Leather jackets are versatile outfits that are worth having in your closet. Can you wear leather in the rain? Yes. Don't worry about your leather jacket getting wet in water when you go out and the rain starts pouring. However, it doesn't mean always leaving your jacket soaking in water.
While you can wear a leather jacket in the rain, exposing it to rain all the time is not advisable because it can deplete the natural oils in it over time, making it brittle and likely to start cracking. Always keep your jacket away from getting wet by using an umbrella. So, will rain ruin a leather jacket? Can you wear a leather motorcycle in the rain? Let's find out as we take you through leather jackets and rain in this article.
Can a Leather Jacket Get Wet When Exposed to Rain?
Should you wear leather in the rain? Can a leather jacket get wet? Remember that leather only has water-resistant properties, which depend on the leather type. However, this fabric has no waterproofing quality, meaning that it is not waterproof.
When we say water resistant, the jacket can withstand the water penetrating it to a certain extent. For example, when your leather gets drenched in water, a small quantity will seep into it.
On the other hand, being waterproof means it is impenetrable by water. So, are leather jackets waterproof? No, they aren't. Note that the level of leather jacket rain exposure can ruin the fabric. When wet, dry your cloth to prevent cracks or stains and spots forming on it. Water can cause the leather fabric to fade out and age prematurely.
Types of Leather Jackets and How They React to The Rain
Can you wear leather in the rain? Can leather get wet? How each leather jacket reacts in the rain will depend on its resistance to water. Consider these examples of leather and its level of water resistance.
Full Grain Leather
Full-grain leather holds the highest percentage of leather among all the leather types. Does water ruin leather with full grain? This is the least water-resistant because of the natural grain still in it. Unlike others, this one has not been treated and is more susceptible to being affected by rain.
Top Grain Leather
As the name implies, top-grain leather retains a reasonable amount of grain, except that the top layer is removed. It has been treated with chemicals to increase its water resistance, and the surface looks smoother. However, you are dealing with leather, so water can still affect it.
Synthetic Leather
This leather jacket's rain resistance is higher than others. Synthetic leather is produced from artificial materials treated with chemicals. Plus, it is cheaper than natural leather and more polished.
What to Do to Protect Your Leather Jacket From The Rain
Can leather jackets get wet? Yes. We can see that water can seep into the leather fabric. Even though it is water resistant, rain can ruin it if you are not careful. Is rain bad for leather jackets? Yes, because leather is permeable and not waterproof. To help protect it from the rain, it needs a protective finish. Besides cleaning your leather jacket, using specific products on it will help protect it from the impact of water. You can do a few things to create a barrier on its surface, such as:
Waxing
Apply wax on the leather jacket to improve its water resistance level. Waxing helps to create a barrier on its surface to help make it waterproof so water does not penetrate it. The water-resistant layer is a covering coat that prevents the jacket from getting wet. Plus, it also leaves a shine on it to help keep it new and fresh.
Applying Leather Conditioner
When you have a protective covering on the jacket, you can be confident of wearing your leather jacket in the rain. Use a leather conditioner like beeswax cream to keep the leather moisturized. You know that over time, wearing leather in rain loses some amount of shine, so conditioners help to put back moisture and also add a protective water-resistant layer to it.
Spray With Silicone Spray
One of the products that helps make your leather jackets waterproof is silicone polymer spray. It forms an impermeable layer of protection from water. To do this, spray it on the surface of the leather.
DIY Leather Jacket Care
How do you care for leather jackets so they can't last longer? You can buy leather jacket rain oils, and conditioners. However, you can follow other DIY processes to get these products. Check out these two types of homemade leather care products here.
- Beeswax: One of the most used and potent leather care. Take the beeswax and add olive oil and cocoa butter. Mix well until a uniform thick, then use
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is another product you can apply on leather jackets as a conditioner. Mix it with another substance, like lemon juice, till it forms a paste, then apply to the leather to condition it.
What to Do When Your Jacket Gets Wet In The Rain
Are you worried about ruining your jacket? Here are quick tips that you can do to help keep your leather safe when it gets wet in the rain.
- Use a dry cloth to remove the excess water. Do not rub. Instead, gently blot out the water
- Hang it to dry and keep it away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Avoid using external heat sources like hair dryers as it can cause the leather to crack
- Apply leather conditioners to restore the oils and moisturize the jacket to prevent it from drying out
- Store the jacket properly in a cool, dry place
Can You Wear Faux Leather in The Rain
Can you wear faux leather in the rain? Yes. Faux leather is a synthetic alternative to natural leather. It is known as artificial leather because it is made from Polyvinyl Chloride and Polyurethane. Even though they have a similar texture and feel to leather, they are still synthetic fabrics treated with chemicals.
The making of faux leather makes them more resistant to water penetration than genuine leather. While you can wear your faux leather jacket in rain without any umbrella, know that water can still penetrate it when there is a heavy downpour. So ensure that you always use leather rain jacket protection like conditioners.
