The Houdini™ has been the go-to escape-proof cat harness for the past 5 or 6 years. Its unique escape-proof mechanism discourages cats from backing off the harness. While no cat harness is 100% escape-proof, the Houdini™ is very close.
With such a successful harness, why would we launch a new design?
The Houdini™ is extremely light and safe, but not all cats need that much safety. Sometimes, an even lighter harness that provides increased comfort is preferred.
For cat owners who dream of sharing the great outdoors with their feline companions, choosing the right harness is one of the most important decisions they will make. Both the Houdini™ Escape Proof Cat Harness and the Always On™ Martingale Cat Harness are vet-approved, escape-resistant, and come with a matching 6-foot leash, yet they serve meaningfully different purposes.
This article examines each harness in depth and helps you determine which one is the right fit for your cat's personality, experience level, and lifestyle.
Understanding the Shared Philosophy
Before diving into the differences, it is worth appreciating what both harnesses have in common. Outdoor Bengal's core philosophy is that keeping a cat safe outdoors requires a combination of the right equipment, proper leash technique, and consistent training. Both the Houdini™ and the Always On™ are built around this principle. Each harness is designed to discourage the most common feline escape method: backing out of the harness by pulling in reverse. Both feature a thinly padded chest pad that distributes pressure evenly across the chest, protecting the cat's neck and spine, and both are constructed from hypoallergenic, lightweight materials that minimize discomfort during wear.
Houdini™ - For the Beginner and the Escape Artist
The Houdini™ is Outdoor Bengal's flagship harness and the product that put the brand on the map. Starting at $29.99, it is designed above all else to be escape-proof. This quality makes it the go-to choice for cats who are new to harness training or who have a well-documented history of wriggling free from other harnesses.
The harness achieves its security through a clever structural design. When a cat attempts to back out of the Houdini™, the harness tightens slightly around the body, increasing restraint precisely when it is most needed. This mechanism does not cause pain or distress; rather, it simply makes it far more difficult for a cat to execute the backward-pulling maneuver that defeats most standard harnesses. The chest pad plays a dual role here: it provides cushioning and comfort while also ensuring that the increased tension is distributed broadly rather than concentrated on a single pressure point.
One of Houdini™'s most practical advantages is its size range. It is available in three sizes:
- Kitten (7–11 in. girth)
- M-L (12–20 in. girth)
- XL (21–27 in. girth)
The Houdini™ is the only option between the two harnesses that accommodates kittens.
- ✓ Designed to be escape-proof
- ✓ Adjustable, grows with your cat
- ✓ Easy to put on and take off
- ✓ Your cat won't even notice it
This makes it an excellent starting point for cat owners who want to begin harness training early, taking advantage of a kitten's natural adaptability. Adjustable buckles on each side make fitting the harness straightforward, and the flexible rings on the chest pad allow for a full range of movement so that even active, playful cats can wear it comfortably.
With over 1,000 customer reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5 stars, the Houdini™ has earned strong praise for its ease of use and reliable fit. Reviewers frequently highlight how quickly their cats adapted to wearing it and how well it holds up during energetic outdoor sessions.
Always On™ - Engineered for the Seasoned Adventurer
The Always On™ is explicitly described by Outdoor Bengal as "the evolution of the Houdini™," designed for cats that have already mastered leash walking and are ready to wear a harness for extended periods. Priced at $34.99, it represents a step up in both design sophistication and intended use case.
The defining feature of the Always On™ is its Martingale-style escape-proof mechanism. A Martingale loop, a design borrowed from dog collar engineering, applies a gentle, self-limiting tightening action when tension is placed on the leash. This means the harness responds dynamically to the cat's movements: it remains loose and comfortable during calm walking, but tightens just enough to prevent an escape if the cat suddenly pulls backward or panics. Crucially, the Martingale mechanism is self-limiting, meaning it cannot over-tighten and cause injury.
The Always On™ is built around a minimalist philosophy. Where the Houdini™ uses a bulckier escape proof mechanism that dangles when the leash is not attached, the Always On™ strips away bulk in favor of a lighter, more streamlined profile, particularly when the harness is left on the cat without a leash. This makes it far more suitable for all-day wear. I personally like using it on our sailboat (where the cat is always wearing a harness but not always attached to a leash, camping, or even on long hikes where the leash might not be needed at all times. The trade-offs are that it is not available in a kitten size; it comes only in M-L (12–20 in. girth), and XL (21–27 in. girth), and it's only available in 3 sizes.
- ✓ Escape-resistant martingale
- ✓ Adjustable with 5 fitting points
- ✓ Easy to put on and take off
- ✓ Your cat won't even notice it
Because it's designed to be worn for longer periods of time, there are high-visibility colors available, like the neon yellow with reflective strips and the reflective camo.
As a newer product, the Always On™ does not yet have customer reviews on the product page, but its design lineage from the well-reviewed Houdini™ and its thoughtful engineering suggest it is a strong contender for experienced adventure cat owners.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Harnesses | Always On™ | Houdini™ |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
|
| Main Use | Camping, sailing, car rides, long hikes, supervised tethering... | Walking on a leash, hiking, airports, trains, vet appointments |
| EASE OF USE |
★★★★★
3 / 5
|
★★★★★
4 / 5
|
| Escape Proof |
★★★★★
4 / 5
|
★★★★★
4.5 / 5
|
| Comfort |
★★★★★
5 / 5
|
★★★★★
4.5 / 5
|
| Quality Materials |
★★★★★
5 / 5
|
★★★★★
5 / 5
|
| Colors Available | 3 | 6 |
Which Harness Should You Choose?
The decision between the Houdini™ and the Always On™ is less about which harness is objectively "better" and more about which one is the right tool for your specific situation.
The Houdini™ is the stronger choice if your cat is just beginning its outdoor journey, if you have a kitten you want to start training early, or if your cat has previously escaped from other harnesses and you need the most secure option available. Its structured design, broad size range, and proven track record with over a hundred positive reviews make it an excellent foundation for any adventure cat program.
The Always On™ is the stronger choice if your cat is already comfortable on a leash and you are looking for a harness that can be worn for hours at a time without causing discomfort. Its Martingale mechanism offers a more nuanced and dynamic form of escape prevention, and its lightweight construction is purpose-built for the kind of extended outdoor adventures that serious adventure cat owners pursue. If you are planning long hikes, travel, or outdoor stays where the harness will be on for much of the day, the Always On™'s minimalist design will serve your cat far better than the more structured Houdini™.
Final Verdict
Both the Houdini™ and the Always On™ reflect Outdoor Bengal's deep understanding of feline behavior and the genuine challenges of keeping cats safe in the outdoors. The Houdini™ earns its place as the best starting harness for most cat owners. Secure, comfortable, and available in a size for every life stage. The Always On™, meanwhile, represents the next evolution for cats and owners who have outgrown the basics and are ready for a more refined, all-day adventure companion.
Whichever you choose, you are investing in a product designed with genuine care for both the safety of your cat and the quality of your shared adventures. The best harness, ultimately, is the one that your cat will actually wear, and both of these options are engineered to make that as likely as possible.
If you see other people hiking or traveling with their cats and think, “I wish that could be us.” But between choosing the right harness, the fear of your cat running off, off-leash dogs, and not knowing how to even start… You continue to postpone it.
The Cat Bootcamp™ is a complete, beginner-friendly training program that walks you through every stage (from first harness introduction to real outdoor adventures) so you can build trust, prevent common mistakes, and feel 100% prepared before you ever step outside.
Stay wild, stay safe, and we'll see you outdoors!
Albert & Mia
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