Leather Care & Weather
Is Rain Bad for Leather? What Rain Does and When It Matters
Rain darkens aniline leather and wets suede, but most lasting damage comes after: heat drying and damp storage. See risk by leather type and what to do.
Rain is harder on some leathers than others. Water soaks into aniline leather and darkens it, while suede and nubuck darken only while the nap is wet and should dry back to their color. Much of the lasting harm comes after the rain: drying with heat, or leaving the leather damp long enough for mould to grow.
This page is part of our leather care and weather guide. For a yes/no by leather type, see wearing leather in the rain.
How rain affects each kind of leather
Not sure which finish you have? Start with the care label. Imitation leather is a different material, and the FTC expects sellers to disclose it with words such as "vinyl", "plastic" or "imitation leather". How it copes with damp is covered in is faux leather durable.
| Leather or finish | What rain does | Risk from one wet day |
|---|---|---|
| Aniline (dyed, no pigment coat) | Water penetrates and darkens it | Highest: keep it out of rain where you can |
| Suede and nubuck | The nap darkens while wet, then should dry back to the original color | Medium: dry it properly and it should recover |
| Pigmented (coated) leather | Its finish typically resists staining best of the common finishes | Lower, but it still needs drying without heat |
| Patent leather | The glossy coating is virtually waterproof | Low for the surface |
Why the damage often comes after the rain
Three things turn a wet day into lasting harm:
- Heat drying. Leather Collection and the BLC Leather Technology Centre both say to let wet leather dry naturally, away from direct heat: no hair dryer, radiator or clothes dryer.
- Staying damp. The Canadian Conservation Institute reports that mould generally grows after 2 days at 90 to 100% relative humidity. So don't zip a wet coat into a bag or shut it in a closet to dry.
- The wrong cover. Plastic bags and covers cause excessive drying in storage. Breathable cotton is the better choice.
What to do after leather gets rained on
- Blot the water with a clean cloth. Don't rub.
- Hang a coat or jacket on a wide, padded or wooden hanger so it keeps its shape.
- Let it dry at room temperature, away from heaters.
- Put it away only once it is fully dry. For how long that takes, see how long leather takes to dry.
If water stains remain once it's dry, read what water does to leather before treating them. Serious stains are a job for a professional leather cleaner.
Rain vs snow and winter salt
Snow melts into water, so the same drying rules apply. Winter salt is the extra problem: it stains leather, so wipe it off with a clean, damp cloth and let the leather dry naturally.
Choose leather for the weather you live in
If you're buying for a wet climate, ask about the finish before you buy. Leather Collection offers coats in cowhide, sheepskin and goatskin.
FAQ
Can leather be ruined by rain?
It can be marked, especially aniline leather, which darkens where water soaks in. Heat drying and staying damp do the most avoidable harm.
Can you fix leather after it gets wet?
Suede and nubuck should return to their color once dry. For lasting stains, see a professional leather cleaner. Our sources don't say whether darkening on aniline leather fades.
Can I wear faux leather in the rain?
Faux leather isn't leather, and sellers should label it with terms such as "imitation leather" or "vinyl". How it holds up to damp and age is covered in our faux leather durability guide, linked above.
LeatherGuide Editorial Team
LeatherGuide articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.