Rubric v1 · 16 products scored
Harness rubric
Every product in this category is scored against the same rubric. Weights sum to 100. A hit on any disqualifier forces a "skip" verdict regardless of the point total.
Criteria & weights
1. Front-clip pull control
- 10Front-clip with load-spreading chest-plate
- 5Front-clip present, no chest-plate
- 0Back-clip only
2. Fit adjustability
- 105+ adjustment points
- 84 adjustment points
- 63 adjustment points
- 32 adjustment points
3. Shoulder and gait clearance
- 10Y-front (clears shoulder)
- 6H-front
- 2T-front / across-shoulder strap
4. Chest-plate load spread
- 10Padded plate 4 in or more
- 6Padded plate under 4 in
- 4Nylon strap only
- 0No plate
5. Buckle and hardware
- 10Metal buckles + metal D-ring + welded load points
- 6Metal D-ring for leash
- 3Plastic buckles only
6. Escape resistance
- 103 straps + martingale-style tightening
- 83 straps (adds belly strap)
- 42 straps
7. Materials and durability
- 10Ripstop or ballistic nylon
- 6Standard nylon webbing
- 3Neoprene-only shell
8. Reflectivity / night visibility
- 10360 reflective + light loop
- 5Stitched reflective piping
- 0None
9. Sizing range coverage
- 105+ sizes or XS-XXL span
- 63-4 sizes
- 31-2 sizes
Disqualifiers
Any of the following forces a "skip" verdict, no matter how well the product scores on other criteria. Non-negotiable.
- No sizing chart with chest girth in inches
- Any recall in the last 24 months (CPSC or manufacturer)
- Marketed as no-pull using only aversive pressure points
Verdict thresholds
Total score cutoffs for each public verdict tier. Sum of weighted criterion scores maps directly onto these bands.
- Editors' pick
- ≥ 80
- Solid buy
- ≥ 65
- Situational
- ≥ 50