The 6 Best Waterproofing Spray for Shoes: Golf, Suede, & Hiking (2024)

From the rainy day hiker to the urban commuter, wet sock affects millions every day. Don’t let it happen to you! Protect your new shoes — and your toes! — with a waterproofing spray. 

But because no pair of shoes are exactly alike — made from different materials and intended for different climate conditions — we present the 6 best waterproofing sprays for shoes of all kinds, ranging from leather boots to golf shoes, and from running sneakers to hiking boots. 

Simply pick a waterproofing spray from our ranking, follow the directions, and within no time at all, your new shoes will be well defended against the elements, rain or shine.  Let’s get started.

Our Top Picks

Beat wet sock and water staining with the best waterproofing sprays from our ranking.

A Closer Look: Best Waterproofing Spray for Shoes

In this section, we go into greater detail about each waterproofing spray we reviewed.

The water-based and non-flammable TriNova non-aerosol stain guard is an amazing spray for waterproofing shoes, we learned. Best of all, it’s easy to use: Just spray and let dry, no wiping down, no time-consuming multi-step process, and no harsh chemicals.

The spray is recommended for all fabric surfaces — not just shoes, but also upholstery and carpet. It’s not for leather, though. (Keep reading to learn more about the waterproofing spray we liked for leather boots and shoes). 

Those who tried the spray on canvas adidas, mesh shoes, and Gore-Tex, however, all had great results. You will want to wait 24 hours for the spray to dry to form the protective layer, and for best results, apply in a criss-cross pattern. 

You may also need to reapply the spray every four-to- six weeks, we found out.

As promised, we also have a waterproofing spray for leather shoes to recommend. The Nikwax fabric and leather waterproofing spray is non-aerosol and biodegradable, with no fluorocarbons and no VOCs. 

Simply apply the spray to your clean and wet footwear — including leather, but also synthetic leather substitutes and fabric — and let it dry. This will not only waterproof your leather shoes and boots, but the spray also maintains breathability, support, and texture.
Those who tried the spray report water beading on the surface in snowy conditions, but also mud and puddles. Best of all, supporting Nikwax means supporting an industry leader in safe, non-toxic cleaning solutions.

Anyone who loves suede knows the material needs some extra special attention to maintain its quality. To waterproof your suede shoes, we like Bickmore Gard-More water and stain repellent. Unscented, this product is not only good one suede, but also leather, fabric, felt and nubuck. That’s pretty versatile.

Another thing we liked were reports that the spray won’t discolor your suede, and application was a breeze with the aerosol can. It is flammable, so that’s something to consider, but it dries quickly, based on feedback. And within about 15 minutes, water should bead right off, with no discernible change in the softness of the suede, we found out.

Waterproofing your hiking boots is particularly important. You never know when you might need to ford a stream, or get caught in a downpour. That’s precisely why we like the KIWI Camp Dry heavy water repellent. Versatile, it works on leather and fabric, but also tents and tarps.

It is important that the boots are clean and dry before you apply the spray, and — like most waterproofing sprays — to test a small patch, first. Otherwise, the spray dries quickly, forming a protective layer. And not just on hiking boots. Work boots were also waterproofed with the spray, along with canvas tennis shoes, we found out.

To keep your running shoes, sneakers, and tennis shoes free from water, we recommend the Sof sole waterproofer spray. Safe on surfaces like fabric, suede and nubuck — but not recommended for patent leather or vinyl — Sof Sole spray applies a quick-drying fluoropolymer compound layer for ultimate protection. It also helps repel dirt and oil, according to feedback, while maintaining breathability.

The spray worked like magic on Chuck Taylor’s and sneaker boots, according to one report. Even after long walks in the snow and mud. One runner said the spray works, with a single coat lasting for a few months, preventing wet socks on muddy trails. 

Otherwise, there’s no silicone in the spray, and it penetrates surfaces well — even in the space between the shoe and the sole, we learned.

Golfers walking through wet grass should waterproof their shoes. Up for the task is the Tarrago Hightech nano protector spray, safe on surfaces like leather and fabric, but not recommended for metalized or patent leather. 

Here’s how it works: particles cover the fibers in the material from which your shoes are made. This repels not only water, but also dirt, all without compromising breathability. It is important to prepare the surface of the shoe well before application. 

This is the best product for waterproofing golf shoes, according to one report. Golfers who’ve tried Tarrago say the spray helped repel water. It also made wiping down the shoes quick and easy. Shake the can well before application, however, and multiple coats may be required.

Our Process

For this guide on waterproofing spray for shoes, our team spent 5 hours researching the most popular options from over 30 brands and manufacturers big and small. We then read about 150 user reviews (both positive and negative) to discover what shoppers thought about each spray. After comparing this data, we narrowed our list down to the top 6 waterproofing sprays on the market. You can count on this research to guide you to a mindful purchasing decision.

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