Can Leather Shoes Get Wet?

The first time I truly tested whether leather can get wet was on a February afternoon in Camden. I’d just bought my Dune boots (brown ankle, slightly scuffed, from a charity shop for less than the price of a round). Halfway home the heavens opened and by the time I reached my door, they looked like I’d paddled through the Thames.

I did what any genius would do: shoved them under the radiator. The next day they looked like an old walnut left in the sun. The grain cracked, the fibres felt stiff and I swore blind I’d ruined them forever.

Ten years on, those same boots are still with me. The trick wasn’t magic, it was learning the small rituals of leather wet care. Think of it like looking after your own skin — wash gently, moisturise, keep it away from blazing heat and occasionally treat it to something fancy.

Leather shoes vs the rain: a doomed love story

Leather is basically skin and skin hates extremes. Too wet and it swells, dries, cracks. Too hot and it shrivels like a Sunday roast. But here’s the thing — water isn’t the villain, neglect is. Get them dry the right way, keep them conditioned and your shoes can face British weather without sulking.

Are the leather shoes soaked? Here’s what I actually do

This is the routine I stumbled into after the radiator gate, perfected with Bourbon in hand and Jhon shaking his head at me.

1. Wipe the muck off straight away

I grab a damp cloth or a toilet paper roll if that’s all I have and wipe off the salt, grit and mysterious goo from the puddle. If you don’t, it seeps into the fibres and the finish is patchy.

2. Let them dry slow, never hot

I place cedar shoe trees inside my shoes, partly for their pleasant smell and mostly because they absorb moisture from within. Radiators? Absolute leather murderers.

3. Raincoat for shoes, aka waterproofing spray

Before I even dare step out again, I give them a spritz of Collonil Carbon Pro Spray. Sometimes I switch to Saphir Beauté du Cuir Nano Invulner because it sounds fancy and does the job. Both essentially prevent the leather from absorbing puddles during breakfast.

4. Feed the leather, like a moisturiser for skin.

Once they’re dry, I massage in shoe cream. The grain soaks it up like a thirsty sponge, the patina deepens and I get to pretend I’m some kind of artisan while really just avoiding washing up.

5. Buff till you’re smug

Using a horsehair brush and a bit of elbow grease, I can achieve such a good shine that I can check my fringe in it. It was totally unnecessary, but deeply satisfying.

When DIY doesn’t cut it, What can i do?

If your shoes are vintage or exotic leather or you’ve accidentally left them stewing wet for days, hand them to a pro. My friend Jhon has rebuilt shoe soles that I thought were beyond repair. Sometimes leather needs surgery, not plasters.

FAQs

Can leather shoes survive rain?
Yes. Just don’t abandon them wet. Quick wipe, slow dry—they’ll live.

Are baby wipes a lifesaver or a leather killer?
I tried it once hungover. The wipes stripped the finish and the boots looked like they’d been exfoliated with sand. Hard no.

How long do I let them dry?
Overnight at least. Longer if they were soaked through. Patience beats cracks.

Why do my shoes smell damp after rain?
That’s trapped moisture. Clean, dry properly, use cedar shoe trees. Worst case, the smell becomes your signature.

Do I really need waterproofing spray?
If you live somewhere rainy (so basically anywhere in the UK) then yes. One quick spray saves weeks of swearing later.

Now, when I get home dripping wet, I don’t panic. Wipe, rest, condition, shine. And then bourbon.