Best retractable lead?

[Jungfraujoch]

Don't want to,waste my money - recommendations please?

Yes, well there are stupid people out and about with dogs on both retractable leads and ordinary leads.

I think your run-in was more with a stupid dog owner rather than a retractable lead Noitsnot

Pigs, absolutely agree with you.

I have had a flexi tape giant lead for seven years now with no problems.
I have a strong 40 kg dog and she walks well with it. The leads take some getting used to but are excellent when used properly. I think the problem comes when people do not know how to use them, and are not sensible with them.
However, sooner a flexi lead than a dog off lead in public with no recall,like most of those we come across.

I walk my 32kg hound on a Giant Flexi tape lead - it lets him wander and sniff while letting me keep things moving to some extent, and it has a strong lock so if he needs to be under closer control it's pretty much the same as a normal rope lead. He isn't a breed that ever 'lead walks' like a lab or a spaniel - it'd be miserable for both of us - and we're in a very rural area where we don't meet many people to get tangled up with. Most of the time he's off lead but we couldn't do a whole walk with him free-ranging. It would take hours...

My DP, on the other hand, used to walk his small but very determined terrier on a cord retractable lead that was a total amputation risk it was swiftly 'broken' and binned. Small dog is now on a strong Flexi tape lead but again, used with caution, especially around other people, other dogs, and in non-rural areas. I think if you use it sensibly, keep it at the right length and don't switch off yourself, they're fine.