Wearing leather jackets in the rain

[jadub]

Should veg tan and chrome tan be thought of differently with regards to getting wet? I’m typically comfortable wearing jackets in the rain. But maybe the Vincenza HWM I just got should be cared for differently?

 

[jdbenson]

I'm guessing the quality of the leather and tanning will be the thing to worry about.

My only leather jacket is my trustee Banana Republic bomber. It's a civilian version of an A-1. I bought it back in 1989, from a BR store in Sacramento CA for about $350. Not sure if it's horse or steer hide, but I'm betting it's steer. I've conditioned the leather exactly once, in about 1993 or '94 when that jacket became my default winter coat and we were expecting snow. Other than that, it's been worn in all weather without issue. I've had to have it relined three times, so you know I've worn it quite a bit. Never had an issue with the leather unduly absorbing water, it never feels like a wet sponge. When I get in out of the rain, I simply towel it off and hang it to dry; within 24 hrs it's fine.

 

[jadub]

Sounds like you got a keeper right out of the gate. Congrats!

 

[ReynardTheFox]

If its actually raining before I go out I'll wear something else. But if you get caught in rain then you get caught in rain. Living on the west coast of Scotland you tend not to get too worked up about that.

Just dry it out if it gets wet, it'll be fine.

i've only got one leather jacket now. Some sort of Levis car coat thing with those leather buttons you get on old geezer cardigans. It's had a good soaking often and it's not altered appearance in about a decade. I give it a wipe over with that leather balsam stuff every once in a while. Dunno if that helps things or not but i'm sure it does no harm

 

[nickv]

I have worn my 7 month old Aero Vicenza (blackened brown) jacket in the rain a total of four times . First 2 times were light drizzles, the third and this morning was heavy rain (all 4 times about 15 mins exposed to the elements). I deliberately took out this morning (forecast was for heavy rain) because last downpour i noticed the grain was popping out and the sleeve creases were coming along nicely. Can't wait for the next downpour.

 

[photo2u]

Sadly for me but all my Aeros are worthless in the rain. Must be the leather? No, four different types and all are worthless.
The best in the rain while riding my Harley in California and Baja is my Reed. I have four of the same model and one stand out the best. I truly love that heavier older reeds. Personally, I use Dainese,bmw and others but the best is by far are the Revit' when I ride my off-road BMW. Sometimes a nice The north face mountain guide and devil's thumb work just fine when riding or working on house choirs. I have never taken my LW on the rain. As a habit, I keep my good old air force lightweight raincoat on my motorcycle compartments just in case.

 

[navetsea]

yesterday evening I got mine lightly wet in drizzle, it did nothing to veg tan. it get wet, but quickly even out and I guess evaporate, I don't see any difference, downpour might be a different story, maybe it will add more character.

 

[jonbuilder]

Good point. I wouldn't wear my roughout jacket in the rain. I haven't had it long so I forgot about it when I wrote my initial reply.

I will wear rought out boots down creek beds and along the surf line when throwing balls or my retriever into the waves. But I do not expect my boots to look like my jackets and the hide is heaver

 

[jonbuilder]

I think during the 30s, 40s, a leather jacket might well have been the only outerwear jacket a man owned and if he was out in the rain he surely would be wearing his leather jacket. Even if he had a wool jacket, leather makes more sense in the rain than wool. I can imagine if he was riding a motorcycle long multi-day distances over rutted dirt roads he might carry an oil skin poncho to wear over his leather jacket

 

[handymike]

yesterday evening I got mine lightly wet in drizzle, it did nothing to veg tan. it get wet, but quickly even out and I guess evaporate, I don't see any difference, downpour might be a different story, maybe it will add more character.

After a few coats of the Obenaufs, I would hope there would be very little change to your jacket if it gets wet. The whole point of the stuff is to waterproof/protect the leather.

 

[AeroFan_07]

I only wear leather jackets in the rain for grain development at this point. I have plenty of other options for keeping dry from a necessity standpoint. If I still rode, I would keep Gore-Tex Outers (pants & jacket) to wear over my leathers.

There is someone on here who actively camped/backpacked, etc in his leather jacket, somewhat to the shock of some of us. However this would be closer to what JonBuilder is reffering to above. Mine just really do not get worn that way.

 

[navetsea]

After a few coats of the Obenaufs, I would hope there would be very little change to your jacket if it gets wet. The whole point of the stuff is to waterproof/protect the leather.

I didn't use the LP, I used the leather oil I think LP is more water proofing like snoseal, Leather Oil only infuse oil into the leather not sealing the pore with wax. but I think here since the leather has oil inbetween the fibers, then water even if absorbed didn't really make the jacket waterlogged or bricked, and thus faster to evaporate since the water seems kept only on superficial layer.

 

[Pandemic]

Just remember to take your shirt off when it starts raining

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I think during the 30s, 40s, a leather jacket might weel have been the only outerwear jacket a man owned and if he was out in the rain he surely would be wearing his leather jacket. Even if he had a wool jacket, leather makes more sense in the rain than wool. I can imagine if he was riding a motorcycle long multi-day distances over rutted dirt roads he might carry an oil skin poncho to wear over his leather jacket

Yeah mine keep me plenty dry enough in the usually mild socal rain.

 

[marker2037]

I have worn my 7 month old Aero Vicenza (blackened brown) jacket in the rain a total of four times . First 2 times were light drizzles, the third and this morning was heavy rain (all 4 times about 15 mins exposed to the elements). I deliberately took out this morning (forecast was for heavy rain) because last downpour i noticed the grain was popping out and the sleeve creases were coming along nicely. Can't wait for the next downpour.

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Vicenza is a great leather for the rain. I have zero fears about any leather I own in rain. Just wear them boys.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Another thing I like about Thedi's Buffalo leathers that are treated with beeswax. Rain can't roll off fast enough..!!

 

[marker2037]

I look forward to testing this with my new Thedi Atlas.