Suede is a luxurious material that is unfortunately susceptible to moisture and water damage. Thankfully, there is a way around this to protect your favorite suede boots for longer. Can you waterproof suede boots? The answer is a resounding YES! It’s a necessary procedure, especially if you live in wet and snowy climates. Below are some of the best ways to waterproof suede boots.
How to Waterproof Suede Boots
One of the best ways to prolong the lifespan of your expensive suede boots is to not wear them out in unsuitable climates. While this isn’t really a way to weatherproof suede shoes, keeping them away from harmful precipitation is one of the best ways to ensure they last long.
Aside from preventing moisture and water contact, you should protect them with a suede waterproofing spray. Not all of the ones on the market are full of artificial chemicals, and many will consist mainly of natural ingredients, just for those wondering how to waterproof suede boots naturally.
Avoid the Wetness
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Keep Them Clean
Before applying a suede waterproof spray, you need to first make sure your boots are clean. You don’t want to coat dirt and dust with the waterproof spray as it will set it even deeper into the material.
One magical thing about suede is it’s relatively easy to clean compared to some other materials such as cloth and canvas. You can easily just pat or rub off accumulated dirt, or used a special brush to brush it off. If you see staining, try using a soft and damp cloth to gently rub the stain before it seeps deeper.
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Apply the Spray
The next step is to carefully apply the spray to your boots. The purpose of the spray is to protect the material but not change the boots in any other way. A good waterproofing spray won’t alter the feel and make the boots more rigid and hard. While a total waterproofing spray will keep the water out 100%, it may also change the integrity of the shoe. Therefore, you can opt for a water repellent instead.
The water-repelling and waterproofing process with these sprays is very easy. Lay down newspaper on the ground so you won’t end up making a mess. Lift up the boot you plan to spray and lightly coat it evenly with the spray bottle. This process should be repeated every few weeks.
As you wear the boots, the protective coating will gradually wear down, which is why you need to top it off. If you don’t wear the specific boots in question that frequently, you can just coat the boot once every season.
Applying the spray is also a case where less is more. Don’t overdo it because you can end up affecting the breathability of the suede and damage your boots over time. Just a thin coating will be enough for basic protection.
If you care for your boots, this article is a must for you: How to remove dry paint from shoes
What to Do If Suede Boots Get Wet?
Even if you protect your suede boots to the best of your ability, there still may be a chance they get wet if you are caught in disastrous weather. If your suede boots do suffer from water penetration, don’t panic just yet.
When you get home, take them off right away and dab them off the surface with a dry and soft towel. Stuffing them with a newspaper is the next step as the paper will absorb the leftover moisture. Not only will they help absorb the wetness, but they will also help the boots keep their shape.
Do not add heat to the boots, just let them dry naturally in an open space at room temperature. This means don’t leave them outside to dry. After a stint in the rain, you will want to go the extra mile to protect your suede and maintain them so it never happens again.
You can do this by applying the waterproofing spray or water-repellent once the boots are completely dry. But before that, it’s important to condition the suede to make sure they don’t crack. Suede and nubuck leather don’t generally need conditioning, but since it’s been through an ordeal, you can purchase conditioners specifically for suede in this case.
Just apply a little amount to a soft cloth and buff gently all throughout the surface. After that’s done, leave your boots overnight to give the conditioner a chance to seep into the leather completely to work its magic.
Benefits of Waterproofing Suede Boots
Not only will waterproofing your new suede boots keep them safe from water damage, but it will also repel dirt and mud. It will also give you peace of mind if you are caught in a rainstorm. We can’t control the weather, but we can control how we protect ourselves from the elements.
We also recommend keeping a microfiber cloth handy if you expect the weather to take a turn. If you don’t want to look at water droplets on the surface of your shoe, you can always give them a good wipe.
Another benefit of waterproofing your suede boots has to do with your feet. Nothing is worse than having soaking wet socks and cold feet because water soaked through. Waterproofing your boots will keep this from happening, and it also keeps the smell at bay.
Dry and warm feet are also more hygienic and will keep bacteria from thriving on the inside of your shoe over time. This is especially true if the water and splash damage is dirty.
