The key to walking boot longevity 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
Best waterproofer for leather boots: Grangers Waterproofing Wax - View on Amazon
Best waterproofer for synthetic boots: Nikwax Fabric And Leather Proof - View on Amazon
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.
The best waterproofers for leather walking boots
Best waterproofer for leather boots
Description
Grangers Waterproofing Wax uses beeswax in this product to both nourish leather and rejuvenate
Best waterproofer for leather boots
www.cotswoldoutdoor.com
Description
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
Description
Like Grangers Footwear Repel Plus, this is a great re-proofing spray that's super easy to use and
Pros
- Water-based
- PFC-free
- Effective
- Use on fabric and leather
Cons
- None
Best waterproofer for synthetic boots
Description
This is a simple and effective waterproofing spray for all footwear types, including suede and
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.