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Dog harnesses are ideal for dogs who don’t behave well on a leash, but a tactical dog harness kicks up the versatility factor when you have additional needs for your pup when you’re out and about. So, what is a tactical dog harness? They’re suitable for professional working dogs for service, police, or military purposes, but they can also be helpful if you take your dog hiking or for everyday walking purposes if you want to control your pup from pulling on her leash.
At A Glance: Best Tactical Harnesses For Dogs
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Features To Consider In A Tactical Dog Vest
- Size, fit, & adjustability: It’s extremely important to measure your pup’s back length, the widest part of her chest, and neck girth to find the ideal size. You’ll also want to get a harness with multiple adjustable straps to get the perfect fit.
- Materials & durability: The best tactical vests are made from military-grade, heavy-duty, and chew-proof fabrics, such as 1000D nylon. Nylon is also a fantastic choice for a weather-resistant harness. Also, look for reinforced stitching to prevent ripping and D-ring attachments to stand up to heavy pulling.
- Comfort: Padding in pressure areas can keep your pup comfortable and protect her skin from chafing. Breathable mesh materials or ventilation holes can keep your dog from getting too hot in warm weather. You’ll also want to ensure you buy a vest that’s not too heavy for your dog’s size.
- Handle: The best tactical vests have a handle on the top to give you greater control over your dog. A handle is also useful in assisting your pup over objects or getting her into a car.
- Attachment points: Multiple leash attachment points give you flexibility for walking your pup. A front clip discourages pulling, while a back clip is well-suited for regular walks.
- Molle straps: Particularly handy for hiking service or working dog use, Molle straps or loops allow your dog to carry gear, such as water bottles, a first aid kit, or other accessories you might need. Some brands include compatible pouches you can attach to the straps.
- Visibility: If you’re out with your dog at night, reflective stitching makes it easier for drivers to spot your pup.
Best Tactical Dog Harnesses
We’ve chosen our top picks and based our reviews on the quality of materials, performance, features, pricing, customer feedback, and more.
Best For Large Dogs: rabbitgoo Tactical Dog Harness Vest With Handle Review
The durable and versatile rabbitgoo vest can serve as a service, police, or military dog harness, but it’s also an excellent choice for hiking, hunting, or other needs. It combines military-grade material with plenty of breathable mesh and padding at every pressure point to keep your pup cool and comfortable.
The largest size can accommodate very large and wide-chested dogs. You can get a perfect fit with five adjustment straps located on your pup’s abdomen, chest, and shoulders. The buckles and two leash clips are made of lightweight but sturdy metal. It also features a Molle system on both sides for gear, water bottles, medication, etc. (pouches not included).
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Heavy-duty vest made of 1050D nylon with mesh for ventilation | Small size is too big for little dogs |
| 5 adjustment straps | No reflective material |
| 2 leash attachments (front no-pull and back) | Some complaints that the abdominal strap loosens on its own |
| Reinforced stitching and top handle | |
| 4 quick-release buckles | |
| Molle system on each side | |
| Customers say it’s easy to put on and adjust |
Price
Rabbitgoo comes in 4 sizes and 6 colors.
Best For Small Dogs: OneTigris Fire Watcher Tactical Dog Harness Vest Review
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This lightweight tactical dog harness comes in six sizes and is an excellent option for any breed and size. Many other tactical vests are too large for small pups, but the XS and S sizes of the OneTigris Fire Watcher harness make it perfect for little guys.
Super durable and comfortable, this vest is made from 1000D nylon with breathable mesh lining and soft padding in pressure areas. It also features four quick-release UTX-Duraflex buckles (military-grade plastic), stainless steel D-rings, a top control handle, and a unique X-bungee and Molle design for holding gear and displaying patches.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offers small dog sizes not available with many similar vests | Some customers complained that the buckles broke over time |
| Heavy-duty vest made of 1000D nylon with mesh for ventilation | No reflective material |
| Miltary-grade, quick-release plastic buckles | A few complaints that it rubs on the skin |
| 2 leash attachments (front no-pull and back) | |
| Unique X-bungee and Molle design | |
| Customers say it’s good for escape artists | |
| 1-year warranty |
Price
OneTigris comes in 6 sizes and 5 colors.
Best For Strong Pullers: ICEFANG Tactical Dog Harness With 2X Metal Buckle Review
Designed specifically for strong pullers, the ICEFANG tactical dog vest features a 1,000-pound proof-load tested metal buckle on each shoulder position — the most load-bearing point when a dog is pulling. It also has a heavy-duty D-ring leash attachment on the front, which is the ideal location for dogs who pull. The large top handle is easy to grab quickly if you need to take immediate control of your canine companion.
While the side buckles are made of plastic, customers say they (and the vest material) are extremely durable. This vest model doesn’t run as long down the abdomen as some others we review here. If you want a longer vest, the ICEFANG GN5 model is another fantastic option.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent value | Metal buckles may be too heavy for small dogs |
| Heavy-duty metal buckles at shoulders | Not ideal for hot climates (doesn’t have ventilation holes or mesh) |
| 2 leash attachments (front no-pull and back) | |
| Reflective stitching | |
| Most customers say it’s easy to adjust and fits very well | |
| 2 quick-release buckles | |
| Molle system on each side |
Price
ICEFANG comes in 4 sizes and 5 colors.
Best Reflective: BUMBIN Tactical Dog Harness Review
If you plan on using a tactical dog vest at night, we think the BUMBIN harness, which has plenty of reflective stitching, is your best bet. Not only does this vest provide nighttime safety, but it’s also loaded with other features to keep your pup secure and comfy.
This vest has two sturdy metal D-ring leash attachments and heavy-duty plastic buckles that can withstand more than 400 pounds of pulling force. The durable harness material is ventilated with breathable mesh and has padding for comfort. It also features handy velcro ID tag storage and a Molle system.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent value | Too heavy for small dogs |
| 2 leash attachments (front no-pull and back) | Not chew-proof |
| Reflective stitching | Some complaints that it’s difficult to adjust |
| Breathable mesh lining and padding | |
| Molle system on both sides | |
| Most customers say it’s easy to put on and take off |
Price
BUMBIN comes in 5 sizes and 12 colors.
What Are My Other Options?
We’ve also reviewed several other popular and highly-rated harnesses you may want to consider.
Auroth Tactical Dog Harness Review
This Auroth harness is a top seller with thousands of excellent customer reviews. It’s made of military-grade nylon with sturdy stitching for extra durability. With four easy-to-adjust straps, padding at every pressure load point, and breathable air mesh, this tactical vest allows for a snug but comfortable fit. We love the huge assortment of fun colors and patterns available.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great value | May not fit some giant breeds or small dogs |
| Heavy-duty vest made of 900D nylon with mesh for ventilation | No reflective material |
| 2 leash attachments (front no-pull and back) | Not entirely escape-proof |
| Quick-release buckles | |
| Molle system on each side | |
| 30-day money-back guarantee |
Price
Auroth comes in 4 sizes and 14 colors.
Excellent Elite Spanker Tactical Dog Harness Review
Looking for a non-bulky but sturdy tactical harness? The Excellent Elite Spanker is a fantastic, no-frills option as long as you don’t need a no-pull front leash attachment or Molle straps. This vest is extremely durable (1000D nylon) yet lightweight, well-ventilated, and padded. The top has a heavy-duty aluminum V-shaped leash attachment and control handle. And it features a quick-release, UTX-duraflex buckle, a secure belly strap, and easy-to-adjust straps.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ideal for hot climates | No Molle straps |
| Sturdy construction | Doesn’t have a front, no-pull leash attachment |
| Lightweight | |
| Breathable mesh lining and padding | |
| ID panel for patches | |
| 90-day warranty |
Price
The Excellent Elite Spanker comes in 4 sizes and 5 colors.
Need Molle Compatible Pouches?
If you plan on carting gear around with you, here are a few Molle-compatible options you may want to consider.
How To Size Your Dog For A Tactical Harness (Video)
It’s crucial to get several of your pup’s measurements to get the right size tactical vest. Check out this brief video, which demonstrates where you need to measure and how to adjust a harness.
Best Everyday Collars & Harnesses
If you only need a tactical vest for occasional use, you’ll still want a high-quality collar and/or harness for everyday walks, training, and other uses. Check out our reviews of the best dog harnesses for a variety of needs and dog sizes. We also review the best harnesses for escape artists and small dogs. You may want to see which dog collars we recommend, including everything from training collars to GPS activity collars.
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