Are you in search of a top-notch dog harness that not only ensures your furry friend’s safety during car travel but also doubles as a versatile everyday harness as well? Look no further! In our latest review, we’ve put the Optimus Gear (OG) Defender Harness to the test, and the results are impressive. Join us as we explore this innovative Canadian-made harness, designed to keep your pup safe and secure in the car whilst ready for any adventure!
Disclaimer: Optimus Gear generously gifted us with one of their Elite Harness Kits for testing and review, however, all thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are our own.
Above left: Django (English Cocker Spaniel) wears a size Medium OG Defender Harness. Above right: Crash-tested dog harness kit contents with both small/medium and a medium double-legged tether (the same style used in the large and x-large sizes).
Optimus Gear is a premium Canadian pet brand specializing in dog vehicle safety products that combine versatility, crashworthiness, and engineering for a lifetime of use.
Launched in the spring of 2021 with a mission of promoting safe dog vehicle travel, Optimus Gear’s flagship product, the OG Defender Harness, represents a revolutionary all-in-one dog seat belt and harness system that not only ensures your pup’s safety during car journeys but also offers versatility for a wide range of other activities, too.
Upon unboxing our kit, one of the standout features that immediately caught our attention was the custom hardware, which is both unique to Optimus Gear and distinctly different from any other dog gear hardware we’ve encountered before.
Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, Optimus Gear’s patented clips are engineered to exhibit exceptional strength and durability and have undergone rigorous testing in various conditions, proving their ability to withstand daily wear and tear while maintaining their integrity even in the event of a crash.
Notably, the x-large harness clips even boast an impressive, rated break strength of over 4000 lbs!
Above: Patented OG hardware feat. 1 of 2 back leash connection points (left), and the OG leash converter and small/medium vehicle tether (right).
Another noteworthy aspect is that the harness is offered as part of a kit, with three options available: standard, premium, and elite. We were fortunate to receive an elite kit, which includes the harness itself, vehicle tethers, an OG leash, an OG collar, an OG leash converter, a poo bag roll holder, and a convenient storage/washing bag.
Additionally, OG generously provided us with a medium two-leg lower tether (the same used in the large and X-large size kits), in addition to the typical single-leg medium tether, allowing for a thorough comparison and review.
The kit you select will ultimately determine the number of accessories you receive, although all kits include the harness, OG leash converter, and vehicle tethers as standard. Currently, the OG Defender Harness is available in four sizes (small, medium, large, x-large), and it comes in six different colors.
For small and medium harness kits, both a seatbelt and a carabiner tether are included. In the large and x-large harness kits, you’ll receive a carabiner tether (like the small and medium kits) as well as a stronger, more robust dual-clip tether designed to connect to the lower child seat anchor points in your car’s back seat (we tested both options).
Both premium and elite kits come with an OG leash included, utilizing the same OG patented hardware. However, the standard kit does not include a leash, making the OG leash converter a useful addition. This means you can fully utilize the harness’s many features even if you prefer to use your own non-OG leash.
Above left: OG Leash connected to the OG Defender Harness, Above right: Non-OG leash connected to the OG Defender Harness using the OG Leash Converter (supplied in all harness kit configurations).
The installation of the vehicle tethers proved to be straightforward, especially after watching OG’s informative installation video. However, if you’re using the vehicle tether provided in a large or x-large kit, it’s essential to be aware that certain types of dog car seat covers may obstruct access to the lower child seat anchor points required for installation.
If you’re not using a seat protector, or if you’re using one of OG’s own car seat covers, you shouldn’t encounter any issues accessing the lower anchor points.
It’s also worth noting that the OG Defender Harness vehicle restraint system employs two connection points in your car, as opposed to the single point utilized by many other dog car harness brands. This design provides comfort and crash-worthy protection for your furry friend, whether they’re sitting or lying down during car travel.
Above left: Large/x-large style vehicle tethers installed. Above right: Small/medium vehicle tethers installed.
Selecting the correct size and fitting the harness to our dog was a hassle-free process, thanks to OG’s well-defined website sizing chart and the multiple adjustment points on the harness itself. For those unsure about the best size for their dog, simply reach out to Optimus Gear support by email with your dog’s measurements and weight, and they will be more than happy to assist with a size recommendation and even customize the strap sizing if necessary.
When it comes to using the harness as a vehicle restraint, our list of likes substantially outweighs any minor drawbacks we encountered during our testing. Here are some of the standout features we appreciated:
Likes:
Dislikes:
While our experience with the OG Defender Harness as a vehicle restraint was largely positive, there were some aspects that we found less favorable, for example:
Beyond its use as a vehicle restraint, the OG Defender Harness continued to impress in everyday situations. Here’s what we found appealing and any concerns we encountered:
Likes:
Dislikes:
While the dislikes we encountered were relatively minor and often dependent on personal preference, here are the aspects that stood out:
After testing multiple dog car seat belt systems in the past, including other crash-tested dog harness designs, the OG Defender Harness stands out to us as an exceptional all-in-one vehicle restraint and everyday harness. It’s difficult to find a harness that offers such versatility, prioritizes safety, and is built to endure. As such, we wholeheartedly recommend the OG Defender Harness to anyone seeking a multi-functional harness that places safety at the forefront and is designed to withstand the test of time!
The OG Defender Harness range, proudly designed and manufactured in Canada, is currently available through the Optimus Gear website. It comes in four sizes (soon to be five), and six colors, and is available in three harness kit configurations to suit your needs.
For those located outside of Canada and the USA, international shipping is also available, making it accessible to dog owners worldwide.
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