10 Tips for Waterproofing Your Suede Jacket

A suede jacket is a wardrobe staple that blends elegance with attitude. Your polished look would be lacking one very soft touch without a suede jacket. The only concern with suede is its delicacy. Rain can then splash on your favorite jacket to become a patchy mess. For this very reason, you must learn how to waterproof your suede jacket, not only for the sake of its longevity but also to always have your style game strong.

Is Suede Actually Waterproof?

No, and no spray will make it so. Suede is the underside of the hide, sanded into a nap of open fibers that drink up water the way a sponge does. Treatment slows absorption and buys you time to get indoors. It doesn't seal the material.

This matters most on a genuine suede jacket. Faux suede is synthetic and shrugs off light rain on its own, but it also flattens permanently and can't be re-napped. A real suede jacket stays repairable for years, which is the trade-off you're paying for — and the reason the care routine below is worth doing.

Best Tips for Waterproofing Your Suede Jacket

1. Purchase a Quality Suede Jacket

Start with a quality jacket made from premium suede. The Marco Enzolani leather jacket Collection offers top-tier craftsmanship using responsibly sourced materials, ensuring your jacket has both the beauty and durability needed to stand the test of time.

2. Use a Waterproofing Spray 

• Apply a suede-specific waterproofing spray on your jacket before wearing it out, even before the first time you wear it. Look for a product that’s:
• Silicone-free (to avoid discoloration)It is specially designed for suede or nubuck.
• Breathable (to maintain the texture).
• Apply two light coats of the product and dry it between each layer. Then reapply every 4–6 weeks, depending on whether you wear it or not.

3. Don’t Wear It in Heavy Rain

A waterproofing spray prevents moisture, but suede is only 100% waterproof. If it is saying heavy rain, it is better to swap it for something that is more weather-friendly. Fear not, you’ll still be wearing sharp, and your suede will give you a thank you.

4. If It Gets Wet Don't Rub

Accidentally caught in a drizzle? Don’t rub—this will cause the water to sink deeper and your suede to end up looking ruined (that suede’s surface texture). Fill the jacket with paper to give it shape and allow it to dry naturally.

Related search: Easy Guide: Cleaning Suede Jacket Do's and Dont's

5. Keep Texture with a Suede Brush

Waterproofing itself will not make a suede feel or look better, but regular brushing will keep the suede jacket looking velvety. Buy yourself a double-ended suede brush so the soft side is to brush in for working on general upkeep, and the rubber side to use on tougher marks.

6. Steam Lightly to Restore Shape and Texture

Once your suede is dry, your suede will feel a little stiff, too. Brush and then hold the jacket over steam (not too close!) for 15–30 seconds. It revives the nap and makes it look luxurious.

7. Store It Properly

And never shove a suede jacket up in the cramped closet. Please keep it in a breathable garment bag and hang it on a broad, padded hanger. Do not use plastic covers that trap moisture, which can damage the material.

8. Utilise Professional Cleaning when required

Ignore DIYing your jacket if there is water damage or major stains. You can bring it to a specialist cleaner who specializes in suede. For such an eternal piece of suede, it’s a small investment for you.

Related search: Preventing Color Bleeding in Suede Jacket

9. Avoid Oily Products Near Suede

Suede absorbs oil like a sponge, so any hand creams, perfumes or hair products should be used with care. These can stain your jacket, and it makes waterproofing ineffective. Such products should always be applied before putting on your jacket, and should dry properly.

10. Test first on a Small Area

Before coating the entire jacket with waterproof spray or cleaner, test it somewhere hidden (like inside the cuff or the collar) first. This also helps keep the discoloration, which is undesirable with lighter shades when dealing with suede.

What to Do If It Gets Soaked 

Blotting handles a drizzle. A genuine soaking needs more. Blot with a clean towel, pressing rather than wiping. Stuff the sleeves and body with plain white paper to hold the shape; newspaper ink transfers. Hang it on a padded hanger somewhere with air movement, away from radiators, heaters, and direct sun, all of which stiffen the leather permanently.

Let it dry fully, which usually takes a day or two. Only then brush the nap back up with a suede brush. Brushing damp suede mats the fibers instead of lifting them. If a water ring survives drying, lightly dampen the whole panel with a barely wet cloth and let it dry evenly. Water stains are at the edges, so removing the edge removes the stain.

Waterproofing Starts at the Checkout

Everything above works better on a well-made jacket. Dye that penetrates the hide, a factory sealant, and top-grain suede all resist water far better than a surface-sprayed budget piece, and no amount of aftercare closes that gap.

That's the real difference in suede jacket prices. An affordable suede jacket costs less once. The best suede jacket for men costs less per wear, because it's still worth brushing and steaming in year eight.

If you're shopping for a suede jacket online, ask two questions before you buy: is it drum-dyed, and is it finished with a sealant? 

Marco Enzolani's men's suede jackets are built to both standards, which means the routine in this guide maintains your jacket rather than compensating for it.