How to Waterproof Barefoot Boots for Winter

Learn how to properly waterproof barefoot boots for winter so your feet stay dry and your boots last longer.

Barefoot shoes are all about keeping your feet comfortable…and part of that is keeping them warm and dry in the winter. Snow, rain, slush and freezing cold temps can be a challenging time for those of with minimalist footwear as you’re trying to balance flexibility of movement with staying warm. Adding thermal or sheepskin insoles and waterproofing your barefoot boots are two ways to prep for winter to keep your feet warm and dry.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll take you through the steps of waterproofing your barefoot boots and shoes for winter. This includes the products we’ve used to clean, condition and waterproof our boots.

Why Waterproof your Barefoot Boots?

Leather Boots

Many barefoot boots are leather, so we’ll first start with why it’s important to waterproof your leather boots.

Leather is naturally water-repellant, but as skin, it’s a pourous material that needs to be cleaned and conditioned regularly. Waterproofing your barefoot leather boots will keep the leather from drying out and add a protective barrier that prevents rain and snow from penetrating the leather. Proper maintenance of your leather boots will not only keep your feet dry, but significantly extend the lifespan of your leather footwear. Barefoot boots are expensive, so it’s definitely worth the effort to help them last as long as possible.

Many leather boots may come pretreated, but this will likely wear off with time and use. It’s best to apply a waterproofing treatment to your leather boots at least once a season, and more if you’re sloshing through a lot of water regularly.

Fabric or Synthetic boots

Fabric or Synthetic boots can benefit from waterproofing too. Some come with a waterproofing agent pre-applied, or you can add your own to boots that don’t come with any treatment. Regularly applying a waterproofing treatment will help you get the most out your barefoot boots during winter!

How to Waterproof Barefoot Boots: A step-by-step guide

Here we’ll walk through the process of waterproofing your barefoot boots, including the materials you’ll need.

1 Clean your shoes

Before you waterproof your boots, you’ll want to make sure they’re clean. Use a  shoe cleaning brush to wipe off any visible dust or dirt. After this, I also liked to wipe the shoes down with a damp towel.

For a deeper clean, use a shoe cleaning product. Try this one for leather boots, and this one for nubuck and textiles. After cleaning your shoes, rinse them off.

Allow them to completely dry before going on to the next steps.

2 Condition leather boots if needed

As leather ages, it becomes dry and dull. Periodically using a leather conditioner will help restore leather’s natural oils, which makes it more supple and resistant to water.

3 Choose the right waterproofing product

Selecting the appropriate waterproofing product for the material of your barefoot boots is the most important part of this process.

Note that many waterproofing products, especially those for leather, will darken the color as it is adding moisture. Waxes and creams usually make the leather appear darker and richer. It’s best to test the product on an inconspicuous place first to make sure you’re happy with the way the waterproofing product alters the color of the boots. 

Waterproofing wax is best for full-grain leather.  

• Otter Wax: My go-to pick for waterproofing barefoot leather boots is Otter Wax. Otter Wax is an all-natural product made from beeswax and lanolin. It moisturizes and protects your boots, so I find that I can skip the leather conditioner if I’m using this.
• Nikwax Waterproofing Wax: Nikwax is one of the most popular brands for footwear cleaning and waterproofing products, and they have an option for almost every kind of material. Opt of rate Waterproofing Wax for your full-grain leather boots.

Waterproofing Spray is ideal for smooth, soft leather. 

• Nikwax Fabric and Leather Proof Waterproofing Spray: If your boots are smooth leather, a spray or a cream works best. A spray like this can also be used on fabric.  

Waterproofing Spray for Nubuck and Suede 

• Nikwax Nubuck and Suede Spray: Waterproofing products for smooth leather vs nubuck and suede are usually not interchangeable. Nubuck and suede are textured — they appear fuzzy and napped. Applying a waterproofing wax like Otter wax would ruin suede boots, so make sure you’re using the correct waterproofing product that will both preserve the texture and make them water repellant.

Waterproofing Spray for Fabric

You can also add a waterproofing spray to your cotton or knit barefoot sneakers to make them more wearable during the wetter months. Here are a few good options:

• Nikwax Fabric and Leather Proof Waterproofing
• Jason Mark Shoe Protector: Great for sneakers!
• Wildling Waterproofing Spray: Wildling has a full range of cleaning and waterproofing products for their barefoot shoes, but they’re only available on the International website. We’ve found their waterproofing spray to be effective for both the microfiber edging and the cotton uppers. Note that you should not use this waterproofing spray on the wool portions of some of the winter styles.

4 Apply the Waterproofing Product

Use a cloth or applicator brush to evenly apply the product, making sure to cover all areas of the boot. Pay extra attention to seams and stitching.

5 Allow the boots to dry

Let the boots dry naturally, away from direct heat sources. Some products may require exposure to heat for activation, so check the product label for specific instructions.

6 Repeat as Needed

Depending on the product and usage, you may need to reapply waterproofing periodically to maintain protection. Waterproofing your boots at the start of every winter is a good practice, and then you can assess based on wear from there!

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By waterproofing your barefoot boots, you’re not only preserving their appearance but also ensuring that they serve you well in wet, wintery weather while keeping your feet dry and comfortable. It’s a simple yet effective way to care for your investment in healthy, barefoot shoes.