Top Ten Reasons to Invest in a BioThane Long Line
We might be biased, but we happen to believe that a BioThane long line is one of the single most valuable and versatile pieces of gear for any dog guardian. Here's why!
1. BioThane Long Lines are Strong and Durable
BioThane is incredibly strong and durable! It is manufactured in the US by the BioThane Corporation, and has undergone rigorous testing to ensure the materials are strong, long lasting, and hold up to the elements. BioThane is resistant to UV fading and has a very high break strength (tested break strength of 1,000 pounds per inch of width). The strong inner nylon webbing is protected from the elements by the outer PVC coating, which is waterproof, antimicrobial, colorfast (won't bleed/run) and resistant to breakdown and fading from UV light. With minimal maintenance, BioThane will retain its strength and color and continue to look and function beautifully for years!
When you are purchasing a BioThane long line, please ensure that it is made from genuine BioThane and not another type of coated webbing. There are many alternative coated webbings and nylon leashes on the the market that may be made from inferior materials and/or do not undergo the same strength testing and quality control procedures as genuine BioThane.
Read more about why you should choose genuine BioThane for your leash or long line.
Small brown spotted dog laying in rocks near the waters edge wearing a red harness and bright blue BioThane Leash. Photo provided from @brodie_thedapple
2. BioThane is Waterproof
BioThane is waterproof, which means it won’t absorb water like rope, fabric, or cotton leashes. It won't get soggy, heavy, or smelly after a walk in the rain or a swim. Because BioThane is relatively lightweight, while it doesn't float, it will tend to stay suspended in the water rather than sinking, making it safer and more visible while your dog is in the water.
Because it is waterproof, BioThane dries super fast! After a rainy day or a beach trip, just towel off your long line and or hang it in a dry or sunny location and it'll dry within minutes. For all of these reasons, a BioThane long line is the perfect piece of beach gear! Check out our blog about using your BioThane gear in our around water along with dog water safety tips.
Medium sized black and white dog in the background, persons hand holding la dirty ime green BioThane long line in the foreground. Photo provided by @adventuers_of_ky_and_murdy
3. BioThane Long Lines are Easy to Clean
For many of us, the ease of cleaning is one of the best features of BioThane! Let's face it, a long line outing might involve your leash being dragged through mud, dirt, sand, and who know what else! To clean your long line, simply dunk it in soapy water for a few minutes, scrub any stubborn spots with a soft sponge or a toothbrush, rinse, and towel dry. Your long line will look good as new!
Check out more tips for cleaning your BioThane gear, including how to clean and maintain your leash hardware.
4. BioThane is Odor Proof and Antimicrobial
BioThane is stink proof and resistant to mold, mildew, and bacteria. That means no more stinky, gross leashes and less irritation for your sensitive pup! Many guardians of pups with sensitive skin tell us that BioThane collars cause less irritation and matting than other types of collars, due to the antimicrobial and quick dry properties.
BioThane's antimicrobial and quick dry properties make them ideal for dog guardians and also for trainers, dog walkers, dog day care staff, or shelter and rescue staff and volunteers who are using leashes and long lines on different dogs throughout the day. BioThane gear is easy to sanitize, making it safe and hygienic to use in an environment with multiple dogs. Read more about cleaning and sanitizing your BioThane gear.
5. BioThane has Superior Grip and Hand Feel
BioThane has an amazing "hand feel." It's soft, pliable, grippy, and slightly textured surface make it easier to handle and less likely to cause leash burn or slip out of your hand than other materials. BioThane was originally developed for use with horses and was designed with ease of handling in mind.
That said, BioThane can get slippery when wet. Some choose to wear grippy gloves when handling BioThane in the water or the rain. You may also elect to add a Built in Traffic Handle to your leash at a custom height of your choosing to help with securing the leash when wet.
Black dog with white on his face and chest, standing in shallow water. Photo provided by @junie.b.jensen
6. A BioThane Long Line Gives Your Dog More Freedom
The single biggest selling point of a long line, in our opinion, is that it allows your dog more freedom of movement and autonomy when they're out in the world. A long line gives your dog freedom to explore their surroundings and walk at a pace that's comfortable for them while still keeping them safe. Long lines are perfect for training, hiking, or improving the quality of your dog's walks when off-leash isn’t an option, or when you want to prioritize your dog's safety.
Allowing your dog to explore, sniff, move their body freely, walk at a natural pace, and do other “dog stuff” are all critical to to your dog's quality of life and overall well being! Read more about the benefits of switching to a longer leash, including testimonials from customers who have noticed a huge improvement in their walks after switching to a longer leash!
7. A Long Line Provides Safety + Peace of Mind
Even in places where off leash is permitted, more dog guardians are electing to use long lines to help keep their dogs safe. Environments can be unpredictable and we simply cannot control for all of the variables in the world - including other dogs, wildlife, people, loud noises, fireworks, or other triggers that may be sudden and unpredictable.
A long line offers safety and greatly improves peace of mind for dog guardians, especially in public spaces, new environments, with shy or nervous dogs, or when working on recall. Without having to worry about safety as much, you can focus on enjoying your time in the world with your dog!
Women dressed in dark colors, with Hands-Free Crossbody long line walking a large black/brown dog through a field. photo provided by @brireyphoto
8. A Long Line is a way to Show Respect for Others
Not all users of public space enjoy sharing that space with dogs, for a variety of reasons. Some may be fearful of dogs, and/or have had an unpleasant or traumatic experience with a dog that impacts their enjoyment of public spaces. Other guardians may have dogs who are shy, fearful, have been attacked previously, are injured or recovering from injury, or who simply do not want to be approached in public by an unknown dog. A long line sends a simple and powerful message that you care about both your dog's safety and the safety of others you are sharing space with. Having your dog on a long line is a way to put others at ease that they do not have to worry about unwanted interactions, without having to say a word!
Speaking of leashing your dog, don't miss our bestselling Live, Laugh, Leash Your Dog merch and sticker collection!
9. Long Lines are So Versatile
The beauty of a long line is that it can be used in so many different ways! A long line can be used for neighborhood walks, hikes, training, camping, travel, beach trips, picnics, brewery or cafe visits, enrichment walks, and more. Our customization options, like our convertible handle add on or built in Traffic Handle option, make our long lines even more versatile!
If I had to recommend just a couple of long line lengths to consider, I would recommend a 10 foot line for neighborhood walks, hikes, sniff walks, travel, or cafe/brewery visits, and a 20 foot line for beach trips, more freedom on hikes, camping/backpacking, or other enrichment walk outings.
Read our tips for getting started using a long line and selecting the right length.
Black dog looking at camera, sitting at on concrete, at the edge of grass, wearing a blue harness and purple BioThane long line. Photo provided by @nanljvt
10. Our Long Lines have endless Customization Options
Our long lines come in lots of vibrant color options and in multiple lengths, widths, sizes, styles, and add on options, making them endlessly customizable!
With all of our options, you can design the perfect walking set for you and your dog that takes into account your dog's size and strength, your needs and intended uses, your color preferences, style, and more. We're proud to offer you the ability to design a customized leash that will meet you and your dog's needs for years to come. Read all about our customization options.
We're always happy to share advice and tips for designing your BioThane leash or long line - feel free to contact us anytime! Also, don't miss our YouTube channel and Instagram Page where we have a library of information, product demos, color combo options, and more.
We hope you're convinced that a BioThane long line is an excellent choice for dog guardians looking for a reliable, high quality, comfortable, and versatile piece of dog walking gear!