The build quality of the lead is great. The robust plastic housing means that the lead can handle being dropped or banged without issue and it’s also easy to clean. It’s ergonomically designed and features an anti-slip soft handle, making it comfortable to hold for long periods of time. The generous sizing of the handle coupled with the anti slip material means the lead always feels secure in your grip. The reflective strips on the tape are also a nice touch but they aren’t a standout feature – we rarely use this lead for night time walks.

The 8 metre distance afforded by this lead is perfect for us. There’s enough length to let Flynn explore to his heart’s content, but we’re still close enough to get him under control quickly when we need to. While the lead has some weight to it, I wouldn’t say it was heavy. Considering it’s holding 8 metres of tape, it’s relatively light. It definitely isn’t cumbersome to the point where it’s uncomfortable to use for long periods of time.

The locking mechanism is really simple to operate and can be done by just using your thumb. It consists of a push button built into a slider. Keeping the push button down will lock the lead. Pushing the slider forward will then lock the push button in this position, allowing you to keep the lead locked without having to keep your thumb on the button. Flicking the slider back towards you will release the lead and make it retractable again.

It takes a little getting used to, but it becomes second nature before you know it. We also like that when the lead is flicked back into retractable mode, it doesn’t do it immediately if there is tension on the line. So if you have your dog on a short locked leash and they’re pulling, the lead won’t extend until they stop and let the lead go slack. We’ve found this helpful in encouraging Flynn to stop pulling while walking.