How-to Guides and Advice

The ultimate guide to waterproofing shoes, boots & trainers | Wynsors

2024-03-25

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Whether you’re an experienced hiker wanting to prepare your brand-new hiking boots or you’re a sneaker fiend who will protect their trainers at all costs – we’re here to help with our top tips for waterproofing your shoes.

From unchartered adventures to trekking around town, it’s a sensible idea to waterproof your favourite footwear to ensure the structure and quality remains intact if you happen to find yourself in wet weather conditions.

Read through our comprehensive guide to discover the best options for waterproofing shoes, boots and trainers, and the simple processes to follow to help protect your footwear from those unpredictable April showers!

Benefits of waterproofing your shoes

Waterproofing your shoes, boots and trainers has a host of benefits. To point out the most obvious (and most important) ones, waterproofing shoes helps protect their material and structure, as well as maintain their colour and appearance. This can ensure a longer lifetime for your kicks, meaning they’ll stay looking and feeling fresher for longer – and who doesn’t want that?

How to waterproof shoes, boots or trainers

If you’re wondering what the best waterproofing methods are and how to apply the right treatment for your shoes, keep reading to discover our expert advice and guidance.

Preparing your shoes

Before you begin the waterproofing process, prep your footwear by following our steps below:

If applicable, remove any laces from your shoes.
Then, gently brush off any excess dirt or grime.
Now, follow the steps in our general shoe cleaning guide (or check out our guides to cleaning trainers, suede shoes or white footwear for more tailored tips) to clean and ready your shoes for waterproofing.
Always wait for your shoes to dry before beginning to waterproof.

Applying the waterproofing treatments

With so many footwear types, materials and colours come many different methods for waterproofing your shoes, boots or trainers. While there are an endless variety of creams, sprays, polishes, waxes, and other DIY concoctions available, it’s essential you select the correct treatment for the footwear you’d like to waterproof – so make sure to do your research first.

Top tip: Always make sure to check the ingredients and instructions on the product label to avoid any accidents, and test on a small, unnoticeable area of the shoe first!

Waxes and creams

There are a range of waxes and creams on the market that are recommended for footwear which needs a thicker barrier of waterproofing protection – such as walking boots and leather shoes. Make sure to select a wax or cream suitable for the material of your shoe and the strength of waterproofing you would like.

Once chosen, use a clean cloth or brush to rub a thin, even layer of product over the outer surface of your shoe. After applying, use a dry cloth to buff the shoes and remove any excess product. This will help to evenly distribute the wax or cream and create a smooth layer on the surface. If you require a stronger level of protection – for example, if you’re someone who often goes hiking across wet, muddy terrains – we’d recommend applying multiple coats of product. However, check that the wax or cream instructions approve of this first.

Waterproofing spray

A waterproofing spray is very easy to apply, convenient and effective at waterproofing trainers and suede shoes. However, as waterproofing sprays contain chemicals that make the outer of your shoe water-resistant, these can also affect the materials around where you’re spraying. To protect any surrounding floors or furnishings, lay down an old towel or rug – we’d always recommend spraying outside or in a well-ventilated area. Then, hold your chosen spray six to eight inches away from your shoes and evenly coat the entire surface, making sure to cover all seams and stitching. Depending on the product instructions, a few layers are usually encouraged for the best coverage.

Polish

If you want to waterproof a pair of leather boots whilst keeping them looking smart and sleek, a boot polish is the way to go. Choosing a polish that ideally matches the colour of your shoes, use a clean cloth or brush to work the product into the leather. Make sure to focus on one section at a time to help the product absorb into the leather, paying particular attention to any seams and creasing areas. Two to three coats are usually enough to produce a good level of waterproofing. Although especially ideal for leather boots, this product works best when used on footwear that requires only a minimal amount of waterproofing. So, if your footwear will be worn frequently in tough and rainy conditions, use more specialised treatments instead.

Oil-based products

Excellent at conditioning and a natural water-repellent, oil-based products are recommended for outdoor leather shoes. Make sure to avoid using on more delicate leathers and any non-leather footwear, as oil can darken or discolour some materials. With this product specifically, less is more, so always apply a thin layer to avoid oversaturating the leather.

You can apply the oil with either a cloth, sponge or even your fingers, moving in circular motions and focusing on the seams and any joints where water may possibly enter. Before buffing, leave the oil to settle into the leather overnight. After the oil has absorbed, wipe off any excess to the point where the leather does not feel greasy to touch.

Leave your shoes to dry

Regardless of which method you choose, all products should be left to dry overnight (or for a long period of time) before using the footwear outside. To dry them most effectively, stuff your shoes with old newspapers or rags to help maintain their shape and ensure even the trickiest areas and creases absorb the waterproofing protection. Once you’re happy with how your shoes look and feel, pop them on and wear them out into unpredictable weather conditions fear-free!

How to maintain your waterproofed shoes

Maintaining your shoes after waterproofing is essential to ensuring that the protection lasts. If you find you’re using your shoes frequently and in wet conditions, each of the products listed above will begin to wear off over time – so you’ll need to touch up the waterproofing layers regularly. This will prevent any water from leaking into your shoes through areas with weakened water-resistance, which could damage the material and structure.

FAQs

Are leather shoes waterproof?

Leather shoes are not completely waterproof, but they do have some water-resistance. Thanks to leather being a natural material, its fibres can resist water quite well. Although, when exposed to water for long periods of time, leather begins to absorb moisture which often leads to staining, deterioration in the structure and weakening of the material.

Are suede shoes waterproof?

Suede shoes are not naturally waterproof and have more chance of experiencing water damage when compared with regular leather. The soft surface absorbs water much more easily and is prone to staining, discolouration and damage. To prepare your suede shoes for waterproofing, read our dedicated suede cleaning guide.

Are Gore-Tex shoes waterproof?

Yes, Gore-Tex shoes are waterproof. Gore-Tex is a material that features pores small enough to prevent any water from getting in, making it ideal for use in waterproof footwear. The fabric’s unique offering also allows moisture to leave the shoe, keeping your feet comfortable as well as dry.

We hope our guide to waterproofing shoes, boots and trainers has helped you know how to protect your footwear from wet conditions. For more shoe care information and tips, head over to our blog, or take a look at our shoe care products to help maintain your favourite kicks.