You are planning to go out wearing your favorite pair of suede shoes, but the weather goes south suddenly. It is pouring outside, and now you are wondering, ‘can you wear suede shoes in the rain’ or not.
Yes, you can wear suede in the rain, but not all of them. Sueded may look fragile, but they are sturdy, durable, and water-resistant. So they protect your feet from getting wet. But, don’t wear suede in heavy or stormy rain. It might be lethal for your shoe—especially the dirt, blot, watermark, etc.
So, let us continue to get better knowledge about it.
Can You Wear Suede Shoes In The Rain?
Suede is stylish, classy, and comfortable shoes. However, can they sustain themselves in the rain? Yes, they can.
You can wear suede during the rain without worrying. These shoes are waterproof and keep your feet dry. But dirt, mud, or water may cause marks or stains.
Don’t worry; your shoe will not be damaged or ruined. The moment you go home or in the dry, brush or wash your shoe.
However, we suggest applying some Kiwi Unisex-Adult Shoe Waterproofer to make sure your shoes are completely waterproof. To add to it, this is also because even if suede is waterproof, it is prone to water stains or watermarks. So if it is unprotected, your shoes may get ruined.
Remember, just because we are saying suede shoes are safe to wear in the rain does not mean you should wear them during a storm. No, absolutely not; there are specific shoes made for those situations, and wearing a suede shoe may result in it getting ruined.
However, you are safe to wear suede shoes in light pouring rain or to walk outside after a storm has passed.
Besides, just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Dirty water from puddles, salt from melted snow, and broken twigs from the wind can be deadly for your suede shoes. These are likely to damage your suede shoe’s fabrics, making them unusable.
How To Waterproof Suede Shoes
Waterproofing may sound like a challenging task, but trust us, it is not as hard as it sounds. Instead, it’s an effortless and easy job to do. Doing so correctly will ensure your suede shoes are safe when you go out on a rainy day and increase their overall life span.
To waterproof your suede shoes, start by brushing your suede shoes with a Ralyn Brass Suede Brush. It will remove all the previous dirt stuck between the fibers. It is essential to do so for the next step. Moreover, brushing your suede shoes will make them softer and smoother.
To continue, use waterproofing to stay right after brushing to give your shoes the maximum possible protection in the rain.
Before applying, shake the bottle properly; then spray the waterproofer from a distance of at least 8 to 10 inches. Repeat the process till your shoe is covered. Be sure to not overspray it.
Now before you head out, wait till the spray dries off. Otherwise, the waterproof spray will be of no use as it will just get removed as you walk.
How To Dry Out Suede Shoes
Are you stuck at your office with wet suede shoes, or maybe you just got home, and your shoes are wet because it is pouring outside. It is crucial not to let your suede shoes rest like that, as it may lead to watermarks and your shoes getting stained permanently.
We recommend you follow some steps to dry out your suede shoes.
1. Soak Up
It is the first and foremost thing you should do. Take a piece of paper towel or any cloth you have nearby and soak up all the moisture from your suede shoes.
Wipe it gently to remove all the water particles on it. The aim is to get rid of as much water as possible and as soon as possible.
If you let your suede shoes absorb these water particles, they may get stained, and then it will be even harder to remove.
2. Brush And Dry it up
Now, we have to dry out the suede shoe once all the water gets blotted off. To do this, you will need two pieces of equipment. The first is a hair dryer or any air dryer, and the second is a brush. Preferably a suede brush if not any type of brush works.
Once you have both the items, start the dryer and face it towards your shoe. Then while it is under the dryer, gently brush your shoe back and forth. We recommend brushing for at least a minute before using the dryer and two to three minutes while under the dryer.
Our target is to revive the nap before it gets dry and hardens up. If you allow it to get dry and harden, it will be tough to fix the watermarks from your suede shoes.
3. Protect
After you have dried your suede shoe, let it for the rest of the day. Later on, gently brush it again back and forth.
Now, take a Saphir Gommadin Rubber Nubuck & Suede Cleaner Eraser and apply slight pressure on your suede shoe’s upper body. It helps remove any dirt stuck on your shoe and lift the dampened shoe’s nape.
Lastly, we recommend using suede protective sprays to provide your shoe with maximum protection.
What To Do If You Don’t Have Suede Brush?
It is normal not to own a suede brush or rubber, as they aren’t your regular tools, but we recommend making them your regular ones. So what do you do if you don’t have any sort of brush or suede brush nearby? How do you fix the nape?
The answer is to use steam. Yes, you heard us right, steam is a great way to reive your suede shoe’s nap, especially if your shoes have dried and look matted. No, you do not require a steamer of any sort. You can just use a tea kettle or the steam coming from a boiling water bowl.
Let’s check out the steps.
- To do so, just hold your shoe on top of the steam or source of the steam.
- Now, let the steam slowly dampen your shoes.
- Once they have gotten damp, you can wipe off all the moisture with a paper towel and dry it off with a dryer. It is to recover the nape and protect your suede shoes from watermarks.
- Lastly, apply suede protective sprays or waterproofing sprays on your suede shoes once all of this is done. It will give them the protection they require.
- Finally, let them rest for at least 24 hours.
Some Tips To Ensure Your Suede Shoes Last Longer
Can you wear suede in the rain? Yes, you can. And you know how to remove watermarks and spots. Now, it’s time to know how to make them last longer. Here are some tips to help you extend your suede shoes’ life span.
- Do Brust It Often
We recommend investing in a good-quality suede brush. It will be beneficial in the long run. Remember to check that the brush has soft bristles and is made of nylon. Buying an easy-to-grab brush is also helpful to ensure your comfort.
Brushing often is helpful as it removes all the dirt and dust that may be stuck on the fabrics of your suede shoes. Always remember to brush in a specific direction to keep the nap uniform.
- Invest In Suede Conditioner
Angelus Mink Oil Waterproof Conditioner Suede Leather Aerosol Spray may be one of the best investments you can make to ensure a longer lifespan for your suede shoes. This suede conditioner helps by making your suede look softer and shinier.
Applying it to your suede shoes will strengthen your suede fiber’s strength and flexibility. If your shoes get wet a lot in the rain, using a suede conditioner may be the best way to make them look brand new.
- Using Cedar Shoe Trees
It is one of the lesser-known tricks you can use to make your shoes last longer. Cedar shoe trees get placed inside your suede shoes. They absorb all the moisture from inside your shoe. It is extremely helpful to get that hard stuck moisture out during the rainy season.
Furthermore, putting a cedar shoe tree inside right after removing your suede shoe will absorb all moisture from sweat. So the bacteria cannot grow; thus, your shoes will always be fresh and fragrant.
FAQ’s:
- How to remove salt stain from suede shoes?
Like most shoes, salt is the prime enemy of suede shoes. So if you notice salt stains on your suede shoe, the first thing to do is brush off as much salt or salt residue as possible. Then apply white vinegar on top of the stain. It is a strong solution that will remove the most stain.
After applying white vinegar, rub it off with a piece of cloth. Repeat the process till the stain is completely gone. Let your suede shoe dry out.
- Are suede shoes only for winter?
No, it is not. Suede shoes are luxurious and durable shoes that you can wear throughout the year. You can wear it in the rain or under the scorching sun. Just make sure to take care of your suede shoes properly.
Take Away
So can you wear suede shoes in the rain? Yes, you can, for sure. Just remember to make sure once you get home, take the steps mentioned above to take care of your suede shoes properly.
No matter what weather you wear it in, it is always a must to clean your suede shoes properly and make enough time to brush them once in a while. We also recommend investing in a suede conditioner and waterproofing spray.
If you do all of these, you can wear your suede shoes worry-free in the rain.
