Leather boots have been waterproofed in countless ways, but few of them have proven effective. Even though there are numerous articles written on how to waterproof leather boots for winter, few of them have proven successful.
Luckily, it’s a process on how to waterproof leather boots for winter that is pretty simple. During the winter, leather boots should be waterproofed with the most reliable methods. So, if you want to keep your shoes looking their best all winter long, keep reading!
5 Methods for Waterproofing Leather Boots for Winter
We will discuss our favorite waterproofing methods to prepare leather boots for winter. The shoes have all been thoroughly tested to ensure their effectiveness, so you can rest assured that your feet will remain dry all year.
Method 1: Dubbin waterproofing
A wax known as dubbin has been used for many years by outdoor enthusiasts to prevent leather boots from getting wet. To apply dubbin, one must figure out how to go about it.
Method 2: Cleaning
To ensure that your dubbin will adhere properly and last longer. It’s essential to clean the shoes thoroughly before applying. Cleaning removes any dirt or debris that could prevent wax from bonding with certain shoe areas, leaving them vulnerable in wet conditions.
Method 3: Application
Once you have cleaned and dried the leather boots, apply some dubbin onto another clean cloth. Spread it evenly over the exterior surface area. Run this cloth over each area repeatedly while moving back and forth to ensure all parts are correctly covered.
Method 4: Waiting
As ironic as it may seem, the waiting part of the process is by far the easiest. When you have applied a sufficient quantity of dubbin to both boots, allow the wax to dry for 30 minutes to an hour.
During this phase of the waterproofing process, it is recommended that your shoes are stored in a cool, dry place since leaving them in direct sunlight can cause the leather to wrinkle and crack if they are left in natural daylight for a long time.
Method 5: Removal
Once the dubbin has dried for 40 minutes to an hour, you must examine your boots for any excess wax that may have accumulated. When you spot any, and you’re likely to, wipe it away with the cloth.
After the resin has been scraped off the outer surface of your boots and the unabsorbed wax has been removed, you are now ready to go skiing for the next few months.
Waterproofing Your Boots via Spray
Boots with a leather exterior can be effectively waterproofed with dubbin, but the wax can actually damage boots with leather and suede exteriors. To prepare such a pair for winter, we recommend applying a spray.
Cleaning
A spray for waterproofing leather boots works very similarly to dubbin for waterproofing leather boots. It is the same. Before continuing the process, it is essential to ensure that the surfaces are clean and free from dirt and grime.
Apply the Waterproof Spray
To ensure that your boots are water-resistant, apply a waterproofing spray. Start by leaving 5 centimetres between yourself and the footwear before dubbin or rubbing them down with cotton cloth until they feel dry enough so you can continue applying more coats if necessary.
Drying
Allow enough time for your boots to dry after applying the waterproofing spray. To allow your shoes to absorb the spray, there is no recommended period to leave them.
We recommend checking them every half hour to ensure that they are scorched. Once again, letting your boots air dry in a relaxed environment without extreme heat is essential. Choosing to do otherwise will likely result in the warping of leather boots.
How Often Should I Re-Waterproof Leather Boots?
You can waterproof leather work boots with various treatments, but you should know when they need to be treated again if the finish on your boot has wear-and-small areas starting to become moist or darker than usual in color.
As a result, they lose their protective layer and absorb moisture from sweat. The thin top coating/wax may also peel away, revealing raw material underneath. Water absorption causes materials to wear down over time (such as washing), so what looks good now might not last.
You shouldn’t worry if an area on your boots has turned brown from black. It’s just water buffalo butter seeping into the material. The higher moisture levels will cause this effect because silicone sprays work by waterproofing. If they are no longer able or willing, apply another coat and let cure overnight before wearing again.
Below I have shown the video of how to clean and Re-waterproof your boots.
However, Leather boots benefit from waxing as a protective measure. When the topmost layer of wax scuffs and becomes dry, there is no longer enough wax coating to protect against water damage, so you need to reapply.
Once again, follow these steps to ensure protection from within while allowing yourself a little extra buffing action before finishing up with an appropriate polish or cream finish on the exterior as desired – Beautifully cared-for footwear guaranteed for years to come.
Depending on how often you wear them and what type of waterproofing treatment was applied, you can expect to get a week or two out of your waterproofing treatment. Waxes are perfect for those who want their work boots to last all winter without worrying about maintaining them.
In comparison, it offers excellent protection but also has some drawbacks. The soil is difficult to remove when wet, for example. Otherwise, as silicone does, most wick away moisture from the inside rather than just coating things over again.
More Related Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to wear waterproof leather boots in the snow?
You can wear waterproof boots in snow. But your feet will not stay dry with them. In other condition a boot designed specifically for snow is a good choice. If you’re going to snow for long period.
How to make my boots warmer?
Warming up your boots is easy. Wearing thicker socks is one solution. Another option is to wear insoles in your shoes to add warmth. If you spray your boots with a waterproofing agent, your feet will stay dry and warm.
Are leather boots good for winter?
Leather boots are an excellent option for winter weather because they are durable and keep your feet warm and dry.
Conclusion
As we close the article, I think it’s essential to remember that leather boots aren’t always waterproof. It is demanding that a waterproofing spray or dubbin will be able to turn it into an entirely waterproof product if it was not intended to be.
Therefore, you can increase the resilience of your boot, but don’t expect anything beyond that. Waterproofing spray and dubbin are primarily intended for restoring shoes waxed by water over time. They won’t make an originally durable pair into something that can withstand prolonged exposure without becoming soggy or leaking. However, the entire method of waterproof leather boots for winter is due to pressure from outside elements like rainwater!
