Hitting the road with your furry best friend should be an adventure, not a source of anxiety. Whether it’s a quick trip to the vet, a weekend getaway, or a cross-country trek, ensuring your dog is safe and comfortable in the car is paramount. That’s where specialized gear comes in, and one brand that consistently pops up in conversations among dog owners is Kurgo. They’ve carved out a niche focusing specifically on products designed to make travelling with dogs easier and safer. We decided to take a closer look at some of their popular harnesses and travel accessories to see if they live up to the hype.
Taking a Look at Kurgo Harnesses
A good harness is often the cornerstone of safe car travel for dogs. Unlike attaching a tether directly to a collar, which can cause serious neck injury in a sudden stop, a well-designed harness distributes force across the dog’s chest and shoulders. Kurgo offers several options, but two frequently mentioned models are the Tru-Fit Smart Harness and the Journey Air Harness.
The Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness
Often touted as their flagship safety product, the Tru-Fit Smart Harness is built with vehicle safety as its primary focus. What immediately stands out is its construction. It feels substantial, made with strong seatbelt-style webbing and robust metal hardware. It features five adjustment points, which is crucial for achieving a snug, secure fit on dogs of various shapes and sizes. A poorly fitting harness is almost as bad as no harness at all.
Getting the fit right does take a few minutes initially, but once adjusted, it’s relatively easy to put on and take off using the quick-release buckles. The harness includes a chest pad, which likely adds comfort and helps distribute pressure more evenly in the event of an impact. Critically, it comes with a seat belt tether loop. This webbing loop, combined with the included carabiner and 10-inch dog seat belt tether, allows you to securely connect your dog to the car’s seatbelt system. The idea is to restrain the dog, preventing them from becoming a projectile or distracting the driver, while still allowing some movement.
Real-world Use: Putting the Tru-Fit on a medium-sized terrier mix revealed the importance of those adjustment points. After some fiddling, the fit was secure without being restrictive. The dog seemed comfortable wearing it both in and out of the car (it has leash attachment points too, making it versatile). The seat belt tether was easy to use – clip the carabiner to the harness loop and thread the car’s seatbelt through the tether loop. The dog could sit, lie down, and look out the window but couldn’t roam the car or jump into the front seat. The overall feeling was one of enhanced security.
Verified Safety Focus: Kurgo states that their Tru-Fit Smart Harness has been crash-tested, based on child safety seat standards, for dogs up to 75 lbs at established university testing facilities. While no mandatory government standard exists for dog harnesses, this commitment to testing provides significant peace of mind. Always ensure you are using the harness and tether according to the manufacturer’s instructions for maximum effectiveness.
The Kurgo Journey Air Harness
If your adventures involve more than just car rides, the Journey Air Harness might be a better fit. While still suitable for car travel (using the same tether system), it’s designed with active dogs in mind. It’s noticeably lighter and features a broader, padded chest plate with a breathable mesh construction. This makes it seem more comfortable for longer wear, especially during hikes or other activities.
Like the Tru-Fit, it boasts all-metal hardware – a big plus for durability compared to harnesses relying on plastic buckles. It has four adjustment points, slightly fewer than the Tru-Fit, but still sufficient for achieving a good fit on most dogs. It features both front and back leash attachment points. The front D-ring is often preferred by owners working on loose-leash walking, as it helps redirect pulling, while the back ring is standard for everyday walks or attaching the seatbelt tether.
Real-world Use: This harness felt less cumbersome than the Tru-Fit, making it an excellent choice for dogs who will transition directly from the car to a trail. The breathable mesh seemed appreciated, especially in warmer weather. The fit was secure, and the dog moved freely without any signs of chafing or discomfort, even after wearing it for an extended period. It connected to the seat belt tether just as easily as the Tru-Fit. For dogs who do a lot of hiking or outdoor activities in addition to car travel, the Journey Air offers a great blend of features.
Beyond Harnesses: Other Kurgo Travel Essentials
Kurgo’s product line extends well beyond just harnesses, covering various aspects of travelling with a canine companion.
Keeping Cars Clean: Seat Covers
Anyone who travels regularly with a dog knows the battle against fur, dirt, and drool. Kurgo offers a range of seat covers, including bench seat covers, hammock-style covers, and front seat covers. We looked at a hammock-style cover, designed to protect the entire back seat area and prevent dogs from falling into the footwell.
The material felt durable and water-resistant. Installation was straightforward, involving adjustable straps that loop around the headrests and anchors to tuck into the seat crevices. Features like seatbelt accessibility (via Velcro openings) and storage pockets were welcome additions. It did an admirable job containing shed fur and muddy paw prints, making cleanup significantly easier – a simple wipe-down or machine wash usually suffices. The hammock style also provides a gentle barrier, discouraging dogs from trying to climb into the front.
Elevated Views: Booster Seats
For smaller dogs who like to see out the window (or who might get carsick looking at the passing floor), a booster seat can be a great solution. Kurgo’s booster seats typically attach securely around the car’s seat (front or back) and include an internal tether to connect to the dog’s harness (never their collar).
The models often feature a sturdy structure and a soft, washable liner for comfort. Using one provided a small dog with a clear view, which seemed to reduce restlessness. Importantly, it kept the dog contained in one spot while still allowing them to see their surroundings. It works best when used in conjunction with a secure harness like the Tru-Fit or Journey Air, connecting the harness to the booster’s tether and potentially the car’s seatbelt via the harness tether loop for double security.
On-the-Go Hydration and Feeding
Kurgo hasn’t forgotten basic needs. Their collapsible travel bowls are incredibly handy. Made from silicone or durable fabric, they fold flat, taking up minimal space in a bag or glove compartment. Essential for ensuring your dog stays hydrated on longer trips or during pit stops and hikes.
Carrying the Load: Dog Backpacks
For hiking adventures that start right from the car park, Kurgo offers dog backpacks like the Baxter Pack. These allow your dog to carry some of their own gear (like water, bowls, or waste bags) on the trail. Fit is crucial here, ensuring the pack is balanced and doesn’t rub or restrict movement. These packs often integrate harness features, providing control points and sturdy construction suitable for outdoor use.
Overall Impressions
Kurgo gear generally feels well-thought-out and designed with both the dog’s and the owner’s needs in mind. The focus on durability is evident in the choice of materials, particularly the use of metal hardware on harnesses instead of plastic. While perhaps priced slightly higher than some generic alternatives, the features, construction quality, and emphasis on safety (especially the crash testing aspect of the Tru-Fit harness) seem to justify the investment for many dog owners.
Important Fitting Note: No matter which harness you choose, proper fit is non-negotiable for both safety and comfort. Ensure you can fit two fingers snugly between the harness and your dog’s body. Check for any potential chafing points, especially around the armpits, after the first few uses. An ill-fitting harness can be uncomfortable, ineffective in a crash, or even allow the dog to escape.
Their range covers the major pain points of travelling with dogs – safety during transit, keeping the car clean, and managing essentials like food and water on the go. The integration between products, like the harnesses working seamlessly with the seat belt tethers and booster seats, is a definite plus. If you’re looking to upgrade your dog travel setup or are preparing for your first big road trip with a new canine family member, Kurgo’s offerings are certainly worth considering. They provide practical solutions that help make adventures with your dog safer and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
