Waterproof leathers - any such thing?

[geofflowe]

I prefer my leathers to my textiles but want to know if there is anyone out there who makes waterproof leathers? (UK preferrably)

[jbright44]

Cows stand in the rain. :-D

Seriously though I've seen some stuff lately about leathers with waterproof liners. Dig around some of the bigger vendors. I can't remember where I saw it.

[DrTriumph]

Leather is like skin, it repels water but not 100% waterproof, if you soak in water long enough you will absorb some of the water. The only way to make leather waterproof is to add stuff to it, sprays, oils, etc. I like wearing leather as well but I just bought myself a Joe Rocket Alter Ego 3 season jacket, I like it a lot, but again only has a rain liner, if I want to keep the water off the jacket from soaking in, I need to spray it or put another jacket over top.
Some manufacturers are now putting a rain lining between 2 layers of leather, some boots are this way, so that would make it 100% waterproof leather.

Just some info,

Dr. Triumph

[geofflowe]

OK, thanks - someone just told me BMW do them (can't have that though!!)

[mouse]

Food for thought: with the exception of Gore-Tex & similar products, waterproof generally means air proof as well...mighty hot in there.

[steventhechef]

I use Kiwi brand Dubbin (might be an Oz/NZ product) and just warm it up and rub it on. I normally do it every couple of months and work it in to the stitching.

It is not completely waterproof in our Queensland downpours (if we ever get rain again) but will hold out the water in "normal" rain for about an hour or so. I find it really good and it conditions the leather too.

Then you just have to worry about it dribbling in to your boots!!

The reapplying of the Dubbin can be quite therapeutic. Must be a hunter/gather thing!! :wink:

In the olden days sonny we used to rub in lamb's fat. I think that I am glad that I moved on from that stage..

[gallowglass]

Tigerangel leathers here in Australia manufacture a goretex lined suit. Its made from Nubuck leather and is claimed to be near to 100% water repellant, it then has a goretex liner. They do mail order and have a good measurement system for correct fit.
I can't vouch for the suit personally, I know a few riders who have them and they are pretty pleased. I will be buying one soon myself.
check out their site www.tigerangel.com (might be .au)

[dolson]

One thing to consider with leathers is that they are a natural "living" thing. As such they do need to be able to breathe. If they don't they will dry out and possibly crack. I would avoid non-natural treatments like those that contain silicones.

Another thing to consider, different leather makers use different tanning methods. I would contact the maker and see what their recommendations are.

We here all have different kinds of leathers and what works for one might not be good for another brand due to the different tanning techniques.

Or get a rain suit.

Don

[ This message was edited by: dolson on 2006-05-13 09:06 ]

[ST-ern]

Speaking from experience of Goretex liners in hiking boots and m/c gloves: in the long term (eg. over a year), sweat, body oils and dust clog up the Goretex pores and you might as well be wearing plastic bags. Goretex hiking jackets can be washed to deal with this but you can't put your leathers in the washing machine.

In the short-term there are limitations too. In constant rain your leathers will soak up water and that seriously restricts the Goretex breathing. If you use leather treatments, they fill up the pores of the leather with a similar result.

Also beware of leather treatments that use a solvent-softened wax or oil. The solvent will weaken the stitching. Nikwax Aqueous wax avoids this.

Lastly, Goretex and like membranes depend on the air pressure difference you get when its warmer inside the garment and cooler/drier outside. Once you get into warm humid weather the breathability is substantially reduced.

[ This message was edited by: ST-ern on 2006-05-13 18:28 ]

[DaveM]

Ok Oil put me 2cents werf in den.

Steventhechef, I used dubbin for years on my leatherpants and jackets, it is a very good product. I used it when living in NZ with all that rain.

Leather will always eventually suck up the rain and get very bloody heavy f you get wet enough. I grew up riding in New Zealand and have a lot of riding in the rain experience. After an all day ride in the rain I weighed 150lbs (when I was younger of course) and my leathers weighed 100lbs (well that's what it always felt like) :-D

However,
Don is right about the different tanning methods etc. I have Tigerangel gear also and they arevery specific about what you are supposed to use on their leather.

I ride in the wet with Teknic Cordura armoured touring pants (when I'm not to fat to get them on) and an Arlen Ness All weather cordura jacket (also well armoured). This combination has proven for me at least 100% waterproof in the heaviest down pours and on trips with lots of wet stuff falling out of the sky.
:-D