place.

　　Our only gripe is that the leash handle is very stiff and uncomfortable to hold. The logo placement attaches in a place that allows it to dig into your palm or wrist, depending on how you hold the leash. This leash is unsuitable for small dogs and only available in red and black.

　　If you take your pup on hikes, runs, or overland adventures, youll love the convenience and durability of the Fido Pro Remi Runner Leash.

　　Check Price at Backcountry Best of the Rest TUG 360° Tangle-Free Retractable Dog Leash Specs Price $22 Materials Nylon, plastic Best For Everyday use, normal walks Unique Features Easy-to-use locking mechanism

　　Pros Smooth retraction Long total length Easy lock/unlock feature Cons Ribbon mesh tends to twist as it re-enters the slot in the body of the leash Smallish hand opening may not comfortably accommodate larger hands or gloved hands in winter Kristi Pahr The TUG 360° Tangle-Free Retractable Dog Leash ($22) is a sleek, modern-looking alternative to traditional retractable leashes. Utilizing flat tape instead of the more common rope, this leash is less prone to kinking and knotting and less likely to cause injury, such as rope burns.

　　This leash has a one-button lock/unlock mechanism and a guard at the mouth to prevent the tape from tangling as it re-enters the handle. Retraction is smooth and not fast enough to jerk on the dog’s collar. It is available in multiple sizes and colors. The length varies by size ranging from 10 feet (XS) to 26 feet (XL).

　　Our tester used this leash with her medium-sized mixed breed and experienced some tangling and kinking when the leash was retracted from the fully extended position. She also noted that the handhold is small and may not comfortably accommodate large or gloved hands.

　　The leash is heavier than other retractables, mainly because it needs to house a tape leash instead of a rope leash. It is not thick enough to withstand chewing, but a small extension comes with it to clip onto the end of the leash and protect it from overzealous chewers.

　　If your pack is pretty mellow (were looking at you, dogs of destruction/chewers!), the TUG 360° Tangle-Free Retractable Dog Leash will work well for you.

　　$18 at Amazon Herzog Silicone Dog Leash Specs Price $56 Materials Silicone, recycled ripstop Best For Rainy days, regular use Unique Features Lovely design, waterproof

　　Pros Waterproof silicone construction Ripstop joinery and handle Locking carabiner clasp Cons Expensive Swivel connection feels flimsy Handle is stiff and uncomfortable to hold Kristi Pahr For rainy days or wet climes, the Herzog Silicone Dog Leash ($56) is a top choice. Its waterproof silicone and quick-drying ripstop construction wont even blink in the heaviest rain or splashiest puddles, and the color stays true forever.

　　The locking carabiner clasp will keep your dog secure, and the heavy-duty construction will not fray like webbing leashes. The design is where this leash really shines, though. Beautiful colors and striking black hardware will definitely make your pup stand out in a crowd. The silicone is soft and flexible and doesn’t stretch or become misshapen, and the recycle ripstop handle and clasp attachment are rugged enough to withstand pretty much any punishment your dog can put them through.

　　Our tester found the ripstop in the leash handle to be too stiff and uncomfortable to hold. It softened some over time but ultimately was not as easy to hold as a nylon handle, and some of the stitching in the seams began to fray after a month of constant, heavy use.

　　There is also some concern about the swivel attaching the carabiner to the leash. It showed no sign of breaking during testing, but it felt loose and flimsy.

　　The Herzog Silicone Dog Leash is ideal for you and your canine companions if you enjoy laid-back walks in the rain or live in a humid or wet place (Pacific Northwest, we see you). A matching collar is available.

　　$59 at Amazon Timberwolf Alpine 2-Dog Adjustable Lead Specs Price $50 $69 Materials Double braided rope Best For Walking two dogs at once Unique Features Slidelock, comfortable handle

　　Pros Slidelock coupler Comfortable handle Multiple sizes Cons Expensive Kristi Pahr The Timberwolf Alpine 2-Dog Adjustable Lead ($50-69) has everything you could want in a coupled leash. The braided rope offers a lot of security for even the biggest dogs, but smaller sizes are available for walking your little guys side by side. The handle is padded, quite comfy to hold, and does not dig into your palm.

　　It’s available in multiple colors and sizes, but the most unique feature is the Slidelock. This gizmo allows owners to adjust the distance between the two dogs. One dog can be in front of the other, or the mechanism can slide down to keep the dogs close to one another if the situation demands it, like on a crowded sidewalk.

　　This leash is availible in three diameters(3/16, 5/16, 7/16 inches) and two lengths (4 and 6 feet). Our tester appreciated the ability to allow her alpha to lead the way while still keeping the dogs close to one another. The swivel attachment also did a good job of preventing the dogs from getting tangled up together.

　　This leash is quite expensive, but the heavy-duty hardware and unique features provide plenty of value. The Timberwolf Alpine 2-Dog Adjustable Lead shines while walking two dogs pretty much anywhere, though individual threads in the rope do catch and pull on thorny or rough undergrowth.

　　Check price at Timberwolf Dog Leash Comparison Chart

　　Not all dog leashes are created equal. We tested the best leashes to meet all your needs; (photo/Elk Raven Photography) How We Tested Dog Leashes Our lead tester for this piece, Kristi Pahr, is an OG dog person who currently has four dogs to snuggle with. She understands that different situations demand different leashes and knows there is “the right” leash and “any old” leash for every activity.

　　Her pack consists of Spanky, a 13-year-old boxer, Ruby and Jade, three-year-old littermate German Shepherds, and Mr. Pibbles, an 11-month-old foundling mixed-breed. Thye tested these leashes over two months as they walked, ran, and played. Over the course of numerous walks and hikes, Kristi paid close attention to special features, durability, and function. GearJunkie editor Chris Kassars pup, Nala, also stepped in for some testing, and we enlisted the help of a guest tester named Cache to get another opinion. We took these leashes on walks around town and pushed their limits on big hiking, running, and wandering adventures in the mountains to see how they performed.

　　After months of tireless testing, we are sure these leashes are the best on the market. We will update our guide as new awesome leashes hit the shelves.

　　Need a complimentary collar? Check out our guide to the best dog collars. Or, if your dog needs more guidance while on a walk, consult our guide to the Best Dog Harnesses. And, if your pup needs a solid rest after all the adventures you go on, check out our guide to The Best Dog Beds.

　　Tester dogs like Cache were dedicated to putting these leashes through the wringer and were also pretty good at letting us know when it was time to take a hike; (photo/Elk Raven Photography) Buyers Guide: How To Choose the Best Dog Leashes We walk our dogs all the time, so the leash we use is important. Understanding the difference in leashes, how they work, what they’re capable of, and how to best use them can make all the difference in how much you enjoy spending time with your dog outdoors.

　　A leash that works for strolls around the park may not be the best bet for a rugged backcountry hike. And a leash that works for your German Shepherd is probably not the best choice for your neighbor’s Yorkie.

　　We loved the lightweight feel and the stylish design of the Orvis x Fishe Wear Leash for mellow walks around the neighborhood; (photo/Elk Raven Photography) How Will You Use It? Consider your lifestyle and the activities you like to do with your dog. If your walks consist of a two- or three-times daily walk down the city sidewalk with a mellow pup, the leash that will serve you best is likely something lightweight like the Orvis x Fishe Wear Leash.

　　Hiking or cross-country skiing? Go for the Fido Pro Remi Runner Leash. Two-dog household? Try a double leash like the Timberwolf Alpine 2-Dog Adjustable Lead. And if your dog loves nothing more than a dip in the lake or a splash in a puddle, a waterproof leash like the Herzog Silicone Leash is exactly what you need.

　　The Timberwolf Alpine 2-Dog Adjustable Lead allows you to adjust the distance between your two pups; (photo/Kristi Pahr). Materials Leashes should be strong enough to withstand pulls and tugs but soft enough not to destroy your palms when you hold them. Strong nylon webbing is a great choice that holds together and will keep your dog on the end of the leash instead of tearing across the park or, worse, a busy city street. The Ruffwear Front Range Leash combines form and function. It is a tough leash with a comfortable, padded grip for owners.

　　Our budget option, the Ruffwear Front Range Dog Leash is made of durable nylon ideal for walks with well-behaved pups like Cache; (photo/Elk Raven Photography) Features A backcountry leash doesn’t need the same features as a daily walk leash, though some, like rings for attaching pick-up bags, are ideal for both. Hands-free leashes like the Ruffwear Roamer Leash are great for multitasking, and the addition of a stretchy bungee makes it easy to control your dog without hurting yourself.

　　Retractable leashes, like the Tug Retractable Leash, are also great when you want your pup to have more freedom, but we don’t recommend these for dogs prone to pulling.

　　Our best overall choice, the Ruffwear Roamer Bungee Dog Leash is ideal for active pursuits; (photo/Elk Raven Photography) Training Will you be using your new leash for training purposes? A long leash is ideal if you’re attempting to teach your dog off-leash obedience. Long training leashes provide dogs with lots of additional space to roam (some even up to 150 feet long, though twenty to thirty feet is more common) while allowing the owner to maintain control. These leashes work well for training, staying at a distance, or giving your dog extra freedom in areas with few people. 

　　These leads are also great for training working or hunting dogs in the field. Ideally, youll get an adjustable leash like the Fido Pro Remi Runner Leash, which allows for freedom in certain situations but also allows your pup to be reigned in when the situation warrants it.

　　Long leashes can take a bit of getting used to and are not recommended for beginners or use in crowded situations like walks down a busy city street. Ideally, owners will consult with a trainer to learn how to properly use a long leash to avoid frustration and potential injury to the dog. 

　　Both Nala and her mom (GJ editor, Chris) loved the freedom to run afforded by the hands-free Fido Pro Remi Runner Leash; (photo/Elk Raven Photography) Type of Closure or Clasp Most standard leashes have a metal clasp that attaches to the collar. This clasp, called a snap hook, is usually spring-loaded and thumb-operated. These clasps are fine for most dogs, though owners of very small dogs and very large dogs, as well as dogs who pull, should opt for a different closure.

　　Locking carabiners have grown in popularity because they are generally stronger than snap hooks and lock closed, preventing any accidental escapes. Carabiner leash clasps like on the Herzog Silicone Leash are ideal for hiking and running and also for rambunctious dogs who pull or jump while leashed.

　　The locking carabiner found on the Herzog Silicone Leash adds extra security while walking your pup; (photo/Elk Raven Photography) Take your dog’s size into consideration when choosing leashes. A clasp that will accommodate the strength of even a medium-sized dog will likely be too heavy for a toy breed to wear comfortably, and a clasp that is strong enough to keep your Aussie safely on leash will be a piece of cake for a Mastiff or Great Dane to break through. One of the reasons we chose the Ruffwear Roamer Bungee Dog Leash as our Best Overall was because it worked for various sizes, strengths and breeds.

　　The Ruffwear Roamer Bungee Dog Leash was our overall pick due to its versatility across dogs and activities; (photo/Elk Raven Photography) FAQ Can a dog get hurt by pulling too hard on a leash? When a dog pulls too strongly on their leash, it can cause injury to their neck, throat, and sometimes their face or eyes if there is enough pressure. Choosing the right collar can help, but ultimately, pulling is a behavior you want to stop as soon as possible, so consider consulting with a trainer or using a no-pull harness.

　　Can dog leashes be washed? Most leashes can be cleaned up with a little warm, soapy water and a good rinse and air dry. Some are machine washable, but check the manufacturer’s instructions before tossing it in the washer to ensure it’s color-safe and wont shrink or become misshapen.

　　Whats the best material for a dog leash? Nylon is always a safe bet when it comes to leashes. The material is tough and durable and able to withstand the elements. Silicone leashes are great for water dogs. Leather leashes are attractive but stretch over time and may become brittle if not cared for properly.

　　For walks where youre in and out of the water like this one, the Herzog Silicone Leash (and the matching Herzog collar) make a practical and stylish combo; (photo/Elk Raven Photography)

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