How to Weatherproof Your Shoes

You have 12 hours to prep your footwear.

Image via Shutterstock

Image via Shutterstock

We made it close — nearly an entire winter without soggy, stained shoes. So close. But if you’ve been outside this past week, then you’ve seen the ice piles at nearly every intersection, puddles galore and a liberal dousing of rock salt. Even worse? Meteorologists are predicting rain all day today and sleet/snow tomorrow.

But there’s hope! You can still weatherproof your shoes before tonight’s impending flurries. And if you make the preemptive strike today, your shoes will be prepped and waterproofed before spring’s inevitable showers. Here, three super-easy methods to keep your shoes in tiptop shape after a deluge of ice and rain. It might just be more important than buying non-perishables and water. 

1. The DIY Beeswax Method // All you need is beeswax and a blowdryer. Simply rub beeswax all over the surface of your shoes and then seal the newfound water-repellant barrier by blowdrying them for five minutes. Rain won’t stand a chance.

2. Kiwi Camp Dry, Heavy Duty Water Repellent // A tried-and-true favorite amongst the camping set, this spray “bonds to leather/fabric to create an extremely tough water barrier, while still allowing article to breathe.” If it’s good enough for a tent, then it’s good enough for my booties. From $6.37 at Amazon

3. Swims Galoshes from ToBox // Guys, when waterproofing your monkstraps just isn’t an option, defer to  to ToBox’s Swims Galoshes. The stylish slip-ons are worn over dress shoes to protect them from water without compromising your look. Plus, you can swing by ToBox before your evening commute. 25 South 19th Street, Rittenhouse.

Psst: if it’s too late and your shoes have already succumbed to rock salt stains, read our guide for removing stains, and restoring your shoes to their former glory.