Behind the Redesign: The New Web Master™ Harness

Since its inception as Ruffwear’s first harness, the Web Master™ has proven itself time and time again. After more than two decades in the field as the trusted harness of working dogs, it carries a legacy of delivering durability and comfort without restricting movement. It’s our most time-tested harness — the first in our line.  And now it’s better than ever.

With all-new innovations for 2025, the redesigned Web Master™ is our first ever step-in harness for head-shy dogs, and features a more robust chest panel with a new front leash attachment point. Read on for more about the updates, and dive into the features that have withstood the test of time.

The Beginnings | Inspired by Working Dogs

It all started with the Palisades™ Pack. In the early ‘90s, Ruffwear founder Patrick Kruse noticed that avalanche rescue dog teams were removing the pack’s saddlebags from the harness chassis and using it as a standalone harness — assisting dogs onto ski lifts, into helicopters, and over difficult terrain. 

The rest was history. Today, the Web Master™ Harness embodies Ruffwear’s long-standing partnership with working dogs, resulting in durable gear that withstands harsh conditions without sacrificing comfort. It means the Ruffwear gear on your dog is the same gear used by working canines, with the same high standards of performance.

“The Web Master™ is the most secure and iconic harness in our line. We’re really excited to make what was already a great product even better.”

— Monica Broder, Senior Design Manager at Ruffwear

Behind the Design | Legacy and Innovation

The Web Master’s™ DNA is in its webbing. Over decades of harness innovations, the webbing has withstood the test of time, remaining a steadfast design component. The continuous webbing structure disperses the load evenly throughout the harness to create strong construction.

The foam-padded chest and back panels are comfortable for extended wear, no matter how hard your dog gets after it out there. Made of perforated closed-cell foam, it creates breathable support and temperature management without hindering the dog’s range of motion.

The shell is made of 40% recycled, 150-denier polyester ripstop that’s lightweight and withstands the wear and tear of active dogs. In the early stages of design, it undergoes rigorous third-party lab testing to ensure that it’s abrasion-resistant, that tear strength is high, and the colors are stable in harsh conditions to keep dogs visible in the field. 

Finally, the harness’s 100% recycled polyester knit mesh lining creates another opportunity for breathability and comfort. In continuing Ruffwear’s commitment to sustainability, both the polyester ripstop and the knit mesh are bluesign® approved. That means they’ve been crafted to strict environmental and safety standards, as set by the bluesign® certification system.

So, what’s new for 2025?

The Web Master™ is still blazing trails today, evolving from Ruffwear’s first-ever harness to our first-ever harness that eliminates the need to pass over the dog’s head when taking it on or off, thanks to an all-new neck buckle. Not only is this ideal for head-shy dogs, but also for senior dogs or pups with lower ranges of mobility, who might struggle to lift their leg through the leg opening.

Next up, the new reinforced webbing loop on the chest panel creates a front leash attachment point. This helps to redirect dogs that like to pull on the leash. 

The harness’s original reinforced webbing loop and anodized 6061-T6 aluminum V-ring are both located on the back, creating three total attachment points. The V-ring is great for everyday walks, while the tow loop is ideal for activities when you want to encourage pulling, such as joring, hiking, and running. Like all of our materials, these have undergone rigorous testing, ensuring a secure connection with your dog.

Its padded handle offers balanced lift and assist support for navigating technical terrain — the same one relied on by working canines in the field. Dogs can count on a comfortable, optimal fit, thanks to the harness’s four adjustment points. 

Coming Full Circle | The Web Master™ and Working Dogs

The Web Master™ wouldn’t be where it is today without our working dog partners. After rigorous in-house testing to ensure that Ruffwear gear meets our standards of strength and durability, it’s then sent out into the field to test. That’s where the working dogs come back in.

From avalanche rescuers, to conservation detectors, to service dogs, these canines are the first to use our gear in action. Their heavy usage in demanding work environments allow us to design from a dog’s perspective — to understand and iterate on their needs.

These field tests reveal patterns around wear and tear, which we use to enhance our design and ensure that it’s holding up as long as it possibly can. Because working dogs are using their gear so consistently, they put years of “everyday” wear into a harness in a matter of months. This allows us to quickly understand important information like how the harness is fitting the dog, or how the handle size is enhancing the connection between the dog and their handler. We see what worked really well, what may need improvement, and how we can create the best product possible — no matter how it’s put to use.