A good pair of leather combat boots has to take a beating. Mud, wet grass and a proper rain shower come with the use of sturdy boots. But does that automatically mean leather combat boots are waterproof?
No. And that is exactly where the confusion often arises.
A leather boot can be water-repellent without being fully waterproof. The difference seems small, but when you walk through persistent rain for a longer time, you definitely notice it.
In this article we explain what the difference is, how much rain you can expect leather combat boots to handle and how to maintain the leather well.
Are leather combat boots waterproof?
Not automatically.
Leather is by nature a dense material and well-treated leather can keep water out quite well. Still, a leather combat boot is not a waterproof shoe because of that.
With a water-repellent boot, water initially stays largely on the surface. Rain and splashes have less chance to soak into the leather.
With a truly waterproof boot, the construction is protected further. Think of a waterproof membrane or another construction that prevents water from coming through the shoe to the inside.
That is why, when buying combat boots, it is important to look not only at the material, but at the properties of the whole model.
Water-repellent is not the same as waterproof
The terms are regularly used interchangeably, but they mean something different.
Water-repellent
A water-repellent leather boot is designed to keep water off the surface as much as possible.
In a rain shower you often see droplets forming on the leather and rolling off. That makes such a boot suitable for, for example:
- rainy days;
- wet streets;
- grass and mud;
- short walks in the rain;
- daily outdoor use.
But with prolonged exposure to a lot of water, moisture can eventually get into the material and through other parts of the shoe to the inside.
Waterproof
A waterproof combat boot goes a step further. The shoe is specifically designed to keep water out, even when you have to deal with wet conditions for a longer time.
A construction with a PTFE membrane, for example, is fundamentally different from water-repellent leather alone.
In short: water-repellent leather keeps rain out as much as possible. A waterproof construction is meant to prevent water from entering the shoe.
Why can leather actually handle water?
Leather is not a sponge. Full-grain leather in particular has a relatively dense structure by nature.
When the leather is well finished and maintained, it can therefore handle rain and moisture quite well. Water stays longer on the outside of the shoe and has less chance to soak directly into the material.
But leather remains a natural material. It needs maintenance and the degree to which it holds back water can change over time. Frequent use, dirt, drying out and wear can affect the protection of the leather.
That is why the question is not just: “Is this combat boot made of leather?” but above all: “What properties does this specific leather have and how is the shoe constructed?”
When do leather combat boots get wet anyway?
Even a good water-repellent boot has a limit.
In a short rain shower that doesn't have to be a problem at all. But when you walk for hours through heavy rain, the leather can absorb more and more moisture.
Other parts of the shoe also play a role. Water can, for example, get in:
- along the tongue;
- around the laces;
- through seams;
- through the connection between upper and sole;
- when you walk through deep puddles.
A water-repellent leather combat boot is therefore rain-resistant, but not meant to stand in water indefinitely.
Can you walk through the rain with leather combat boots?
Yes.
A good water-repellent leather combat boot is in fact very suitable for daily use in changeable weather.
So you don't have to take a leather boot inside as soon as it starts to rain. A rain shower, a wet pavement or a walk through damp grass is something different from walking for hours through heavy rain.
For normal daily use, water-repellent leather is therefore a practical choice for many people.
However, if you regularly want to take long walks where you want to be sure your feet stay dry, a specifically waterproof model is a more logical choice.
The Samelin 598 Davos: water-repellent leather for daily use
A good example of a water-repellent leather boot is the Samelin 598 Davos.
The 598 is a sturdy boot with a robust look and is made for use where grip, durability and protection are important. The water-repellent character of the leather makes it suitable for conditions in which you regularly deal with rain and moisture.
The 598 is thus a good example of why water-repellent does not have to mean the same as waterproof.
The boot is well suited to rainy daily use, but you shouldn't treat it as if it were a fully waterproof rubber boot.
Which Samelin combat boots are waterproof?
Within Samelin's range there are also models where waterproofing is actually part of the construction.
An example is a model with a PTFE membrane. There, the boot doesn't rely only on the properties of the leather, but the membrane forms an extra barrier against water.
That makes such a model more interesting when you are looking for the boots specifically for:
- prolonged rain;
- wet walks;
- damp outdoor conditions;
- use where dry feet are a priority.
It is therefore wise, when comparing waterproof combat boots, always to look at the product specifications of the model in question.
Waterproof combat boots at Noreline
These five Samelin models have an upper of waterproof smooth chrome leather and a breathable, waterproof 4-layer PTFE membrane. They differ in closure, upper and protection:
- Samelin 604: with classic lacing
- Samelin 614: with a Winch dial closure that you tighten evenly with a single turn
- Samelin 732: combines waterproof leather with waterproof textile
- Samelin 734: with extra TPU toe protection
- Samelin 736: with a full leather upper
You'll find all models in our Combat Boots collection.
How do you keep leather combat boots water-repellent?
Good care makes a big difference.
Leather that is dirty, dry or poorly cared for will be less well protected against moisture. Fortunately, maintaining leather combat boots doesn't have to be complicated.
1. Remove dirt after use
Use a soft brush or slightly damp cloth to remove mud and dirt. Don't leave dried mud on the leather unnecessarily long.
2. Let wet boots dry calmly
Have your combat boots gotten completely wet? Then let them dry at room temperature.
Preferably don't put them directly against a radiator or other strong heat source. Too much heat can dry out the leather and affect the structure.
3. Care for the leather
A suitable leather conditioner helps keep the leather supple. Depending on the type of leather and the manufacturer, a protector spray or suitable wax can also offer extra protection against moisture.
Always use a product that is suitable for the specific type of leather. Not every care product is suitable for every type of leather.
What if your leather combat boots have gotten completely wet?
Don't panic.
A leather boot doesn't have to be ruined because it once got really wet.
First remove excess water and dirt. Then let the boots dry calmly at room temperature. When the leather is dry again, you can care for it with a suitable care product.
Above all, don't try to speed up the drying process with a hair dryer or radiator.
Drying calmly is better than drying quickly.
Which combat boot suits your use?
| Use | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Daily use | Water-repellent leather |
| Rain and wet streets | Water-repellent leather |
| Walking in wet grass | Water-repellent leather + good sole |
| Regularly long walks in rain | Waterproof construction |
| Very wet conditions | Specifically waterproof model |
| Lots of mud and outdoor use | Robust upper + good grip |
So there is not one “best” combat boot for every situation.
A water-repellent leather boot can even be a better choice for daily use when you mainly want a sturdy, comfortable boot that can handle rain and moisture.
Water-repellent or waterproof: what do you need?
Leather combat boots are not automatically waterproof.
A quality leather boot can handle rain and moisture excellently, but water-repellent leather has a different function than a fully waterproof construction.
Do you mainly want a sturdy leather boot for daily use, rainy days and outdoor use? Then a water-repellent model like the Samelin 598 Davos can be an interesting choice.
Do you expect regular prolonged exposure to rain and moisture, and is maximum protection against water important? Then look specifically at a model that is waterproof.
In the end the most important thing is simple: don't just look at “leather”, but at the actual water protection of the boot.
That small difference in specification can make a big difference in practice.