How to Waterproof Shoes

Canvas loafers or sneakers with soft soles are very comfortable, but the truth is that they are not suitable for wet weather. But don’t exchange them for a pair of wading boots. With a waterproof spray, some wax, and a hair dryer, you can create a protective layer on any canvas shoe in minutes. That way you can wear your favorite shoes more often while still protecting your feet from rain and road puddles.

Table of Contents

Waterproofing shoes with wax

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Take a piece of beeswax or colorless candle wax. With this type of upgrade project, you certainly can’t go wrong with natural beeswax. Beeswax is available at most hardware stores as a lubricant. If you can’t find beeswax, you can buy colorless, unscented paraffin candle wax (like tealight candles). ^{[1] X Research Source}

Regardless of the type of wax, you must choose a colorless wax, otherwise the shoes will be stained.
If the shoes you want to waterproof are expensive or unique, you should choose the safest product.

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Clean the shoes with a damp cloth or wash them if they are very dirty. To ensure the wax adheres to the shoes, you should clean the surface of the shoes completely. A quick wipe will help remove dust and dirt if the shoes are not too dirty. For shoes that are quite old and have been used a lot, you may have to put them in the washing machine and dry them before waxing. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Waxing shoes without first cleaning will cause dirt to get stuck under the wax. After that, the shoes will be waterproof so you can’t clean them anymore.
Make sure the shoes are completely dry before you start waterproofing. If bad weather is anticipated, you should wash your old shoes a few days before you plan to use them. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Check for wax in a hidden spot of the shoe. Before waxing the entire shoe, dab a small spot on the heel or the side near the sole and see how it looks. That way you can make sure the wax doesn’t smudge the color. Remember that most of the color contrast will disappear after the wax has melted.

Colorless or off-white waxes offer the least contrast, and can blend in perfectly with the color of the shoe material.
If you use colored wax, make sure the color of the wax is as close to the shoe color as possible.

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Apply wax all over the outside of the shoe. Beat the wax back and forth vigorously to coat any part of the shoe that you want to waterproof. Rub vigorously so that the wax penetrates the fabric. Imagine you are painting with crayons. Pay close attention to the areas around the toe, heel, side cheeks and laces that tend to absorb water. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Double check to make sure the wax has covered the entire shoe. Any point missed will lead to a leak.
Where there is accumulated wax, the color will be clearly visible. Don’t worry, this problem will go away after you dry the shoes. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Set the hair dryer on high heat. Turn on the dryer to warm up before spraying on shoes. The higher the temperature, the faster and more thoroughly the wax will melt. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Hold the hair dryer head close to the surface of the shoe so that the heat is better concentrated.

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Move the dryer back and forth over the shoe. Move the dryer slowly, turning or tilting it as needed. You will see the wax quickly blend into the surface of the shoe. After drying one piece, continue drying the other. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

The coil inside the dryer needs to be heated for about half a minute to melt the wax.
Dry only one shoe at a time. After drying the first shoe, you will have the experience to know when the wax has fully soaked into the shoe.

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Continue drying until the wax is gone. When liquefied, the wax penetrates the fabric of the shoe, sealing the pores and creating a barrier against water. The wax then hardens and forms a transparent protective layer. The finished shoe will look like it was unwaxed. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Look closely for unmelted wax spots you missed before storing the dryer.
Wax is a natural water repellent, even for very porous materials, so it won’t harm the shoe when incorporated into the shoe’s texture. ^{[9] X Research Source}

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Test for water resistance. All that remains to be done is to see the water resistance of the shoe. Try pouring a glass of water over the toe of your shoe. The water will slide away immediately. Congratulation! Now you can go out without fear of rain or flooded roads. ^{[10] X Research Source}

If the shoe is wet, you need to apply a more perfect wax. Remember to wait for the shoes to dry completely before applying a second coat of wax.
You won’t be able to go swimming in these newly upgraded shoes, but if it’s just light rain or walking in a snowy field, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Treat shoes with waterproof spray

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Choose a canvas shoe for waterproofing. While you can waterproof any type of shoe, you’ll get the best results with canvas shoes that are highly absorbent. The wax will soak into the fabric of the shoe. On materials such as leather or synthetic resin, the wax will form a layer on the surface and will wear off very quickly. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Burlap, hemp, suede, and other rough materials would be the best candidates for waterproofing.

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Buy a good quality waterproof spray. There are many different brands and models to choose from, but their purpose is the same. The most important ingredients to look for are silicone or acrylic ppyme, which helps prevent water, mold, moisture, and any damage caused by water.

Waterproof sprays are available at shoe stores, as well as outdoor clothing and equipment stores.

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Spray over the entire upper part of the shoe. Hold the spray bottle 15-20cm away from the shoe and spray a thin and even layer. Be sure to cover all areas where water could enter the shoe, including the seam between the upper and the sole. Do not spray wet. Instead, you should just spray a layer of glitter on the surface. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Hang up your shoes if possible. That way you can precisely target the upper half of the shoe without accidentally spraying your hands.
To limit exposure to toxic vapors, you should work in a well-ventilated area. Working outdoors is best, otherwise you can turn on a ceiling fan.
You need to spray two or more coats for materials with rough surfaces such as suede or nubuck leather for complete waterproofing. ^{[13] X Research Source}

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Use a soft cloth or handkerchief to wipe off any excess waterproofing on the surface of the shoe. Gently wipe the entire shoe. Don’t wipe so hard that the repellent gets absorbed — just a few dabs and you’re good to go.

Avoid using paper towels. The loose fibers of the paper can become trapped in the waterproofing agent and become part of the material.
Be sure to wipe off any adhesive waterproofing around the sole, as well as shoe accessories such as zippers, eyelets, and rubberized details.

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Let the shoes dry overnight. Most repellents will dry within 20-30 minutes, but to be on the safe side, you should let it dry for 24-48 hours before using it. If you want to apply multiple coats, wait a few minutes after each coat before applying the next coat.

Do not try to speed up the drying process by using an external heat source, such as a dryer or open fire. This can interfere with the chemical reaction that creates bonding, damage the shoe, or even cause a fire.

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Reapply the repellent after several uses. In principle, waterproofing is not as durable as wax, so you have to spray it more often to keep your feet dry and healthy. In winter or rainy season, you should repeat waterproofing after 7-8 times of use. In areas with dry climates, you can treat the waterproofing more sparingly, and use a waterproof spray if needed.

The frequency of shoe waterproofing treatment depends mainly on the level of use.
If you plan to go hiking in inclement weather, spray the repellent 2-3 times.

Maintenance of waterproof shoes

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Soften shoes. Waterproofing agents and waxes can cause shoes to become significantly stiffer. After the waterproofing is done, get in your feet and walk back and forth for a while. Gentle movement for a while will help the shoes soften again. After 3-4 uses, you won’t be able to see a difference from when it was not waterproof. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Twist your feet in all directions to soften hard spots.

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Reapply the waterproofing product as often as necessary. You need to take better care of your shoes when the rainy season begins. Under normal conditions, you only need to waterproof once every few months of use. Of course, the more you use it, the faster the waterproof coating will wear off. ^{[15] X Research Source}

If you live in a hot climate, you have to take extra care of your shoes. Exposure to high temperatures can melt the waterproofing layer, causing it to wear down very quickly.
Don’t forget to do the waterproof treatment again after washing the shoes, otherwise the shoes will get wet when you step out on the street!

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Wash to remove waterproofing if desired. Any time you want to remove the waterproof layer, simply wash your shoes in hot water with dish soap or laundry detergent. The heat of the water will melt the waterproofing or wax, while the soap’s surfactant will dissolve the oil. Wait for the shoes to dry and all seems to be back to the way it was. ^{[16] X Research Source}

After washing the shoes, rinse the shoes with water until the water is clear. Otherwise, the repellent and soap residue will coagulate into a slick residue.

Advice

Waterproof spray should be stored in a cool, dry place so that the bonding components do not disintegrate.
Wear gloves while using wax so your hands don’t get sticky and make waxing easier.
When the shoes are dirty, use a damp cloth to wipe the shoes. Cleaning shoes periodically will help protect and prolong the life of the waterproof layer.

Warning

Although some people recommend pure wax distilled from kerosene or linseed oil, these often leave dark spots and ruin the beauty of the shoe.
Attempts to waterproof materials such as leather, plastic, and nylon can cause permanent damage or discoloration.

Things you need

Beeswax
Colorless, odorless paraffin wax (optional)
Hairdryer
Mild detergent (for washing shoes)

Steps