{"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 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 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 For years wax based waterproofing treatments were the only waterproofing products you could find. Beeswax based products are time tested, but they have one major flaw. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With Every Boots that have Gore-Tex built into them (or any other waterproof membrane) don’t need treatment in those areas. However, you still need to treat the surrounding leather. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of applying a waterproofing agent just wash and clean all the dirt off those areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Waterproofing products only work on clean slightly wet boots. Dirt and grime is going to block the penetration of your waterproofing product. Plus who would want to trap dirt underneath the water repellant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obviously, not all waterproofing products are the same, so application instructions may vary slightly. Most of the time you’ll want to apply your waterproofing agent when the boots are wet. Applying directly after cleaning is the perfect time to waterproof your boots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ve always found that spray on treatment You can use spray on products with both hard grained leather and Nubuck\/Suede.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hikers have been using wax based waterproofing treatments for ages. They’re all basically the same beeswax based product with similar application directions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wax treatments work, but there is one major downside. It’s a serious pain in the butt to apply. You have to heat up your boots or melt the wax before application.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Should You Waterproof Your Boots?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Choosing a Waterproofing Treatment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives to Wax Based Products<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Waterproofing Gore-Tex Boots<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Preparing Your Boots For Waterproofing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cleaning Your Boots<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
How to Waterproof Hiking Boots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Applying a Spray on Treatment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Applying a Wax Based Treatment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n