Animals Pets The 10 Best Durable and Eco-Friendly Dog Leashes of 2023 Max and Neo’s reflective leash is our dog expert’s top choice. By Mary Jo DiLonardo Mary Jo DiLonardo LinkedIn Twitter Senior Writer University of Cincinnati Mary Jo DiLonardo has worked in print, online, and broadcast journalism for 25 years and covers nature, health, science, and animals. Learn about our editorial process Updated August 22, 2022 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Animals Wildlife Pets Animal Rights Endangered Species We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Getty Whether you want to take your dog on a walk, a run, or a fun training adventure, a good leash is key. It’s the way you communicate with your pet and keep them from taking off after a squirrel or some other fascinating distraction. Leashes come in different lengths, widths, and materials. There are plenty of recyclable and sustainable options, but nylon leashes can also be incredibly durable. Unless your dog is a chewer and destroys it, a good leash can last forever. Here are our eco-friendly and durable picks for your buddy. Some are specifically for training or for walking two pups at once. One can be used in an impressive six configurations. They’re all popular with dog owners and we’ve personally tried many of them and can vouch for their hardiness and comfort. What are you waiting for? Want to go for a WALK? Here are the best dog leashes: The Rundown Best Overall: Max and Neo Dog Gear Nylon Reflective Double Dog Leash at Amazon Jump to Review Best Natural Materials: WigglywoosPet Just Hemp Rope Dog Leash at Etsy Jump to Review Best for Running: Ruffwear Flat Out Dog Leash at Amazon Jump to Review Best Hands-Free: Kurgo Quantum 6-In-1 Dog Leash at Amazon Jump to Review Best Recycled: LupinePet Eco Recycled Dog Leash at Amazon Jump to Review Best Rope: Mountain Dog Original Clip Leash at Mountaindogproducts.com Jump to Review Best Sustainable: The Good Dog Company Hemp Dog Leash at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Training: Leashboss Long Dog Training Leash at Amazon Jump to Review Best for 2 Dogs: Mighty Paw BungeeX2 Nylon Reflective Double Dog Leash at Amazon Jump to Review Best Retractable: Flexi Neon Nylon Tape Reflective Retractable Dog Leash at Walmart Jump to Review Best Overall Max and Neo Dog Gear Nylon Reflective Double Dog Leash 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Chewy View On Maxandneo.com This double-handled leash with reflective stitching is an excellent everyday option, making it our top overall choice. The padded handle is comfortable for even the longest walks and the extra handle is great for when you need to keep your dog a little closer to your side. There's a helpful D-ring at the top that you can use to clip on keys, your poop bags, or a small light. The leash washes well, is long-lasting yet flexible, and comes in seven colors. Plus, for every product you buy, they donate one to one of the 3,500 rescues around the country they support. Price at time of publish: $17 "I’ll admit I’m biased about Max & Neo, but I love this company. All their products are so durable. I foster puppies and I just keep using the same collars and leashes for each one that comes through the door." ~ Mary Jo DiLonardo, Treehugger writer & puppy foster mom Best Natural Materials WigglywoosPet Just Hemp Rope Dog Leash Courtesy of Etsy View On Etsy If you’re looking for something that’s basic and natural, Wigglywoos offers this sturdy hemp rope leash. It’s made from 0.4 inch three-strand hemp rope with no dyes or chemicals. Although hemp rope feels soft, it’s strong and long-lasting. Each leash is slightly different because they’re individually made. They are finished with a decorative hemp whipping twine in one of nine colors including dusty pink, slate, and red. The leash comes in four lengths ranging from 3 to 6 feet and is also available in a thicker 0.5-inch rope. Best for Running Ruffwear Flat Out Dog Leash Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Backcountry.com You want your hands free when running, so you need a leash that can be worn around your waist. Ruffwear has two really good options. The Flat Out leash is lightweight with a swiveling talon clip for easy movement for your dog. You can clip the leash around your waist or turn it into a padded handle for walks. It can also transform into a short tether when you momentarily need to secure your pet to a tree or a post. The leash is 6 feet long and comes in nine colors and designs. Ruffwear also has a Roamer leash that is very similar but has a bungee built into the length of the leash. It allows for more exploring and less tugging for your canine sport companion. Price at time of publish: $35 The 11 Best Durable Dog Toys of 2023 Best Hands-Free Kurgo Quantum 6-In-1 Dog Leash Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Kurgo.com View On PETCO This leash does it all. It converts six different ways, depending on where you place the carabiner. You can loop it around your waist for running, over your shoulder for hands-free walking, turn it into a double-dog leash, a tether to hitch your dog, or it becomes a basic 6-foot or 3-foot standard leash. The reflective leash has a padded handle that moves depending on the configuration. The leash adjusts from 48 to 72 inches and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. It’s available in six bright colors. Price at time of publish: $30 Best Recycled LupinePet Eco Recycled Dog Leash Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Lupinepet.com Made out of recycled plastic bottles, this leash from LupinePet’s eco line has a comfortable padded handle and is available in six colors, three widths, and three lengths. You’ll find one for the tiniest puppy and there’s sure to be an earthy hue to match your pet’s favorite color scheme. This small company is based in Conway, New Hampshire, where it has all on-site manufacturing. Everything is made by hand in the same building, a company spokesperson tells Treehugger. They make only what they need and have very little wasted material. Like their collars, leashes have an “even if chewed” lifetime guarantee. Price at time of publish: $20 Best Rope Mountain Dog Original Clip Leash Courtesy of Mountain Dog View On Mountaindogproducts.com This durable leash is made from recycled climbing rope. It keeps the material out of a landfill and repurposes it for your daily walks. Climbing rope is strong and comfortable and we think it looks pretty cool too. All Mountain Dog products are made by hand and are intended to last a lifetime. Packaging contains recycled material and as an extra nod to minimalism and sustainability, there’s not even a product label. Price at time of publish: $20 for 1ft Traffic Lead Best Sustainable The Good Dog Company Hemp Dog Leash Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Thegooddogcompany.com Good Dog Company leashes and collars are made of 55% hemp and 45% certified organic cotton. The fabric is softer than nylon, yet very durable. The softness is key if you happen to grab the leash on occasion. You won’t get that nasty leash burn. The products are machine-washable. They have heavy-duty stitching on the edges to help prevent fraying. They come in a rainbow of nine earthy colors ranging from marigold to avocado, that match the collars. The collars and leashes won’t get smelly, even if they get wet. Price at time of publish: $28 Best for Training Leashboss Long Dog Training Leash Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Leashboss.com If you have a new puppy or a new dog, it’s always a good idea to work on recall. One way to do that is to put your dog on a long training lead and reward them when they run back as you call their name. These long leashes can be heavy and unwieldy and difficult to store, but they’re a super training tool. This 15-foot version from Leashboss is the length that many trainers recommend. It comes with a handy strap to keep the leash from unfurling when you’re not using it. It’s also handy for hiking when you’d like your dog to have freedom without the dangers of actually being off-leash. Price at time of publish: $24 The 9 Best Organic Dog Treats of 2023 Best for 2 Dogs Mighty Paw BungeeX2 Nylon Reflective Double Dog Leash Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Chewy Trying to take two dogs for a walk at the same time can be part gymnastics and part ballet. Logistics are so much easier with a dedicated double-dog leash like this one. You hold a leash with a padded handle that connects to a split attachment with two bungees, one for each dog. There’s also a swivel attachment that prevents tangling and reflective thread to help with visibility. There are three sizes depending on the weights of your walking companions. The double-dog design reduces stress on your wrist and shoulders. Price at time of publish: $19 Best Retractable Flexi Neon Nylon Tape Reflective Retractable Dog Leash Courtesy of Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Chewy Most dog trainers aren’t fans of retractable leashes because it can be hard to control your pet in an emergency or you may find yourself painfully reaching for the cord to pull your dog to you. But if you love retractable leashes, this is from the German company that invented them. It has several safety precautions including an attached safety collar to prevent the leash from snapping back in case your dog’s collar breaks. The leash has a one-handed breaking system, smooth-rolling neon tape for easy visibility, and an ergonomic handle. The appeal of the Flexi is that it gives your dog freedom to roam but you can bring them back in closely when you need more control. Just be sure to keep your hands away from the tape and never let it wrap around any part of your body. Price at time of publish: $28 Final Verdict Our top pick is the Max and Neo Double Handle Heavy Duty Dog Leash because it's rugged, has two handles, and the company will donate an item to a rescue with every purchase. For a sustainable choice, check out the Wigglywoos Just Hemp Rope Dog Leash. It’s made from strong yet soft hemp rope with no dyes or chemicals. Why Trust Treehugger The proud mom of a rescue dog, Mary Jo DiLonardo has fostered more than 30 dogs and puppies. She’s walked a lot of puppies and dogs during that time so she relies on sturdy yet comfortable leashes. For more than 25 years, Mary Jo has covered a wide range of topics focused on nature, pets, science, and anything that helps make the world a better place. She has spent six years with Treehugger, formerly under the Mother Nature Network brand. The 9 Best Eco-Friendly Dog Beds of 2023