How to waterproof hiking boots: top tips for how to keep your feet dry this winter

waterproof hiking boots: snowy boots
More than any other season, it's important that your boots are watertight in winter (Image credit: Getty)

Knowing how to waterproof hiking boots will lengthen their lifespan and keep your feet warm and dry, crucial during the winter walking season. There’s no getting away from it, if you’re a hiker who spends any considerable length of time outdoors, you’re going to get wet at some point and its usually your boots that are in the thick of it.

Winter sees increased precipitation, be it rain, sleet, hail or now. After a period of significant snowfall, you could end up hiking through knee deep snow, your best hiking boots periodically submerged under the white stuff with every step. If you’re wearing waterproof hiking boots, this may not be such an issue but, if you’re not, your feet are in for a chilly and soggy outing.

waterproof hiking boots

Crossing Alaskan rivers? Crossing any rivers? In all likelihood, you'll need to waterproof your hiking boots (Image credit: Getty)

Just as with your waterproof jackets and pants, the occasional bit of TLC will have your boots’ H2O repelling qualities back in no time. You’ll know it’s time to re-proof your boots as soon as water stops beading on the surface and the uppers start wetting out. When that happens, just follow our simple guide and you’ll have waterproof hiking boots again in no time.

Finally, it’s worth bearing in mind that in deep snow or when crossing rivers, no matter how waterproof your hiking boots are, water is still going to get through the top of them. This is why we would always recommend equipping yourself with a pair of the best gaiters for the winter season to complement your boots.

waterproof hiking boots

When water no longer beads on the surface, it's time to look at waterproofing your boots  (Image credit: Getty)

How to waterproof hiking boots: scrub your boots

Swishing through long, wet grass performs a cleaning function of sorts, but you really need to use a brush (try the Hymax Mudsweeper, a nailbrush or even an old toothbrush) to remove dirt and mud. This works just as well on your best hiking shoes and it's worth doing even if your footwear isn't waterproof to prolong a pair's life. Take out the laces before you start so you can get into the billow tongue area.

waterproof hiking boots

Hiking boots need a good scrub after a long day on the trails (Image credit: Getty)

How to waterproof hiking boots: rinse your boots

A good old cold shower from the tap should wash away lingering mud and leave uppers dirt-free in preparation for a proper clean. We often find ourselves rinsing our trail running shoes like this after a day on muddy forest tracks.

waterproof hiking shoes

A river is one way to rinse your hiking, though a cold shower is preferable (Image credit: Getty)

How to waterproof hiking boots: clean your boots

Use a specialist cleaning product, such as Granger’s Footwear + Gear Cleaner or Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel to shift stubborn dirt and stains. This is particularly important with fabric hiking boots that rely on their durable water repellency (DWR) to make water bead on their surface, rather than saturate the upper. Then rinse with a clean sponge or cloth. You shouldn’t need to use these cleaning agents every time you wash your boots.

waterproof hiking boots

Waterproofed and ready to go (Image credit: Getty)

How to waterproof hiking boots: re-proof your boots

Apply a wax or waterproofing agent to your boots to restore their water repellency and stop them from ‘wetting out’. Different waterproofing products are available depending on the type of boot.

  • For nubuck, suede and synthetic fabric boots, spray a product such as Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof or Grangers Footwear Repel Plus onto clean, wet boots and leave to dry before you next go hiking.
  • For smooth, leather boots, use a wax, such as Grangers Waterproofing Wax or G-Wax. Use your finger and a clean cloth to rub a thin layer of wax into clean, dry boots. The more layers of wax you apply, the better the end result; wait until the wax has dried before walking. You can buff the wax finish with a dry cloth for a smarter finish.
  • Alternatively, from time to time it’s worth conditioning leather boots with a product such as Grangers Leather Conditioner or Nikwax Conditioner for Leather. These help to keep leather supple and avoid cracking, as well as restoring its waterproof qualities. Apply conditioner to damp boots, using a finger and clean cloth, and work it into the stitched seams as well as the leather, before wiping off any excess and leaving to dry naturally.

waterproof hiking boots

After a hike in the snow, it's tempting to put hiking boots on a radiator but this wears out the leather (Image credit: Getty)

How to waterproof hiking boots: no radiators

Don’t be tempted to speed dry boots on radiators. It dries out the leather. Leave them to dry in a well aired room.

Alex Foxfield

Alex is a freelance adventure writer and mountain leader with an insatiable passion for the mountains. A Cumbrian born and bred, his native English Lake District has a special place in his heart, though he is at least equally happy in North Wales, the Scottish Highlands or the European Alps. Through his hiking, mountaineering, climbing and trail running adventures, Alex aims to inspire others to get outdoors. He's the former President of the London Mountaineering Club, is training to become a winter mountain leader, looking to finally finish bagging all the Wainwright fells of the Lake District and is always keen to head to the 4,000-meter peaks of the Alps. www.alexfoxfield.com