The key to walking boot waterproofing, and longevity in general, is user care. The demands of hiking are hard on the fabrics and treatments used in walking footwear. Over time, waterproof footwear need their water-repellency restored. Here, you'll find the best walking boot waterproofers.
Several products exist that help restore the waterproof ability of your walking boots and hiking shoes. They need to be applied onto clean footwear and, therefore, usually need to be used in conjunction with a footwear cleaner or conditioner.
Best walking boot waterproofers at a glance
Many brands offer their own footwear cleaning and reproofing products. But in our experience, we've found the products from two outdoor gear care specialists, Grangers and Nikwax, have the most effective and eco-friendly products. They're also very easy to apply and good value, so they tick all the boxes, really.
The best waterproofers for leather walking boots
In addition to water repellency, leather also needs occasional TLC to maintain the health of the material. Over time, leather can begin to lose the agents that are added during the tanning process, which keep it supple and nourished. Without them, leather dries out, stiffens, and starts to crack.
Both leather waxes we recommend below not only restore water repellency but also nourish and condition leather to keep it healthy.
Best waterproofer for leather boots
Grangers Waterproofing Wax uses beeswax in this product to both nourish leather and rejuvenate water repellency. This waterproofing wax is bluesign-approved and PFC-free.
Pros
- Durable and nourishing for leather
- Bluesign approved
- PFC-free
- Water-based
- Suitable for all leather including Nubuck
Cons
- Nikwax cream is perhaps slightly easier to apply
Highly recommended
www.cotswoldoutdoor.com
Like Grangers' Waterproofing Wax, this is a PFC-free, water-based leather wax for reviving the waterproofness of leather boots. It's effective at adding water repellency and restoring breathability.
Pros
- PFC-free
- Easy application
- Available in two volumes
- Available in Neutral and Black
Cons
- Grangers is a tad more effective (but there's very little in it)
The best waterproofers for synthetic walking boots
If your hiking footwear has a fully or partially synthetic upper or is suede, use one of these re-proofing products below.
Best waterproofer for synthetic boots
Like Grangers Footwear Repel Plus, this is a great re-proofing spray that's super easy to use and works a treat. It is PFC-free and comes in a range of volumes, with the option of a spray, or as a larger volume applied with a sponge or cloth.
Pros
- Water-based
- PFC-free
- Effective
- Use on fabric and leather
- Available in multiple volumes
Cons
- You can go through smaller bottles quite quickly
Highly recommended
This is a simple and effective waterproofing spray for all footwear types, including suede and leather. It's best used immediately after cleaning your shoes while they're still damp. Grangers Footwear Repel Plus is PFC-free and bluesign-approved.
Pros
- Bluesign approved
- PFC-free
- Water-based
- Use on fabric and leather
Cons
- Nikwax Fabric And Leather Proof is better value
How to tell when your hiking footwear needs a waterproofer
When your walking boots or hiking shoes are readily soaking up water, the DWR (durable water-repellent) coating is, as a soldier would say, compromised.
Exactly when this will happen varies for everyone. It depends on myriad factors, such as how often the boots or shoes are used, whether they're leather walking boots, what conditions they're subject to, how old the footwear is, and so on.
Once you notice water is no longer beading on your footwear, it's time. But clean your footwear first. Dirt or sweat inhibiting the waterproof fabric is a common cause for waterproof footwear to start soaking up water.
Once cleaned, and if they're still not water-repellent, try re-proofing them. You'll find the best walking boot waterproofers below. All the products we recommend here are as good as each other. They're all highly effective and PFC-free.
One final important tip
Waterproofing products revitalise the existing water-repellency of a walking boot or hiking shoe. But it's important to note that they won't make a non-waterproof boot or shoe suddenly waterproof.
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Chris Williams is a Digital Content Writer for Live For The Outdoors. He trained as a journalist in New Zealand and has been working on Live For The Outdoors since 2021.