Product Review: Leashes by Liz Multipurpose Leash

I bought this Multipurpose Leash from Leashes by Liz at SuperZoo. It has a snap at either end, and fouro-rings braided along its length. This leash is made from braided paracord, and it is quite sturdy. These are made by hand in Colorado, and are available in stores around the country. Leashes by Liz offers them in a multitude of color combinations, with other styles and coordinating collars also available.

Photo by Erin Koski

I am a big fan of utility leashes, but I'm not thrilled with the ongoing braided paracord fad. Most of the paracord leashes I encounter are stiff, bulky, and uncomfortable to hold. When I spotted these at SuperZoo, I knew they were something different. These are braided like I braid my hair, not like a survival bracelet. The leash is flexible, comfortable to hold, and quite substantial. 

Though I really prefer to use light leather leashes, Sisci Godzilla has taken to biting through them when she gets excited. She doesn't gnaw, she just snaps once or twice and I'm down yet another leash. This has led me to acquire some more substantial leashes to hopefully keep her and everyone else contained.

Photo by Erin Koski

Multifunction utility leads come in a ton of different configurations. They are largely defined as having a snap at either end, and some number of floating and/or fixed rings all along their length. A lot of utility leashes have very heavy hardwear that tends to swing around and hit the dog if you are super clumsy (I am super clumsy). This Multipurpose Leash has four rings braided along its length, and they are integrated incredibly well. The o-rings are not heavy enough to weigh down the leash, so they aren't super noticeable when not in use.

Photo by Erin Koski

With so many options, this leash is often in use around here. I most often use it to walk Godzilla and Zip at the same time when I need to get them from the car to the house. I also use it as a tie out at work, either snapping the leash to itself around an object, or just snapping it directly to a fence. Sometimes I clip it around my waist, or over my shoulder. It also works well with the Freedom Harness, and any other no-pull harness with two points of attachment.

Leashes by Liz has a demo video where they also suggest using the Multipurpose Leash as a mobility aid. It's long enough and has enough rings that it can be wrapped around the dog's waist to help keep their rear up. It would also work very nicely with the Help 'Em Up Harness, clipping to the front and rear rings to help support the dog. 

Pros: Durable. Bite resistant (though not bite-proof). Strong and sturdy without compromising functionality. Ring placement gives it many different uses. Made in the USA. Comes in tons of colors.

Cons: The actual clips are a bit heavy, though that may be a plus for some. Using a paracord leash makes my inner hipster twitchy. Even more so when I showed up at agility class and my instructor was using the exact same leash. 

Bottom Line: Leashes by Liz managed to make a paracord leash so different from all the other paracord leashes that I actually bought one. And now I use it. A lot. It's just so incredibly functional.

Product Review: Stibbar Leather Flat Utility Leash

My Flat Utility Leash from Stibbar Leather is my new favorite. This is the softest leather ever, no breaking in period required. It is light, supple, and easy to jam into a pocket despite being 6' long. The hardware is light and tiny, and the rings aren't heavy enough to bonk my dogs in the face. With three floating rings, two fixed rings, and a snap on either end, I can do anything with this Euro lead. Stibbar leads are custom made, with 15 different color options, multiple hardware choices, and six standard lengths. They seem to be willing to make pretty whatever you can dream up, too.

Photo by Erin Koski

I've tried out and reviewed dozens of collars and harnesses, but only a handful of leashes. This is because I am incredibly picky. Those adorable matching collar and leash sets do nothing for me because I really only love skinny leather leashes. The lighter and more supple, the better. I can't stand bulky leashes, and I hate heavy hardware.

Stibbar specializes in braided leather products. They offer everything from super-tiny show leads for toy breeds, to massive chunky leashes that can be used as lead ropes for horses. They also make collars, martingales, martingale leads, keychains, training tabs, and can probably make anything along these lines.

Photo by Erin Koski

I love that the Stibbar site includes pictures and measurements of all their hardware and options. It allows you to go "Wow, this would be my dream leash with this minor change..." and then make that change and get The Perfect Leash. Granted, there's no single leash that is perfect for everyone, but Stibbar has so many options that it's possible to create something that solves whatever issues you have with your current gear.

My utility leash is made from 3/8" super-soft bullhide. It is made in three sections that are braided together, with a fixed ring at each braid. There are also fixed rings at either end just below the snaps.

Photo by Erin Koski

Each end has a snap, and then each of the three sections has a floating ring. This allows the leash to be used for two dogs at once. Clip a snap to a floating ring and it can be a slip leash. Unlike any other utility leash I've found, this one can be used as a slip leash for two dogs at once. It is also amazing for wearing around my waist or over my shoulder, and tethering my dog to things around the house.

Most of Stibbar's braided products use a lot of leather and run around $50 per piece. This flat leash is light and floppy and easy to gather up in my hand or stuff in my pocket. It is probably prone to stretching, but it doesn't see a lot of tension because I've taught my dogs to walk on loose leashes.

Pros: Super light, flexible, easy to stuff into a pocket. Really nice grippy feel with precision control. Double snaps mean it can be clipped to both rings on the Freedom and Balance harnesses, or to a head halter and harness as a backup. Lightweight hardware doesn't bonk sensitive dogs in the face. Looks brand new after several months of daily use. Strong enough to hold up to multiple days of lure coursing insanity.

Cons: Mostly just for smaller and well-behaved dogs, otherwise would need to be made with wider leather and heavier hardware. Definitely not chew-proof. A habitual puller would likely stretch it a lot.

Bottom Line: Super functional and just so pretty!