Hurtta Active Harness Review

With all the adventures that we go on with our pack, we have been on the lookout for sturdy, dependable, comfortable harnesses that could keep up. Whether it be for added safety and control when hiking near ledges or over rough terrain or to help with pulling when a squirrel crosses our path on the trail, the Hurtta Active Harness has been a lifesaver. Plus, come on, it looks awesome too!

* I received the Hurtta Active Harness for free as a Hurtta North America Brand advocate to test and review. This review is based solely on my honest opinions and experiences with this product.

FUNCTION (5/5)

Extra Security (And Peace of Mind)

One of the main reasons that I wanted harnesses for our pack was for extra control in precarious environments. We love to hike places with great views, but that often also means a bit of uneven terrain with steep drop-offs. Sometimes, Boomer especially, can get a little too brave for my liking and makes me nervous walking too close to the ledge. When she would do this in just a collar, I’d get scared to pull her back from the edge and just worsen the situation. Now, I know that she’s safely connected to me via her harness and leash, and that I have that extra control when I need it most.

Easy Grab Handle

When climbing up and down large rocks or steep inclines, the handle on the back panel of the Hurtta Active Harness is a lifesaver. It’s small and doesn’t get in the way, but it’s also strong enough for you to help your dog navigate difficult obstacles. The other bonus use that I never even considered until I needed it, is having that handle to help keep your dog close to you when passing less than welcoming dogs along the trail. My dogs listen well and will step off the trail with me to give other dogs extra space to pass if needed, but it’s nice to have a handle that’s easy to grab in an instant if you need it for that extra bit of security, just in case.

**Note that the Hurtta Active Harness is NOT a full-body harness. The handle cannot be used to lift a dog completely off the ground like you can with say, a Ruffwear Webmaster Pro. It is, however, very useful for helping your dog with more difficult maneuvers. For a tiny dog like Roxie, I would prefer a harness with a handle that I can carry her with if needed, up steep inclines or across streams that are deeper than she is tall. But for larger dogs Boomer and Ringo, who I have no intention of carrying ever (nor would my back stand for it) this harness and it’s handle are perfect.

Hurtta Active Harness back view, showing metal D ring leash attachment point and handle.

DESIGN (4.5/5)

The Hurtta Active Harness is strong and durable while still being lightweight and comfortable, making it our go-to harness for every kind of adventure. The body of the harness is made up of two panels, a chest panel and a back panel. They are attached with 4 sturdy adjustable straps, 2 at the neck and two at the torso. I love that the straps are one big loop, so there are no loose ends hanging off of the harness when you tighten it for the perfect fit. Plus, because of its low profile, you can easily still use the Hurtta Active Harness under your dog’s jacket during the winter months.

The chest panel is wide and lightly padded, which adds extra comfort and also helps to distribute weight if your dog is a puller. The back panel houses all of the harness’ buckles as well as a super sturdy metal D ring leash attachment and the aforementioned control handle. There are also reflective accents on the chest piece as well as reflective piping on the back, increasing visibility in low light conditions. If you want even more visibility for running/biking at night on or near roads, check out their Active “Dazzle” Harnesses, in high-visibility orange and yellow, like Helo’s below. Aside from the brighter colors, they also have a larger reflective area on the front chest piece.

 

Comfort & Fit

Another important perk is that the dogs do not mind wearing their Hurtta Active Harnesses at all. It took no adjustment period whatsoever. There has never been any chafing or rubbing or discomfort for the dogs at all. In fact, they’re comfortable enough that they have even decided to sleep in them at the campsite.

The only dogs that this harness may not be the best fit for are small, narrow chested dogs. The front chest piece is the perfect width for Boomer, Helo, and Ringo. They don’t, however, make a size small enough for a pup like Roxie. She’s long enough and weighs enough now (at 12 lbs) but her chest is still too narrow. This is the only reason for the 4.5 stars instead of 5. If you have a small or narrow-chested dog, the wide chest plate may make this harness not work for you.

QUALITY (5/5)

 The design and build quality of the Active Harness, just like the rest of our Hurtta gear, is impeccable. I am always blown away by the quality of Hurtta gear compared to other competitors in the industry. The Active Harness is no exception. The outside of the harness is a smooth, durable material that has withstood a lot of abuse from our pack in the last few months. They’ve scraped their harnesses against all kinds of surfaces, including rock faces, trees and thorn bushes, and they still look like new.

Overall Rating (4.8/5)

Would we recommend this to a friend?

Yes, absolutely! If you have a medium – large active dog (really, just not a toy breed) who needs a quality, durable harness, the Hurtta Active Harness is a great option. They’re stylish, lightweight, and comfortable enough for your dog to wear them for long hikes or even weekends spent in the woods. For more specs or to order your own Hurtta Active Harness, check out their website here.

Have comments or questions that we didn’t answer in this review? Feel free to leave a comment or shoot us an email via our “contact us” page.

Thanks for reading!

Debbie & THE MUTTS