Canicross belts

A high-quality, ergonomic canicross belt that guides the pull to the person's hip is an important gear for dog running, i.e., canicross, and skijoring. The canicross belt / running belt is also suitable for more relaxed running and skiing with a dog, as well as for everyday use and hiking as a leash belt.

A wide hip belt distributes the pull and jerks evenly and makes running and moving comfortable. The running belt also frees your hands from constantly holding the leash. 

Leg loops keep the canicross belt at the person's hip height, preventing back problems. You can read more about different canicross belts from our canicross belt selection guide.

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose the right product?

A canicross belt is a belt that goes around the human's hips, with an attachment for the dog's leash / elastic pulling line  and is made both to withstand pulling and to distribute the pulling pressure evenly over the human's hip area. The canicross belt is used in sled dog sports (canicross and skijoring) but it is also great for hiking, trekking, and everyday walks with a dog. 

All canicross belts are suitable for different sports, but different belts also have different features whose practicality stands out in various activities or with different users. When choosing a canicross belt, it is worth considering the activities the belt is mainly intended for. In some canicross belts, the leash attaches and the pull is directed at the level of the human's hip bones, and in others even lower at the level of the buttocks. In some belts, the leash attachment point is fixed, and in others the buckle and leash can slide from side to side according to the dog's movements.

The idea in all belts is the same: the canicross belt should sit around the human's hip bones (not high on the waist) and the back part should be wide enough to distribute pressure evenly. 

A canicross belt adjusted to the right spot around the hip bones directs the pull to the user's hips, not to the back which is sensitive to jerks. 

Why does a canicross belt have leg loops?

Especially with even slightly stronger dogs, the importance of leg loops is emphasized: the loops prevent the belt from sliding up to the waist during activity. A belt positioned high on the waist/back combined with jerks and pulling easily leads to back injuries. In some canicross belts, the leg loops are detachable. Belts without leg loops are suitable for walking and outings with non-pulling dogs or very small dogs.

Some canicross belt choosers worry whether the leg loops chafe or feel unpleasant. However, you quickly get used to the presence of leg loops, and if the belt is the right model for the user and properly adjusted, the leg loops shouldn't cause chafing.

Where to attach the dog's leash on hikes? Is any canicross belt compatible with a backpack?

On hikes, dogs usually need to be kept on a leash. However, many want to keep their hands free while hiking, making attaching the leash to the hip a convenient option. However, it should be remembered that backpack hip belts and their buckles are generally not designed to withstand forward pulling force. If you do not want to risk breaking the backpack, a separate canicross belt is a good option.

Often traditional canicross belts can unfortunately end up in the same place as the hip belt of a backpack. Many hikers therefore end up choosing canicross belt models originally designed for canicross, where the strap attachment is lower than traditional belts at the height of the buttocks and the strap attachment slides freely from side to side. This way the belt does not twist on the person even if the dog pulls sideways.

The picture shows Non-stop dogwear CaniX Belt.

Such belt models that are very suitable to use simultaneously with a backpack are:

If you hike without a backpack and want a simple, more traditional canicross belt model, see below the belts we recommend for skijoring. 

The best canicross belt for canicross?

In canicross, it is very important that the canicross belt has leg loops that keep the belt low enough on the hips. Practically all canicross belts with leg loops can be used for canicross, but many runners (and especially those who move with strong dogs in other activities) prefer belts where the pull comes from lower at the height of the buttocks. A pull rope attachment point lower than normal lightens running compared to the traditional attachment point at the hip bones. In belts with a lower pull point, even strong pulling does not easily bend the lower/mid back. Thanks to the moving pull rope attachment, the belt does not twist on the runner during turns or even if the dog pulls sideways. 

Low pull point canicross belt models especially suitable for canicross include:

Non-stop dogwear Canix Belt back

I-Dog Canyon running belt: thanks to the moving leash attachment point, the belt does not twist when the dog moves sideways

Looking for a canicross belt suitable for skijoring and many activities?

Also, the low attachment point belts designed for running mentioned above can all be used for skiing. However, if you ski more actively with skating technique, an attachment point lower than the hip bones may start to bother you, as it inevitably restricts lateral kick movement to some extent. If the belt's main purpose is skiing, we recommend especially these models:

In the picture, Non-stop Loype Belt, popular among active skiers and competitors.

Thinking about competing in skijoring?

In skijoring competitions, the canicross belt must have an open hook or panic lock according to the rules. Many canicross belts allow the lock to be easily replaced later. Canicross belts that come ready for skiing with competition-approved locks include:

Canicross belt together with a flexi leash?

Some hikers and those skiing with their dogs prefer the freedom of movement that a retractable leash brings instead of an elastic leash. The flexi leash can be conveniently attached by its handle to these canicross belt models:

These belts allow the lock to be easily detached and the flexi leash to hang from its handle on the front of the belt so that the flexi handle can freely swivel according to the dog's movements. The flexi can be attached and tightened on the front high enough so it doesn't swing unpleasantly near the walker's/skier's feet. For the canicross belt + flexi combination, we highly recommend adding a shock-absorbing elastic piece between the dog's harness and the flexi. Suitable elastic pieces include e.g. WAW Basic or WAW Sport.

Choosing the size of the canicross belt

All canicross belts in our selection are highly adjustable and fit users of very different sizes. For example, a 90-kilogram man and a 60-kilogram woman can often use the same belt - adjusted to their own size. Also, some belts come in different size options. On the product pages you will find detailed measurements and measuring instructions. When choosing a size, consider also if you plan to use the belt in winter with thicker clothes. In borderline cases, it is usually best to choose the larger size, as the adjustment range downwards is generally sufficient. 

If you know you need a larger size, you should check out these belt models:

It would be handy if the canicross belt had space for gear too

If you need storage space on your canicross belt, you should check these out:

Canicross belt and a dog that doesn’t pull? Your dog walks nicely beside you and you just want to get the leash out of your hands?

When your dog doesn’t pull much but you just want to free both hands for other tasks, a smart choice is a flexible leash that can be attached around your waist. Examples of such leashes are Ruffwear Roamer Bungee Leash and Non-Stop dogwear Touring Bungee Adjustable.

This kind of leash is handy for normal walks or runs but also when biking with your dog. This way you can keep both hands safely on the handlebars. For actual bikejoring, where the dog pulls the cyclist, there are specific gear options. You can read more about them on our bikejoring sport page.

We are happy to help you find the gear that suits you and your dog best. Please contact us if you need help choosing!