My Favorite Dog Walking Set For Everyday Walks
It might sound like a small thing, but having a leash and collar set that I love has made a difference every time I take Olive out. When I get her ready for a walk, she looks put together, which makes the whole routine feel a little nicer. It’s a small upgrade that makes an everyday moment feel a bit more elevated.
I’ve always been someone who likes things to feel cohesive. I don’t need everything to be perfect, but I do feel my best when things are tidy, well cared for, and make sense together. For whatever reason, Olive’s walking setup was never quite where I wanted it to be.
Over the years, I picked up pieces here and there. A cute collar I couldn’t pass up, a sturdy leash that seemed like a good option for Olive, a poop bag holder I grabbed out of necessity. Everything worked on its own, but none of it really went together.
It wasn’t a big deal, but it was something I noticed every time we went out. On top of that, a few of the pieces weren’t even working that well anymore. Her collar was starting to fade, and my old poop bag holder had a habit of popping open at the worst possible times.
So when it came time to replace her collar, I took it as an opportunity to upgrade everything at once and find a set that was actually designed to go together.
What I Found
I started by looking for a new collar, because that’s the most important piece for Olive. That’s how I came across MADE TO ROAM.
They’re a smaller brand focused on making well-designed, durable gear for everyday use, and what immediately stood out to me was how cohesive everything felt. Same tones, same materials, and a full range of pieces that actually go together.
They offer a variety of colors depending on your style. I ended up choosing Nevada Evening, which is this really rich cognac tone that is neutral but still stands out in a nice way.
They also make harnesses, which could be a great option depending on your dog. Olive has managed to chew her way out of harnesses and even slip out of them on walks, which is why I personally stick with a martingale collar. But if your dog does well in a harness, they have really nice options.
Once I saw they made leashes, bag holders, and accessories in the same style, it just made sense to build a full set instead of mixing and matching again.
I ended up going with four pieces, and it’s what we use every time we go out now.
The Collar
This was the piece I built everything around.
Olive does best with a martingale collar, which gently tightens when she pulls without choking, so it gives me more control while still being safe and comfortable for her. It’s been the most reliable option for us, especially since she’s figured out how to slip out of other styles.
This one slips on easily, has a soft lining on the inside, and the hardware feels solid without being bulky. It’s secure in a way that I trust, which matters a lot when we’re out walking.
They offer a couple of different style collars including their Comfort Collar, Explorer Classic Collar, and the Explorer Control Collar.
The first collar I ordered ended up being too large, so be sure to measure carefully and consider sizing down if in between sizes.
The Leash
The leash matches perfectly, and I especially love the hardware. It has a really clean black finish that feels sturdy and well made. Unlike some leashes that rely mostly on stitching, this one is reinforced with metal and screws, which makes it feel a lot more secure overall.
The rope itself is lightweight but still durable, which is great for Olive since she pulls a bit. It has a locking carabiner that clips onto the collar and stays put, so I don’t have to think twice about it coming loose.
The bag holder (which I’ll get into next) buttons on snugly and stays in place instead of bouncing around while we walk. There’s also a small extra hook if you want to attach keys, a treat pouch, or anything else.
It feels really durable, but not heavy or bulky, which is exactly what I was looking for.
The Poop Bag Holder
I was especially excited to replace the poop bag holder, mostly for functionality. I was so tired of bags falling out and unraveling while I was crossing the street, which happened more often than it should have.
When I found this one, it immediately stood out. The design felt a little different from what I was used to, it looked great with the rest of the set, and most importantly, it actually keeps everything in place.
It attaches cleanly to the leash, stays closed, and lets you pull bags through easily without anything unraveling mid-walk.
One thing I really like is that it fits pretty much any standard roll of bags, so you’re not locked into using a specific brand. I use theirs because it matches the set, but you can use whatever you prefer.
The Bags
The bags themselves are really nice quality.
They have more of that soft, slightly matte feel, kind of like a compost bag, and even though they’re lighter in color, they’re not see-through (which I personally appreciate because see-through bags are gross.
The only small downside I’ve noticed is that the first bag on each roll is usually a throwaway. The sticker that holds the roll together is pretty strong, so it tends to tear that first one when you peel it off.
That said, there are plenty of bags on each roll, so it’s not a big deal. Everything else works exactly how you want it to.
Shop the Set
If you’ve been piecing things together like I was, I really recommend just getting a full set that works together from the start. Here is what I chose:
