What to Do If Your Leather Jacket Gets Wet (Or Stained)

If you wear leather often, one question always comes up: “What happens if my leather jacket gets wet in the rain?”

I’ve handled hundreds of jackets over the years — cowhide, sheep, nappa, nubuck, pull-up, even patchwork panels — and I’ve seen what water can do when a jacket is ignored for even a few hours. The good news is: you can save your jacket easily, as long as you act the right way and avoid panic moves like using a dryer or keeping it under the sun.

Can a Leather Jacket Get Wet in Rain?

Yes, a leather jacket can get wet in rain. But leather is a natural material. It absorbs water. And once water enters the fibers, the natural oils inside the hide begin to shift or leave the surface. This is where the real trouble begins — stiffness, rough texture, or that strange uneven look that appears after drying.

When I treat jackets after rain damage, the first signs I usually see are:

• Light patches
• Hardness on elbows or shoulders
• A slight “wavy” look in some panels

These effects happen because the fiber structure changes once moisture enters.

What Happens If a Leather Jacket Gets Wet?

Here’s the honest breakdown based on real handling, not theory:

• Loss of oils: The biggest issue. When oils leave the hide, the jacket starts feeling dry and older than its age.
• Color patches: Wet areas dry differently, so the shade may not stay uniform.
• Possible wrinkles: Panels lose their original shape if the jacket dries crumpled.
• Mildew: If stored damp, small white or green dots can appear.
• Stiffness: Biker jackets and cowhide pieces show this the most because the grain is tight.

None of this is permanent if you follow the right steps immediately.

What to Do If Your Leather Jacket Gets Wet? (Step-by-Step, Easy Guide)

Here is the method we use in workshops when a jacket comes in soaked after rain.

1. Remove the excess water

Use a soft cloth and just dab. Don’t rub.
Rubbing spreads moisture deeper and causes more color differences.

2. Let it dry naturally

Hang the jacket on a wide hanger.
Not on a thin wire. Not near a heater. Not under the sun.

Room-temperature drying is the safest.
Leather dries slowly — and that slow process keeps the fibers relaxed.

3. Shape the jacket while damp

Gently adjust sleeves, collar, shoulders.
This small step saves the jacket from drying into the wrong shape.

4. After drying, restore the moisture

Use a good leather conditioner.
Apply a light coat — not too heavy — especially on elbows, shoulder tops and the center front.
These areas dry faster and get stiff quicker.

From my experience, sheep nappa absorbs conditioner beautifully, but cowhide needs a bit more work.

5. Let it rest for a few hours

The conditioner should settle into the hide. Avoid wearing it immediately.

How Do You Fix Water Stains on Leather?

If your jacket dried with an uneven patch:

1. Lightly dampen the surrounding area (not soaking it).
2. Let it dry again naturally.
3. Apply conditioner.

This helps blend the patch with the rest of the jacket.
Deep stains sometimes need professional hands, especially on nubuck or suede.

Can Rain Permanently Damage a Leather Jacket?

Rain can cause long-term issues only if the jacket is mishandled.

Permanent damage usually happens when:

• A person dries the jacket under direct heat.
• The jacket is folded while wet.
• It is stored in a sealed space when moisture is still inside.

When treated correctly, even a fully soaked jacket can return to its original form.

Should You Wear a Leather Jacket in Rain?

You can, but understand the limits.
Leather is water-resistant to some level. It’s not waterproof.

If your jacket has:

• Wax treatment
• Pull-up finish
• Semi-aniline coating

…it resists moisture better.

Full-grain sheep nappa, especially fashion pieces, can show spots faster.
Biker jackets made for riding usually behave better because the finish is tougher.

A quick trick I suggest to customers:
Keep a small waterproofing spray at home and refresh the jacket every few months.

How to Protect Your Leather Jacket from Rain?

Protection is simple and saves you future stress:

• Use a waterproofing spray on a new jacket.
• Keep the jacket stored in a dry place.
• Don’t let dust or sweat build on the leather — both affect how water reacts.
• If you live in a humid area, use silica gel in the wardrobe.

These little habits increase the jacket’s life by years.

How to Handle Suede or Nubuck If They Get Wet?

These materials react differently.
They absorb water faster and show stains more clearly.

If suede gets wet:

• Let it dry naturally.
• Use a suede brush to lift the fibers again.
• Don’t apply conditioner — it darkens the surface.

For serious stains, professional cleaning is better because suede marks easily.

Short Conclusion

A leather jacket getting wet in the rain is not a disaster. It only becomes a problem when handled the wrong way. Dry it correctly, reshape it, condition it after the moisture leaves, and your jacket will stay strong for years. Leather is tough — you just need the right steps at the right time.