In general, leather does have some natural water resistance, but because natural animal leather is a porous and permeable material, each type of hide differs in how well it can resist water. Furthermore, the tanning process a particular leather has gone through is also a factor in its water resistance properties, with purely Vegetable Tanned leather often being a bit less resistant to the elements than Chrome or Combination tanned leather.
Because of this, while your Aero leather jacket may be fairly water resistant compared to many other materials, but it will never be 100% waterproof. However, as you’ll find out in this blog, this doesn’t mean you can’t wear your Aero leather jacket in the rain or in bad weather.
What Leather is Best for Bad Weather?
Full-grain leathers, which are the most durable and high-quality type of leather, are the most water-resistant option for your leather jacket. In fact, this is the type of leather that we use at Aero Leathers!
Made from the entirety of the uppermost grain layer of the animal’s hide, the natural fibres in the leather have a unique ability to repel water and keep it from penetrating the surface.
The leather we’re most known for – Horween’s Chromexcel® Horsehide is a particular water-resistant full grain leather due to the ‘hot stuffing’ of waxes and oils during its production process and its final Chrome Tannage.
However, while they perform well in regular rain, this does not mean that Chromexcel or any other full-grain leather is completely impervious to water. If a leather jacket is exposed to extremely heavy rain or soaked for an extended period, the water can seep through the leather and leave it damp.
Why is Goatskin Leather Good for Bad Weather?
Goatskin leather is famously known for its naturally occurring water resistance properties and our range of vegetable tanned Goatskins are no exception. Goatskin incredibly tough, breathable, and its water-shedding properties are second to none, with rain simply sliding off its surface - so much so, Navy jackets were usually made from Goatskin.
The water resistance of Goatskin comes from its natural lanolin coating (a waxy grease produced by the goat’s skin) that repels water and keeps it from penetrating the surface of the leather. The natural fibers in goatskin are also thinner and more tightly packed than other types of leather, making it less porous and less likely to absorb water.
Again however, while Goatskin is considered one of the most water-resistant leathers, it’s not completely waterproof.
Can I Wear My Leather Jacket in the Rain?
Yes, you can wear your leather jacket in the rain as long as it’s not extremely heavy rain for an extended period and you dry it correctly afterwards. In fact, many people wear their jacket in the rain to help assist with the breaking-in process!
To dry your leather jacket properly, never use unnatural heat sources such as a hair dryer or radiator. Instead, simply wipe any remaining water off of your leather jacket with a cloth and hang it up to dry naturally in an open space using one of our hangers for leather jacket storage.
If you wear your leather jacket in the rain and do not dry it properly, you risk ruining the quality of the leather, and this may also lead to staining.
It’s important when choosing your leather jacket to consider how often it will be exposed to rain. If you live in an area with heavy and frequent rainfall, then a Goatskin or Chromexcel® leather jacket may be your best choice.
Handmade Leather Jackets from Aero Leather
When you invest in a handmade leather jacket from Aero Leathers, you're getting a jacket for life. We create custom leather jackets that are made to measure with only the highest quality of leather.
If you'd like to take a look at the wide range of custom leather jackets we offer, click the below. If you have any further questions about our leather jackets, take a look at our FAQ section.
CUSTOM LEATHER JACKETS
Read More: How to Clean a Leather Jacket
