{"id":6768,"date":"2019-03-27T11:59:52","date_gmt":"2019-03-27T11:59:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rangetoreel.com\/?p=6768"},"modified":"2019-03-27T11:59:55","modified_gmt":"2019-03-27T11:59:55","slug":"how-to-waterproof-hiking-boots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rangetoreel.com\/how-to-waterproof-hiking-boots\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Waterproof Hiking Boots: In-Depth Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hiking boots come from the factory waterproof and ready to go. They’re almost all treated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellant) finish. However, after a few months out in the field the treatment wears down and you’ll need to reapply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New boots rarely need waterproofing treatment out of the box, but a give them a few months and you’ll need a quick<\/g> treatment. Luckily reapplying DWR to your hiking boots is easy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Should You Waterproof Your Boots?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It doesn’t matter how expensive your hiking boots are, you’ll eventually need to reapply DWR. Trust me it will be obvious when you need to replace the waterproofing treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When DWR is properly applied water is going to bead up on the surface of your boots. Water simply rolls off the boots surface. Once water stops beading up on the surface and starts soaking into the outer layer of your boots it’s time to reapply a DWR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing a Waterproofing Treatment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Hiking boots normally fall into two main categories, leather and suede\/nubuck, or a combination of the two. Some companies are experimenting with new technical materials, but they haven’t really taken off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n