Few garments offer the same level of versatility as a leather jacket. Originally invented more than a century ago, leather jackets remain one of the most popular choices of outerwear among men and women alike. They are soft, comfortable, durable and stylish -- a combination that cannot be said about other forms of outerwear. However, there's a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding leather jackets, some of which we're going to debunk in this blog post.

Leather Jackets Absorb Water

Some people avoid wearing leather jackets when it's raining outside, believing that moisture will damage the leather material. Being that leather is porous, it has a tendency to absorb moisture in wet environments. However, the leather used to make leather jackets is typically treated with a protective wax-like coating, allowing it to repel water. Long story short, you can wear a leather jacket when it's raining outside without worrying about it damaging the leather material. You may still want to dry off your leather jacket after exposing it to rain, but the bottom line is that water isn't going to damage it.

All Leather is Made Equal

Think all leather is the same? Think again. Different companies use different quality materials in their respective jackets and products. A fly-by-night retailer, for instance, will probably use the cheapest, lowest quality leather available in an effort to cut costs and save money. A leather specialty store, on the other hand, will probably use a higher quality leather. As you can expect, high-quality leather jackets usually cost more than their lower quality counterpart, but this is once instance in which the saying "you get what you pay for" holds true.

Black and Brown are the Only Colors

Another common myth is that leather jackets are only available in black and brown. While brown and black are undoubtedly the two most popular colors in which leather jackets are made and sold, you can find leather jackets available in dozens of other colors, including white, red, blue, yellow, green, gray, orange and shades thereof. If you're looking to differentiate yourself from the crowd, consider one of these alternative colors for your leather jacket. A forest green leather jacket is an excellent choice that's easy to match and looks great on all people. Just remember to choose a color that flows cohesively with your "traditional" clothes; otherwise, you may have trouble wearing your new leather jacket.

All Leather Jackets are Made of Cow Hide

The term "leather" refers to any animal hide that's been tanned and processed. Cow hide is the most common type of leather, though other animal hide may be used to create leather as well. Available exclusively here at LeatherCult, the Pure Leather Biker Jacket #2, for instance, is a premium-quality leather jacket made from pure Napa sheep skin soft leather. Sheep skin leather is often prized for its soft and supple texture. All types of leather are soft, but sheep skin leather is particularly attractive in this regard. As a result, many manufacturers make and sell leather jackets using sheep skin leather.

Leather Becomes Stiff and Rough Over Time

This statement couldn't be further from the truth. The opposite actually happens to leather jackets: they become softer over time. Like all leather garments and accessories, leather jackets have a "break in" period. When you initially buy and wear a leather jacket, it will probably feel somewhat stiff. This is completely normal and should cause no reason for concern. Assuming you wear it on a regular basis, however, the leather jacket will feel softer and more supple. Therefore, it's a good idea to wear your new leather jacket frequently to help break it in. Eventually, it will transition from a somewhat stiff texture to a softer and more comfortable texture.

You Can't Clean a Leather Jacket

While it's true that you shouldn't wash a leather jacket in the washing machine, there are still ways to clean it. Normally, the best way to clean a leather jacket is to wipe it down with a damp washcloth and a small amount of leather cleaning solution, which you can buy from most leather specialty stores. Leather is naturally resistant to stains, so a quick wipe-down should suffice. Refer to the jacket's care label for specific instructions on how to clean and care for it.

Leather Jackets Have Faded from Popularity

Fashion trends come and go from year to year. A trend that's hot today may be gone tomorrow. The good news is that leather jackets are literally timeless. In the 100+ years since they've been around, little has changed regarding the style and design. Granted, there are new types of leather jackets being created, but the classic bomber style jacket remains one of the world's most popular choices of outerwear. As such, you can rest assured knowing that leather jackets aren't going to fade from popularity any time soon.

Faux Leather Jackets are Just as Good as Genuine Leather Jackets

Don't assume that faux leather jackets are just as good as genuine leather jackets. A faux leather jacket isn't made of leather at all. Instead, it's made of a synthetic material that's designed to mimic the appearance and characteristics of leather. Faux leather jackets are usually cheaper, but they fail to offer the same level of comfort, style and durability as the real deal. If you want to reap the benefits of a leather jacket, stick with a 100% genuine leather jacket, not a faux leather jacket.

Leather Jackets will Crack and Peel

Another misconception is that leather jackets crack and peel. This may happen to cheap, low-quality leather jackets that aren't properly maintained. Assuming you buy a high-quality leather jacket and care for it, however, it shouldn't crack and peel. This phenomenon is normally caused by low-quality leather and lack of maintenance -- two things that are easily avoided. These are just a few of the most common myths and misconceptions surrounding leather jackets.