Knowing how to make leather boots waterproof is an essential life skill. Hereโs how to do it!
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Thereโs something about the phrase โwaterproofingโ that sounds like itโs best left to professionals. Itโs almost like tinting your own car windows. Sure, anyone can do it. Technically. But it seems so easy to mess up โ and so annoying when you do.
But thatโs actually not true when it comes to waterproofing leather. Itโs especially not true when it comes to waterproofing leather boots.
Itโs not only simple, but itโs so important to do too. Call me dramatic, but cold feet and wet boots and socks are a full-on day ruiner. Itโs uncomfortable, it feels gross, and letting it happen too often isnโt great for your leather boots (or your feet).
Protect your favorite pieces of footwear and keep your feet dry with these easy and actionable tips.
Best Way to Waterproof Leather Boots
First, youโll make sure your boots are perfectly clean. Then, youโll apply the waterproofing products. So, letโs start with your boot ablutions, so to speak.
Cleaning Your Leather Boots
You want to start with this because when you apply waterproofing treatments, you donโt want dirt and debris to get stuck underneath them. Plus, keeping your leather boots clean keeps them strong and reinforced.
Here are some things youโll need for this:
- Clean cloth (or cloths)
- Hot water in a bowl
- Leather soap, though dish soap, will do just fine
First, youโll remove the laces and knock any excess dirt off. You can do this by shaking the boots and clapping them together on the soles a few times.
Feel free to throw your laces in some soapy water for a good 15 to 20 minutes if theyโre dirty, too.
Then, youโll dampen your cloth with hot water. Apply a dime-sized amount of soap and lather it up.
Use this cloth to then lather up the entire boot in small circles.
Wipe off the soapy water with another non-soapy wet cloth, then a dry cloth.
Depending on the waterproofing product youโre using, it may require the boots to be wet or they may require entirely dry boots. Make sure to read the product description and follow their specific directions accordingly.
The Waterproofing Process: Types of Waterproofers for Boots
There are several ways to waterproof your shoes.
Below are the most effective, though whichever you go for, youโll always start your application at the seams. Always apply at least one full coat, ideally two, and always let them dry.
And, of course, give special attention to any cracks or deep creases that look like they might crack.
Use a Wax Treatment
Wax is one of my favorite waterproofing treatments. Using a beeswax-based product, like the tried-and-true Atsko Sno-Seal, ensures water literally slides right off of the surface of your boot.
Lanolin-based products, like Otter Wax, are more pliable than beeswax. Fortunately, you can also get the strength of the latter and the flexibility of the former with waterproofers that use both.
Youโll simply warm up the wax and apply it to your boots with a cloth or even your hands.
The only downside to wax products is that the need to heat them up means they take time to apply, and they make it difficult for new adhesives to bond to the shoe. This makes resoling challenging, that is, unless your boots are welted instead of glued.
Use an Oil Treatment
The benefit of oil-based waterproofers is that they condition as well as protect. Theyโre often made with mineral, neatsfoot oil, or mink oil, as the Sof Sole Conditioner and Waterproofer is.
Iโve found that oils condition better than they protect, though theyโll do a fine job as a forcefield from moderate rain. The water tends to bead up on the surface and then roll right off.
Moreover, theyโre easier and quicker to apply compared to waxes because even the most hardened blocks of oil donโt need as much warming up. And, your boots donโt need to be immaculately clean prior to application because the oils arenโt creating a film that will freeze the dirt particles in place.
If youโre in a hurry, opt for oil over wax. And just as you would with a wax, youโll simply apply the oil to your boot using a clean, soft cloth.
Both wax and oil are sometimes reformatted into a paste.
Use a Spray Treatment
Though oils are faster to apply than waxes, none are faster than spray treatments โ as long as youโre okay with using aerosols. Even more, while oils and waxes are best used on true, full-grain leather, sprays can be used on all sorts of shoe materials, including fake leather.
Youโll usually hold the spray can a good foot away from the boot before steadily and consistently spraying it all over.
Sprays like the Kiwi Waterproofer are great because they donโt leave a film behind.
Fortify Your Shoe With a Seam Sealant
This is an optional step. But, if you use a seam sealant like the urethane-based Gear Aid Sealant, youโll add extra water protection to your bootโs most vulnerable places.
Do this after youโve cleaned your boots but prior to the main waterproofing treatment.
How to Waterproof Leather Boots Without Changing Color
Most waterproofers will darken your boots, even if slightly. This can add depth and richness to the color.
However, if youโd rather keep your boots in the same hue they came out of the box in, avoid mink oils. Many neatsfoot oil conditioners, like the Lexol Leather Conditioner, will provide excellent conditioning and decent protection without darkening your shoes.
To keep their color intact, I recommend conditioning your boots using such a conditioner and then using a silicon-based spray after.
Iโd strongly encourage testing any waterproofing compound on a hard-to-see part of your boot (like the tongue) prior to applying it to the entire boot.
FAQs
Still, have questions about waterproofing your leather boots? Well, Iโve got answers!
Can You Waterproof Leather Boots With Household Items?
You can use certain woodworking items like polishes and conditioners if they contain the same materials often used in leather, like mink oil and beeswax. To waterproof work boots, a lot of laborers even use WD-40.
Should You Waterproof Leather Boots?
Yes, if you live in a wet or rainy climate, itโs important to waterproof your leather boots. Doing this ensures a longer life for them and a more comfortable experience for you.
Can Waterproofing Treatments Damage Nice Leather Boots?
No. Waterproofers are made with oils, waxes, and even synthetic materials often used in leather conditioners. Theyโre not just perfectly harmless but beneficial to the health of leather boots.
Conclusion: Force Fields for Your Boots
The reason itโs important to know how to waterproof your boots is that even ones with factory-treated DWR will eventually wear out.
And even those with waterproof membranes can benefit from outside protection as well as interior protection!
Have you ever waterproofed your leather boots before? What products do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!
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