About
WeatherShield Smooth is a silicone-impregnated full-grain steer hide leather exclusive to Nicks Handmade Boots. Tanned by Seidel Tanning Corp. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the leather is treated with a silicone solution during the tanning process to create a hydrophobic surface that causes water to bead off rather than soak in. At 7-8 ounces in thickness, WeatherShield Smooth is approximately three times thicker than typical dress shoe leather and nearly twice the industry standard thickness for boot uppers.
About
WeatherShield Smooth is a silicone-impregnated full-grain steer hide leather exclusive to Nicks Handmade Boots. Tanned by Seidel Tanning Corp. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the leather is treated with a silicone solution during the tanning process to create a hydrophobic surface that causes water to bead off rather than soak in. At 7-8 ounces in thickness, WeatherShield Smooth is approximately three times thicker than typical dress shoe leather and nearly twice the industry standard thickness for boot uppers.
The leather is featured as the primary option for Nicks' WaterWork boot model, designed as their most water-resistant work boot. WeatherShield Smooth is available only in smooth-side-out finish, as the water-repelling properties are present only on the grain surface.
Manufacturing specifications
WeatherShield Smooth is produced as a 7-8 ounce full-grain steer hide, translating to approximately 2.8-3.2 millimeters in thickness. All of Nicks' 7-8 ounce oil-tanned steer hide leather is sourced from Seidel, a fourth-generation family-owned tannery with over 75 years of history producing leather for work boots.
The silicone impregnation process occurs during tanning, distinguishing WeatherShield from typical oil-tanned leathers. The silicone treatment creates a hydrophobic layer on the leather surface that provides enhanced water resistance compared to standard oil-tanned finishes.
Water resistance properties
The silicone treatment causes water to bead on the leather surface rather than penetrating the material. This characteristic makes WeatherShield Smooth more water-resistant than typical oil-tanned leathers and positions it as Nicks' primary option for applications requiring maximum moisture protection.
The heavy 7-8 ounce weight combined with the silicone treatment makes the leather suitable for work environments where water exposure is frequent. Nicks uses WeatherShield Smooth on multiple boot models including the Tactical, WaterWork, Gamebreaker, Ridgeline, and Overlander.
Available options
WeatherShield Smooth is offered in two colors: WeatherShield Black Smooth and WeatherShield Brown Smooth, both available at no additional charge. The leather is only available in smooth-side-out finish, as the roughout side lacks the water-repelling properties of the treated grain surface.
In addition to boot uppers, Nicks offers WeatherShield in both smooth and roughout finishes for their Heritage Work Belt, though the water resistance properties apply only to the smooth finish.
Care considerations
The silicone impregnation makes WeatherShield Smooth unsuitable for traditional leather conditioning methods. The treatment affects how the leather accepts oils and conditioners typically used on standard oil-tanned leathers.
References
"Work Leather Guide". Nicks Handmade Boots. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
"Leather Options Guide". Nicks Handmade Boots. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
"WaterWork Boot Configuration". Nicks Handmade Boots. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
"Heritage Work Belt - WeatherShield Brown". Nicks Handmade Boots. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
