The park ranger at Point Reyes convinced me to switch to a hands-free leash

I used to think hands-free leashes were just a gimmick from those Instagram dog influencers. But last weekend at Point Reyes, a park ranger watched me struggle to juggle my coffee, phone, and my hyper terrier mix who kept lunging at squirrels. She walked over and told me she sees people drop their dogs' leashes all the time on that trail, especially near the cliff edges. She said hands-free leashes let you use both hands and keep your dog attached at all times. I bought one that same afternoon and now I don't even flinch when my dog bolts after a bird. Has anyone else made the switch and noticed a huge difference on steep trails?

3 comments

3 Comments

annaw731mo agoTop Commenter

Got a waist leash for cliff hiking and never looked back.

wendyg431mo ago

Agree with you completely. It's funny how one little change like that can make you realize how many small things in life we just accept as annoying or difficult. I switched to a hands free leash after nearly dropping mine on a busy sidewalk and it felt like such a simple fix that should have been obvious. It's kind of like buying a good pair of shoes for hiking or getting a real rain jacket instead of an umbrella. Once you have the right tool, you wonder why you ever tried to make the wrong one work. What other everyday gadgets have surprised you like this?

tara7931mo agoMost Upvoted

Is it really that deep though? I mean, it's a leash, not a life changing revelation. I get that hands free is nice and all but some people act like they found the cure for cancer when they discover a new gadget. I've had the same old leash for years, I just wrap it around my wrist and go. Never dropped it once. And the rain jacket vs umbrella thing? Umbrellas are fine if you aren't trying to hike through a storm. I think people just get a little too excited about stuff that's basically common sense. But hey, if it makes you happy, go for it. Just don't act like you unlocked some secret to the universe.