The Best Methods of Waterproofing Leather Shoes

By weatherproofing your leather shoes, you can protect them from the elements and ensure that they last longer.

Water and other elements can be harmful to your shoes by causing the finish to wear off, which in turn causes the shoes to wear out faster. But by weatherproofing your leather shoes, you can protect them from the elements and ensure that they last longer. There are different products for weatherproofing, depending on the elements, so choose the ones that you need for a specific purpose.

If you need to waterproof your shoes because you work in wet or messy conditions, use a beeswax product, which will give your shoes a much tougher finish than a protective spray. The beeswax will form a protective layer on the shoe or boot, rather than being absorbed into the leather. The additional layers of the beeswax create a better barrier against water, however they may change the appearance of the shoes. This would only be a disadvantage if the shoes were to be worn with nice apparel; however, if they are a pair of work boots, why would it matter?

If it is essential that your shoes stay in good condition and look nice, you can use a spray protectant. It should provide you with enough protection if the shoes are primarily worn indoors. The spray protectant is invisible so will not show up on your shoes or boots, but it still provides you with enough protection against dirt and mild to moderate wet conditions.

Remove any laces before spraying or using a protectant on your shoes. Laces may be cleaned separately or replaced if necessary.

It is best to condition your shoes before you wear them the first time. That way, you will be conditioning and protecting a clean pair of shoes that has not yet been exposed to the elements. It is also best to protect your shoes from the beginning as it will save you time with cleanings in the future.

There are a large variety of products from which to choose in order to waterproof your shoes, whether they are smooth leather, suede or nubuck.

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