Ruffwear Trail Runner Dog Vest Review

Ruffwear is an outdoor dog gear brand based in Bend, Oregon, founded in 1994. The company is dedicated to creating gear for outdoor adventures and is guided by performance, adventure, and sustainability principles. They are committed to conducting business to maximize the good they can do in the world while being conscious of their impact on the planet.

Ruffwear Trail Runner

Light & breathable

Snugly fitting three-strap harness/vest designed for off-leash runs. Features two pockets and includes Hydrapak soft flasks to carry water.

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About the Ruffwear Trail Runner Dog Vest

The Ruffwear Trail Runner allows dogs to carry hydration and essential items during runs comfortably. Its adjustable, vest-style design and the three straps ensure a snug, bounce-free fit, promoting ease of movement.

Ruffwear Trail Runner Dog Vest Review | Dog Gear Review

The vest features two zippered side pockets, which hold the included Hydrapak soft flasks (500ml for sizes S-L/XL and 360ml for size XS), making it easy to carry along extra water for the dog. There is an additional small zippered top pocket that provides space for small essentials like pick-up bags or an air tag.

The vest has reflective trim for visibility in low-light conditions and a light loop for attaching Ruffwear’s The Beacon. The reinforced webbing loop at the rear serves as a leash attachment point without the added weight and flopping of a leash ring.

This vest currently comes in two colors: Lichen Green and Blue Pool.

The material of the vest is polyester air mesh which is a sturdy but very light material. It provides great breathability and dries fast without getting heavy - making it an ideal option for summer runs. You can basically see through that mesh material so don’t think about the heavily padded mesh materials, this is a thin and light mesh.

Ruffwear Trail Runner Review

We got many questions about the Ruffwear Trail Runner and I think it’s because off-leash trail running itself is not common and many got confused about the purpose and functionality of this vest/harness. This is definitely a niche market but the Trail Runner has really cool features catering to this activity.

First of all, it’s breathable and light, fits like a glove, and doesn’t bounce even when using the two Hydrapak soft flasks that are included! It is important to note that this vest is not designed for pullers, but for off-leash runs when you want the dog to wear something for visibility.

The pockets are sized this way because you don’t want a dog carrying heavy or bulky items while going for a run - it is just enough so they can help out with carrying some water. I would recommend being careful with the amount of water in the flasks to ensure the dogs get used to carrying the extra weight. Also, try to use the same amount of water from the flasks because the vest will start to rotate if you use up one flask and now all the weight is placed on one side.

To reiterate: the Trail Runner is not an overnight hiking backpack nor a pulling harness and it is not meant to be one.

The section between the front legs is on the wider side - although Zulu is a very narrow dog so this would not be an issue for the majority of dogs. We didn’t have an issue with chafing on the inside of the front legs because of the light, thin material that is not pressing against the legs as much as a padded, more rigid harness/vest would.

As you see in the above photo, the neck section is not adjustable and it goes slightly over Zulu’s shoulders - which doesn’t mean that would be the same for all dogs. The fit is similar to how the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Harness fit her with a bit of a gap in front of her neck.

Since this is not a pulling harness, the front going across the shoulder isn’t really a concern anatomically. As the harness is very light and there is plenty of armpit clearance, the vest easily slips up on Zulu’s front when she runs and she is not bothered at all. Think about this as walking in a loose skirt: just because there is material front of the legs, it doesn’ta automatically means there is restriction.

We talk more about harnesses and shoulder restriction in this article if you would like to learn more about when and why this can be a problem.

Functionality Review of the Ruffwear Trail Runner

No-pull correction: It does not have a front ring and is not designed for no-pull training.
Running/Biking: This is not a pulling harness. There is no padding on the neck sections, which makes it unsuitable for pulling sports. However, it can be used if the dog just runs next to you as it provides a comfortable armpit clearance for your dog.
Hiking: The durable, light material makes it great for hikes. In addition, the harness dries fast and doesn’t soak in much water, so it’s a low-maintenance option for muddy hikes. It allows the dog to carry the flasks or small items in the pockets but it’s not a backpack.
City walk: It is not designed for extended and regular on-leash walks as the webbing loop will start fraying over time. It might take a long time but in busy places, it is safer to have a harness with more solid leash attachment points. The placement of the webbing loop is also great for nature walks but it doesn’t provide good steering power at busy places.
Easy to put on/adjust: It has four buckles on the chest straps, so it only needs to go over the dog’s head; no need to lift the legs. The neck section is not adjustable so it is important to get that right when choosing the size.
Visibility: The reflective rim and the light loop ensure high visibility, and the Lichen Green color offers better visibility than our blue one.

Ruffwear Trail Runner Review Summary

We have been using this vest over the summer and I loved how low profile and light is. Even when carrying some water - it fits snugly, and doesn’t bounce or flop which I imagine is a lot more comfortable for running.

I like that it is still a good option for an off leash hike even if I don’t put anything in the pockets, it is not bulky at all. The mesh material is great to help dogs cool down and dry and to keep the weight to the minimum for gear-shy dogs or just for comfort on a longer outing.

The Trail Runner is a very well-made and designed product for a niche market.

As always, be sure the harness is a good fit for YOUR dog. If you need help deciding, read our article on harness fitting.