Waterproofing your work boots is actually really easy to do, and relatively cheap. The hard part is choosing which paste/wax/spray to use, there are hundreds of options out there, and thousands of opinions…where do you start?
You're not a fool, so don't spend hours trying to choose the right paste. We’ve put together this guide so you can quickly and easily choose the right one, and get on with your life!
Rubber boots are 100% waterproof, so if your working in water more than the average Joe, you will need to get yourself some rubber. The disadvantage of rubber boots is that they will not breathe, so while they will keep the water out, they won't ventilate, so they will keep the sweat in. This becomes a problem when your working for longer periods.
For everyone else (which is the majority of us workers), Leather made work boots are a better option because, among other things, they allow our feet to breathe, and they do a damn fine job of protecting our feet.
Settle down, we hear ya. Yes, your boots are already waterproof… somewhat.
Water-resistant is a better way to describe them.
What you must realize is, that most boots are made from leather, right? And leather is animal hide, which is made from tiny fibrous structures.
Now without getting too technical on yo ass, when those tiny structures are damaged by moisture or chemical, they start to dry out and crack, and that's the beginning of the end 'm afraid.
So, in order to stop this happening, and prolong the life of your brand spanking boots, you have to take it one step further and do a little extra waterproofing yourself.
There are two ways to do this:
Apply a wax/paste, OR use spray.
We show you HOW to do this here, but first, here are our top picks for the best waterproofing solutions, no need to waste your time sifting through the thousands of other -grade products:
Sno-Seal is our No. 1 pick, and also the number one choice of many proud work boot owners around the world. There is a lot of rave about Sno-Seal, but why is it so good?
Well, it just works, there's no other way to put it.
Its been protecting boots since they existed, so they have perfected the formula. The main reason it gets such as rap is because you don't have to reapply it as often as other products out there, it just lasts longer.
Let's be honest, waterproofing your boots is not exactly a thrilling experience, so if you use Sno-Seal, you can spend less time worrying.
How does it work?
It's a beeswax formula that dries as a solid wax on the surface on your boots. It lasts longer than any other product out there, and unlike other greases or animal products, it will not soften your leather- which means you put less of it on, and your boots last longer…that's what we all want.
This mob has been VERY successfully creating and selling their high-quality leather conditioner since the ’60s, they must be doing something right, huh!?
This stuff is truly the good oil- not only does it protect and waterproofs your leather, but also promotes flexibility, smells like sweet sweet honey, AND rejuvenates old, worn leather back to life! Neat huh?
A great choice for new work boots but we highly recommend it if your boots have experienced a little wear and tear already. with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, why wouldn't you try it?
Another boot protector worthy of a mention is Benauf’s LP boot preservative.
Yes, you will have to reapply this stuff more frequently than Sno-Seal, so why did it make the top five?
Well apart from waterproofing and prolonging the life of your precious work boots, this stuff will act as a shield against acid, petroleum, salts, and chemicals -- so if you find yourself working with any nasty chemicals like those, get this gear on your boots ASAP
We’ll be honest with you, this stuff will do the job great, but it's not going to blow your mind like some of the products we’ve listed above.
This one made the top five because it's an all in one kit -- you get the boot cleaning brush, the boot cleaning concentrate, the water repellent, and the applicator.
It's the one-stop-shop for waterproofing your work boots, so it makes the process a little easier, and faster.
If you're looking for the ultimate in waterproofness, go for one of the other products we’ve talked about, but if you're not going to be battling water day in day out, and just want to get it over and done with, this is the choice for you.
If you're a fan of the silicone sprays, this is the one for you. Silicone sprays act as a tough water barrier, and they can work great if the seals of your boots are letting moisture in. This product is a great all-rounder, can be applied to all types of materials, and is a great option if you want to get it done super fast.
We recommend you spray at least two coats, and for god's sake, make sure your in a well-ventilated area (unless you want to see how it tastes)
Check out our picks for the best work boots available on the market
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