Click on image to enlargeOrdering / Purchasing Experience: 4.5/5
Some of the harnesses are not available locally, purchases are often made without being able to try them on your dogs. Ruffrider has good demonstrations and sizing chart to help with your purchase.
Elaine weighs about 54 pounds; her girth (around her chest, just behind her front legs) measured 28 inches which placed her at a Roadie Elite size 5. Size 5 fits Elaine well.
Appearance: 4/5
We like the look of the harness. The width of the straps are 1.75 inch wide (4.5 cm) and are more comfortable than the narrow straps. The harness feels sturdy. The elastic band that goes on the chest between the front legs is thick. However, we wonder if that band will stretch and be the weak point of the harness over time. There are no buckles on this harness, lending to a smooth, and slender light fit. Only color available is the black with red Neoprene lining.
Ease of Use: 3/5
We may adjust the score after we get used to the harness. But from a new user's perspective, the Roadie Elite is not an easy harness to put on your dog. As noted above, there are no buckles. This is not a "step in" harness with a buckle on the back. You have to put the harness over your dog's head then pull the front legs through the openings. Sounds simple and looks simple in the demonstration video. But here is what it looks like when I tried to put the Roadie Elite on Elaine for the second time (I did not do it right the first time, more on this later). The videos are done with a camera so the audio is not very clear but you can see how it may be difficult for some dogs and people.
As you saw, getting that second front leg in can be tricky. The degree of flexion --- bending at the elbows and carpi ("wrists") --- needed to get the legs through the openings will make it difficult for older dogs or those with joint problems. Ruffrider had a Geriatric Roadie but discontinued them a while back.
We reviewed the online demonstration and found that pulling the legs through the openings work better than pushing them through. That worked a little better and even only after wearing the harness 3-4 times this past week, Elaine seemed to be better with the twisting and pulling.
It should be mentioned that when I put this harness on Elaine for the first time, I got one of her leg into the wrong opening.
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That, in effect, hobbled her front legs to her chest/neck causing her to flip backward when she threw her head back.
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Fortunately, Elaine stayed calm after that and I was able to remove the harness. So be careful when you first try the harness on your dog. Visualize where the legs are going (as I had to do in the second video above).
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Click on image to enlargeFortunately, Elaine stayed calm after that and I was able to remove the harness. So be careful when you first try the harness on your dog. Visualize where the legs are going (as I had to do in the second video above).
Taking the harness off is also not as easy as unbuckling it. The below video was the third time taking the harness off this past week. I'm sure it will be easier as we get used to the routine (and not have to worry about blocking the camera).
The Roadie Elite had points docked for difficulty in putting on / taking off the harness. The rest of the Ease of Use test was fine. It has a short attached lead for walking to the car.
(Click on image to enlarge) The harne
ss can be buckled in with the car seat belt, threading through the opening on the harness back. It can also be secured with a carabiner or other safety restraint system via the heavy D-ring at the end of the strap.
Safety: to be determined
No independent crash test reports are available, but compared to other harnesses, the wide straps and buckle-less (the buckles can be weak points) features of the Roadie Elite should provide for safer rides. Ultimately, the safest harness is one that you will use and your dog will tolerate in the car. We plan to use the different harnesses in the next several weeks before scoring the safety aspect.
Cost / Value: to be determined
For $24.99, the Roadie Elite is in the middle cost range of the harnesses we are reviewing. Whether it is worth the cost is dependent on the safety and use.
Overall First Impression:
Despite the misadventures of learning how to put it on, Elaine and I like the Roadie Elite and look forward to test driving it the next few weeks.
Next to be reviewed is the Champion Canine Seat Belt System.
4 comments:
I read on a very old blog review that the so-called "geriatric" roadie was actually just a re-branding of their leftover stock of the original roadie. This older model was much easier to get into out out of. When they release their newest model later this year, I hope it is easier to put on a dog, and that it has some adjustability features.
Thanks for the review! I haven't been able to find any current info about the Champion or Roadie harnesses until now!
Michelle,
Elaine and I are getting better at putting on the Roadie. It is nice to have a slimlined harness without the bulk of the buckles. But this lack of adjustability can make it hard for most people and pets. I look forward to seeing the new Roadie, also. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks- this is useful.
But how did you get the dog to watch the demo video?
Elaine loves watching the monitor the way some cats watch TV. Her comprehension is probably zilch but she likes to be present. Pretty observant of you to notice that plural pronoun :)
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