Materials

At Wild Reyn, everything begins with materials.

What we make is used every day — on real walks, in real weather — so it needs to feel right to use, as well as hold up over time. How something is made matters just as much as how it performs.

We choose materials with care, balancing strength, comfort, and a lower-tox approach wherever possible.

There’s no single perfect material. Some offer durability, others a more natural feel. Each one is chosen for what it needs to do.

There’s also a natural tension between traditional materials and modern expectations.

Historically, materials like leather and cotton were valued for their simplicity and natural qualities — but they weren’t expected to last forever. Today, durability still matters — but so does comfort, feel, and how something is made.

Our approach sits somewhere in between, combining the feel of traditional materials with the performance needed for everyday use.

Materials

We use a combination of rope, leather, webbing, and metal hardware across our range. Each serves a purpose.

Our rope is selected for strength and reliability. Where available, we use rope that meets recognised standards such as OEKO-TEX, meaning it has been tested for harmful substances and is considered safe for regular contact.

Our leather is primarily sourced from European tanneries, including Italian vegetable-tanned leather using plant-based processes. This avoids chrome tanning and results in a material that is strong, breathable, and develops character over time.

For webbing, we use both natural and synthetic options. Cotton webbing offers a softer, more natural feel, while synthetic webbing provides additional strength and consistency where needed. As we continue to refine our range, we aim to use certified options where possible, particularly for synthetic materials.

All hardware is carefully selected for strength, reliability, and longevity, chosen to meet our standards for everyday use.

Safety and standards

Where synthetic materials are used, we prioritise options that meet recognised standards such as OEKO-TEX.

This means they have been tested for harmful substances and meet strict limits considered safe for close contact.

Our metal hardware complies with REACH regulation, which sets strict controls on the use of chemical substances within the UK and EU.

Where applicable, components are also tested for nickel release in line with European standards. This ensures that any release remains within very low, controlled limits suitable for prolonged contact.

It’s important to be clear — this doesn’t mean materials are completely free from all chemicals. It means they’ve been assessed and are considered safe for everyday use.

Sourcing

Wherever possible, we source materials from the UK and Europe.

This allows us to work with suppliers who offer consistent quality, clear standards, and better transparency in how materials are made and tested.

How we think about sustainability

For us, sustainability isn’t about perfection.

It’s about making better choices where we can, and creating products that last.

We focus on durability, timeless design, and reducing the need for frequent replacement. We continue to explore better materials and approaches as they become available.