Spring Shower Protection Tips
Spring weather is notorious for its unpredictability; Glorious sun one moment and monsoon worthy downpours the next. These sudden changes can make choosing which shoes to wear on a morning even more difficult than it already is. Should you risk wearing your new brogues or spring pumps or play it safe with your trusty Hunter wellies? While we can’t tell you what the days weather has in store, we can give you some tips on how best to protect your shoes from the rain and also how to rescue them should you get caught unprepared.
Water Resistant VS Waterproof
This is a very important distinction to make when it comes to protecting your shoes. Waterproof shoes have been specially manufactured to withstand getting wet whereas water resistant shoes are designed to be protected against light showers and small splashes. Water resistant shoes will still be damaged if they are fully submerged in water or worn for a long period of time during a heavy downpour.
“If you’re looking for fully waterproof shoes it is best to opt for a pair that have been manufactured from Gore-Tex or similar synthetic materials.”
One common problem that people encounter with waterproof shoes is that they tend to be manufactured for walking or sports. While these styles are great if you’re lucky enough to live in the countryside they’re not too well suited for work or town life. Unfortunately, there is no way to make a smarter pair of shoes 100% waterproof unless they were manufactured to be so. However, there are plenty of products that you can add to your shoes to give them a layer of water resistant protection.
Tips For Applying Shoe Protector:
- It is always best to apply shoe protector to brand new shoes.
- If applying to shoes that you’ve already worn be sure to give them a quick clean first.
- Make sure that you apply the protector evenly across your shoes to ensure an even layer of protection.
- If using an aerosol, it is best to apply outdoors or in a non-confined space.
- Always allow your shoes to dry before wearing them.
- Reapply regularly, especially if you’re expecting to get caught out in the rain.
Post Soak
Despite all of your best intentions, you probably will get caught out in the rain from time to time, but don’t panic! All is not lost as there are steps you can take to save your shoes or at least minimise the damage.
- The first thing you need to do is to remove all excess water from the outside of your shoes with a dry towel. You should avoid drying your shoes next to a radiator or fire as the sudden change in temperature and moisture levels can cause more harm than good.
- Next you will also need to dry the insides of your shoes. This can be done by stuffing the shoes with paper towels or other liquid absorbing materials to draw the water out. This process can take a while and the stuffing should be replaced regularly to ensure maximum absorption.
- Finally, apply a layer of polish or shoe cream to nourish them and help restore the appearance of their uppers.
If you’re unsure about whether or not a pair of shoes are waterproof or water resistant we advise that it is always safest to assume they’re not unless they have been explicitly marketed as such. This makes having a good shoe protector an essential as quick and frequent applications can save you the expense and heartache of ruined shoes.
