The best water-repellent impregnations for shoes and clothing

During rainy or snowy weather, a feeling of comfort and safety can be ensured by the use of water-repellent impregnations. They are used both to protect shoes and clothing. The product prevents moisture from penetrating into the products, therefore maintaining their “normal” state. Choosing the right product is the most difficult, as in 2022 there are many sprays and aerosols on the market.

The editors of the YaNashla website bring to your attention a review of the best water-repellent sprays for 2022.

New items at Kant:

• Temporary changes to store opening hours
• Cross-country ski equipment for athletes. Full set. Everything is ready for the 21/22 season
• New “winter” collections. Hurry before temporary closure
• Updated Thermos collection
• It's warmer with the Arctic
• Bobber thermoses. Record heat retention
• 10% discount on winter goods for Second Hand customers
• Seasonal bicycle storage with maintenance
• A clear victory for Deuter in independent research. Backpacks and sleeping bags are the best!
• Collection "Autumn 2021" from Petzl in "Kant". Flashlights and climbing equipment
• The best autumn adventures - with Salomon clothing
• Mizuno super-collection “Winter 21-22” is available in “Kant”
• The new Saucony collection “Winter 21-22” is in “Kant”... and Endorphin_2 too”!
• Running “rockets” from adidas exclusively in Kant!
• Everything for cross-country skiing 2022 -2022 already in Kant!
• There is no bad weather! The right Reima clothes for a child in the off-season
• New collection of KV+ ski poles
• Custom anatomical insoles in 15 minutes

How to use?

To ensure that the application does not cause unpleasant sensations, you need to use the product correctly and consistently:

1. Clean shoes or clothes from dust and dirt using a sponge.
2. Wipe with a damp cloth or soak with soapy water.
3. How to treat suede? Comb with a special brush, while carefully lifting the pile.
4. Dry naturally, you can put paper or newspaper inside. They will absorb excess moisture.
5. Spray the aerosol at a distance of at least 10-15 cm.
6. Spread the resulting mixture with a soft sponge or rub with a velvet or woolen cloth.

These are general recommendations. Note! When using the spray, you must follow the instructions written on the packaging.

Tips and nuances:

• The procedure should be carried out 6-8 hours before going outside, optimally in the evening, so the product is well absorbed;
• when processing thin leather, suede, nubuck, you need to consolidate the result by repeating the procedure again;
• do not use sprays in combination with other products;
• impregnation is added to water, where clothes are then released; shoes cannot be treated in this way;
• for a long-lasting effect of sprays and other types of products, you should try to wash things by hand;
• the maximum effect will appear 24 hours after application;
• if dirt accidentally gets onto an already treated surface, you can remove it with a dry cloth;
• It is not recommended to use for underwear or, for example, for a wedding dress.

In the production of sprays, a hydrocarbon solvent is often used. The mixture prepared on the basis of water is poured into a container equipped with a mechanical spray system. According to buyers and experts, the treatment should be carried out in rooms that are equipped with a special ventilation system.

Principle of operation

First you need to describe the type of surface where the water gets:

• hydrophilic – moisture spreads over the entire surface and occupies the maximum area;
• hydrophobic - water falls on the surface and does not spread, taking the shape of a hemisphere, because of this, moisture is practically not absorbed.

Thus, shoes made of nubuck, suede or leather are hydrophilic and have a porous surface. The pores instantly absorb water, which is why it is necessary to use a special protective agent for shoes made of such materials.

Inexpensive water repellents create an invisible protective film on the surface. In such a situation, the pores, and therefore the human leg, do not breathe. When choosing, you need to pay attention to high-quality sprays that cover all pores with a protective layer and reduce their diameter. They do not interfere with the breathability of the surface. This type of treatment has a name - super hydrophobic coating.

Which one is better to buy and what types are there? Below is a rating of quality sprays, their average price and the main functionality of the models.

The best water-repellent aerosol impregnations for shoes and clothing

This form of release involves packaging the product into cylinders. The contents are supplied by opening the valve at the top. At this moment, excess pressure is created and the impregnation comes out in small “portions”, which helps to save it and distribute it evenly over the surface. This category presents the 4 best water-repellent impregnations in the form of aerosols.

Salamander Universal SMS

The water repellent comes in aerosol form and is easy to spray. They can be used to treat leather, suede, and textiles, but the surface must be smooth for proper protection from water. It also prevents the negative effects of dirt and snow, thereby preserving the original appearance of things and increasing their service life. Salamander Universal SMS has a transparent color, and therefore does not change the shade of the materials after processing.

Advantages

• Does not leave salt or water stains;
• Penetrates deeply into tissue;
• Well absorbed;
• Low consumption;
• Long lasting effect;
• Suitable for processing membrane shoes;
• You can soak bags.

Flaws

• If black leather is heavily processed, a not very beautiful shine may appear.

This impregnation for shoes and clothing can be called one of the best due to its economical consumption, since it is enough to apply it in a thin layer. But for the first time, the product still needs to be processed at least three times.

Tarrago Hightech Nano Protector

This water repellent is popular due to its natural and effective composition, which includes resins, oils, propane and butane. Therefore, the spray is not harmful either to humans or to shoes. Its components have a gentle effect on the structure of nubuck, suede, all types of leather, textiles, but for processing leatherette it is not the best choice, since it is less saturated. Tarrago Hightech Nano Protector can also be used with care to increase the water resistance of bags, suede and leather clothing.

Advantages

• Does not prevent materials from “breathing” normally;
• Does not foam;
• Easy to apply to the surface;
• Evenly distributed within tissues;
• Creates a reliable protective layer;
• Does not leave an unpleasant odor.

Flaws

• High price.

It is recommended to shake the container before each application, this will make it easier for the product to come out of it. The composition should be sprayed from a distance of at least 20 cm.

Saphir Invulner

This is a decent water repellent spray designed for daily use. It is suitable for this thanks to its safe composition. It includes highly active fluorinated Scotchgard 3M resin, which guarantees long-lasting and pronounced protection against water, dirt, and snow.

Saphir Invulner prevents the formation of traces from salts and snow, preserves the beautiful appearance of products and allows them to last longer. Moreover, the product can be used to treat almost all types of materials – nubuck, textiles, suede, leather. It is quite simple to use, but when applied to different areas with a long gap in time, uneven coloring of the surface becomes possible.

Advantages

• Lasting water-repellent effect – for about 2 months;
• Begins to act approximately an hour after impregnation of materials;
• Creates a transparent coating;
• Does not contain aggressive components;
• Does not disrupt the structure of products;
• Environmentally friendly composition.

Flaws

• Not suitable for impregnation of leather treated with varnish.

Saphir Invulner has a volume of 250 ml, which, with regular use, lasts for at least 2 months. The canister is equipped with a convenient dispenser and pressing it does not require much effort.

Salton from water for leather and fabric

Budget water-repellent impregnation "Salton" can claim to be the best due to its worthy combination of low price, safety and effective impact. All this is provided by relatively natural and highly active, but not aggressive, components in the composition. Thanks to this product, you can treat climate membranes, artificial materials, textiles and any type of leather. The applied aerosol is enough for the whole day, during which shoes and clothes continue to “breathe” normally and remain clean.

Advantages

• Suitable for daily use;
• The effect increases over time;
• Protects well from dirt;
• Creates a sheer and thin coating;
• Easy to apply;
• It washes out slowly with water.

Flaws

• Due to the strong odor, it should not be used indoors.

Salton impregnation can be used every day in damp weather, but it is better not to expose shoes and clothing to it unless necessary. With moderate precipitation, it is enough to process the products once a week.

Types of protective equipment

Today, foreign and domestic manufacturers offer consumers hundreds of water-repellent products. Users are assured of the special effectiveness of their products. It is necessary to understand: what the product is intended for, what its composition is and the conditions of use.

Water-repellent agents are produced in the form of: thick or liquid ointments; emulsions; spray. For shoes made from genuine leather, thick cream is used. It is applied in cold weather. The composition includes: animal fat; solvent; dye; wax When treated with cream, a water-repellent film is created on the surface.

In the warm season, emulsion or liquid cream is used to lubricate shoes. Such products are not very suitable for fully protecting shoes from moisture, only for creating a beautiful look and shine. Moisture protection spray lasts longer and is suitable for most materials. Water-repellent aerosol is used in the treatment of clothing and shoes.

Today, the best water-repellent agents are impregnations. They differ in composition. Impregnations reliably protect shoes and clothing, penetrating deeply into the material. For any smooth surfaces and leather products, an impregnation containing silicone is used.

For fleecy materials, nubuck and suede, a product with fluorocarbon resin is suitable. For other materials, water repellents containing fluorine are used. There are universal products that are suitable for all types of material.

Advantages and disadvantages of treatments

The list of advantages from using water-repellent compounds for shoes is extensive:

• increased resistance to water, dirt, and aggressive reagents;
• the material becomes more elastic, shoes take less time to dry, and the original aesthetics last longer;
• Good impregnations do not pose any danger to human skin;
• the material does not become heavier and stops fading.

There are fewer disadvantages. It can be noted that processing takes time, but its losses are insignificant and completely justified, since they are compensated by the benefits of the procedure. Silicone compounds should be used with caution to avoid clogging the pores of the material. Oily products tend to accumulate on the surface and require periodic rinsing.

The best water-repellent impregnation sprays for shoes and clothing

This form of release is convenient due to the presence of a dispenser, spray bottle or drain valve in the package, by pressing which the product is easily applied to the surface. Their choice on the market is as wide as that of aerosols, and they cost about the same. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the three best water-repellent impregnations for shoes and clothing in the form of sprays.

Collonil Universal Protector

The “Collonil Universal Protector” product is distinguished primarily by its versatility, since it is used both for the care of clothing and almost any footwear (boots, sneakers, etc.), as well as for textiles, soft materials, and leather travel products. But to achieve a pronounced water-repellent effect, it is necessary to apply it to the surface several times. In this case, you should keep the cylinder strictly at a distance of 20 cm. Products treated with it maintain normal air exchange and prevent unpleasant odors from appearing.

Advantages

• Reliable protection against temperature surges;
• Long lasting effect;
• Rapid distribution of impregnation in tissues;
• Does not damage the structure of materials;
• Does not leave marks on the surface;
• Natural smell.

Flaws

• Long processing.

Reviews of the Collonil Universal Protector impregnation spray describe it as economical and easy to apply.

Trekko Protect

...Reviews advise buying this water-repellent impregnation for clothes, in particular, because of its reliable protection against dirt...

Expert opinion

This water protection product is recognized as the best among trekkers. Trekko Protect spray creates a high-quality barrier that prevents clothes and equipment from getting wet and dirty on the route. Its peculiarity is its long-lasting effect; the composition is not washed out even in conditions of very high humidity. The products can be used within 15-20 minutes after treatment, the spray is absorbed so quickly. It is available in 200 ml packages with a convenient dispenser.

Advantages

• Dense hydrophobic layer;
• High concentration of active substances - butyl acetate and isopropanol;
• Gives things a beautiful shine;
• Does not interfere with the “breathing” of materials;
• Does not change tissue structure.

Flaws

• The effectiveness of water protection is reduced without cleaning clothing from dirt before treatment.

Aqua Proof Nanomax

Aqua Proof Nanomax is very economical in consumption, as it requires application in a thin layer. But perhaps this is why its effects must be waited until 24 hours; after about this time, pronounced water-repellent properties appear. It is not advisable to treat suede and denim products with it, but leatherette is welcome.

Aqua Proof Nanomax has an innovative formula that provides a lasting water-repellent effect, which prevents your feet from getting wet and prevents colds. It prevents the formation of stains from salt, reagents, snow, dirt and water. Since it does not interfere with the “breathing” of things, an unpleasant odor does not appear even when wearing sports shoes.

Advantages

• Colorless liquid;
• Easy to apply;
• Fast absorption;
• Does not cause allergies;
• Unlimited shelf life.

Flaws

• It begins to work no earlier than a day after application;
• Volume 150 ml.

This spray increases the service life of the product and helps maintain its original appearance. But this is only relevant when it comes to skin.

Rating of the best water-repellent impregnations for shoes and clothing

When compiling this TOP, we primarily focused on the reaction of customers in reviews. A series of tests were also carried out with the most interesting nominees, the results of which were taken into account when preparing the rating.

The criteria for selecting goods were as follows:

• Release form: spray or aerosol;
• Purpose – for clothes, shoes, bags;
• Versatility - can be used to care for suede, leather, its substitutes and other materials;
• Volume and smell;
• Duration of effect;
• Safety – does not leave streaks from salt and snow;
• Spectrum of action – protection from water, snow, dirt;
• Speed ​​of impact.

When compiling the rating, we also paid attention to the price-quality ratio of impregnations, ease of application and absorption rate, and commercial availability.

Which water-repellent impregnation is better to buy?

Those who want to care for both clothes and shoes using one product should take a universal spray or aerosol. The presence of resins in the composition will improve their efficiency and increase the service life of products, and oils will help give them a beautiful natural shine, soften them and prevent the formation of cracks.

Please pay attention to the following nuances when choosing a suitable water-repellent spray or aerosol from TOP:

• To care for suede products, you can choose Collonil Universal Protector.
• If your shoes need to be protected not only from water, but also from dirt, you should pay attention to Trekko Protect.
• Aqua Proof Nanomax will help ensure waterproofing of smooth leather items.
• In order to protect textiles from moisture, it would not be a mistake to buy Salamander Universal SMS.
• For those who are going to treat boots, bags or clothes made of velor, it is better to take a closer look at Tarrago Hightech Nano Protector.
• In winter, with heavy snowfall, Saphir Invulner becomes relevant.
• To create a waterproof barrier for membrane products, you should choose Salton aerosol.

Whatever water-repellent impregnation for clothes you decide to buy from the rating, if used correctly, none of them should let you down. Therefore, before use, you must carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions and try not to violate them.