Wet Gear - Leather Care

It's that time of year again- if you’re in the North, you’re fogging the cylinders and hooking up the battery tender. The preparation for that prized December day when the streets are ‘mostly snow free’. For the luckier of us, the riding season lives on. Everyday the ride to work gets darker and colder. Everyday it gets a little harder to pull on your cold damp riding gear and throw a leg over the bike. It’s always worth it when you’re out there though - sure your fingers are freezing, sure people are texting with one hand and eating with the other and the fallen leaves, white lines, and manhole covers turn into the equivalent of snot on polished marble. But the look on your co-workers faces when you pull up on your gixxer in the pouring November rain, priceless. Sometimes even the best prepared can get caught out in the cold nasty without your PDX rain gear. If you do happen to get your leathers soaked, here’s what we suggest to make sure your gear stays fresh and mildew free;

• Hang the garment on wide or padded hangers to help maintain it's shape.
• Remove any dirt, mud, or other stains with Icon Leather Cleaner. Take care not to rub the grit or road debris into the jacket as this can damage the outer surface of the leather.
• When leather gets wet the oils that lubricate the leather form bonds with the water and they are washed away. Over time this can weaken the leather.  Icon recommends the use of Icon Leather Conditioner to replenish these protective oils.
• Do not use waxes, silicones, or other leather preparations that impair the garment's ability to breathe.
  
• Allow the garment to air dry in a cool, dry place. Do not apply any heat to the leather and never store your leathers in plastic or other non-breathable covers.