High Tail Hikes, established in 2015 and based in California, is a dog-walking company and product manufacturer. Liz Williams and her husband Gregg first started making Biothane leashes in 2017 for their dog walking groups, then amidst the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, High Tail Hikes pivoted to an online storefront, expanding their reach and offering customizable dog walking gear and accessories.
High Tail Hikes
Everything Biothane
Use the code DGR10 for a discount when checking out their leashes, collars and other dog products!
Disclaimer: this review contains affiliate links, which support Dog Gear Review if you purchase the product after clicking on it without costing you anything extra. Using affiliate links will never compromise us in writing unbiased, honest reviews!
High Tail Hikes Biothane Set
High Tail Hikes uses Biothane for their product which is a woven polyester webbing with a soft PVC coating. This material is lightweight, waterproof, odor-proof, antimicrobial, and easy to clean which are all great features for dog gear!
We received a Biothane package featuring a selection of the product options offered by High Tail Hikes:
- BioThane ID Tag Collar - Sport version with a Quick Release Buckle (Small)
- Hands Free + Convertible Brass Leash - Small Dogs (3/8"), 7ft
- Brass Long Line - Small Dogs (3/8"), 10 ft
- BioThane Quick Release Long Line Keeper
I loved the experience of putting together this order with the endless color and customization options!
High Tail Hikes BioThane ID Tag Dog Collar Review
The BioThane ID Tag Collar has an integrated stainless steel tag so it doesn’t jingle and is much less likely to get caught on something when the dog is running off-leash or playing with other dogs. I loved the security of having this collar while traveling around New Year’s Eve in case Zulu gets scared of fireworks or something else happens during the trip.
The stainless steel plate is slightly curved to follow the curve of the dog’s neck. The tagline allows you to add 4 lines of text with 15 characters in the first two rows and 18 in the last two which is plenty of space to display the most important information.
Stainless steel is generally considered hypoallergenic and is not likely to discolor the dog’s fur. However, as the plate is in direct contact with the fur/skin, this collar might not be ideal for dogs with very sensitive skin or soft long fur that is prone to breaking.
We have used these products heavily as they were our go-to walking set over the last months and the text did not fade from the plate at all and I don’t see any significant scratches either.
I chose the sport version of this collar with a plastic buckle for easy on and off but it is also available in a brass version with a brass buckle. As they use high-quality Duraflex buckles, we haven’t had any issues with that - it feels strong and durable and never failed us so far.
High Tail Hikes Biothane Convertible Brass Leash Review
The Convertible leash has two buckles and multiple rings so you can use it as a hands-free leash, a shorter/longer leash, or as a tether when your dog joins you on a patio. It has three fixed D-rings and an adjustable sliding ring in the top section, and the handle also features a carabiner so you can attach it to any of these easily.
Currently, they offer 20 color options and you can have it in one-tone or two-toned to mix it up. You can choose the version with brass hardware (that we have) or the one with black hardware. However, the latter comes with an anodized aluminum locking carabiner.
Even though our leash hardware doesn’t match the collar’s, I chose the brass leash option for a quicker on/off carabiner. However, brass is known to tarnish so you will see slight discoloration on the Biothane around the brass hardware over time (see under the ring in the photo below). So far I could remove it with just soap and water but that is something to consider if you want a lower maintenance set.
I love how versatile this leash is and that it works for so many different outings! I have used it for city walks, and hikes and it quickly became our daily go-to set when we just go for a quick walk. I love the lightness of the 3/8" leash and it works very well for Zu who usually walks nicely on leash.
High Tail Hikes Biothane Long Line & Quick Release Long Line Keeper Review
High Tail Hikes offers many widths and colors for leashes/long lines as well. You can choose between 4-20 feet in length, opt for not having a handle, or add a loop handle, a D-ring, an O-ring, or a sliding O-ring with a convertible handle. There is also an option for a built-in traffic handle and you can choose where that should be placed.
All these options give you so much room to come up with a leash that works perfectly for your situation!
We just chose a simple 10 feet, 3/8" long line with no handle as this is what we use during some Search and Rescue exercises when the dog runs on a leash. When working in wooded areas, I don’t want any extra rings or a handle to minimize the chances of getting caught on something.
For this reason, I keep the long line in the car, in the SAR box with all the other gear and it does get tangled over time. Having the Quick Release Long Line keeper is such a game changer to keep things organized. Its length can be easily adjusted so you can tighten it after attaching it around the long line for a more secure fit. The big carabiner makes it easy to hang it on a backpack or belt while hiking/walking which makes carrying it along so much easier.
Review Summary
Biothane is a very popular material for dog gear for a reason but there can be big differences between products. All the High Tail Hikes products we received were very well-made, thought-through, and clearly designed by people who actually use them. The smart addition of the rings on the convertible leash and the idea of the Long Line Keeper are great examples of small additions that make a big difference in practice.
It was a great experience to choose from all the color and hardware options and mix and match what we needed. Their website is a great place to go to cover all your leash and collar needs in one place with plenty of customization options.
High Tail Hikes Biothane Set
Low-maintenance and customizable gear options
Use the code DGR10 for a discount when checking out their leashes, collars and other dog products!
Disclaimer: this review contains affiliate links, which support Dog Gear Review if you purchase the product after clicking on it without costing you anything extra. Using affiliate links will never compromise us in writing unbiased, honest reviews!
