My Advice on Waterproofing Your Hiking Boots

If you are an enthusiastic hiker, backpacker requires boots for work or just a general outdoor lover, waterproofing your boots is essential. More significantly, wet feet are not fun unless desired. Waterproofing your hiking boots helps you to handle all weather conditions giving you peace of mind while you enjoy the outdoors. Here is a look at everything you need to know about waterproofing your boots.

I will give you caution, though; if your boots do not have a waterproof guarantee from the manufacturer, it won’t be very easy to keep out water even after waterproofing them. You should first find boots that are come with a permanent waterproof seal or made of rubber. This way, you will have a much guarantee of keeping dry when hiking, and you can use these extra tips.

Different Types of Hiking Boot Material

Today, boots are made out of a variety of different materials. Let us start by looking at some details on every material and some pros and cons to help you choose the best boot material regarding waterproofing.

Leather

This is the most common material that makes boots. Boots made with leather are very durable and last long after you work on them. Full leather boots are excellent for hiking. However, the leather material is not breathable; hence your feet may get sweaty and hot inside.

Nylon and synthetic materials

This material is perfect because it is both breathable and lightweight. More so, the material is flexible and pliable, making the boots very comfortable, useful, and great for hiking. Boots made from this material and also great for waterproof.

Suede

Suede is a similar material to leather. However, the material is lighter, softer, and thinner. I would not recommend suede boots as excellent for waterproof hiking because they are not breathable and do not effectively repel moisture even after being waterproofed.

Products for Waterproofing

There are a lot of different materials that you can use to waterproof your boots. Below, I will go over numerous different techniques used to waterproof boots, and you can choose the one that works best for you.

But you end up waterproofing your boots, ensure that they are dry and clean, as stated above. If the boots are wet or they are dirty, the waterproofing will not work as well. It will miss some spots, and your boots will not be a hundred percent waterproof as required.

Cream

You are supposed to rub the cream over the whole boot and give it some time to soak in. You should then wipe away the extra cream that is not absorbed into the boots. For the best results, you should ensure you get it into all the crevices and seams of the boot.

Wax and Bee’s Wax

This is also a perfect product for waterproof hiking boots. Before using the wax, ensure you heat it using a heat gun or a hairdryer to make it pliable and applicable into the boots well. More so, when you purchase the wax, it comes with an applicator cloth that you should use as it will be the best way to apply the wax. Wax application is best for leather boots.

Waterproofing spray

There are sprays that are designed particularly for the different types of boot material. Ensure that you get the spray that is specific for the material of your boots. When applying the spray, hold the spray six inches away from the boot and ensure you apply the spray in an even thick coat. You should then wipe away any excess spray coating the boots that will not be needed. The method will be best for nylon and synthetic boots.

You should make sure that you read all the instructions on the products you purchase. Some of these products might change the color of your boots, making them slightly darker after applying the waterproofing products.

After you finish applying the waterproofing material that you choose to be best for your boots, you should give them some time before you go hiking with them. Leave them overnight for the treatment to soak and ultimately settle into the material of the boot.

Shop Related Products

Here are some of the best-related products on the market for waterproofing your hiking boots;

How to Waterproof Hiking Boots?

Start by rinsing your boots with clean water and a soft brush to remove, mud, dirt, or dust.
Ensure that the water has been soaked thoroughly into the thickness of your boot leather.
Apply the waterproofing treatment you have chosen to all over the boot generously by rubbing in or spraying liberally.
Rub or wipe off any excess product using a clean rug.
Leave the boots to dry overnight as instructed.

Final Thought

I hope these tips will help you choose a waterproofing treatment and waterproof your hiking boots. It is important to note that you should not use a heat source to dry your waterproofed boots. Please place them in a place with normal and stable temperatures. You can use a fan for quicker drying or stuff some newspapers into the boots.

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