What makes leather breathable?
Breathable leather allows moisture vapour from the foot to escape, keeping footwear comfortable and dry inside. ISA Next-Gen Materials finishes leather to preserve this natural vapour permeability rather than sealing it with heavy coatings, so comfort is built into the material.
Last updated: June 2026
Leather is naturally breathable, but heavy pigment or synthetic coatings can block vapour transmission. The finishing processes of ISA TanTec, a business unit of ISA Next-Gen Materials, keep the leather’s natural breathability intact, letting perspiration vapour move out of the shoe.
Breathability is most valuable in athletic, outdoor, and everyday footwear, and can be combined with PFAS-free waterproof chemistry so the leather keeps water out while still letting vapour escape.