A tiny dog harness vest is a great option for keeping your dog safe and secure on outings. One of the most popular styles is the step-in mesh harness. These work particularly well for a number of reasons. Mesh is breathable and lightweight, and the step-in style avoids anxiety issues some dogs have with anything going over their head. A tiny dog harness vest also goes on really quick for dogs that won’t stand still for adjustments to strap harnesses. I have used step-in mesh harnesses for years and they work very well for my Toy Poodles. After years of use, I need to replace one, so I thought I’d compare some of the best-selling tiny dog harness vests on the market today before I buy. Are there really any differences between them? Let’s compare…….
My three Toy Poodles were good sports about me using them as models (I’m sure the treats they got had a lot to do with it). As a reference, Charlie is 8lbs and chest 14.5″, Simon is 7lbs and chest 14″, and Fred is 6.5lbs and chest 14″. I ordered the recommended size per each product’s sizing chart. (This post contains affiliate links. When you buy via these links, I may earn a commission at no cost to you).
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1. Puppia Harness Soft B Vest
Key Features
- Adjustable Velcro for snugger fit
- Padded leg holes and harness trim to prevent chafing
- Securely fastens with strong Velcro, D-rings and one-click buckle
- No reflective material (the Harness Pro model has reflective strips)
- Larger D-rings and buckle than some other mesh harnesses
- Leash attachment on pet’s back
- Multiple cute colors and patterns to choose from
- Minimum girth 9.4″
- Harness weight 2.33 oz (M)
This harness is a bestseller with thousands of 5-star reviews. The small fits perfect on Fred and Simon. I did try out the medium size for Charlie who is a 14.5″ chest girth and could adjust the Velcro small enough to make it work but could easily go with the small for all three. The sizing chart is odd, which seemed to be the major complaint among negative reviewers. I’m thinking that maybe it is a typo on the sizing chart for the small size and it should state 14.5″ not 12.5″ for the small. If that is the case, then a small would be the correct choice for my Poodles. The padded leg holes are a little smaller than the Bark Appeal and Voyager harnesses, not sure if that provides a more secure fit or not. This harness feels really well-built. The larger D-rings and buckle may be helpful for people with larger hands or arthritic hands. The buckle is very easy to clasp and unclasp. My issue is the plastic buckle isn’t padded, and it sits (albeit lightly) on my Poodle’s back. Normally I wouldn’t be concerned but they are all cut super short for the summer so have very little hair to cushion the buckle. So far, I have not seen any chafing issues but might be something to consider for short hair doggies.
2. Voyager Step-In Air Dog Harness (TOP PICK)
Key Features
- Securely fastens with Velcro, one-click buckle and D-rings
- Adjustable Velcro for snugger fit
- Smaller buckle and D-rings
- Leash attachment on pet’s back
- Lots of colors to choose from
- Reflective material bands on sides of harness
- Padded leg holes and harness trim to prevent chafing
- Very affordable
- Minimum girth 10″
- Extremely lightweight 1.55 oz (XS)
This harness has THOUSANDS of positive reviews for good reason. I’ve had mine for a while now. It’s lightweight, comfortable, super easy to get on my pups, and I actually get a lot of compliments from other pet parents. I like that the closure is strong Velcro, D-rings and a buckle, one on top of the other, for added security. This harness has one of the smallest buckles in review but is smooth and easy enough to use that I can buckle and unbuckle with one hand. The reflective bands, although small, work really well. Voyager makes a soft plush step-in version that got great ratings as well. Per sizing chart, I went with a XS, and it fits all three Poodles well.
3. Joytale Step In Dog Harness (TOP PICK)
Key Features
- Adjustable Velcro for snugger fit
- Padded leg holes and harness trim to prevent chafing
- Securely fastens with Velcro, D-rings and small one-click buckle with safety lock
- Front clip for ID tags and small mesh pocket for contact info
- Reflective piping and bands
- Multiple colors to choose from
- Leash attachment on pet’s back
- Very affordable
- Minimum chest girth 10.5″
- Harness weight 2.29 oz (XS)
Joytale offers tons of pet products in many different colors. This harness seems well-made and nicely padded with reinforced stitching on the buckle straps. The buckle is easy to clasp and unclasp with a safety lock feature built in for added security. Velcro is strong. I love how highly reflective this harness is. I ordered the XS per sizing chart and it fits all three Poodles well. This harness is very affordable and comes in a couple smaller sizes than I needed, designed to fit even the tiniest of dogs.
4. Bark Appeal Step-In Dog Harness
Key Features
- Adjustable Velcro for snugger fit
- Padded leg holes and harness trim to prevent chafing
- Securely fastens with Velcro, D-rings and small one-click buckle
- No reflective stitching (some models only)
- Multiple cute colors and patterns to choose from
- Leash attachment on pet’s back
- Affordable
- Minimum chest girth 9″
- Harness weight 1.66 oz (S)
Bark Appeal is a family-owned business based in California. They have been making high-quality pet products for decades and I like that they donate a portion of their products to rescues. We first discovered Bark Appeal years ago when shopping for a harness for my Toy Poodle, Sparky. He was a super skinny guy with long legs. I’ve had this harness so long that the size tag is too worn, but it is most likely an extra small. This harness has withstood almost 10 years of heat, rain, and snow and is still in pretty great shape. I will say that the Velcro isn’t as sticky as it used to be and the harness is a little stretched out from Sparky’s constant pulling, but still works like it should! Easy on/easy off and have never had an issue with chafing. Mine does not have reflective material, so when I’m ready to replace, it’ll be with that upgrade. The buckle is the smallest on this review and is tight, which may be an issue for arthritic hands. EDIT – I ended up ordering a new harness, a small per sizing chart. The harness fit Charlie but was too loose across the chest for Fred and Simon making it very easy for them to back out of it. You may have to size down.
5. EcoBark Step In Dog Harness
Key Features
- Securely fastens with Velcro, one-click buckle and D-rings
- Adjustable Velcro for snugger fit
- Padded leg holes and harness trim to prevent chafing
- Lots of colors and patterns to choose from
- Leash attachment on pet’s back
- Reflective material bands
- Minimum girth 8″
- Harness weight 2.33 oz (S)
EcoBark makes several quality products with very small dogs in mind. They are a USA based company that not only uses recycled materials for their products and packaging, but also donates to charities that support animals. I like the extra padding around leg holes to prevent chafing and the Velcro closure for extra security and minor harness adjustments. The mesh material is nicely padded. Many reviewers warn that sizing charts are off so it may take several attempts before finding the perfect fit. Per sizing chart, I chose the small and it fit Fred and Simon well. The small was too tight on Charlie, but his chest is larger. EcoBark makes this harness for even the tiniest of dogs. This is looks exactly like the Puppia Harness except for reflective bands and the EcoBark buckle seems a little more robust (stitching and nylon straps). The buckle itself is tight and I have to really push down with my thumb and finger to get the buckle to release, not sure if that’s because the harness is new. Like the Puppia harness, the buckle is really close to my dog’s neck, I prefer the buckle to be over a padded area, but it may work well for others.
6. RC Pet Products Step In Cirque Dog Harness
Key Features
- Specifically designed for small dogs
- Hook-and-loop (Velcro and D-rings) closure makes it easy for people with reduced hand mobility
- Step-in style
- Reflective logo on front
- Lots of colors to choose from
- Leash attachment on pet’s back
- Breathable mesh material
- Minimum girth 13.5″
- Harness weight 1.20 oz (XXS)
RC Pets has been making quality pet products for years. The step-in style of harness is great for any pups with anxiety issues. Although there are no adjustable straps, the two Velcro strips can be repositioned for a tighter or looser fit. RC Pets has a loyal fan base, and this harness is highly rated. Most complaints center around sizing issues and inconsistencies even when people measured their pets, and some felt the Velcro closures weren’t strong enough or don’t last very long. The Velcro did seem weaker compared to other harnesses in this review, but I like that the harness closures are designed for people with reduced hand mobility and independent of each other for a more individualized fit. Per sizing chart, I ordered the XXS, and it fits Charlie, but is a little too big on Fred and Simon. The D-rings are the thickest of all harnesses in this review and barely fit in the small leash clip on my leash. The mesh is probably the least padded on this list but feels comfortable and durable. The reflective logo sits low on my Poodle’s chest, so it is hard to see. Overall, the lightest and easiest to put on, just a little too big for tiny dogs.
Conclusion
A tiny dog harness vest helps keep your pup secure and any of the step-in mesh harnesses on this list would work well for dogs that are good leash walkers. They are all lightweight and well-made. There are some minor differences between the mesh harnesses like buckle placement and size, and Velcro size. Also, some harnesses have a slightly thicker mesh material. What it came down to for me is buckle placement. The buckle being padded by Velcro closure worked better for my Poodle’s frame. After reviewing several mesh harnesses, I would say my top choices for a tiny dog harness vest are Joytale and Voyager. The Joytale harness is really affordable and is made with great reflective material. The Voyager is also very affordable and comes in a ton of great colors. I’d love to hear what step-in harness your favorite is and why. Have you tried any of the harnesses listed above? If so, what is your opinion of them?