How to Waterproof Leather Gloves | Waterproofing Wax Fix

One wrong wash or a careless heat-dry can ruin a good pair of leather gloves. The reliable way to waterproof leather gloves is simpler than most people expect: clean them gently, rub in a wax made for leather, and let them dry naturally. Skip the machine washer and the oven, and your gloves will shrug off snow and rain for years.

The Right Way To Waterproof Leather Gloves

Official guidance from REI, Nikwax, and Kinco all points to the same basic process. You do not need fancy tools—just a clean cloth and a waterproofing wax or cream designed for leather.

Here is the step-by-step method that works:

1. Clean the gloves only if they are dirty. Wipe them with a damp cloth to remove surface dirt. Never machine wash leather gloves—water and agitation strip the natural oils and ruin the leather.
2. Apply a leather waterproofing wax or cream. Nikwax, for instance, says to use its Waterproofing Wax for Leather like hand lotion—rub it evenly over the glove.
3. Work the product into the seams and stitching. This is the step most people skip, and it is the most important one. Water enters through seams, creases, fingertips, and the webbing between your thumb and palm. Press the wax into these spots specifically.
4. Let it absorb. Kinco’s care guide says to let the product sit for 2 to 3 minutes. REI’s experts say a few minutes. Either way, give the wax time to soak in before you touch it again.
5. Wipe off the excess. Use a damp cloth to remove any visible product left on the surface. Leaving too much wax on the palm makes the gloves tacky and slippery.
6. Air-dry naturally. Set the gloves somewhere room-temperature and let them dry on their own. Never wring them out, and do not put them near a heater vent, in an oven, or under a blow-dryer unless the specific product label says heat is safe.

After the first coat dries, check the seams again. Some guides recommend a second coat if the leather still looks dry or if you expect heavy use.

Product Choices: Nikwax And Kinco Options

You have a few solid product options, and they all follow the same application method above. The differences come down to formulation and which gloves you own.

If you are shopping for a new pair to waterproof in the first place, our tested picks for the best womens waterproof gloves cover the options that hold up best in wet weather.

Common Mistakes That Ruin Leather Gloves

The biggest failures come from doing too much, not too little. Machine washing is the fastest way to destroy leather gloves—the agitation and detergent strip the leather’s natural oils and can shrink or warp the shape. Wringing wet gloves does the same damage. If your gloves get soaked, press the water out gently with a towel and let them air-dry.

Skipping the seams is the other classic error. Water finds the stitching first, so a glove that looks waterproof on the palm still leaks through the fingers if you missed the seams. And be careful with how much product you apply. Load up the palm too heavily and you will end up with a tacky, waxy grip that makes holding a ski pole or shovel uncomfortable. Lighter application on the palm, or none at all, keeps the grip clean.

Heat is the riskiest variable. REI’s guidance does not instruct heating the gloves at all—just apply the wax and air-dry. Some non-official sources suggest gentle warming to help the wax penetrate, but that advice is product-specific and inconsistent. A few formulations actually warn against heat. Unless your product’s label says warming is fine, skip the oven and the dryer entirely.

What Waterproofing Actually Does (And Doesn’t Do)

Waterproofing wax makes leather water-resistant, not permanently submersible. The wax coats the fibers and repels water, but heavy rain or prolonged wet conditions will eventually soak through, especially at the seams. Think of it as dramatically slowing water entry, not sealing the gloves like a rubber boot. Reapply the wax periodically—a pair used daily in wet weather may need treatment every few weeks, while occasional winter gloves can go all season.

These instructions are for genuine leather. Fabric, synthetic, or mixed-material gloves need different products and methods, so check the care label before treating anything.

Full drying after treatment can take anywhere from a few hours to about 24 hours, depending on the leather’s thickness and the room’s humidity. Let the gloves dry completely before wearing them so the wax fully bonds to the fibers.