The best waterproof materials for your dog's walking accessories: the complete guide
Updated 15 October 2026
In short: most waterproof collars and leads are made of textile webbing (often polyester) coated in plastic: PVC or TPU. BioThane® is a brand of this kind of webbing, made in PVC and TPU versions. More than the name, what matters is the quality of the coating (suppleness, thickness, edge finish) and of the hardware. Coated nylon and faux leather resist rain, but water can get in at seams and cut edges.
How does waterproof webbing work?
Textile webbing provides the tensile strength; the plastic coating makes it watertight and smooth. Water, mud and skin oils stay on the surface instead of soaking into the fibres: you wipe instead of machine-washing, and the "wet dog" smell has much less to cling to.
The main materials, one by one
A brand, not a material. The maker describes its product as polyester webbing coated with TPU or PVC, in several ranges (matte leather-look, glossy, reinforced…). Known for consistent manufacturing, it's usually more expensive than generic coated webbing.
The most common. Supple, smooth, watertight and affordable. Quality varies a lot between makers: low-grade PVC can be stiff or crack, good soft PVC stays pleasant to hold. Our Hexa accessories are made of soft PVC over a thin polyester layer.
Thermoplastic polyurethane. Supple, abrasion-resistant, and keeps its flexibility well in the cold. Often used for matte leather-look finishes. Usually more expensive than PVC.
Light and affordable. Treated or coated nylon sheds rain well, but water can get in through seams and cut edges. Fine for occasional rain, less so for swimming.
For style. A textile backing coated in polyurethane (PU), sometimes with plant fibres. Water-resistant, but durability varies a lot with quality.
The comparison
| Material | Against water | Suppleness in the cold | Care | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TPU-coated webbing (incl. BioThane) | Watertight surface | Good | Sponge | €€€ |
| PVC-coated webbing (incl. BioThane, Hexa) | Watertight surface | Fair, a little less supple in very cold weather | Sponge | € to €€ |
| Coated nylon | Water-repellent, seams vulnerable | Good | Rinse, sometimes machine | € |
| Faux leather (PU) | Water-resistant | Variable | Damp cloth | €€ to €€€ |
How to spot good coated webbing
In the shop or on delivery, I check:
Which one for your walks?
Coated webbing
Soft PVC or TPU: rivers, sea, muddy woods, dogs that roll in everything.
Coated nylon or polyester
Light, colourful, enough if you avoid swimming and dry it after rain.
Faux leather
For the look, checking quality and thickness.
Our Hexa waterproof collars and waterproof multi-position lead clean with a sponge; straight out of the parcel, slight waviness is normal and eases with use.
See the waterproof multi-position lead
Frequently asked questions
What is Biothane?
BioThane® is a brand of polyester webbing coated with TPU or PVC. The word is often used loosely for any coated webbing.
Biothane or PVC: what's the difference?
It isn't either/or: Biothane itself comes in a PVC version. The difference lies in coating quality, thickness and finish, from one maker to another.
Does a waterproof lead hold smells?
Very little: the smooth surface doesn't let water and skin oils soak in. A rinse or a wipe with a sponge is usually enough.
Does PVC go stiff in winter?
It can lose a little suppleness in very cold weather and regains it at room temperature. TPU generally stays more supple in the cold.
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