Is It OK to Wear Leather Boots In The Rain? Prevent Your Leather Boots From Water Damage

Last Updated on September 24, 2023 by Chase Reiner

Yes, it is okay to wear leather boots in the rain, but it is important to protect them from water damage. Apply a water-resistant spray, condition the leather regularly, and dry your boots thoroughly after wearing them in the rain.

Is It OK to Wear Leather Boots In The Rain?

Leather boots enhance one’s style quotient with their timeless elegance. However, there’s a question that often arises – is it okay to wear leather boots in the rain? Let’s delve into this topic in more detail.

1. The Impact Of Rain On Leather Boots

Though, leather boots can withstand light showers, continuous exposure to heavy rain can damage the boots. Rainwater seeps into the leather, weakening the fibers, and if not dried properly, it could lead to the growth of mold or mildew.

2. Type Of Leather Matters

Different types of leather react differently to water. Some leathers, like suede and nubuck, are particularly sensitive to water and can easily get damaged. Full grain and top grain leathers are more resilient and can withstand rain to a certain degree.

Type of Leather	Water Resistance
Suede and Nubuck	Low
Full Grain and Top Grain	High

3. The Role of Waterproofing Products

There are several waterproofing products that can significantly boost the water-resistance of leather boots from sprays, waxes to creams. They work by sealing the pores of the boots, thereby preventing water from seeping inside.

4. Drying Leather Boots After Rain

If leather boots get wet, they should be dried slowly at room temperature. Avoid sources of direct heat like heaters or direct sunlight, as they can cause the leather to dry, crack and warp.

5. Regular Maintenance is Essential

Regular care and maintenance can go a long way in increasing the longevity of leather boots. Applying a good quality leather conditioner regularly keeps the leather moisturized and less prone to damage by water.

So, it’s okay to wear leather boots in light rain, or if you’ve adequately protected them with waterproofing products. However, it’s crucial to practice proper care after exposure to rain and commit to regular maintenance to ensure the boots retain their luster, durability, and longevity.

Why Does Leather Get Affected By Water?

Generally, leather is a porous material that can absorb water when it is in contact with it. Especially on rainy days, the leather boots get wet deeply. Even when it is dried up, the water absorbed will damage the material and result in cracking on the surface.

When we compare pure leather with other materials, pure leather is sustainable and long-lasting. It is stronger than the other materials. If your boots made up of pure leather material, then you can wear it in any climatic condition. It has the potential to tackle any circumstances under different climates. Pure leather will not get harm quickly when it is in contact with rainwater. Apart from rainy days, you can wear them in low ice or winters.

Methods To Prevent Leather Boots:

Method	Products To Use
Regular cleansing	Waterproofing cream
Weatherproofing	Shoe conditioners
Waterproof covers	Beeswax cream

How To Prevent Your Leather Boots From Water Damage?

You can avoid using leather boots when it rains heavily. But you can’t prevent your boots from getting wet during unpredictable circumstances like felling into the muddy ditch or unexpected rain, etc. In that case, let us look into the various steps and preventive measures to protect the leather boots.

1. Keep Your Boots Clean

It is necessary to keep your boots clean and tidy, so you need to clean them regularly. Use the available tools to get rid of dirt on the boots. For example, use the stern shoe brushes to wipe out the dirt at the earliest before it penetrates the leather’s deeper surface.

If it penetrates, it may damage the core material of the boots. Using clothes to wipe out the stains is the best way to prevent the boots from damaging.

2. Weatherproofing

Weatherproofing is the process of applying a layer of wax as a sustainable coating to the leather boots to protect it from getting damaged. It is the most critical method of protecting leather boots.

 The wax application will restrict the absorption of water and forbidding the occurrence of cracks. The method is useful, but it is not advisable in general because the wax coating will get depleted after a while. This process must be repeated once in 15 days.

3. Consider A Waterproof Cover

You cannot protect your leather boots if you are living in a place where it rains frequently. In that case, you can use the waterproof covers, which can safeguard your leather boots from the rainwater. Always carry a pair of shoe covers in your bag to use them in case of emergency.

The pure leather boots are expensive and precious, so it is vital to safeguard it with proper measures.

What Should You Do If Your Leather Boots Get Wet?

1. Dry Boots Quickly

If your leather boots got wet, dry them immediately. Make sure that the moisture dries up entirely. Use a shoe tree inside the boots to protect the inner layer.

Suppose your feet are wet, you place the shoe tree in your boots. Avoid placing it near the fireplace.

2. Restore The Moisturization

After drying up the boots, you need to apply shoe conditioners to retain the boots’ moisture. It will help you restore the flexibility in the leather, restricting a crack in it.

Use a small amount of conditioner and apply it using the cotton, soft sponge, or cloths. Make sure to cover the entire boots and remove the shoelaces before applying the conditioner.

How To Waterproof Leather In 4 Simple Steps?

Usually, pure leather is strong, but it is a porous material, which absorbs water when in contact. It is not waterproof in general. The weatherproofing or another simple process will make it water-resistant.

Weatherproofing or spraying waterproof materials on the outer surface are the standard methods to prevent it from getting soaked in water. Applying beeswax cream is also the best strategy to avoid the damage at maximum. Before using any products on your leather boots, bags or seats, make sure you check it by applying the product on the outer surface.

If you want to waterproof your leather boots naturally, use the following instructions to prepare beeswax cream at home. It is a useful waterproof material used by the majority of people.

1. Ingredients

1. Extra virgin olive oil – One cup

2. Beeswax – 2 ounces

3. Coldwater

4. Glass jar

5. Soft cotton clothes

2. Combine The Ingredients

Take a glass jar, pour the extra virgin olive oil into it. Add the beeswax into the mixture by breaking it into several pieces. Place the jar into the cold water.

3. Heating

Heat the mixture content to melt the beeswax to have a perfect blend with extra virgin olive oil.

4. Cooling

Carefully remove the mixture from the stove and mix it well without burning your fingers. Mix it consistently until the mixture gets cold and stiff. The process has to be done for a maximum of 20 minutes.

5. Applying

After mixing the ingredients, once everything blends well, allow the mixture to get cold. Apply it on the surface layer to ensure it is not harming the leather. Once it is done and successfully use gentle clean clothes to apply it entirely on the leather boot’s outer surface. Apply the coating carefully.

Once you decide to waterproof your leather boots, make sure you do check the process or explore the methods of waterproofing. Use cleanser or waterproofing agents to maintain your leather boots. You can avoid damage to your leather boots by taking proper care, applying conditioners, and drying it immediately after it gets wet.

FAQs

References:

https://phshoes.com/en/wearing-luxury-leather-shoes-rain/
https://www.leatherhoney.com/blogs/leather-care/how-to-protect-leather-shoes-in-the-rain