Sinking feelings come in stages. There’s scrambling for gig tickets only to see they’ve sold out when you get to the front of the virtual queue. Landing the middle seat of a long-haul flight. An undesirable triumph in a national election. And stepping into an expectedly deep puddle. In brand new boots.
Of all those examples, the puddle may be on the lesser end of the day-ruining scale, but it’s no less unfortunate. Done at the start of the day, and you’ve no choice but to squelch around in soggy socks (who goes out with spares?) and hope you don’t develop trench foot by the time you get home. If you’re ‘lucky’ enough to have engaged in this mishap when you get home, you’ve still got an evening of stinking out the house by trying to air them on the radiator or windowsill lying ahead. A first-world problem it may be, but woe is still very much you.
Living in the UK means implicitly understanding that rain comes with the meteorological parcel. Dark clouds are always lurking, so the onus is on us to find ways to battle them - or at least ensure clothes survive the downpour.
Waterproofing outerwear is one way to ensure clothes stand up against the elements, but for top-to-toe defence, it’s wise to invest in a waterproof spray for boots too.
If your boots already come with a Gore-Tex membrane or another waterproof layer, you're home and dry - there's no need to waterproof them. If they don't, a boot waterproof spray can dramatically increase their longevity, making them more durable, and breathable and helping to boost protection against stains. A barrier against moisture can also make your boots much more comfortable, keeping ankles and feet dry.
Be careful using a waterproof spray on genuine leather designs though. Since the material is a natural hide, the sprays may stop nourishing shoe creams from penetrating the leather, which could lead to them cracking and drying out.
If you’re looking for a waterproof barrier to protect your boots, we’ve rounded up the best defence below. We’ve taken care to choose from a wide range of brands that will care for different fabrics, so you should find something suitable here.
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Nikwax Fabric and Leather Proof Spray-On
The excitement of stepping into a fresh pair of shoes quickly deflates the moment you step out onto a London street. Even if it’s fair weather out, shoes will immediately show some signs of wear.
Keep them looking fresh from the sole up with Nikwax’s finishing spray, which adds water repellency to leather or synthetic footwear. It can also be used on Gore-Tex and other accessories like gloves. The water-based solution is odourless and keeps items feeling breathable, all while working its waterproofability magic.
Buy now £9.01, Amazon
Tarrago High Tech Nano Protector 400ml
Cleaning and waterproofing shoes, you’ll wonder how you got by without Tarrago’s nano-protecting spray. The fluorocarbon polymer present in the formula creates an invisible shield upon contact with your chosen fabric; a barrier that becomes stronger with every application.
It can be used on everything from outerwear, camping gear such as backpacks, classic and specialist footwear - even nubuck, leather and suede, both natural and synthetic. Got Gore-Tex to protect? This is just the ticket.
Buy now £15.99, Amazon
Crep Protect Shoe Protector Spray
Give shoes up to five weeks of protection against stains, spills and water with this nano-protecting spray from Crep Protect. Two coats are all you need to form an invisible hydrophobic barrier on your favourite pair of kicks. Just be sure to apply each one in a well-ventilated area, waiting ten minutes between each layer.
Buy now £12.00, Amazon
Liquiproof LABS Premium Protector Spray 250ml
Keep your new suede jacket or leather boots looking in better nick for longer with Liquiproof’s protector spray. The odourless treatment is ideal for those who shy away from using chemicals as it’s been formulated with 98 per cent naturally derived ingredients. The product uses nanotechnology to form an invisible barrier over your precious items, making it much easier to clean off residue like mud, dirt and liquid spills.
Buy now £20.00, Amazon
Mountain Warehouse Universal Footwear Proofer
Fighting fire with fire, Mountain Warehouse's in-house solution is this water-based spray, designed to keep raindrops bouncing off your shoes instead of being overwhelmed by them. It can be used on leather, fabric, nubuck and suede shoes, meaning you can give your entire footwear collection the same treatment.
Buy now £8.99, Mountain Warehouse
The Lab Co. Liquiproof Shoe Protector Spray
Get that box fresh feeling every time you wear your boots thanks to The Lab Co. The company is behind this all-natural protective spray which shields your favourite footwear and clothing from rain, stains and spills by creating an invisible, water-repellent barrier that can last anywhere between three months and three years.
It will work silently, leaving the look and feel of your shoes unchanged. Spray your insurance policy on everything from suede, nubuck, mesh, canvas and other textiles.
Buy now £15.00, Amazon
Penelope Chilvers Protector Spray
Life is too short to allow poor weather to imprison you indoors. Penelope Chilvers' Protector Spray is all you need to step out in confidence.
The formula not only wards off rain and drizzle, but it will save your shoes from mud and oil too, a handy thing to have if you're planning park and country walks. It even comes with a light fragrance to add to the experience.
Best of all, you can use the spray on fine leathers like nubuck and many fabrics too. Just mist generously and allow to dry before heading off.
Buy now £12.00, Penelope Chilvers
adidas Sport Protector Waterproof Spray
While some trainers look good with a bit of gentle wear, there is a line. Stay well away from it with adidas' waterproof spray, which can be applied to protect leather, suede, nubuck, canvas and more. Using nano-technology to form a waterproof shield over your footwear, two coats offer the best defence. Just wait 10 minutes between coats to ensure they're properly dry.
Buy now £6.99, Amazon
Nanoman Water Repellent Spray for Shoes
This nanotech solution does more than protect shoes - it can look after your bags too. The scent and stain-free option creates a barrier while keeping shoes breathable and can be used on suede, nubuck, nylon, canvas, sheepskin and leather to keep them looking great.
Buy now £15.00, Amazon
