Quick Picks — Skip to the winner for your situation
How we tested these 5 products
Hands-free dog leashes attach to a waist belt or running vest rather than being held in your hand – freeing your arms for running, hiking, cycling or just carrying shopping. We’ve reviewed the best options available in Australia, from purpose-built canicross leads to versatile everyday leads with hands-free attachments.
EzyDog Road Runner Leash
Complete hands-free system, waist belt included
- Best purpose-built running system in AU
- bungee absorbs shock
- reflective
- Expensive
- belt sizing may not suit all waist sizes
EzyDog Click Leash (Hands-Free Mode)
Carabiner clip attaches to any waist belt
- Buy once use as both hand lead and hands-free
- neoprene handle
- lightweight
- Requires separate waist belt for hands-free use
What to look for – AU buying advice
Common Questions
Can I run with my dog on a hands-free leash?
Yes – a hands-free lead is arguably safer for running than a hand-held lead because you can’t accidentally drop it. A bungee section absorbs the impact of sudden direction changes. Ensure your dog is fully mature before running distances (18+ months for large breeds, 12+ for medium breeds) to protect developing joints.
Are hands-free leads safe?
For dogs with good manners, yes. The main risk is being pulled off balance if your dog lunges suddenly. This risk is greatest on hard surfaces. Always use a hands-free lead in an area where a sudden pull won’t cause serious falls – avoid busy traffic areas until your dog is reliable on it.
What belt size do I need for a hands-free lead?
Most hands-free leads measure waist/hip size in centimetres. Measure around the part of your body where you want the belt to sit (usually the hips, not the waist) and match to the product’s size range. Products like the Rogz Handsfree Lead are one-size-adjustable across most adult sizes.
Can I use a hands-free lead for two dogs?
Dedicated double-dog hands-free leads exist (EzyDog makes one) with a splitter that attaches to your belt and divides into two shorter leads. Standard hands-free leads are single-dog only – attaching two dogs to one belt lead creates unmanageable tangling and can pull you in two directions.
The EzyDog Road Runner is the best complete hands-free running system in Australia – the bungee quality and waist belt design are specifically optimised for running. For casual hands-free walking without the running focus, the Rogz Handsfree Lead at $40 is the best value pick, widely available at Petbarn and PETstock.