Is Leather Water Resistant? What It Means for Leather Bags
Moore & Giles has been working with leather since 1933 and this has to be high on the all-time list of most-asked questions. It’s a great one! Unfortunately, the honest answer is a vague-sounding “it depends,” though that’s only because leather, like everything, is nuanced, every rule comes with an exception, and every suggestion has a special case.
Is leather waterproof? No — but most leather is naturally water resistant
A safe place to start is with the biggest question. Is leather waterproof? No. Leather is a natural material, not a manufactured one. If you’re looking for a bag that can withstand a monsoon, you want a dry bag; if you’re looking for a bag that can withstand the occasional watery run-in (from a sudden downpour to condensation dripping off of a water bottle), leather is more capable than you might think.
We only use natural leather on our bags, accessories and furniture. That means the variations in grain, subtle shifts in color, and small markings that make one hide unique from the next are preserved. By not manufacturing uniformity into our leather by sanding, painting, and stamping a consistent color or grain into the hide, the leather we use is allowed to burnish and patina with time and use into a reflection of its owner. The upside of a material that breaks in and gets visually richer while doing so is that the threat water poses is essentially neutralized. Even if leather could be waterproofed, would it actually be an asset? In our mind, the goal is not to keep your leather pristine but rather to take it everywhere, letting marks (including raindrops and the occasional, inevitable spill or splash) bloom and then burnish in service of making the bag more and more your own.
How Different Types of Leather Respond to Water
That said, even within the niche of natural leather, not all leather responds to water the same way. The differences can be ascribed to how the leather was tanned and finished.
Our Seven Hills collection uses Hermann Oak leather, tanned in St. Louis by one of the oldest and most respected tanneries in the country. The Heritage articles in that collection are tanned with an ingredient that gives the leather genuine water resistance. The leather isn’t waterproof, but the barrier causes water to bead up on the surface of the hide rather than soak straight in. A nice layer of durability that doesn’t compromise the feel or break-in time.
The other leathers in our line that don’t have water-repellency engineered into them are slightly more susceptible to water but are also the best at developing character over time. Bags sporting vegetable-tanned leathers, like Virginia Natural Welden or Modern Saddle Benedict, will pick up watermarks most easily but only because these leathers transform the quickest to a beautifully broken-in state. Chrome-tanned leathers, like Titan Milled Brown or Baldwin Oak, are not as absorbent but also burnish more slowly.
Suede or nubuck pieces deserve the most reverence around water. Both are treated at the tannery for some level of water repellency, but their open grain makes them more sensitive to water than leather that still has its full grain intact. When in doubt, keep them dry and use a Suede Leather Cleaning Brush to restore the nap after any exposure.
This is especially important for suede leather bags, which require more care around water exposure.
Water Isn't the Enemy, Neglect Is.
A rogue watermark on a natural leather bag isn't a tragedy. Over time, as the leather continues to age and develop, that mark becomes part of the story — absorbed into the larger, more interesting narrative of a bag that has actually been used.
That said, a little care goes a long way. If your bag gets wet, blot it dry — don't rub — and let it air dry away from direct heat. This is key to maintaining water resistance and durability in leather bags, furniture, and accessories. Proper care is essential to maintaining leather bag durability and water resistance over time. And if you want to give your leather a fighting chance against moisture before it happens, a good conditioner is your best tool. Our No. 33 Conditioner nourishes the leather and helps maintain its natural resistance. A Cleaning Cloth handles everyday scuffs and surface concerns. Both live on our Care & Cleaning page, along with more detailed guidance on keeping your leather in good shape.
Is Leather Water Resistant? Final Answer
Is leather water-resistant? Yes, most leather has natural water resistance, especially in everyday products like bags and furniture.
Is leather waterproof? No, leather is not fully waterproof and should not be exposed to heavy or prolonged moisture.
Is water bad for leather bags? Only if not properly dried and maintained.