Hermes leathers for rainy climates.

[papertiger]

Thank you very much, papertiger.
Yeah, I never thought that suffing every inch of a bag was not a good idea. I only use the little air pillows that come with the bags or some tissue paper. Now that you mention leather sticking to itself, I should try to buy or ask my SA for an extra felt. I have a box bag that doesn’t have one.

Is it ok to leave the raincoats inside the bags? I like to leave them inside, so I don’t forget them when I wear them.

Personally I would take them out when stored. Of course somewhere safe so you remember to take them out incase of rain

 

[surfchick]

I had my Bolide 27 epsom out in the rain Monday. Only sprinkled but so far so good. I got really lucky. I haven't noticed any puckered spots.

 

[Tonimichelle]

I have an epsom and was also glad that the tpfr who went through this experience with her Kelly shared what happened. It seems droplets are ok with Epsom but not being caught out in the rain for a period of time.

Re barenia, I do not have a bag in this but have a watch strap and if it gets wet it can spot. However, if the whole strap gets wet there are no spots. Otherwise, the leather holds up just fine. I imagine this is so as the leather used to be used on saddles? I’ve had saddles similar to barenia leather and rode in the rain with no problems.

Thanks for sharing! It’s interesting you mentioned spots when getting wet, because mine got down poured on a few times and when it’s dried completely the water spots all disappeared. Did yours remain? I wonder if it’s oil instead, since they are sensitive to oil.

I have had a couple of water spot outlines left on the barenia Kelly in the past. A wipe over the area with a damp sponge (just enough to darken the spot and surrounding area) and the spots disappeared when it dried again.

 

[doni]

I show DH comments about the potential damage of water on box calf. He questioned most men shoes are made from box calf. How come don’t have the same problem with shoes?

Any insights from TPFer?

I always think of this when people talk about the fragility of Box or even Barenia as compared to other leathers. Would one want their shoes or horse saddle to be in Epsom?
Very informative thread.
I agree that the rain in Europe is very different than that in (sub)tropical countries, and I guess the ideal leather for London may not be the same than for Bangkok’s?

 

[ladysarah]

If it is absolutely pouring down and know I will be outdoors my own preference is not to carry any leather bag. Having said that have carried my herbag in the snow & rain without any trouble . My Epsom is fine if caught in the odd downpour, but Best not walk in the shower with it...
As PT mentions, these items are designed to be there used, more damage can happen from storing and over protection.

 

[cravin]

Assuming because it’s new, but the rain was going sideways and the droplets just rolled off of the Novillo. Wife was sure to wipe any water off with a towel but it survived just fine.

 

[QuelleFromage]

I've had chèvre get very wet in sudden downpours and it's totally fine. But in expected heavy rain I'd carry Clemence if anything.
Hubby's Barenia HAC gets caught in the rain constantly, including today, and no spots.

 

[audreylita]

Yes, but all leathers - do your best to dry them off (i.e. with a towel only, no heat from a fire or hairdryer) and then leave them for a day or more - it takes time for leather to dry naturally. As many tpfers can attest, it is surprising how much ‘abuse’ good quality leather can take and still turn out ( to our eyes) with minimal or no damage. I personally have had a clemence H bag soaked through so much that other objects inside (shawl and wrapped lunch) were dripping!!! I didn’t think my B would survive but I dried it as much as possible with towels, and then left it for a couple of days to slowly dry in a warm spot in the house (the same as I would do for a good pair of leather boots that got a soaking in rain or puddles). Ten years later I still have that B and it looks fine! However it did not look good for the first day or so after its soaking (and I did panic about it!).
Hope that helps,
H.T.

Several years ago my black box leather kelly landed in a small puddle of water and it was a half hour until I noticed it. There were several small blisters and one very large blister. I immediately took a towel and blotted off as much water as I could. I then took a hair dryer and waved the dryer back and forth across the blisters for about 15 minutes. This dried the bag a lot but not entirely. I didn't know what else to do so left it to sit in a side bedroom where I wouldn't have to look at it. I peeked in a few days later and it was better but still had minor blistering and distinct circular markings around where each blister had been. I left it again and revisited it after another week.

And lo and behold, the blisters were gone. I was stunned that the bag looked perfect. I brought the bag into Claude who was still working at the Madison Ave boutique and told him the story and showed him the bag. He was amazed that I was able to get the bag back to looking so perfect. He did not tell me I shouldn't have used the dryer and complimented me on getting the bag back to looking so good.

It took patience (and a bit of nail biting ) but clearly without using the hair dryer the bag would not have gotten back to its pre flood state.

 

[nicole0612]

Ostrich seems to do very well! Water leaves dark marks but dries quickly and vanishes.

 

[xiaoxiao]

Several years ago my black box leather kelly landed in a small puddle of water and it was a half hour until I noticed it. There were several small blisters and one very large blister. I immediately took a towel and blotted off as much water as I could. I then took a hair dryer and waved the dryer back and forth across the blisters for about 15 minutes. This dried the bag a lot but not entirely. I didn't know what else to do so left it to sit in a side bedroom where I wouldn't have to look at it. I peeked in a few days later and it was better but still had minor blistering and distinct circular markings around where each blister had been. I left it again and revisited it after another week.

And lo and behold, the blisters were gone. I was stunned that the bag looked perfect. I brought the bag into Claude who was still working at the Madison Ave boutique and told him the story and showed him the bag. He was amazed that I was able to get the bag back to looking so perfect. He did not tell me I shouldn't have used the dryer and complimented me on getting the bag back to looking so good.

It took patience (and a bit of nail biting ) but clearly without using the hair dryer the bag would not have gotten back to its pre flood state.

This is incredibe! So good to know.

 

[ODEDIHAIMS]

On rainy days I grab my Barenia K32. It’s gotten more wet than this picture but this is just an example bc every thread is more fun with pictures.

 

[surfchick]

View attachment 4435126 On rainy days I grab my Barenia K32. It’s gotten more wet than this picture but this is just an example bc every thread is more fun with pictures.

We must be kindred spirits! I got my K28 Barenia sprinkled on a week after I got it. Let the water dry. Seems to be just fine. Didn't take pictures (or tell anyone)[emoji1] figuring I would have a lot of angry people after me!

 

[allywchu1]

Frequent use of shoe polish after use.
Because feet tend to be moving water droplets get flicked off and do not form and rest like the droplets on a bag. (please note the use of the verb tend; not a categoric statement)
It's a good observation though.

PJW made good points. The more you polish leather shoes the greater resistance to the elements (which is why shoes are polished, not just to look nice)

I have a pair of Box leather Land boots. I was told they were pre-treated and the rain does seem to run off. The worst enemy of all leather shoes and boots is salt laid down to counter snow.

I always think of this when people talk about the fragility of Box or even Barenia as compared to other leathers. Would one want their shoes or horse saddle to be in Epsom?
Very informative thread.
I agree that the rain in Europe is very different than that in (sub)tropical countries, and I guess the ideal leather for London may not be the same than for Bangkok’s?

Thank you for sharing. I don’t really have an answer myself. My observation is that as long as the rain drop can be dried promptly, box calf seems fine.

 

[honhon]

View attachment 4435126 On rainy days I grab my Barenia K32. It’s gotten more wet than this picture but this is just an example bc every thread is more fun with pictures.

yes my swift rose azalee becomes like this under rain drops. each wet spots turn black. but after a couple of hours they are gone like nothing happened

 

[Liberté]

Thank you for sharing. I don’t really have an answer myself. My observation is that as long as the rain drop can be dried promptly, box calf seems fine.

I believe leather for shoes is treated with wax that acts as a water repellent as well as well as the conditioning products people use on their bags. It makes the shoe water resistant for a while, but also stiff and potentially shiny. If the shoe is not cleaned and the wax not reapplied regularly, the leather will indeed deteriorate quickly, and much quicker in rainy, wet or snowy climates, The bottom of the shoes also have to be treated or replaced regularly for the same reasons.

I think it's a myth that box and barenia are more fragile than epsom, unless you consider a small scratch or temporary difference in color a default that makes the product unwearable. Epsom doesn't refurbish as well as the two and also doesn't really develop a patina properly speaking.Scratches and (water)stains on barenia and box will blend into the leather with time and spa treatments, but it's a good idea to wipe down the bag and let it dry, then recondition the leather if you get caught in rain.