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I'm sure it depends on the kid. My kids don't run off, so I feel no need to use a leash. I can imagine some frazzled parents with super-rambunctious kids feeling better about life when they use them, though.

As in most things parenting (that don't directly harm a kid), to each parent his/her own.

I was anti-kid leashes until my little boy turned 2. Defiant, willful, boundlessly energetic. Really, he was trying to climb the animal enclosures at the zoo. Trying to remove the koi from the pond at the library. No amount of discipline, or even bribery could keep him holding my hand in public, and the stroller resulted in catastrophic meltdowns also. I was pregnant, miserable and desperate to keep my little boy safe since he clearly had no fear despite my efforts. I was losing my mind. So I caved and got a leash. It's worked out really well and every time we use it at least 3 moms ask me where I got it and wonder why they didn't think of it. The leash featured here could be a great solution.

My 3-yr-old is the running kind, so I feel that such a leash would be unuseful – unless I use strong glue on the handle, I mean (*joke*).
I wouldn't use a leash for my son anyway, because it would make me feel like I'm going round with a dog, and Velcro straps make me think of cufflinks, which is possibly worse.
I have found a solution when my hands are busy and I have to keep him close – tell him to hold into one of my pockets, usually trouser pockets. I do need strong belts and riveted pockets for this, but at least I'm sure I feel when he is going away, even if I am not watching.
Still the best solution is teaching children to stay close and warning them about the dangers, without scaring them. I think this helps them grow better adults than a leash.

If it works for people, great, but my son would not be more likely to hold onto a leash than he does my hand. I've had moderate success lately with oooing & awwwing to him about how much i love it when he holds my hand. At 3.5 years, this is starting to work. What worked with my now 6yo is to say how i loved showing off to everyone, by holding hands with him, that he is my son. That one didn't work on my 3yo tho LOL. However when I am in the busiest of places (amusement park, airport) i will *certainly* use my monkey backpack leash from Target. He just darts away so quickly that it's a matter of safety to keep him tied to me. Glad folks have options, tho!

Whatever works for your child(ren). Seriously. Don't judge other parents until you have their children.

I've used one with my nearly three-year-old for over a year. She is a future Olympic sprinter and I use it for her safety.

I've just returned to the States from living in New Zealand for two years. Using the leash there, I was constantly stopped and commended for my good parenting. Here in the US, I usually receive frowns or nasty looks.

I'm OK with a leash, but the choke-chains, those I judge. (heh heh.) I didn't think much of leashes until I had to chase down my friend's 2-year-old when 8 months pregnant. Oh, yeah, I saw the point of leashes then!

This seems very...voluntary...which makes me a little eh. But if it works for someone, great!

I had made my son a sippy cup velcro strap that eventually made its way to 'volunteer leash' status. It was attached to the stroller and he enjoyed walking with it- sort of leading the stroller. I liked that it wasn't holding him but rather he was holding it... Our boy was/is a runner but he did enjoy the novelty & I enjoyed keeping him close in crowded places.

I used to be 100% against all leash contraptions. My 5 year old and 2.5 year old are both completely aware of how to behave, my expectations are firm and clear. I thought it was my excellent parenting (ha!). That said, I had my whole view shaken when my friend's almost 2 year old turned in to Houdini! That kid not only runs off, he runs off and never looks back. Seriously. Gone. Down the road, around the corner gone. He manages to unlock doors and sneak out of the house on a regular basis. He is so quiet! A room full of adults can't keep up with him. I don't think an electric fence could stop him. So leash? Sure - go ahead!

I think what we have learned from these comments is that most people who've had older kids (ie, not a baby) understand the there could be a use for a toddler "harness" or "lead" (as we call them in the UK - where, by the way, they are VERY common and no one seems the least bit judgey about using them!).

We have had this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Littlelife-Toddler-About-Daysack-Blue/dp/B000XJCYSE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1258207385&sr=8-3 and I have used it for my two oldest kids (number 3 isn't old enough yet). It is a backpack that buckles on which has a metal loop that you can hook a "leash" to when needed. We got it about 5 years ago and I found it particularly useful in the airports when traveling internationally on my own with more than one kid. I could put the baby in the stroller and have the older child buckled into the backback with the lead hooked to the handle. This meant I didn't have to worry about him running off in a busy international airport.

Initially I knew that my American relatives seemed a little judgey about this, calling it a "leash" etc, but I got over worrying about that pretty quick! My main worry is keeping my three kids safe and using this has helped me to do this whilst travelling.