Rescue workers, kennel staff and dog walkers all reach for the same thing when they need to secure an unfamiliar dog quickly, and it is never a clip lead. A slip lead goes over the head in one movement, needs no collar to attach to, and cannot be nosed loose, which is why one usually lives in the boot of the car regardless of what the dog wears on an ordinary walk.

What lifts this above the plainest version is the rubber stopper. Slide it down once the loop is over the dog's head and it holds the loop at the size you set, so the lead cannot keep tightening as the dog moves. At 1cm in diameter the rope is light and easy to coil into a pocket rather than the heavy braid of a training lead. The harlequin pattern is deliberately mixed, and the exact colours vary from one lead to the next.

• Rubber stopper holds the loop at the size you set
• 1cm diameter rope, light enough to pocket
• Two lengths: 1.16m and 1.52m
• Goes on over the head with no collar needed
• Colours and patterns vary between individual leads

Slip leads need using properly. The loop should sit high on the neck just behind the ears, not low against the windpipe, and a slip lead is never appropriate for a dog who pulls hard or for tethering a dog to anything. Set the stopper before you set off, and use a harness instead if your dog leans into the lead for the whole walk.

Who it's for: Walkers, fosterers and multi-dog households wanting a quick, reliable spare lead for Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Whippets and Border Collies.