Leather Jacket in Rain
Leather is one of the most durable and adaptable clothing materials, and several designs of leather jackets are suitable for every season. But there is a question, what about rainy days? Can you wear a leather jacket in rain? The short answer is yes, but you need to take extra care of your beloved jacket to avoid damage caused by rainwater.
Wearing a leather jacket in the rain
Whether you live on the east coast, the west coast or anywhere in between, you are sure to experience rain at some point in time. Thankfully but not surprisingly, most garments are designed to withstand the dampness when labelled "machine washable." However, leather is unique in a way that although it is durable, but still susceptible to moisture damage.
Minor exposure to moisture does not usually cause major damage. However, when exposed to significant amounts of moisture over an extended period, leather can (and surely it will) deteriorate and lose its look. The moisture and dampness get trapped in the tiny pores, which contributes to the formation of mold and mildew, and when it does, it is not easy to fix at all.
So what do you need to do to ensure your favourite leather garment is protected from rainwater damage? Or how do I protect my leather jacket from the problems caused by rainwater?
It is essential to know that leather, despite having water-repellent properties, can never be entirely waterproof. If not dried properly, it can become stiff or even rot. However, if you take care of it properly, you can wear your leather jacket even in the rain without worrying about it getting damaged.
One of the easiest ways to protect your leather jacket from rainwater damage is to apply waterproof leather treatment / lotion to its surface. Different types of products are available in the market, each with unique ingredients, quality and price tag. However, they all have one thing in-common: they are made to protect the leather surface from getting damaged by the effects of moisture. Once applied, the treatment forms a protective layer (barrier) between the leather surface and the outer elements (rainwater in our case), protecting it from damage.
Apart from using the waterproof treatment on the leather surface, get in the habit of drying your leather clothing promptly if it is exposed to rainwater. The longer the leather stays damped with moisture, the greater would be the damage. If you wear a leather jacket when it rains, upon returning home or at your destination, wipe it dry with a clean cloth and let it air dry at room temperature. In this way, you can protect it from moisture damage.
Different types of leather have different properties
Some types of leather are particularly prone to water damage and stains. Suede, for instance, is easily ruined in rainwater and can only be treated with leather conditioner sprays / treatments, so you should always avoid wearing a suede garment during the rainy season.
On the other hand, full-grain and top-grain leather items are inherently much more durable and resistant to such elements, giving you more relaxation when it comes to caring for and maintaining.
A well-cared-for, quality leather jacket should not suffer from the occasional exposure to rain. However, you should regularly clean and care for your full leather jacket, especially if such elements are exposed daily. Finally, you may not like it, but faux leather is the most resistant to water damage due to the synthetic materials being used in its manufacturing. Although it is durable and sturdy, its look and feel are not comparable to full-grain leather; it has lower water permeability, meaning it will not absorb water.
