Leather clothing, equipment and accessories will absorb water and ‘wet out’ when used in damp or wet conditions if their Durable Water Repellency (DWR) has been compromised.

When leather absorbs water, tanning agents and lubricants are lost, which causes the leather to become dry, stiff and prone to splitting. Over time this will cause the structure of leather to degrade.

Additionally, when leather is wet its breathability is reduced. This causes leather clothing to become sweaty and wet inside from condensation.

Therefore, the DWR of your leather gear must be maintained to ensure comfort and performance. Through use, the DWR applied to leather gear will be lost through abrasion. Nikwax Leather Restorer^™ adds DWR and nourishes leather with tanning agents and lubricants keeping it in top condition and helping your gear to perform better and for longer.

Leather requires regular maintenance to perform at its best…

Leather is hardwearing and breathable, making it an ideal material for use in the production of protective clothing, equipment and accessories.

During leather production, tanning agents are added to maintain the structure of leather and prevent microbial growth. If leather absorbs water, tanning agents will be lost. Over time this will compromise the structure of leather. Additionally, if leather becomes wet its breathability will be reduced. This is especially important for users of leather clothing, as reduced breathability can lead to condensation forming inside clothing, reducing the comfort of the wearer.

To prevent water absorption, use Nikwax Leather Restorer when your leather gear soaks up water… should be used to add Durable Water Repellency (DWR) to leather gear.