Why Biothane Beats Leather for Winter Walks (An Honest Comparison From a UK Brand)
Winter with a dog looks different for everyone.
For some, it’s peaceful frosty strolls at sunrise.
For others…it’s a spaniel disappearing into a ditch before you’ve even zipped your coat.
Wherever you fall on that spectrum, one thing is certain - your dog’s collar works harder in winter than in any other season.
Rain. Frost. Mud. Salt. River dips. Hose downs.
Leather was never built for this climate — Biothane was.
Below is an honest breakdown of how the two materials behave in real, everyday UK weather (not sunshine and holiday conditions).
If you have a spaniel, you already know this scene.
The shake-off spray, the muddy underbelly, the puddle that was never avoidable.
Leather doesn’t survive these days — it absorbs the moment.
Biothane walks it off.
Waterproof vs Water-Absorbent
Leather absorbs water like a sponge. Biothane repels it like a waxed jacket.
On wet days, a leather collar becomes heavier, softer, darker, and if left damp overnight — sour smelling. Meanwhile, Biothane dries in seconds. A quick wipe with a cloth and it’s ready for your next adventure.
| Scenario | Biothane | Leather |
|---|---|---|
| Dog rolled in mud | Wipe clean | Requires scrubbing + drying |
| Dog swam in lake | Pat dry | Stays wet for hours |
| Frosty morning walk | Soft + flexible | Can stiffen + crack |
This alone is the reason why many dog owners switch and why we say when it comes to your dogs collar, the only way is weatherproof!
Snow melts, mud dries, weather shifts — Biothane doesn’t mind. A quick wipe, and it's ready for the next adventure. Credit: Bex.
No Smell, No Sour Damp “Dog” Scent
If you know the smell, you know. A wet leather collar + dog oils + bacteria = that lingering damp-animal odour.
You can clean it, but you never quite reset it.
Biothane doesn’t absorb oil, water or odour — so it always returns to neutral.
Your home, car seat and sofa will quietly thank you.
Ollie wearing Everfern, for bold, bright explorers.
Alvie wearing Traditional, with gold stars for the dog with a little country soul.
Every colour, every finish, every detail - chosen by you.
Winter Flexibility (and Why It Matters)
Cold stiffens leather.
When a collar stiffens, it can rub — especially under movement.
Biothane stays supple at sub-zero temperatures.
Whether your dog is a gentle walker or a mud-seeking missile, comfort stays consistent.
Maintenance — Minutes vs Ongoing Care
Caring for leather requires:
• Conditioning
• Drying flat
• Avoiding long exposure to rain
• Cleaning oils + salt residue
Caring for Biothane requires:
• A cloth
• Warm water
• 20 seconds
That’s it.
When life is busy, maintenance shouldn’t be.
Astrid, soaked and smiling, proving our Christmas collars were built for more than warm living rooms and tree-lit photos.
Gojiberry red and silver foil — chosen specially for her — shining through rain, play, puddles and puppy-joy.
Christmas can be stylish and muddy.
Especially when you get to design it yourself.
Looks — Does Durability Mean Less Beauty?
Not here.
We emboss, foil stamp, attach hardware with precision and finish each collar with a detail our customers recognise instantly: the little collie at the tail end.
Leather gives heritage. Biothane gives longevity + beauty + practicality.
Style shouldn’t fall apart in the weather.
Frankie from Beyond Focus Photography is proof that some names carry more than sound.
Pure Merlot with antique gold, chosen to honour her journey with softness and strength.
Matte gold lettering pressed into Biothane, not for decoration — but for identity.
A collar made for weather, movement, and memory.
When Leather Does Make Sense (Fairness Matters)
Leather is lovely for gentle indoor wear — older or low-energy dogs, dry weather, special occasions.
But for daily use in British winter, especially with:
✔ spaniels
✔ labradors
✔ adventure breeds
✔ water-loving dogs
Biothane doesn’t just perform better — it performs effortlessly.
Final Thoughts
A winter-ready collar should not require special care.
It should handle rain, rinse clean, and last years — not months.
Biothane gives you elegance and endurance in one piece of gear.
If you want a collar that suits real life — wet, muddy, joyous, chaotic — it’s the material built for it.
👉 Explore our waterproof winter-ready Biothane collars here →