Traditionally, leather has been used in the manufacture of boots particularly as a lining as it can soak up to 200% of its own weight in moisture. Some examples of this include the LOWA Phantom Work Safety Boots, which feature a hydrophobized nubuck leather upper combined with CORDURA® fabric in order to create a water-resistant outer layer with a velvet-like texture. The LOWA Desert Elite Boots feature a similar combination, except the nubuck leather has been exchanged for suede.
Full grain leather is the heavier material of the four and is often utilised in boot uppers to guarantee a sturdy and long-lasting upper. Though inherently water-resistant, full-grain leather is occasionally combined with CORDURA® fabric to make them even more so, as found in the LOWA Jungle Military Boots and Urban Military Boots. Combinations like this are key to creating a boot that retains a waterproof characteristic while simultaneously reaping the benefits of its leather component.
Suede and nubuck leather are less resistant to water than full-grain leather, and exposure to water will have a greater effect on their performance and aesthetic qualities. This is why it is more common for suede to be combined with materials like CORDURA® fabric when it’s used for boot uppers. The result of this combination are boots that are lightweight and versatile boots such as LOWA Zephyr GTX® Coyote Op Combat Boots, which are also lined with GORE-TEX® membranes to improve their breathability and water-resistance.
Nubuck leather boots are something of a middle ground between suede and full grain leather, possessing many characteristics you’d want in hiking boot uppers while offering the support and protection found in combat boots. LOWA also provide hybrid boots made using buffalo leather, such as the LOWA Z8N GTX® Military boots, which are hydrophobic and resistant to damage from almost all liquids that they could possibly come into contact with.
How to Waterproof your LOWA Boots
Leather is made very water resistant during the tanning process & new processes and treatments have increased the performance of leather so it is almost totally waterproof. However, when exposed to water for a long period of time - if you are yomping or tabbing across Dartmoor, Salisbury Plain or Otterburn in thick, wet sodden grass, for example - leather will become saturated. Leather Boots with GORE-TEX® membranes will keep your feet dry, which is ultimately what you want, however, it will not stop the leather from retaining moisture and that may result in damage.
Fortunately, there is a range of products you can use to effectively make leather boots waterproof. These are incredibly helpful, as even the most water-resistant military boots will benefit from proper cleaning, maintenance and waterproofing.
Leather has its limitations in wet conditions, so it is always best to prepare and waterproof boots to ensure they remain functional and have the longest life possible. LOWA Water Stop Pro Spray Repellent is a perfect place to start. You can use this spray on all kinds of leather materials and shoe textiles to waterproof and condition them. It creates a water, oil and dirt repellent layer that aids conditioning while maintaining breathability of the fibres, and closes up the pores in leather which helps prevent water absorption. Periodic treatments can significantly lengthen the lifespan of your boots so it’s wise to condition them at least once every six months.
LOWA Active Cream is a colourless intensive cream that has been developed to add a waterproofing layer that still allows the membrane of the material to breath. The cream has been designed to be applicable to leather and GORE-TEX fabric, meaning it is perfect for a vast range of LOWA Military Boots. It will keep leather supple over the long term and prevent drying out and brittleness when used regularly, quite like a moisturiser for leather boots.
