Reviewed by: Julia (Owner) & Ben (pup) @ben_ventures
Ben the adventure dog climbs mountains, ski tours, backpacks, and is ready for any adventure. Having good quality gear is as important for any adventure dog as it is for any other adventurer. If you ask me, one of the most important pieces of gear for any adventure dog is a good harness.
There are three things that I look for in a harness and the Ruffwear Flagline harness nails all three:
- Ease of use
- Durability
- A good sturdy handle
Ease Of Use
Ben is not an easy going dog and doesn’t have the patience to stand still while you fiddle with a harness and adjust straps. The Flagline harness is great because once it’s been adjusted to fit, it just slips on over the head and clips in on both sides. The clips on both sides make it easy to get on, there’s no fiddling with legs or manhandling needed. Quick and easy, perfect for an impatient pup!
Durability
I am new to the Flagline harness, but Ben’s been wearing Ruffwear gear for years and it stands up great to hard use. This dog crashes through bushes, crawls under logs, swims in mud puddles, and performs aerial acrobatics and his Ruffwear gear not only holds up, but all it needs is a wash and is back to looking barely used.
Sturdy Handle
By far, my favourite feature of the Flagline harness is the good sturdy handle on the back. Whether I’m moving Ben off the trail to make room for other hikers or helping him navigate difficult terrain, I am able to fully lift him off the ground and move him wherever he needs to go with no discomfort to him. The load dispersing chest and belly panel provides solid support and the lightweight design means he can wear it no matter the weather or activity.
Other Notable Features
The lightweight design of the Flagline harness and its minimal design leaves lots of room for airflow and access to floof for mid-hike scritches and snuggle breaks. It also has multiple connection points. I usually use the main clip on the back, but having a front clip option on the front is great for when Ben is excited and pulling hard.
I tried this harness out on a quick snowshoe and already love it, and I think Ben does too! Not only does he look snappy, but he barely notices it once it’s on. I can’t wait to try it in the summer because the lightweight design will make it perfect for hotter weather.
