2 Hounds Design Freedom Harness Review: Is It Worth the Price?

Genuine pulling control when used correctly

With a double-ended leash and both clips engaged, the Freedom Harness is among the more effective management tools for dogs that pull consistently. The martingale loop adds a self-correcting element that most front-clip-only harnesses lack — when the dog lunges forward, the front ring redirects them sideways while the back clip prevents the whole harness from rotating out of position. For handlers who take the time to learn the dual-clip system, the difference over a single-clip harness is noticeable.

Wide size range

The Freedom Harness comes in a broader size range than many competitors, with options for dogs from small breeds under 10 pounds up to very large dogs over 100 pounds. The extended size availability matters for owners of large and giant breeds who struggle to find harnesses with adequate hardware for their dog’s size and pulling force.

Velvet chest lining is a thoughtful detail

The chest strap on the Freedom Harness is lined with a soft velvet material, which reduces friction on the sternum during walks. For dogs with fine-coated or sensitive skin, this is a meaningful difference from bare nylon webbing. It does not replace proper padding, but it is a better finish than most harnesses in this price range offer at the chest contact point.

Reputable small-brand customer service

2 Hounds Design has a reputation for responsive customer service and a reasonable exchange policy for size issues. Given that sizing the Freedom Harness is genuinely tricky — more on this below — the ability to exchange without friction is worth factoring in. Owners who measure carefully and still end up with the wrong fit report the process is straightforward to resolve.

It requires a double-ended leash — which many buyers do not realise

This is the single most common source of disappointment with the Freedom Harness. The dual-clip martingale mechanism only functions when both attachment points are in use simultaneously, which requires a double-ended leash. With a standard single-clip leash attached to the front ring, the Freedom Harness works as a basic front-clip harness — effective, but no more so than any other front-clip option at a fraction of the price. Many owners spend $45 and wonder why the results are not noticeably better than their previous harness.

Sizing is inconsistent across body types

The Freedom Harness sizes by girth, but dogs within the same girth range vary significantly in neck size, chest depth, and back length. The harness adjusts at the neck and back, but the adjustment range within a given size is limited enough that dogs with non-standard proportions — deep-chested breeds, dogs with notably thick or thin necks, barrel-bodied dogs — often find the fit awkward even after careful measurement. Exchange rates for sizing are high, and some owners cycle through two or three sizes before finding one that works.

Nylon absorbs moisture and odour over time

The Freedom Harness is made from nylon webbing, which is not waterproof or odour-resistant. Dogs that swim, walk in rain, or simply generate a lot of body heat will find the nylon retains moisture between uses and starts to smell within a few months of regular use. Washing helps but does not fully reset the material after extended use. For active dogs or dogs in wet climates, this is a genuine maintenance consideration.

Plastic hardware limits suitability for large, strong pullers

The Freedom Harness uses plastic side-release buckles and adjustment sliders. For dogs under about 40 pounds, this is adequate. For larger dogs — and particularly for strong pullers whose full body weight goes into a lunge — plastic hardware flexes and deforms under repeated stress. Over months of daily use, the adjustment sliders loosen and the buckles become less reliable. The irony is that the dogs who could benefit most from the dual-clip martingale mechanism are often the dogs for whom the hardware is least adequate.

Owners willing to use a double-ended leash

If you are prepared to buy a double-ended leash and use both clips consistently, the Freedom Harness delivers noticeably better pulling control than a single-clip front harness. Owners who do this and combine it with reward-based training report the best results.

Medium-sized dogs with average body proportions

The Freedom Harness fits most reliably on dogs in the 25–60 pound range with fairly standard proportions. Deep-chested breeds, very lean breeds, and dogs with notably large or small neck-to-chest ratios tend to have fitting difficulties. If your dog has typical Labrador or Golden Retriever proportions, the fit will likely be straightforward.

Dogs that do not swim or spend extended time wet

If your dog’s walks are primarily dry and the harness is removed between walks, the nylon construction will hold up well for a long time. The odour and moisture issue only becomes a practical problem for dogs that get wet regularly.

Large and giant breeds over 60 pounds that pull hard

The plastic hardware is the limiting factor. For a 70-pound Husky or a 90-pound German Shepherd that pulls with full body weight on every walk, the buckles and sliders on the Freedom Harness are not built for that sustained load. You need metal hardware throughout — specifically zinc alloy D-rings and adjustment sliders. Our guide to no-pull harnesses for large dogs covers the hardware requirements in detail.

Owners who want simplicity

If the idea of learning a dual-clip system, buying a separate double-ended leash, and managing two attachment points is unappealing, the Freedom Harness is going to feel complicated. A well-made single harness with a front D-ring, good padding, and reliable hardware will deliver similar results with less equipment to manage.

Dogs that swim, live in wet climates, or stay active year-round outdoors

Nylon webbing and regular water exposure do not work well together long-term. If your dog swims after every walk, you will be washing the harness frequently and replacing it sooner than the price justifies. A waterproof or water-resistant harness material holds up significantly better in these conditions.

Bottom line: The Freedom Harness is a well-designed product that works as advertised — but only when used as intended with a double-ended leash, on a dog whose proportions fit the sizing, and by an owner who is comfortable managing a two-clip system. For the specific owner profile it suits, it is among the better options in its price range. For everyone else, it is worth looking at what else the no-pull harness market offers.

Dual clip options on a single harness

A front D-ring for pulling control and a back D-ring for casual walks once leash manners improve. The Freedom Harness has this. So do most good no-pull harnesses. What matters is that the front D-ring stays centered on the sternum under load — not migrating to the shoulder joint. See our front clip vs back clip guide for a full explanation of when to use each.

Three-point adjustment

Neck, chest, and belly adjustment points give a harness the range to fit different body shapes within a size range. The Freedom Harness adjusts at neck and back, but lacks a dedicated belly adjustment, which is why it fits standard-proportioned dogs well and struggles with non-standard ones.

Neoprene padding, not velvet or thin mesh

Velvet lining on the chest strap is a thoughtful finish, but neoprene padding on both the chest strap and underarm straps provides meaningfully better long-term comfort. Neoprene does not compress flat with use, does not retain moisture the way nylon does, and reduces chafing on daily walks better than any surface treatment of nylon webbing.

Metal hardware throughout for medium and large dogs

Zinc alloy D-rings and adjustment sliders, not plastic. For dogs over 30–40 pounds who pull on every walk, the hardware is the component that wears out first. Metal hardware maintains its shape and function through years of daily use; plastic hardware deforms and loosens over months.

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