Leather resists water. It is not waterproof.
No. Leather is naturally water-resistant but not completely waterproof, The Boot Jack says. The FTC's leather guides say to use "waterproof" only when a product prevents water from contact with its contents under normal conditions of intended use during its anticipated life. Dry wet boots slowly at room temperature, away from heat.
Is leather waterproof?
No. Leather is water-resistant to a degree, and "waterproof" is a higher bar. The FTC's leather guides, which cover footwear, say to use the term only when the product "prevents water from contact with its contents under normal conditions of intended use during the anticipated life of the product or material."
None of the three words has an agreed footwear industry standard behind it, a Gore-Tex technical consultant says: "There are no agreed upon footwear industry standards for water-repellent, water-resistant, or waterproof footwear." Our guide to the genuine leather label sorts the grade terms.
| Term | What it asks or measures | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof | Prevents water from contact with its contents under normal conditions of intended use during the product's anticipated life | FTC, 16 CFR 24.3(a) |
| GORE-TEX footwear | Gore-Tex says its test equipment includes a centrifugal tester where boots are filled with water and spun at high speeds, and that its footwear styles must pass a flex test of up to 200,000 flexes, simulating about 250 miles of walking, executed partially underwater | Gore-Tex (2015 blog post) |
| Water-resistant, water-repellent and waterproof | No agreed upon footwear industry standards | Gore-Tex consultant (2016 blog post) |
| Fully tanned leather | Resistant to deterioration when wetted; may still stiffen and darken | American Institute for Conservation wiki |
Can leather boots get wet?
Yes, within limits. The Boot Jack says "a little moisture won't ruin your boots," while prolonged exposure to water can lead to damage.
Frank's Boots says water molecules bond to the oils in leather and draw them out as the water evaporates, and that as leather absorbs moisture its fibers can swell and stretch, which can make it stiff and brittle. Alvies' care post "Wet N' Wild" says cowhide "can withstand some exposure to water without being damaged," though it is still best to avoid getting boots wet, and especially to avoid soaking them in water for extended periods.
Are cowboy boots waterproof?
Most traditional cowboy boots are not waterproof; their leather is naturally water-resistant. The Boot Jack says so, and Ariat says "not all cowboy boots are waterproof."
Stridewise adds a trade-off: a boot labeled waterproof is "almost certainly cemented," and cemented boots are difficult to resole.
Checked 4 October 2026: the copy and specifications on all 21 Alvies and Hevias boot pages use none of the words "waterproof," "water-resistant" or "water-repellent," and none mentions a membrane. Two of the six loafer pages, The Broker in dune and ginger, list "Water Proof Suede" as a Material option; the suede guide covers it.
Can you wear cowboy boots in the rain?
Yes, with a stain risk: Ariat says that without proper treatment for waterproofing, leather boots "may keep your feet dry enough, but they can get stained if they get wet."
Ariat says getting caught in a downpour can stain boots that are not properly waterproofed, and that waterproofing is an optional, easy way to prevent stains. The treatment steps live in our guide on how to waterproof boots. Pick a waterproof boot built for it if you will be in wet or muddy conditions often, as The Boot Jack advises, and weigh the resoling trade-off above.
What do snow and road salt do to leather boots?
Snow can leave water stains as it melts, and road salt dries leather out. Ariat says boots not made to be waterproof "may get water stains as snow melts," that traditional cowboy boots keep your feet warm "for short stints in the snow," and that on ice you should choose a rubber, textured sole over a smooth leather one. Shaft height can also keep snow out.
The Shoegazing guide says the main damage from road salt is that it dries out the leather, which can crack it. Skolyx says the road salt can cause severe damage on leather shoes, and to wipe it off at once, top to bottom, with a cloth moistened in warm water. Our guide to cleaning leather cowboy boots has the full routine.
| Condition | Main risk | What the sources say to do |
|---|---|---|
| Rain | Water stains | Waterproofing is an optional, easy way to prevent stains (Ariat); pat dry and air-dry after (Alvies) |
| Soaked through | Slow drying, stiff leather | Overnight or longer at room temperature (JK Boots) |
| Snow and ice | Water stains as snow melts | On ice, choose a rubber, textured sole over a smooth leather one (Ariat) |
| Road salt | Dried-out leather | Wipe off at once with a warm, damp cloth (Skolyx) |
How do you dry wet leather boots?
Dry them slowly, at room temperature, in their shape. The conservators' wet-salvage guidance prefers "controlled air drying."
- Pat off the water. Alvies says to "pat them down with a rag."
- Stuff the boots. Alvies suggests newspaper, and the conservators' wet-salvage guidance says to pad out shoes "to shape while damp."
- Air-dry at room temperature. JK Boots says properly conditioned boots dry overnight, and soaked ones may need longer.
- Keep heat away. Alvies says "no heat, no radiators, no fireplaces, and definitely no hairdryers," and Frank's Boots says heat can do more damage than the water.
- Brush and condition once dry. Alvies says to brush off dirt, then treat the boots with a conditioner and cleaner, such as Crack Kills Leather Conditioner and No Nasty Leather Cleaner.
Do suede and exotic boots handle water differently?
Yes. Alvies' care post sorts leathers by how they take water, and suede and exotics sit at the cautious end.
| Leather | What the maker's care post says |
|---|---|
| Cowhide | Can withstand some exposure to water; best to avoid getting them wet, especially soaking for long periods |
| Suede and nubuck | Can discolor or water-stain as soon as they get wet without a waterproofer; spray ahead of time and avoid rainy or wet conditions |
| Exotic | When wet, they "lose their luster and texture fast"; steer clear of wet conditions and use a water-repellent spray ahead of time |
Alvies' python care post adds that "soap or too much water will dry out the scales and make them curl backwards." See can suede get wet and the python boots guide.
Quick answers
How long do leather boots take to dry?
JK Boots says conditioned boots dry overnight at room temperature. Boots that were "well and truly soaked" may take longer than overnight.
Do water stains come out of leather boots?
Ariat gives a routine for removing them, and says to act quickly, because the longer a stain sits, the more damage it can do to the grain. Its steps call for a damp cloth wrung out first, since too much water can stain the boot further.
Do storm welts help keep water out?
Stridewise says storm welts and split reverse welts are more water resistant, because the welt curls up onto the upper and makes an extra water-resistant barrier. Our welt guide explains how a standard welt works.
Does conditioner make boots water-resistant?
Harry's Boots says most quality leather conditioners are water repellent in themselves. Alvies' cowhide care post adds a light coat of non-silicone stain and water protector "for water protection."
Will rain stretch my boots?
Wet leather can. Frank's Boots says leather fibers can swell and stretch as they absorb moisture, and that proper drying and treating help prevent shrinking or stretching. For deliberate fit changes, see how to stretch boots and shoes.
Bottom line
Leather is water-resistant but not completely waterproof, and the FTC's bar for "waterproof" is higher. Rain can stain untreated leather, and waterproofing is an easy way to prevent that, Ariat says. Wipe off salt promptly and dry wet pairs slowly, away from heat; Alvies says to spray suede and exotic skins ahead of time and to stay out of wet conditions.
Where to go next
- Shop boots
- Crack Kills Leather Conditioner
- How to waterproof boots
- Can suede get wet?
- Is genuine leather real leather?
Sources: eCFR, 16 CFR Part 24 (the FTC's leather guides); American Institute for Conservation, Conservation Wiki ("Stabilizing Wet Skin and Leather"); Gore-Tex; Alvies; Ariat; The Boot Jack; Harry's Boots; Stridewise; JK Boots; Frank's Boots; Skolyx; Shoegazing; Bespoke Western product pages, checked 4 October 2026.
