How cold is too cold?

[poms]

I will be moving across country and have several leather bags that will be left in the car overnight. What temperature is too cold for them? I would hate for them to be ruined because they froze. Thanks!!!!!!

 

[CoachCruiser]

You should be ok. I think you'd have to leave them in there for months before any sort of cracking/etc would happen to the leather.

 

[LeatherDoc]

Regular leathers should be fine, but exotics could get damage if it goes too much below freezing.

 

[Love Of My Life]

Perhaps consider a neutral polish to hydrate them before you travel... They should be fine

 

[Millicat]

Would placing them inside down coats or jackets be possible, or similarly thermal insulating materials ?

 

[purplepoodles]

We have lived in the colder parts of Canada and I have never babied my leather items including my vintage coach, D&B, Chanel and Hermes. The leather will stiffen while it is frozen so stuff the bags to hold their shape. Make sure they are well padded on the outside too so they don't dent each other.

When you unpack them let them come up to room temperature and the leather softens again.

Museums routinely freeze new textile and leather acquisitions as a chemical-free method to destroy pests so your bags should be fine for a night or so. Just make sure they are packed in a way they will not get misshapen.

Good luck on your journey!