Yes, you can wear suede shoes in the rain. Suede may look delicate and fragile to you, but it is way stronger than leather. Not only does it look stylish and classy, but it is also durable and sturdy. Suede shoes can be worn in the rain, but I would recommend you waterproof them.
Waterproofing suede shoes as a precautionary measure is always a smart choice. This will protect your shoes from unwanted water stains.
Waterproofing suede shoes is a very simple and easy job. It will protect the suede overall and will increase the lifespan of your suede shoes. I am most often asked, “can you get suede wet if it is waterproof?
The answer is yes, to some extent, when you have to deal with emergency rains or water splashes. Waterproofing never means that you can walk into puddles wearing suede shoes. The following are the steps that you need to follow for waterproofing suede shoes.
Brush the Suede
Brushing suede prevents the fibers from getting stuck together. It keeps the suede soft and smooth. For brushing, I would recommend using a good quality suede brush having soft bristles. Brushing also removes dirt that is stuck between the fibers so that you don’t lock it with the spray.
Waterproof Spray
After brushing the shoes properly, you are now ready to spray. Apply waterproof spray from a distance of 8-10 inches. Go back and forth and apply until you are satisfied.
Dry
Now allow your suede shoes to dry. Repeat the spraying process if you feel the need to.
Do Suede Shoes Get Ruined in the Rain?
Don’t worry, take a deep breath and calm down, Suede shoes do not get ruined in the rain. They can withstand some water. But as soon as you are in a dry place, you need to take some actions to prevent any damage to the suede.
Following are the steps you need to take immediately when your suede shoes have become wet. The main purpose is to prevent the bristles from getting stuck and hard and to maintain the shape of the shoe.
Blot
First and foremost, grab a paper towel, a towel, or even a newspaper to dry your shoes. The most important thing to remember is to pat dry and not rub the paper towel across the suede as it will ruin the look.
Just blot the suede shoes in dabbing motions. The purpose of doing this is to soak as much water as you can. You have to perform this as quickly as you can.
One quick tip that I would like to give you is to insert a newspaper or towel into the shoe. This will help retain the shape of the suede.
Brush
Once you have soaked up all the water, the next thing to do is to brush and brush. Now while dealing with wet suede shoes, it’s not always compulsory that you would be having a suede brush with you. Grab a toothbrush or any other brush that has thin and soft bristles.
Brush the suede back and forth for about 1 to 2 minutes. You have to do this in quick motions. This is because the bristles in the suede get stuck together and become harder when wet. Brushing prevents clustering and helps retain the softness of the suede.
Dry
You need to get your suede dry as quickly as possible. Now I will tell you precisely how to dry suede. Grab a hairdryer and a suede brush. Brush the suede back and forth while blow-drying it until it is dried and no drop of water is left.
Removing Stains
Water stains ruin the look of the suede. Suede in the rain also catches the dirt, and you have to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Retake the suede brush and brush the suede back and forth.
Now take a suede paper and press it gently on the suede to lift the nap. If you still see some stains, then use a suede cleaning solution to remove the stains.
Waterproofing
Now you don’t want your suede shoes to ruin again in the rain. So once your shoes are completely dry and free of stains, then brush them thoroughly with a suede brush. Now spray the waterproof liquid all over in back and forth motion. Allow it to dry and apply another coat. This will protect the suede bristles from getting stuck and hard in the rain.
Some Extra Tips
Once you have invested in suede shoes, take every measure to make them long-lasting. Here are some tips that I religiously follow to take care of my suede shoes.
Brush Regularly
Invest in a good quality suede brush. Make sure that the brush has soft bristles made of nylon and is easy to grab. Brushing the suede regularly keeps it soft and shiny. It removes dust that is trapped in between the fibers. Always brush in one direction to keep the nap uniform.
Leather Conditioner
Haven’t heard of it before? Just like a hair conditioner softens your hair, the leather conditioner also makes the suede look soft and shiny.
By applying leather conditioner, you are reinforcing the suede fiber’s flexibility. If your suede shoes have been affected by rain, then this is the best way to make them look as good as new.
Cedar Shoe Trees
Do you know how rain ruins suede? Well, rain damage suedes in many different ways, and one of them is cracking. The suede is left with so many cracks and dents that it seems impossible to mend.
One way to prevent this from happening is using cedar shoe trees. Cedar shoe trees are placed inside the shoes, and they have so many benefits.
First and foremost, they absorb all the moisture so your shoes will remain dry. Another benefit is that they help maintain the shoes’ shape, especially the toe area that would otherwise be ruined due to water.
So as soon as you take your shoes off, put cedar shoe trees in them. You can use ordinary shoe trees as well, but cedar shoe trees have a very nice and soft fragrance.
They also remove all the smells by absorbing the moisture. So, the next time you wear shoes, they will be fresh and fragrant.
Applying Steam
If your suede shoes look old, then this trick will definitely work for you. Place a pot of water over the stove and once the water is boiling, hold the shoes over it for a few minutes. Allow proper incorporation of steam and the suede. After a couple of minutes, brush the suede and witness the difference.
Use a Stiff Brush
In the whole article, I was stressing about using a soft suede brush, but there are some conditions where you would need a stiff brush. Stains like grease are very difficult to remove.
The first thing you need to do is to grab a suede brush with stiff bristles and brush the stain back and forth. This trick helps in the majority of cases.
But if it does not, then you can wash the stain under the tap water using a cleaning solution.
Concluding Thoughts
Suede shoes can be worn in the rain, but there are many before and after precautionary measures that you need to take. Taking care of suede shoes is not a tricky job.
The key to maintaining a good suede shoe is consistency and punctuality. Take care of them every other day. One thing to keep in mind is that like every other shoe, suede shoes also have an age, but your job is to make sure that they age well.
You just have to follow a few simple steps, and your suede shoes will shine brightly.
