Leather will smell if it gets wet. You know it because you have taken a soaking boot off at the end of the day. One friend I know was caught in a spring shower in a pair of leather boots that he loved, stuffed them with newspaper and decided that they had survived. For approximately a month they seemed okay. After that, the sole began to rise at the toe.Well, that is the actual question about fashion boots. They're not waterproof, but what's after is what you pay for.I can't confirm the weather resistance of any particular Rick Owens model, nor do I have official specs. The majority of the brand's boots are not engineered as technical rain boots, so the following is an explanation of how to decide if your pair is and how to take care of it.

First of all, presume that they are not waterproof.

If the tag or product page indicates it has a waterproof treatment or membrane, this is what you should assume. But  rick owens use them at best as water-tolerant boots. Finished smooth leather will withstand a trickle of water for some time. Water absorbs into suede, nubuck and canvas very rapidly. In almost all of them, puddles are not a good option.

The information you get from the material.

The most important thing about leather type is that. Smooth, waxed or oiled leather is more resistant to damage than pale suede and dark colours will not reveal the water marks that light colours will. For those who live in a wet climate, it's a must-have pair to wear during the rainy season.Construction matters too. A glued, or semi-glued, sole join can open up when the water gets in and the boot dries and shrinks, like my friend's boots. Solids that are sewn are more resistant to wetness. The zips and the eyelets are the places in the boot through which water can enter and a boot with a sewn in tongue will keep your socks drier than one that has a gap in the tongue.Then there’s grip. A rubber lug sole acts on a wet pavement. Before taking the bottom for granted, a nice leather sole on a wet tile floor can be very hazardous.

The effects of snow and salt are more severe than those of rain.

The actual culprit is the salt used on the roads. It causes leather to become dry and to leave chalky white stains; it gradually  Rick Owens Boots at stitching and glue. Once they are dry, dry them slowly after a walk, after which conditioner should be applied to the leather. The pack snow turns into suede and will leave behind marks that won't completely clear up.

Protecting a pair before it rains

Use a product that is appropriate for the material: wax or cream for smooth leather; a special spray for suede. Test it initially in an out-of-the-way spot as there are products that will darken the leather. Apply it to clean, dry boots, give it time to cure, and reapply every so often.Use this as a cushion, not as a certainty. It cut down on the water uptake, but not to a fashion boot.

If they do end up getting wet

Resist the radiator. Leather and glue will be weakened by heat from a hair dryer, a heater or direct sunlight, rather than the water. Rather, remove moisture from the surface, take out the insoles and fill the boots with plain white paper, replacing it when it is wet. You can use shoe trees or plain paper to prevent printed newspaper from transferring ink inwards. Allow to stand for 1 or 2 days at room temperature. Once dry, condition the leather to put the oils back.

Buying used? Search for traces of water history

Look for stains, white salt rings on the sole, hard or cracked leather and soles peeling off at the toe. Those indicate intensive use of the wet. When considering a pair, you should ask the owner if they ever treated it and how they stored the pair.

Heat and storage

It's more than water. Leather dries in hot cars or in direct sunlight and damp rooms cause mold. Keep boots in shoe trees in a ventilated container - not a tight plastic container.

The practical answer

Consider them as fashion shoes. In wet climates, wear dark, smooth leather; protect the leather before leaving; dry it slowly if it gets wet and clean off salt quickly. When the forecast is NOT good, then wear something other than it.