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Long dog leashes are an excellent management tool, giving your dog more freedom to move around while keeping them safe. Long lines are especially helpful for pups who haven’t built a reliable recall yet, reactive dogs and escape artists who need to be on-lead, and pet parents who live in the city and have limited off-leash space to exercise their dogs. They’re also fantastic for training, hiking, camping, dog sports, and sniffy walks for your pup to decompress.
Good long dog leashes all share a few common qualities. First, they’re made of durable and safe materials. Second, they have strong metal clasps to keep your dog securely attached. And lastly, many feature reflective materials for better visibility. The length of leash you choose will depend on you and your dog’s specific needs.
From extra-long lines for recall training to hands-free climbing-inspired leads, we’ve rounded up the best long dog leashes for all types of romps.
Best for Everyday Walks: MayPaw Heavy Duty Rope Leash (Verified Review)
Extending the length of your leash by just a few feet can completely change your dog’s neighborhood walks. Available in 10, 12, and 15 feet, this rope-style leash offers a manageable length for daily use while giving your dog more room to explore and check out all the great smells around the block.
We tried this leash in the 10-foot length and found it to be great for everyday walks and daily training. It’s short enough to maintain control in a busier environment while still long enough to give your pup more space to do all the natural doggy things like sniffing, rolling, and playing. The strong, thick nylon rope holds up well and doesn’t knot up. The padded handle is also a nice touch, especially for pups who pull. We did find it gets a little heavy when wet and takes a while to dry—something to consider if you live in a wet climate.
This 10-foot leash gives Rover test pup Roo plenty of room for her daily termite time.
Things to Know:
- Made of strong nylon rope
- Longer lengths come in 10, 12, and 15 feet
- Padded handle adds comfort
- Thick rope keeps leash knot-free
- Affordably priced
- Not the best for rainy weather
Best Hands-Free: Ruffwear Hitch Hiker Leash (Verified Review)
If you prefer to keep your hands free while walking your dog, this adjustable Ruffwear lead is one of the longest hands-free leashes around, extending out to 12 feet. The waistband also doubles as a hitch, letting you secure your dog to a nearby pole or tree.
In our testing, we loved the lightweight and compact design but found it worked best for small to medium-sized dogs. We especially appreciated how easy it was to use for hikes, camping trips, training sessions, and casual strolls. Pet parents with powerful pullers may want to find a belt with more cushion, though, as the waistband has no padding.
Reel up the rope for loose leash training, then let it out for a decompression walk.
Things to Know:
- Climbing-inspired rope leash extends to 12 feet
- A two-in-one system doubles as a hands-free leash and hitch
- Stow bag for leash when not at full length
- Strong lockable Crux Clip for extra security
- Works best for small to medium-sized dogs
Best Waterproof: Nimble Waterproof Dog Leash Lead (Verified Review)
There’s nothing worse than lugging around a huge, heavy, wet leash on outdoor adventures. If you have a dog who loves being in the water or you live in a place with lots of rain and snow, a waterproof long line is a must. This Nimble leash is water, odor, and dirt-resistant, making it great for trips to the river, beach, and lake. The strap is soft, and the half-inch width gives it a nice, light feel. But don’t let that fool you. This tough guy can hold up to 750 pounds of pull force. Although, in our experience, this comes with a caveat.
Since the width is on the thin side, this long leash is more prone to knotting, which can be hard to undo. If the knots tighten deeper into your leash, they wear the material down and eventually break the line. Rover test pup Roo made this discovery on a road trip when snapping her 16-foot Nimble leash at the knot after a big reaction.
Still, the incident was a human error, and this long leash remains one of our favorites on the market. Plus, with such an affordable price point, we immediately replaced it with a new, knot-free line.
This waterproof leash is fantastic for all types of adventuring near the water (just be wary of knots!).
Things to Know:
- Affordable and waterproof long leash
- Available in 10, 16, 30, and 50-feet lengths
- Half-inch width gives it a lightweight feel
- Dirt and odor-resistant
- Handle for added grip
- The thin leash is more prone to knotting
Best Multipurpose: Sarah Says Pet Waterproof Dog Leash
This Sarah Says leash offers a great solution if you have to go through busier areas before getting to an open space to let your dog romp. Along with a length of either 10 or 30 feet, the line has an attachable 8-inch traffic handle. This added control is also helpful for reactive dogs and pullers until you can get them to a trigger-free field or forest. Plus, the converter clip lets you use the leash as a tie-out for camping, beach trips, and picnics.
Like many waterproof leashes, it features a coated web material, which prevents the long line from absorbing dirt, sand, moisture, and odors. Some reviewers say this coating has a strong plastic smell but also note that it goes away within a week or so.
Things to Know:
- Available in two sizes (10 and 30 feet) and two widths (3/8 and 5/8 inch)
- Includes an 8-inch traffic handle
- Uses waterproofing-coated web material
- Doubles as a tie-out
Best for Camping: XiaZ Dog Tie Out for Camping
Giving your dog a long tie out when camping helps ensure they have plenty of room to enjoy the experience while still staying close by. This camping tie-out is a little different than some of the traditional anchoring systems that hitch to one tree or anchor to the ground. Instead, this overhead system works by tying a nylon rope between two trees (or other anchors) and uses a trolley system. This setup allows your dog plenty of space to move and explore while keeping them safely contained.
The kit features durable and reflective nylon rope, two carabiners, and a swivel clip that completes the trolley system. It also has a convenient carrying case to pack with your camping gear. Available in four sizes, this leash comes in either a 50-, 70-, 75-, or 100-foot length.
Things to Know:
- Unique tie-out with overhead trolley system
- Four rope lengths: 50, 70, 75, and 100 feet
- Features reflective properties
- Uses 360-degree swivel
Comes with a carrying case
Best for Recall Training: Hi Kiss Dog Obedience and Recall Leash (Verified Review)
Long lines are perfect for recall training, giving your pup plenty of space to practice while keeping them safe. Highly rated on Amazon, the Hi Kiss leash offers five lengths for your recall training journey: 15, 20, 30, 50, and 100 feet. Each length offers an incredible budget-friendly price, so you can even buy a few in different sizes and colors—we went with the 30-foot rainbow lead.
The Hi Kiss leash was Rover test pup Roo’s first long line, and boy, did we put it to the test. This durable nylon leash held up to over two years of training, hiking, fetching, exercising—you name it (see the leash in action in the reel below) before finally kicking the bucket. Like the Nimble leash above, Roo’s human was not great at de-tangling the Hi Kiss, and it eventually snapped at a knot. (See a pattern here?)
Things to Know:
- Measures 3/4″ wide and comes in five lengths: 15-100 feet
- Made of durable nylon with reinforced stitching
- Excellent value for price
- Not waterproof and takes time to dry
- Will break if worn down by knots over time
Best Heavy Duty: Viper Biothane Waterproof Lead (Verified Review)
Biothane leashes have sturdy polyester webbing and heavy-duty, waterproof coating, making them super tough and easy to clean. After breaking two long leashes because of knots, Roo and Co. wanted to find a heftier leash with a broader width that would be harder to tangle up in knots. Enter the Viper biothane lead.
Available in a 3/4-inch width, this durable leash comes in four sizes: 10, 15, 20, and 33 feet. Upon first testing it out, we immediately noticed the superb quality of the material, right down to how nice it felt in our hands. It stood up well to challenging terrain, surviving getting stuck in rock crevices and dunking into riverbeds. It is heavier than other leashes we’ve reviewed, so it might not be the best fit for smaller pups.
The Viper leash is much easier to clean than a stinky (albeit happy) wet dog.
Things to Know:
- Heavy-duty, biothane leash
- Waterproof and odor-proof, easy to clean
- Available in four long sizes, from 10-33 feet
- Offers a wide width that won’t tangle
- High quality but also heavy (not for tiny pups)
- Not chew-proof
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We prioritized long dog leashes that were versatile, durable, and made of quality materials. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pups, who are never stingy with their feedback (thanks, Roo!).
