Cross Winds Leather
Mission:
Cross Winds Leather combines the timelessness of leather and the strength of climbing rope together to create durable, long lasting pet gear.
Vision:
Cross Winds Leather strives to redefine the way business is done in the pet industry by maintaining transparency, accountability and responsibility within all parts of the business and beyond.
Materials and Safety:
At Cross Winds Leather, we do not manufacture the materials or hardware used for our products; we solely handcraft the finished product. Below are the materials and hardware we use, along with the safety standards set by their manufacturers.
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Leather
Bridle Leather
for Climbing Rope and All-Leather Gear
Material: Cow Leather
Tannery and distributor comply and are certified with LWG
Leather Cord
for Climbing Rope Gear: Leather Wrap
Material: Cow Leather
Meets German Goods Ordinance, REACH, RoSH, and CPSIA standards
Leather Lining
for All-Leather Gear: Window Collars
Material: Cow Leather
Tannery complies and is certified with LWG and ICEC
Ropes
Dynamic Climbing Rope
for Climbing Rope and All-Leather Gear
Material: Nylon/Other
Sourcing from multiple distributors who sell climbing rope from manufacturers that meet either one or a combination of the following standards:
- UIAA 101
- EN 892
- EN 892:2012+A1:2016
- Bluesign®
Other Materials
D-rings/O-rings/Rivets/Chicago Screws
Material: Solid Brass-LL - PVD plated
Meets California PROP 65 and REACH standards
Carabiners/Swivels/O-Rings
Material: 6061 Aluminum
Meets California PROP 65 and REACH standards
Quick Release Cobra Buckles
Material: 7075 Aluminum
Meets CE, EN, NFPA, ANSI, CSA standards
Padding
Material: Neoprene
Meets ASTM D1056/2C3/SCE43/IIIA standards
Nano/Micro Cord
Material: Polyester/Nylon
Meets quality standards (gov. contractor)
Thread
Material: Bonded Nylon
Meets Berry Compliant standards
Meet the Maker
Elena, the founder and maker of Cross Winds Leather, is based in rural Western Pennsylvania with her small family. After marrying in 2020, Elena and her husband welcomed their first dog, Lebowski, a Miniature Australian Shepherd, followed by Timber less than a year later. As Elena cared for and bonded with her dogs, she realized that the dog gear available on the market didn’t meet her expectations. She longed for more unique and high-quality dog gear.
This desire led Elena to begin crafting her own dog gear in their bedroom during a house remodel. Despite the challenges, creating with her hands brought her fulfillment and joy. She then spent a year and a half refining her craft, receiving feedback from family and friends, setting goals both financially and creatively, and learning the in's and out's of starting a small business. In June of 2023, Cross Winds Leather was officially open and ready for business.
"Every day that I’m working on making this business grow, I’m growing as an individual as well."
As Cross Winds Leather continues to grow, Elena invites customers to join her on this exciting journey. She is deeply passionate about crafting high-quality dog gear while maintaining transparency about how her products are made and what materials go into them.
Cross Winds (CW) Elijah
"He’ll be honored unceasingly because his friendship was just that to me. I miss him deeply but the reminders make all of this worth it. When I see photos of your dogs wearing our gear, it’s as if I’m seeing glimpses of Eli’s love and I couldn’t be more grateful for that."
Cross Winds Leather is dedicated to Elena's beloved horse, Eli, who passed in April of 2024. Eli was Elena's greatest friend for over 14 years, and while he is no longer here he plays an integral part of the brand.