Are Motorcycle Leathers Waterproof? Everything You Need To Know

Motorcycle leathers have been celebrated as being among the best protection, durability, and classic riding style. Leather gear is still very popular among pro-racers and amateur road riders. But, it has been noted that one of the most frequently asked questions by riders is: Are motorcycle leathers waterproof? The answer to this short is negative, but the comprehensive answer is more subtle. Learning the response of leather to water and what you can do will aid you in making better choices regarding wet-season riding.

The reason Motorcycle Leathers Are Not 100% Waterproof.

The leathers of a motorcycle are produced using natural animal hide leather, which is mostly cowhide leather or kangaroo leather. Leather is porous in nature, implying that it can absorb water. Untreated leather would not repel water, as the moisture would be absorbed when subjected to rain. This is the reason why the normal motorcycle leathers are not waterproof, but water-resistant.

As opposed to waterproof fabrics in which the protection is provided with the help of membranes like Gore-Tex or the like liners, leather is dependent on its thickness and density. This makes it very good as abrasion resistance, but it fails to protect against water penetration in case there is prolonged and heavy precipitation.

What Do You Think Happens When Leather is Wet?

When motorcycle leathers are wet, several problems may exist:

Water absorption: Leather absorbs the rain, thus rendering the gear heavy and uncomfortable.

Extended dry periods: Wet leather may take hours or days to dry.

Stiffness and cracking: When leather dries improperly or over fast, it may become stiff and will crack.

Loss of insulation: The wet leather loses the capacity to make you warm, and this makes it more painful in cold temperatures.

All these issues render it impractical to ride in harsh rain using normal leather equipment, as compared to textile ones.

Waterproofing Coatings and Finishes.

There are leathers of some motorcycles that are sprayed with waterproof finishes. These treatments facilitate the shedding of rain off the surface and give some short-term protection during light showers. But this effect is temporary and dies away with time, particularly through constant usage.

The riders may also use aftermarket products like leather waterproofing sprays, waxes, or creams. These treatments are water-resistant, but they fail to render leather completely resistant to water. Water will finally seep through crevices, zippers, and the leather material in the long-term rainfall.

Do Leather Motorcycle jackets come in Waterproof?

Some of the manufacturers provide leather jackets with inner waterproof linings. In such designs, the outer shell of leather can absorb water, yet a waterproof membrane beneath it does not allow moisture to get to the body of the rider. This will keep you dry, but this adds other disadvantages.

The jacket may be heavy and cold, since the outer leather is also likely to become wet. The time to dry is still a problem, and breathability may be lower than it is in textile jackets, which are specifically made to be worn in wet conditions. That is why there is a higher usage of waterproof leather in touring-style jackets than in race suits.

Leather vs Textile during Wet Weather.

Textile gear tends to be superior to leather when it comes to use in the rain. Motorcycle jackets and pants that are made of textiles tend to have laminated or drop-in waterproof fabric, stitched seams, and zippers that are waterproof. Such properties ensure that the outer shell is dry and light.

Leather, however, is the best in resisting abrasion, durability, and fit, making it excellent to be used in sport riding and racing. Most of the riders wear leather during dry weather and use an outer rain suit during wet weather.

How Bikers Keep Dry in Leather Gear.

Riders in need of leather also have more practical remedies to cope with rain:

Over-suits or rain shells: These are light waterproof suits of leather worn over.

Frequent leather conditioning: Conditioning serves to keep the leather flexible and adds a little water resistance.

Avoiding extended rain exposure: The number of riders will design routes or rides to limit the exposure to wet weather in leather.

Through these means, riders can have the comfort of leather without losing the comfort of occasional rain in wet conditions.

Final Thoughts

Therefore, are motorcycle leathers waterproof? No, the conventional motorcycle leathers cannot be said to be waterproof, but can be treated and kept water-resistant with proper care. Leather would have not been the perfect choice in terms of protection and performance when left to withstand heavy rain or extended periods of rain.

Motorcycle leathers are a perfect fit to those riders who appreciate the safety, style and durability of the leather material; all that is needed is to wear the leathers with rain protection or other protective gears in case of rainfall.