TUENNE
since 2009
The Founder
Hey, I’m Nick, the guy behind Tuenne | Technical Outdoor Design. I’m a Rhode Island School of Design grad with a background in Industrial Design. I’ve got a love for climbing, mountain biking, and, most of all, surfing. While I still get after it in the mountains, surfing has definitely taken the lead in my life. Tuenne started with a focus on gear for climbing and biking, and that’s still at the core of what we do. But we’re all about adding some surf style to our designs too. Keep an eye out for our upcoming "Ocean Proof" Waterproof Leash and Collar Line – dropping this spring!
Our Story
Back in 2007, while I was in design school, I adopted Nigel, my massive English Bulldog (you’ll see him in the pics). Nigel was the reason I got into designing what would eventually become our signature modular dog leash. He’s no longer with us, but his spirit lives on in everything we do here at Tuenne. The name "Tuenne" is a nod to both me (Nick) and Nigel—two N’s, one legacy.
As an outdoor guy—climber, mountain biker, you name it—I was all about gear from outdoor brands. So when Nigel came into the picture, I started dreaming up high-quality gear for pets that was on par with the outdoor equipment I used. To my surprise, nothing like that existed back in 2007. So I started tinkering with some retired ropes from my local climbing gym, working on designs that could withstand some serious pull from a dog.
The breakthrough came with some help from my buddy Alan Ackley of Ackley Metals. Together, we came up with a solution that led to three utility patents, custom fixtures, and a whole lot of machined parts. What started as a DIY project for me and Nigel turned into something bigger, and now here we are, in 2025, still crafting the same awesome leashes. Try one out for yourself—you’ll appreciate the story behind it and the craftsmanship that goes into each one.
North
Nigel may have passed, but his legacy lives on. Now, North, my Beagle-Corgi mix, runs the show around here. So the N&N legacy continues with Nick and North. North’s got energy for days, loves to bark at pretty much anything, and—of course—he’s the best dog ever (but aren’t they all?). He’s at the shop with me every day, mostly lounging around and supervising our leash-making process in his own unique way. Every now and then, he’ll offer a paw of approval to let us know we’re on the right track.
Authentic Climbing Rope
We are AUTHORIZED resellers of: Mammut Swiss Ropes, Sterling Ropes, Beal Ropes , Edelrid Ropes, and Black Diamond Ropes.
Auto Locking Carabiner
The carabiner has a spring assisted locking mechanism. Beware of leashes using carabiners that don't lock. They can open and are unsafe.
