Hermes leathers for rainy climates.

Mar 21, 2008
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I have been studying all the various posts for weeks now to help me decide on an appropriate first Hermes bag for me. I had narrowed it down to a Bolide or a Kelly for everyday use, but then I saw the beautiful 37 Paris Bombay and thought it might be appropriate. I went to the Vancouver, BC Canada store to see if they had an example of it. They had a beautiful brown togo in I think they called Cafe. I tried it on, but it just didn't feel right for me, so back to thinking about the Bolide and the Kelly. The leathers I like are togo for the Bolide and togo or evercalf for the Kelly. I find it all overwhelming, so I decided to buy a light blue Carmen key ring and call it a day. Just as an aside, I asked the SA which leathers would be appropriate for our rainy climate. She said that they don't recommend any of Hermes leathers be exposed to rain and I should use a rain cover. Whoa!!!!! Hang on here a minute. I can just picture myself running to the grocery store and (being a little on the obsessive side) fussing over some stupid little rain cover. My instinct tells me I would become frustrated and stop using the bag. I really want an everyday bag that I use without worrying about and really enjoy, so I am starting to think maybe the bags just are not for me. My husband escorted me to the Louis Vuitton store across the street where I asked about their epi leather. The SA said it was fairly sturdy and was not a problem in the rain. So now I am wondering if an alternative would be to have the epi leather LV bag (for those interested either the Alma or Passy) and develop a rainbow of beautiful Hermes leathers in small items for the interior. Anyways, after such a long winded story, I was wondering if any of you have had similar experiences and what you decided to do.
 
Well, I'm in the UK, near Manchester, an area not known for its lack of rain! I have a togo birkin and although I don't expose it to rain when I can reasonably avoid it, it has been rained on more often than I like to remember and still looks (almost) like new after 4 years! I really wouldn't worry too much; after all, the original product was waterproof before it became my bag!

Hope that helps.

:okay:
 
I live in the UK, which is on the rainy side too, absolutely dismal here today.
I still use my H bags. I dont use the rain covers at all.
Really if its raining that hard, you wont catch me out in it, let alone my bag!!
I have got caught in one or two downpours, and I usually just put my bag in a plastic store bag!!
If it gets a bit of rain on it, I wipe it with a tissue (or DHs jumper!!) straight away, and it always been ok.
I dont think any leather bag would hold up too well if it got too wet.
 
Thanks for the reply. My husband was funny when I told him that Hermes leather should not be exposed to rain, he asked why we don't have to put little plastic bags on our feet to cover our shoes in the rain. He said that it didn't make sense. But if someone selling an expensive product gives me a warning, I tend to believe them!
 
I use my bags in the rain! I think box is one leather that isn't good in the rain as it will blister...however the togo, clemence, chevre, and I'm sure others are pretty hardy IMO! If I was going to be out and about in pouring rain I might leave mine home and use an LV instead though - but I agree - the leathers were long before in the rain!
 
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Thanks for the reply. My husband was funny when I told him that Hermes leather should not be exposed to rain, he asked why we don't have to put little plastic bags on our feet to cover our shoes in the rain. He said that it didn't make sense. But if someone selling an expensive product gives me a warning, I tend to believe them!

I can understand what you DH is saying english3222, but I have had a pair of leathers shoes drenched with rain, and they were never the same again. Totally soft and out of shape.
Any leather product will probably get ruined if soaked through and through, but a little rain , quickly dried will be ok.
I agree with Shoes, Box would scare me in the rain!!
I guess if you dont feel comfortable with spending that much money on a bag, then a lovely rainbow of H goodies to go in your bag would be a great idea, and sometimes nearly as satisfying!!
And theres so much choice.
 
I have a small Evelyne TPM which has been rained on a couple of times (I'm from Scotland where the people naturally have webbed feet:graucho:) and it's been OK so far. Does it rain a lot where you are? If it's the occasional rain shower then Togo would probably be your best bet. If you want an every day bag that you don't mind getting wet then the LV may be your better option (and you can fill it with a rainbow of Hermes small leather items instead).

The only drawback is the Epi colour palette is limited for most of their bags (so black, blue, red or creamy white).
 
I have a small Evelyne TPM which has been rained on a couple of times (I'm from Scotland where the people naturally have webbed feet:graucho:) and it's been OK so far. Does it rain a lot where you are? If it's the occasional rain shower then Togo would probably be your best bet. If you want an every day bag that you don't mind getting wet then the LV may be your better option (and you can fill it with a rainbow of Hermes small leather items instead).

The only drawback is the Epi colour palette is limited for most of their bags (so black, blue, red or creamy white).

Thanks for reading and replying, and yes it does rain a lot and sometimes for weeks on end without stopping. I don't expose my bags to heavy rain for hours at a time, but sometime walking from the car to my destination can be a 10 minute walk in a torrential downpour, so that is what makes me hesitate. I am really torn, because the LV would be a compromise, but on the other hand I would use it without a second thought. Another compromise I thought of would be to go with the LV and get the Kelly Pochette for going out in the evenings when I won't get wet. Such a hard decision to make, if only all life's problems were this pleasant!
 
Hello, I'd like to chime in.. No.1 all Hermes leathers can be treated to be water proof and resistant... Some leathers by Hermes are laminated and are weather proof..examples are Epsom and Vache Ligiee (spelling?) and there are several others as well. You may like to checkout my reference thread on leather care. Don't be scared off...And I ceratinly wouldn't wish a silly looking plastic cover on your handbag in rain or even Halloween! Cheers!
 
I use my Clemence and Swift bags when it rains, and I don't use rain covers or put them in plastic bags, and they're just fine! I just wipe them with a tissue (if a have nothing else) as soon as I'm out of the rain! After all, even in rainy climates, we're in a building or our car mostly, so even if it pours, we aren't outdoors for long!
 
Hello, I'd like to chime in.. No.1 all Hermes leathers can be treated to be water proof and resistant... Some leathers by Hermes are laminated and are weather proof..examples are Epsom and Vache Ligiee (spelling?) and there are several others as well. You may like to checkout my reference thread on leather care. Don't be scared off...And I ceratinly wouldn't wish a silly looking plastic cover on your handbag in rain or even Halloween! Cheers!

Thanks docride, I have been reading your threads with great interest, you have such extensive knowledge, experience, and may I say bravery with leather.
 
My togo Birkin got rained on more than I was happy with on Friday having to walk to the train. Once on the train I wiped my bag off with the little bag my LV scarf came in and my bag looks perfect.

H will NEVER say that any bag will be good in the rain because the one time an SA does that and then something happens to someones bag they'll be faced with an angry customer!!

I'm surprised LV would say the epi leather is ok in the rain because I wouldn't expose that to much wet weather either
 
This is an interesting thread! I also live where it is raining quite a lot and I need a bag for everyday use even if it is raining. I am thinking of buying a bag in togo. How can that leather be treated to be waterproof and restistant?