Waterproofing Shoe Spray?

Greetings from The Damp Corner.

Just how "waterproof" are you expecting? In what kind of conditions?

IME, if it's really wet out, water will quickly get into just about any sneaker, most shoes, and even lots of hiking boots. If you really want to keep your feet dry in wet conditions, you need to start with something that's designed and built to keep water out. That means a (usually) expensive hiking boot made from Goretex.

If all you are concerned about is some very minor protection - say, from a brief few steps across damp grass, or a quick dash down a sidewalk in a light drizzle - then spraying a sneaker may help (but watch out for any puddles). If you expect to step in puddles, or walk distances across wet grass or muddy paths, I would be very skeptical of any "waterproof spray" claims. If you are going to be out walking for hours in real rain, and you want to keep your feet dry...don't expect too much from sneakers no matter how much you spray them.

If I'm going to be out in real weather, I want good quality Goretex hiking boots (then spray THEM...).

All most all waterproofing sprays fail after a short period of exposure. I think it is safe to say none of them work. If concerned about wet feet get shoes that are actually waterproof. I only wear ECCO because they are designed to be waterproof and are.

As opposed to a spray, I suggest you check out Vessi Shoes. I wore a pair of their sneakers in a downpour in Bergen, Norway in June and my feet stayed perfectly dry. I found them to be very comfortable, too. A little pricey, but they occasionally go on sale which is the time to buy.

If you are a golfer, consider a pair of waterproof golf shoes. They worked beautifully on a winter trip to Tuscany in rain and light snow. Just be careful in icy or slippery conditions. I’m not a hiker so this was more practical solution. Even found them on sale and they were comfortable from the beginning.

Which Vessie shoe did you buy? How much did it weigh?

I have been really happy with Allbirds Mizzles shoes. My Seattle son and daughter in law like them as well.

I prefer waterproof sox but that's just me. The tech is reliable, they're comfortable, and they extend far higher up the ankle than shoes or boots. I have units from ShowersPass.

We used waterproof spray on hiking shoes for a rainy trip to Iceland and it worked just fine and dandy, along with the rain pants and jacket, of course. Warm and dry even after hiking quite a bit to see a volcano.