Are your hiking boots losing their water resistance? If yes, you don’t have to throw them. There are multiple ways to tell you about waterproof hiking boots. So, today I’m going to walk you through the process. Let’s dive deep into it:
How to Make Hiking Boots Waterproof?
If you want to waterproof the hiking boot, you must know what material the boot has, i.e., leather or synthetic. Each material has its way of working for waterproofing.
Below I’m going to talk about the general approach.
1. Clean the Boots Using a Brush
Before anything, you must clean the hiking boot of any mud, scum, or debris. When cleaning the boot thoroughly, use a brush to scrum the caked-on dirt from the outsole. Also, unlace the boot and release the tongue of the boot for proper clean-up.
2. Select the Mild Detergent Rightfully
Use a mild detergent for the boot cleaning to avoid damaging material (leather, synthetic). You can immerse the boots in the water and detergent solution so that it cleans well. Afterward, rinse the boot with water. Don’t soak your Nubuck leather boot in the water; it can soften the upper too much and cause stains.
Many detergents work best for full-grain or rough leather (Nubuck/suede). Therefore, I’d suggest you read the instructions carefully “before use.”
3. Apply the Waterproof Treatment
Now apply the waterproof treatment after ensuring that the boot is thoroughly soaked in the water. The water must immerse in the boot leather. When the boot is thoroughly soaked, wrap the towel around them to soak up the excess water.
Let them dry a bit.
Carefully apply the waterproof treatment all over the boot. For leather hiking boots, it is always recommended to apply the waterproofing treatment when the boots are slightly wet; it sets well and lets out better results.
Here is the list of waterproofing treatments you can apply:
| Image | Name of Product | Check |
|---|---|---|
 | Tarrago Hightech Nano Protector Spray | Check |
 | Apple Brand Garde Rain & Stain Water Repellent – Best Waterproofer for Leather | Check |
 | Kiwi Boot Protector – Best Less Expensive Waterproofer | Check |
  | Scotchgard Nubuck & Suede Leather Protector Spray | Check |
 | Sno-Seal – 7 Oz – Best Wax for Waterproofing Hiking Boots | Check |
 | Fiebings Mink Oil Paste For Smooth Leather And Vinyl Condition And Protect | Check |
4. Dry the Boots
Drying the hiking boot is essential after applying the waterproof treatment. It is always suggested that you dry the boot at average room temperature, preferably low humidity.
Never use the heat source when drying the hiking boot, as it can damage its material of upper quality. You can stuff the boots with newspaper and a fan to dry them. Also, keep an eye on the newspaper to change if they are wet enough.
Note: In the above video, vaseline is used to waterproof boots, which is cheap, though I would recommend using the spray as mentioned above in the procedure if you can afford it.
Note that Boots with Gore-Tex waterproof membrane or other such layers do not need any waterproofing treatment. Unless there are some conditions to waterproof gore-tex boots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are waterproof hiking boots breathable?
Yes, many waterproof hiking boots are breathable as well. Waterproof and breathable boots work best for keeping feet dry. Foot sweat builds up and also keeps off water from seeping into the boot. However, you have to maintain the waterproofing quality of the boot if you don’t replace it often.
Are all hiking boots waterproof?
No, all hiking boots are not waterproof. If you want the boot that keeps feet dry, you have to especially look for the one that features this property. Many hiking boots are not even breathable.
If either of the properties (breathability/waterproofing) is lacking in the boot, your feet can become wet. The reason can be sweat build-up or rain. So if you want to keep your feet dry, look for hiking boots with breathable and waterproof membranes.
How to waterproof fabric hiking boots?
Follow the steps below to waterproof fabric hiking boots:
- Take out the laces of the boots first.
- Remove any dry dirt using a spare cloth.
- Rinse the boot with water to remove mud and dirt.
- Now apply the wax treatment for a smoother leather boot.
- Condition the leather boot with conditioner.
- Use waterproofing spray (Nikway) as they are long-lasting. It works for nubuck, suede, and synthetic fabric boots.
