We loved the color options of the Front Range Harness and were hoping for some fun pinks and purples to be released with the new harness. But color doesn’t affect the functionality and we love the upgrades that have been incorporated into the Ruffwear Flagline Harness. Just like with the Front Range and Hi & Light, the next step to take is choose a path of minimal and lightweight (Flagline) or more structured (Switchbak or Web Master). Or, again, if having a front leash clip-in point is important, the Flagline or Switchbak will both offer that feature. FOR THAT SOMETHING SPECIAL But I’d actually yet to test it for myself. So, I got in touch with ruffwear, and asked if I could get one for review. They said yes, and I’ve been testing it out on my hikes and wanders with Indie to see how it stands up to it’s design purpose and what you may be able to do with it.

I love this harness for reactive dogs, it’s the worst fear of a lot of people that their dog should escape, and cause damage, or flee. And well, this one seriously takes the biscuit for control & containment. The long design means that you have support, it means that you have the knowledge your dog isn’t going to escape. Dog Families Who Hike The Ruffwear Web Master harness and the Ruffwear Flagline harness have a lot in common. They are both full-body harnesses, meaning they are intended to fit to the end or past the dog’s ribcage. This extra length provides more support when lifting/assisting the dog and reduces the chance that a dog will slip out of the harness. Another key factor could be the front leash clip-in point. If you are working on leash pulling with your pup, the front leash clip-in point is helpful for redirecting dogs that pull on their leash. In this case, the Front Range is the way to go.The Ruffwear flagline was tested in L/XL which fits true to size. It was tested mainly on hikes and in rivers and similar to give evidence to what it was designed for. Honestly, I love both harness so much. Ruffwear makes excellent full-body harnesses. But if you forced me to choose, the Flagline is a little better for most dogs in my opinion. So why wait? Give your dog the comfort, control, and freedom they deserve with the Ruffwear Flagline Harness. It's not just a harness; it's a passport to adventure. Features of the Ruffwear Flagline Harness Three points of leash attachment - including one at the chest, good for redirecting dogs that pull on leash This harness says it’s handwash only. I mean, this seems like one of the most ludicrous statements to make about a harness, especially a harness that’s made for hiking – but I will be totally honest. I’ve washed it in the machine, and it’s absolutely fine. So… I’m really not sure why it’s apparently not washable? Do I Recommend The Ruffwear Flagline?

NOTE: In between sizes? Choose the larger size. Ruffwear suggests getting the larger size Flagline harness for dogs who measure in between sizes. My 100+ lb. Akita recently lost a front leg to cancer. Although he’s adapting really well, he still sometimes stumbles and walking on hard surfaces can be a little tough on him. I’ve tried to provide him with some extra support using various harnesses and it was really tough to find one that give him good support, didn’t hurt me, and did not interfere with the surgery scar. The Flagline hits on all counts. It’s comfortable for him and I can give him constant support during a walk without either of us getting uncomfortable. It took a couple of tries to adjust it, but the online video helped a lot and it went relatively easily. If you walk in high traffic areas, this is a great feature. Here in Minnesota, it is already dark by the time we walk throughout the fall, winter, and early spring. Reflective trim helps us keep safe on our nightly walks. Overall Review

NEED A LITTLE MORE HELP CHOOSING A DOG HARNESS?

Not all harnesses are suitable for all dogs, or all conditions. So, here’s a few things that I see as being potentially problematic in regards to the flagline. Dirt dwellers Take your dog’s girth measurement while standing up for the perfect fit. See this video for measuring help. And let's not forget about safety. The harness features a debris-resistant liner to keep your dog comfortable and three leash attachment points for added control. The reflective trim and light loop for the Ruffwear Beacon Light ensure your dog is visible, even in low-light conditions. Below is an image of the Groundbird Gear harness for comparison with the Flagline Harness pictured above. Padded Handle If you have been following our national parks journey for long then you are probably aware that we have been really impressed with Ruffwear’s Web Master harness (we just wish it came in as many colors as the front range). Both Sasha and Glia have the Web Master in Blue Dusk, but we can’t wait for some pinks or purples.

In the image below the Flagline harness is a little loose as we had not re-adjusted the straps after Glia wore it over her sweater.)The solid chest and belly panel of the Flagline looks much more comfortable for the dog, especially when a dog is being lifted/assisted via the handle on the harness. To be fair, many Web Master users have “solved” this difference by using the brush guard or core cooler to help prevent the straps of the Web Master from digging into the dog when lifted. But the Flagline Harness isn't just about comfort and convenience. It's also about providing your dog with the support they need. The harness features a padded handle and a load-dispersing chest/belly panel. This design allows you to lift and assist your dog easily, making it ideal for senior dogs or when the terrain gets a bit challenging. In a perfect world, you wouldn’t have to worry about price or sustainability and could just buy your dog one of every harness. But realistically, for those looking for an everyday full-body harness, the decision in the Ruffwear catalog comes down to the Flagline or the Web Master. The Flagline harness offers the same great support for three-legged dogs as the Ruffwear Web Master Plus. It also offers chest and belly protection, without need for the additional Brush Guard attachment.

Ruffwear is a well-known company in the world of dog-apparel and harnesses. If you have read many articles on this blog (or if you follow us on social media), you may have noticed that our dogs are frequently photographed wearing Ruffwear Webmaster Harnesses. The Webmaster Harness fits both dogs well and has held up to a lot of abuse on hiking trails. So when Ruffwear announced an updated version of the Webmaster Harness, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on the new Flagline Harness. At 277g, this harness? Is lighter than my go to harness for Indie (the perfect fit), which doesn’t have as much containment as this one does. It doesn’t offer these features. For Ruffwear to have achieved this within this weight? Is pretty darn impressive. If you are familiar with Groundbird Gear harnesses, then this system might be very familiar to you. In fact, the Ruffwear Flagline Harness reminds us a lot of our Groundbird Gear harness. Both are lightweight, easy on/off, and include a full chest/belly panel (which we will discuss in more detail later). The ruffwear flagline is a unique harness. A Harness with a tummy strap? Of high quality? Is something that doesn’t get seen much. Unfortunately, the Flagline only has three color options just like the Web Master. We hope that someday Ruffwear will give these harnesses as many options as the Front Range has.

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Although we aren’t aware of any research directly comparing how the Webmaster and Flagline harnesses affect a dog’s gait, we are hopeful that the smaller, lightweight design of the Flagline harness will help reduce alterations to normal movement.