How To Make Running Shoes Waterproof? [Step by Step]
Running shoes are a necessary companion for most athletic and daily physical activities. They are flexible and durable, but one virtue they lack waterproof ability.
Wet shoes not only risk the growth of mildew and mold but also are a great discomfort. Rather than enjoying a liberating and relaxing time on a rainy day, all you get is a damp foot and an uncomfortable walk that you want to be over as soon as possible.
Luckily, you can waterproof your running shoes using some very simple methods at home. Till the water stays below the heel collar, these techniques will be all you need to keep your running shoes dry while you enjoy your daily walks during the rainy season.
How To Make Running Shoes Waterproof?
You can use any of below listed 3 methods to make your running shoes waterproof
- Using Beeswax
- Using Waterproof Spray
- Using Mink Oil
How to Make Running Shoes Using Beeswax?
Beeswax is a water-repelling substance used widely to make numerous items waterproof, and running shoes are one of them.
Applying a wax coat on athletic shoes made from textile materials and leather is the best method to waterproof them. The wax fills in the small holes and gaps in the shoes and prevents water from seeping through.
A wax barrier can last long, but it also depends on how often and under what conditions you wear the running shoes. Hence you should reapply wax as soon as you notice the wax has worn off.
Required material
- Coldwater
- Distilled white vinegar
- Small brush
- Beeswax
- Blow dryer
Step-By-Step Process
1. Clean the shoes thoroughly
The first and the foremost rule to follow when making running shoes waterproof is that they should be perfectly clean.
Any dust, grease, or stain on the shoes is crucial to remove as it hinders the sticking ability of the wax. Therefore, the first step is to clean the shoes thoroughly.
For leather running shoes, take a bowl of cold water and add distilled white vinegar. Take a small brush, dip in the vinegar solution and gently scrub the shoes.
For textile-based shoes, follow the same process but with warm water and a dishwasher solution.
Some people advise that you can simply machine wash your running shoes. Though it is a viable method, you should consider the washing instructions best suited for your shoes.
After washing, leave the shoes to dry. It is very essential for the shoes to be completely dry before applying the wax. Hence, give enough time for the shoes to dry.
If the weather is cloudy, you should consider washing your running shoes, few days prior to applying wax. Some fabric shoes can be put in the dryer. However, it is best to check the label to be sure.
2. Choose the suitable wax
Purchase a high-grade and unscented beeswax bar or candle, preferably white. You can buy colored beeswax. However, the color should be the same as the color of your shoes.
Even then, there is a risk that the colored wax on drying will not give the color you anticipated. Thus, it is better to stick to white.
| Photo | Product | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Stakich White Beeswax Block - Natural, Cosmetic Grade - 1 Pound | Check Price On Amazon |
3. Perform a patch test
Rub the beeswax bar or candle on a small area of the shoe first. It will leave a white or yellow residue behind. Blow-dry the area to ensure that there is no staining. If the area looks good to you, apply the beeswax to the entire shoe.
4. Scrub the beeswax
Scrub the beeswax bar or candle on both shoes vigorously. Ensure no spot is left uncoated. Pay special attention to seams and parts of the shoes which bend or wrinkle while walking. Apply wax generously on such places.
5. Use a hairdryer to set the coat
Set the hairdryer set at high and blow it over the entire shoe, and this will melt the wax and enable it to set in the pores of the fabric.
Once you start blow-drying, the white or yellow layer of wax will become transparent. When this layer disappears from the entire shoe, it means the wax is set.
Blow drying may darken the colors of your shoes, but it is only for as long as the wax melts. As soon as the wax sets in place, the original color of the shoe will return.
6. Apply another coat
A second coat is not absolutely necessary. However, it is recommended. Even if you do not apply the second coat of beeswax to the entire shoe, you should consider reapplying it on the seams and places where the shoe usually bends or wrinkles.
7. Perform a waterproof test
Once you have applied beeswax and the shoe is completely dry, pour water on the shoes. If the water repels and runs off from everywhere on the shoe, the process is complete.
If you find leakage at some places, apply the wax again to those areas. And your shoes are prepared for the rainy season.
Precautions
- Do not try to apply melted wax directly on the shoes, as it will only create a mess and not a sound water barrier.
- Refurbish the wax coat periodically for the waterproof coat to last.
- If you are using wax-coated shoes in high-temperature weather, you should refurbish the wax more frequently.
How to Make Running Shoes Waterproof Using Waterproof Spray?
A waterproof spray can also effectively seal your favorite running shoes. Silicon-based or acrylic-based sprays have silicon or acrylic suspended in a liquid.
On applying it to the shoe, the liquid is evaporated while the suspended particles set in the open pores and gaps on the surface, thereby preventing leakage.
The waterproof spray is recommended for suede or textile-based shoes but not for leather. A waterproof spray coat will wear off quickly, and you need to apply it after wearing it seven to eight times.
Required Material
- High-grade spray water proofer
- Clean bath towel
- Suede-cleaning brush for suede shoes
- Suede eraser
- White vinegar or dishwasher solution
- Microfiber towel
- Newspaper
Step-By-Step Process
1. Clean the shoes thoroughly
Start by cleaning the shoes. Choose a suitable method depending on the material of your shoes. For textile-based shoes, create a solution of warm water and dishwasher solution.
Use a small brush dipped in this soap solution and used it to gently scrub off all the dust and grease from your shoes.
You will need to use a more gentle method to clean suede shoes as suede is a delicate material. Any harsh rubbing will leave scratches that will ruin their look.
Before cleaning, fill the inside of the shoes with some old newspaper so that the shoes remain in shape. Start by wiping the suede shoes with a soft clean towel. This will remove any loose dust particles from its surface.
For light stains and scratches, use a high-grade suede eraser. Take a clean, and soft towel dipped in white vinegar for more thorough cleaning and tough stains. Wipe it over the areas which need cleaning and leave it for drying.
The wiped areas may look darkened, but as the vinegar dries, the original color of the shoes will be restored. After drying, scrub the areas with a suede brush.
You can buy a good suede eraser and suede brush kit online. Whichever method of cleaning you use for your shoes, make sure that shoes are completely dry before moving to the next step.
| Photo | Product | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Suede Brush and Eraser Set - 2pc Custom Suede Brush and Suede Eraser - Red Moose | Check Price On Amazon |
2. Hang your shoes in a suitable location
To ensure that your shoes have an even coat at all places, it is recommended to hand them by their laces in a suitable location such as outdoor, the garage or any other well-ventilated area. To avoid getting spray on other places, you can use a newspaper to cover nearby objects.
3. Perform a patch test
You can purchase silicon or acrylic-based waterproof spray online for this method. Always start with a patch test first to ensure that the results are according to your needs.
Keep the spray approximately six inches away from the shoes while spraying to avoid drips. After spraying on a small patch, leave it for drying and check again after some time to ensure there is no discoloration.
4. Apply the spray
After the success of the patch test, you can proceed to apply the spray to the entire shoe. Put an even and thin coat, but you can apply extra spray on the seams for additional sealing. After applying the first coat, leave the shoes for drying.
5. Apply a second coat
A second coat may not be necessary, but it is definitely recommended. Once the initial coat is dry to touch, you can apply the second coat. Again, pay special attention to the seams of the shoes. Then let the spray cure for a few hours, and you are done.
6. Test the waterproof coat
It is best to test the waterproof ability of the shoes before you actually start to use them. Pour water on the shoes. If the water runs off, then your shoes are ready to use.
On the other hand, if the water is being absorbed, you should consider applying another coat to properly seal out water.
Precautions
- Some people on the internet may recommend blow-drying after applying the spray to “fasten up the drying process.” However, this is not an effective method. Also, the spray contains combustible materials. Hence, you should avoid having any heat source near it.
- The waterproof coat may dry within a few hours, but you should always wait at least a day or two before using the shoes for the spray to properly set.
How to Make Running Shoes Waterproof Using Mink Oil?
Mink oil is one of the traditional methods and also one of the easiest methods to make leather shoes waterproof. It is a smooth and soft paste that creates a waterproof barrier on leather while also keeping it soft and supple.
The waterproof barrier it creates will last for a couple of months and will need refurbishment after that.
Required Material
You should have the following items for this method:
- Mink oil paste
- Coldwater
- Distilled white vinegar
- Small brush
- Soft towel
Step-By-Step Process
1. Clean the shoes
Clean your shoes by scrubbing a small brush dipped in cold water and a white vinegar mixture. After all the dirt and grease are washed off, use a clean towel saturated with clean water and wipe the shoes to remove the remaining cleaning solution.
Leave the shoes to dry for a few hours. Make sure that the shoe is dry from the inside out before applying the mink oil.
2. Patch test first
Purchase a good quality mink oil paste online and rub only on a small area first. Mink oil can cause discoloration and also prevent the leather from achieving high shine on polish. Hence, you should consider these factors before applying mink oil to your entire shoe.
3. Rub the mink oil
Take a good amount of mink oil paste and rub it on the shoes gently. Ensure that no part of the shoes is left uncoated.
Leave the mink oil to be absorbed for a while, and later wipe off the excess paste using a soft towel. Once the paste is completely dry and set, your shoes are ready to keep your feet dry in the wet weather.
Precautions
- Mink oil should not be applied on shoes with high shine.
- Mink oil can cause discoloration sometimes. Hence, you should use it with care.
Regardless of what material your running shoes are made of or what situations you are planning to use them in, now you have the proper information on how to make them waterproof. Making your shoes waterproof is not a tedious or time-taking process.
If you get the right products and know-how to use them properly, you can seal water out of your running shoes at home quickly.
Thus, if you are sick of wet and cold feet, just grab a good waterproof spray, wax, or traditional oils and get to work. Now, you need to just pair them with excellent waterproof socks and step out in the rain.
