Leather Properties and Care
Is Leather Water-Resistant?
Partly. Untreated aniline leather soaks up water, while finished, oiled or waxed leather resists it. Even then it is water-resistant, not waterproof.
Somewhat, but it depends on the finish. Leather that has only been dyed soaks up water, while oiled, waxed or finished leather holds it off longer. Even treated leather is water-resistant, not waterproof.
This answer is part of our hub on leather properties and care.
Water-resistant vs waterproof
Neither term has a precise definition. For clothing, "water resistant" means the item is not rated to hold out water under a set pressure. "Waterproof" usually means a water-repellent coating with taped seams, and the better garments add a membrane lining. When a leather boot is sold as waterproof, the membrane bootie inside does that job, not the leather.
How water-resistant is each kind of leather?
Napped leathers behave differently; see is nubuck leather waterproof?
Tannage matters as well. Chrome-tanned leather, the most common kind today, holds its shape and color in water better than vegetable-tanned leather. Making leather more waterproof was one aim when chrome tanning was developed in the late 19th century. Cowhide gets its own answer in is cow leather waterproof?
| Leather | Surface | What a drop of water does | Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aniline | Dyed only, no top coat or pigment layer | Soaks in within about 30 seconds and leaves a dark patch that dries out (care-product maker's test) | – |
| Semi-aniline | Thin protective top coat against wear and staining | Protected against staining by the top coat; our sources give no drop test for it | – |
| Finished (pigmented or corrected grain) | Dyed and finished surface | Not absorbed (same maker's test) | – |
| Oiled or waxed (e.g. pull-up, Russia leather) | Oil or wax worked in | Oiling improves water resistance | – |
| Nubuck and suede | Napped, open-pored | Drops darken nubuck until it dries; neither is waterproof | – |
How to check your leather
Put one drop of water on a hidden spot. If it sinks in and leaves a dark patch, the leather has no protective finish. If it stays on top, the leather is finished. Labs go further: ISO 5403-1 measures a flexible leather's water resistance while a machine flexes it over and over, and it was written mainly for shoe leather.
Oil and wax raise resistance
Oiling leather improves its water resistance. Leather Collection's care instructions recommend a good water and stain repellent to help prevent water stains. The step-by-step method is covered on hosob.com: how to waterproof leather.
Living Anachronism, a historical reenactment channel, drips water on chrome-tanned cowhide samples treated with beeswax, Sno Seal, neat's-foot oil, mink oil and other dressings. On untreated leather the drops spread and soak in; on the waxed samples they bead and run off. This is one maker's informal comparison, not a lab test. Every product in it darkens the leather, and this page doesn't rank them.
What if leather gets soaked?
Fully tanned leather resists damage when wet, but it may stiffen and darken. Let it dry at room temperature and never put it in a dryer. Size changes are covered in does leather shrink when it gets wet? Dry it within 24 to 48 hours, because damp items left longer can grow mold. See how to identify and prevent mold on leather.
FAQ
Can you wear 100% leather in the rain?
Treated leather copes with showers better than downpours. It is water-resistant, which means it isn't rated to keep out water under pressure. Afterwards, dry it at room temperature.
Does leather get spoiled by water?
Usually not. Tanned leather dries back to a flexible form and doesn't rot when rewetted, though it may stiffen and darken.
HitKB Editorial Team
HitKB articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.