Download: Defender Harness Sizing Guide ⚠️ Important Notes: X-Small – Contact us at contact@optimusgear.com all X-smalls are custom made. X-Large – Not crash-tested yet, but built with the same safety technology as the tested sizes.

Download : Defender Harness Installation & Use Instructions Watch these detailed installation videos to get a better idea on how it works:

Defender Harness System

Q: Key Features

✔ Crash-Tested Safety – Built to the same safety standards as child car seats ✔ Heavy-Duty Materials – Made with Nylon Cordura® for superior durability ✔ High-Strength Webbing – Soft yet incredibly strong , ensuring both comfort and protection ✔ Crash-Tested Hardware – Designed to withstand extreme forces , keeping your dog secure in any situation With multiple connection points and versatile accessories , the Defender Harness Kits are designed for both car travel and everyday use —so your dog is always safe, wherever life takes you.

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Harness

This is such an exceptional harness! My shepherd wolf cross loves it.
It is well made and in addition the clips are easy to get on and off; especially important as my hands struggle due to arthritis.
I highly recommend it! Buy Canadian!

Better than the rest.

Short Review: Best harness system after buying many. Well made without being too rigid like other systems. If you’re considering, purchase it.

Long review: We purchased the defender with the leash converter. We had a “luggage” handle sewn in at the time of ordering. The staff was very helpful and triple checked to ensure everything was in the proper position.
After using the Defender Harness for a number of months and many many summer miles I can speak to it’s quality. It is made very well. I’ve purchased other crash tested harness seat belt systems that are very rigid and uncomfortable to the touch that our dog will not walk with. My dog finds the harness more comfortable walks without issues or trying to rub it off. Our dog would take food from our child in the back seat, the lower attachment points have put an end to this. The two attachment points allows the leash to be hooked up prior to the dog being completely disconnected.
The quality of the harness speaks for itself. Even the thread used to sew is of heavier thickness. Cannot say enough good things about this product. This harness will last for this and likely other dogs lives. Thank you for making such a great product.

Best Harness and accessories

We are absolutely thrilled with our Optimus gear harness and accessories. The product is excellent and very easy to use. Andrew came out and personally fit the harness and seat cover so I could see how to do it myself. This is an excellent company with excellent customer service. If you’re thinking about getting a defender system, don’t hesitate!

Incredible design. Outstanding quality. Great service.

We purchased a harness for each of our two dogs - both travel very differently in the car. For each, the harnesses allow them to sit comfortably and easily sit up or lie down (in their own special ways!)They are so well designed. Both dogs are secured safely and sensibly. It makes complete sense that they also get to benefit from the locking mechanism on the shoulder straps of the seatbelts when brakes are applied. So much better than having the dog on the end of a fixed tether which is the usual style of a dog seatbelt!

Cant finish this review without commenting on the quality of the harnesses and the hardware used - in a word, phenomenal. And finally, the personalized customer service was great (spoke to the team to customize our measurements free of charge) and quick delivery.

10/10 recommend!

Bought this about 8 months ago and I absolutely love it. Keeps my dog super secure in the car, I can tell she feels comfortable back there when she’s wearing it. The vest is also very comfortable and easy to take on/off, I use it for all her walks. Also, customer service was extremely helpful and patient with me throughout the ordering process. Can’t recommend more!

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Overview

Designed for ease of use, comfort, and maximum protection, these Defender Harness Systems securely anchor your dog in any vehicle while ensuring a snug, ergonomic fit. Proudly made in Canada, they provide the peace of mind that your pet is just as safe on the road as you are.

Crash-Tested Safety

Designed to withstand extreme forces, the Defender Harness is built to the same safety standards as child car seats.

Heavy-Duty Materials

Crafted from durable Nylon Cordura®, the Defender Harness stands up to daily wear, pets, and active adventures without fraying or tearing.

High-Strength Webbing

Soft yet incredibly strong, the webbing provides maximum support while keeping your dog comfortable. Engineered to handle sudden forces.

Product Details

Key Features

✔ Crash-Tested Safety – Built to the same safety standards as child car seats
✔ Heavy-Duty Materials – Made with Nylon Cordura® for superior durability
✔ High-Strength Webbing – Soft yet incredibly strong, ensuring both comfort and protection
✔ Crash-Tested Hardware – Designed to withstand extreme forces, keeping your dog secure in any situation

With multiple connection points and versatile accessories, the Defender Harness Kits are designed for both car travel and everyday use—so your dog is always safe, wherever life takes you.

Sizing Guide

Download: Defender Harness Sizing Guide

⚠️ Important Notes:

X-Small – Contact us at contact@optimusgear.com all X-smalls are custom made.
X-Large – Not crash-tested yet, but built with the same safety technology as the tested sizes.

Installation Guide

Download: Defender Harness Installation & Use Instructions

Watch these detailed installation videos to get a better idea on how it works:

Lifetime Crash Replacement Guarantee

At Optimus Gear, safety is never a one-time protection. If your Defender Harness is involved in a crash, we will replace it free of charge.
contact@optimusgear.com

Frequently Asked Questions

My dog really likes to lay down when we travel. Is this possible?

Yes! The Crash Safe Dog harness allows your dog to sit or lay down comfortably while still being securely restrained. The lower tether helps keep them stable, preventing them from shifting too much during the ride. This setup ensures both comfort and safety.

Can I use The Defender harness in multiple vehicles?

Absolutely! If you frequently switch between vehicles, we recommend using a second tether system instead of purchasing multiple harnesses. This allows for quick and easy transitions while maintaining safety.

Is the The Defender Harness harness crash tested?

Yes! Our harness has passed the same tests as child car seats, ensuring the highest safety standards for your dog in case of a collision.

How do I install the harness in my car?

Step 1: Attach the Upper Tether

Open the carabiner on the Upper Tether and clip it around the active (moving) portion of your vehicle’s seatbelt.

Close and lock the carabiner fully.

Step 2: Secure the Lower Tether

The installation method depends on your dog’s harness size.

For XS, Small, and Medium Harnesses

Insert the seatbelt receiver on the Lower Tether into the seatbelt buckle, just like buckling your own seatbelt.

The vehicle seatbelt itself should remain unbuckled
You’ll hear a click when it’s properly engaged

For Large and XL Harnesses

Locate your vehicle’s child seat anchors (UAS / LATCH anchors) in the back seat.

Place the UAS connector over the metal anchor bar
Pull firmly toward you until it locks into place
Repeat on the other side

You should feel both connectors seat securely.

Step 3: You’re Ready to Ride

Once both tethers are secured, your dog is safely installed and ready for the drive.

Before driving, always double-check that all connectors are fully locked and secure.

Prefer to Watch Instead?

If you’d rather see the installation step by step, watch our short setup video below:

▶ Watch the Installation Video

https://youtu.be/Aq2umgMay0g?si=7JmCKoCysYfJOznO

How do I set my dog up in the car?

Have your dog sit in the back seat.
Clip the lower tether to the harness to keep them stable.
Attach the upper tether to the seatbelt for added security.
To exit, unclip the upper tether, attach a leash, and release the lower tether.

What makes the The Defender harness different from other harnesses?

Our harness is successfully crash tested, easy to use, and made in Canada. Unlike many harnesses that rely on plastic buckles and weak stitching, our design prioritizes safety with high-strength metal components and reinforced webbing. The patented Optimus Buckle system is engineered for durability and real crash protection, meeting the same standards as child car seats. We avoid plastic where it matters most, ensuring our harness holds up in extreme conditions and high-impact scenarios. Designed for both safety and ease of use, our system is simple to put on, adjust, and secure in any vehicle.

Why are some colours retiring?

We periodically streamline our colour lineup to improve manufacturing efficiency and maintain our quality standards. Seasonal colours remain available while fabric lasts.

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