| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | ICEFANG Tactical Dog Harness with 2X Metal Buckle |
| Best for Storage | Tactical Dog Harness with Pouches |
| Best for Tactical Working Dogs | OneTigris Tactical Vest Nylon Front Clip Dog Harness |
| Best for Large Dogs | Goat Trail Tactical Dog Harness |
Tactical dog vests are designed to protect pups and make it possible for them to hold gear and other essential items. These vests are often used for service dogs and military dogs, but they can also be handy for dog owners looking to take their canine companion on a long hike or other excursions. Tactical harnesses are often designed with pouches to hold items, and some are even designed with gun holsters for military or police dogs.
Another benefit of a tactical dog vest over a traditional harness is its durability. Tactical dog vests are made using heavy-duty materials that last a long time and will help keep your dog from getting injured in the field. If you’re ready to choose the best tactical dog harness for your pup, you’ve come to the right place. Continue reading to discover our top picks!
Check Amazon- Nylon tactical dog vest with 2X metal buckles
- Front and side hook and loop panels
- Adjustable design with handle on back
- Available in 10 colors, sizes Small - XLarge
Check Amazon•Adjustable tactical dog vest
•3 detachable pouches
•Molle strips for attachment
•Hook & loop panel
Check Chewy Check Amazon- Made of nylon
- The interior is padded and very comfortable
- Made for the toughest conditions
- Fully adjustable
Check Amazon•Tactical dog harness, heavy duty
•Up to 120lb dogs
•Storage availability
•Comfortable padded mesh
Top Picks for the Best Tactical Dog Vests: Ranked
#1 Best Overall: ICEFANG Tactical Dog Harness
The ICEFANG Tactical Harness is our top choice for tactical dog vest because it is designed with plenty of helpful features.
This harness is made from tough, durable material with sturdy metal buckles. It features a no-pull front leash clip and a standard back clip to allow the handler to ensure they always retain control of their dog when out. The buckles have been tested with a 1000-pound proof load test to ensure quality, durability, and safety. In addition to the two leash hooks, this harness also features a heavy-duty handle that owners can use to pick their dog up or pull them away from danger. This harness also includes MOLLE strips to enable owners to attach gear to their dog (the exact number varies based on the vest size).
This vest is made from nylon and can be hand washed with simple detergent and water and hung out to dry. It is also available in four different sizes. The small vest should fit dogs with a neck girth between 14 and 18 inches and a chest girth between 22 and 27 inches and the extra-large vest should fit dogs with a neck girth between 20 and 28 inches and a chest girth between 32 and 39 inches. The other two vest sizes fall in between this range. There are also several different color options available.
A small number of users reported a variety of different fit issues, including being too tight under their dog’s arms. Others said that buckles popped open during use.
Pros and Cons of the ICEFANG Tactical Dog Harness
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This harness is made from tough, durable material. | Some buyers said that the vest didn’t fit correctly. |
| It has strong metal buckles that have been load tested to ensure quality. | Buckles may pop open while dogs are wearing the harness. |
| It features a no-pull front leash clip, standard back clip, and a heavy duty handle. | |
| This harness features numerous MOLLE strips for attaching gear. | |
| It is available in four sizes to suit most dogs. |
- Nylon tactical dog vest with 2X metal buckles
- Front and side hook and loop panels
- Adjustable design with handle on back
- Available in 10 colors, sizes Small - XLarge
2. Best for Storage: Tactical Dog Harness with Pouches
If you’re looking for a harness that comes with pouches, consider the Tactical Dog Harness with Pouches.
This model is made from heavy-duty 1000D nylon fabric that is durable, waterproof, and long-lasting, making it ideal for all sorts of outdoor applications.
The harness features a MOLLE system and includes three detachable pouches. The pouches include a MOLLE utility pouch, waist bag, and first aid bag. You can customize the location of the pouches using the MOLLE strips on both sides of the vest. This vest also includes hook and loop panels along the top where you can attach badges and other personalized items.
This harness is available in several colors and comes is small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes. You can choose from khaki, army green, black, and camouflage color options. However, some customers have found that the sizes run large and that some of the straps loosen easily.
Pros and Cons of the Tactical Dog Harness with Pouches
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This harness is made from heavy-duty 1000D nylon fabric that is durable and waterproof. | The sizes run large. |
| It features MOLLE strips and three detachable pouches. | Some of the straps can loosen easily. |
| It has hook and loop panels on the top for attaching other items. | |
| There are four sizes available. |
•Adjustable tactical dog vest
•3 detachable pouches
•Molle strips for attachment
•Hook & loop panel
3. Best for Service Dogs: OneTigris Tactical Vest
The OneTigris Service Dog Tactical Harness is our favorite vest for service dogs.
The OneTigris harness is constructed from a durable 500D nylon material that is designed to resist water, dirt, and damage. It offers a comfortable, yet secure, fit for dogs with D-rings where handles can connect a lead or a leash to. The vest also has MOLLE strips and hidden EDC pockets with zippers on each side to allow your dog to carry essential supplies and materials. It also has a removable neck strap that allows the UTX-snap buttons to connect to a mobility assistance harness.
This vest comes in black, brown, and red and there are several sizes available. The small size is suitable for dogs with a neck girth between 16 and 30 inches, a chest girth between 17 and 38.5 inches, and a back length of 9.5 inches or a medium for dogs with a neck girth between 16 and 30 inches, a chest girth between 17 and 35 inches, and a back length around 13 inches. There are also adjustable straps on the neck and chest to ensure a proper fit for each pup. It is also padded for extra comfort. Unfortunately, some customers reported that some of the straps come loose easily.
Pros and Cons of the OneTigris Tactical Vest
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This harness is made from from a durable 500D nylon material. | Some of the straps come loose easily. |
| It has several D-rings for attaching a leash or handle. | |
| It is padded and features adjustable straps to ensure a comfortable fit. | |
| This harness features MOLLE strips and hidden pockets for carrying essential supplies. | |
| It has a removable neck strap so it can be attached to a mobility assistance harness. |
- Made of nylon
- The interior is padded and very comfortable
- Made for the toughest conditions
- Fully adjustable
4. Best for Large Dogs: Goat Trail Tactical Dog Harness
The Goat Trail Tactical Military Dog harness is our overall choice for large dogs because it fits dogs weighing up to 120 pounds and is a great choice for dogs of all breeds and sizes.
This vest features an anchored, no-pull system for leash attachment and X-stitching to assist in load-bearing properties of the harness. It is fully adjustable to create a snug, comfortable fit on your dog. The inside of the harness is engineered with padded mesh to provide extended comfort for your dog while wearing the harness without causing them to become too hot.
On the back of the harness is a thick, durable handle for extra control over your pup in necessary situations. The metal alloy buckles located on the shoulder regions are extra strong, so if you do have to grab or hold your pet by the vest they will be safe and secure without the risk of slipping from the vest or the vest coming apart. MOLLE straps are also sewn into the panels of the harness for extra storage capability, while fabric hook and loops provide added storage availability as well.
This vest is available in black or tan color. It also ranges in sizes from small (up to 33 lb), medium (33-65 lb), large (65-88 lb), and extra large (88-120lb). However, the only fault we can find with it is that some pup parents have found the sizes run a little big.
Pros and Cons of the Goat Trail Tactical Dog Harness
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This harness is made from padded mesh which is lightweight and comfortable. | The sizes run large. |
| This vest features an anchored, no-pull system for leash attachment. | |
| It has a thick, durable handle on the back for extra control. | |
| This harness features several MOLLE strips and hook and loop fastenings for storage capacity. | |
| There are several sizes available to fit dogs weighing up to 120 pounds. |
•Tactical dog harness, heavy duty
•Up to 120lb dogs
•Storage availability
•Comfortable padded mesh
Our Criteria: How We Chose the Best
Tactical dog vests can be great for hiking or adventuring with your pup; however, they usually serve a more serious purpose for safety of the dog. Whether your dog is working in the field or as a service dog, tactical vests usually provide a fair amount of security and storage for necessary items. When researching tactical vests for dogs, we make sure to base our results on necessary criteria such as practicality, effectiveness, storage availability, and durability. Most dogs using these vests require them for rough terrains and dirty situations, meaning the vests need to be sturdy and resistant to wear-and-tear.
Most of these vests come in neutral colors, such as tan or green, to allow a dog subtlety in the working world. We look for vests that come in various sizes and are adjustable for the most part to include a variety of breeds in our choices. Many tactical vests are seemingly similar, but a huge difference is the availability of storage points on the vest. Often times, descriptions of vests include “MOLLE” — an acronym for Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment — describing modern, military-equipment. This equipment is heavy duty and bears heavy loads, meaning that the MOLLE straps referred to on tactical dog vests are perfect for bearing heavy loads without breaking or tearing. If storage is what you’re after the more MOLLE straps/attachments, the better.
As for material, cotton is a popular one. However, nylon is also a commonly used material and it is more durable, breathable, and very light. Padded mesh used for comfort is also a good choice for owners who plan on keeping the dogs in their harnesses for long amounts of time, such as service dogs.
Again, taking practicality into mind when purchasing any type of attire for your pup is important. If you only require the vest for short day trips or your dog will only wear it for short periods at a time, opt for lightweight tactical vests with minimal storage (unless needed). If you plan on packing out and having the vest on your dog for long trips, choose light, comfortable, sturdy options with plenty of storage for your dog’s essentials. Vests that evenly distribute weight will be best if you plan on your dog carrying multiple items.
Overall, the type of tactical vest you choose depends on the purpose it serves, length your dog will be in it, and your dog’s comfort. We have narrowed down the many options on the market to a few we think are the best.
How to Choose the Best Tactical Dog Harness
If you’re looking for the right tactical dog harness for your dog, use the features outlined below to help you choose the right product for your needs. Since there are a number of options on the market, it is important to know what you are looking for before you begin shopping.
Durability
When choosing a tactical dog vest, you want to find one that is made from high-quality materials. The vest should be sturdy, durable, and able to withstand pulling or chewing. Tactical dog vests should also be water-resistant and able to hold up to very hot or cold temperatures.
Comfort and Fit
A proper fit is essential when choosing a tactical harness for your dog. Always check with the manufacturer’s sizing guide and take measurements of your dog to determine whether a large vest or a small vest is right for them.
Don’t forget to also consider your dog’s comfort in the harness. Fit will play a role in how comfortable each harness will be, but the materials used to make the harness and the support it offers are also important to consider.
Carrying Capabilities
One of the benefits of tactical harnesses is that they allow dogs to help carry supplies and other materials. When shopping for a harness, consider the design of each model and whether it offers an adequate number of hooks and pouches to fulfill your needs. Many tactical harnesses feature Velcro strips that make them compatible with MOLLE gear to allow you to customize the design and carrying capabilities.
Handling and Control
Finally, you will want to choose a tactical harness that allows you to maintain good control over your dog. Look for harnesses that include handles to grab or pick up your dog, in addition to multiple spots to connect a leash. This will help ensure that you can retain control of your dog, even in more questionable situations.
Up Next…
- Best Backpacks for Dogs — Looking for extra storage while hiking or camping? Have your dog carry their own essentials with these awesome dog backpacks!
- Reviewed: The 10 Best Dog Harnesses — If you’re looking for an everyday harness for your dog, check out our highest rated harnesses on the market.
- Here Are the Best Dog Leashes: Verified — Now that you have the vest, you need the leash. We have reviewed and ranked several leashes for you!
| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | ICEFANG Tactical Dog Harness with 2X Metal Buckle |
| Best for Storage | Tactical Dog Harness with Pouches |
| Best for Tactical Working Dogs | OneTigris Tactical Vest Nylon Front Clip Dog Harness |
| Best for Large Dogs | Goat Trail Tactical Dog Harness |
The Best Tactical Dog Vests FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What dog harness does the military use?
Military dogs are used for various operations and need to be able to help carry supplies. Tactical dog vests include pouches and compartments that allow them to perform this job. A tactical dog vest is also made out of more durable materials than standard harnesses. These materials are less likely to get caught or tear on different terrain.
How do I clean a tactical dog vest?
Consult with the manufacturer’s care instructions before trying to clean the specific vest you have. Most tactical vests are made out of nylon, which can be easily wiped down. You may also be able to wash some tactical harnesses in the washing machine.
Do service dogs need a tactical vest?
While a tactical vest may not be required for a service dog, it may be helpful. The added compartments and pouches on a tactical vest can help a service dog hold essential items for his or her owner.
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