How to tell if your shoes are waterproof?

Written by Leon in Sports and outdoors

You own a pair of shoes, and you are not sure if they will get damaged or, most importantly, get your feet wet if you wear them on a rainy or snowy day. How can you know if your shoes are waterproof?

Look for labels such as GORE-TEX, eVent, Outdry (Extreme), Omni-tech, PRIMALOFT (Gold and Silver), POLARTEC, Keen Dry, TimberDry, ClimaProof, M-Select DRY and TERREX. Shoes with these standards and technologies will keep your feet dry, and your shoes will not get damaged by water. If you can’t find any labels, and your shoes are leather, suede leather, nubuck leather, artificial leather, or textile, they will most likely need waterproofing to maintain its’ look and keep water out.

In this article, I’ll discuss two ways to find out if your shoes are waterproof:

  1. Look for certain labels
  2. Know the material

It doesn’t matter what type of shoes you have – boots, sneakers, sandals, etc. Obviously, sandals will not keep your feet dry when it is raining. However, will water damage them?

1.    Look for certain labels

How do brands communicate with consumers about the waterproofness of their shoes or how water-resistant they are?

Sadly, I found out that there is no uniform way of knowing the level of water-resistance for shoes, just like you can in the watch industry using the water-resistant guide. That is because brands use different technologies. Each brand can describe the degree of water-resistance of their shoes how they like or say nothing at all, which makes it a bit tricky for you and me to know what we can and cannot do with our shoes when it comes to water.

So, what standard labels can you look for, and what do they mean? The most apparent labels are waterproof and water-resistant. However, as it is not a standard nor a technology. These labels will only mean something if you see one or more of the other labels described below:

  • GORE-TEX – GORE-TEX “is a waterproof, breathable fabric membrane and registered trademark of W. L. Gore and Associates. It can repel liquid water while allowing water vapor to pass through and is designed to be a lightweight, waterproof fabric for all-weather use.” Within the GORE-TEX family, GORE-TEX developed GORE-TEX SURROUND specifically for footwear. The technology offers “360° breathability while being durably waterproof.” (source) GORE has also developed WINDSTOPPER fabric and is found in their overshoes collection. It is breathable and primarily designed to protect you from wind. It also protects your shoes from a light shower.
  • eVent – eVent has three technologies specific for shoes: DVdryLT, DVdry, and Protective. DVdryLT is designed for Golf, Hiking, Lifestyle, Running, Trail Running. eVent designed DVdry for Backpacking, Cycling, Golf, Hiking, Mountaineering, Trail Running. The Protective line is more for Fire, First Responders, Military, Tactical, Workwear. (source)
  • OutDry – OutDry technology, developed by Columbia, “uses a one-piece patented construction process that creates a waterproof breathable barrier, leaving no way for water to get in.” (source) Outdry has two labels: 
    • Outdry offers “absolute waterproof” and uses a one-piece barrier leaving no space for water to get in. (source)
    • Outdry Extreme has an “external durable waterproof membrane.” (source)
  • Omni-tech – Omni-tech technology, developed by Columbia Sportswear, is “waterproof and breathable.” They say you can use it in all conditions. Columbia Sportwear also has a technology called Omni-shield. However, this repels water and is not waterproof similar to Omni-tech. (source)
  • PRIMALOFT – PRIMALOFT products (which include shoes) have partnered with over 500 brands so there is a high chance you will find their technology in your shoes. (source) PRIMALOFT has three series: gold- silver- and black. Gold- and silver labels offer water-resistance. Gold provides the most protection. It gives “water-repellency that insulates even in the wettest weather – maintaining 98% of warmth when wet.” (source)
  • POLARTEC – POLARTEC has partnered with over 100 brands and has integrated their NEOSHELL technology in footwear. “NEOSHELL provides the strength and durability of a weather protective fabric, while still allowing dynamic air exchange and comfortable full range of motion.” (source)
  • Keen Dry – Keen dry’s “membrane lets vapor out without letting water in.” (source)
  • TimberDry – Timberland developed TimberDry and “features a waterproof membrane to help protect from unwanted moisture and is made from 50% recycled plastic.” (source)
  • ClimaProof – Adidas developed ClimaProof technology, and it offers all-weather protection, from drizzle to downpour and heavy snowfall. They provide an impenetrable barrier while remaining breathable, giving protection while maintaining body temp. (source)
  • M-Select DRY – seals out water and lets moisture escape, so you stay dry. (source) (Did you know Merrel makes vegan-friendly waterproof shoes?)

You can find these labels on a tag, the shoebox, the shoes itself, or on their product information page online. I sometimes find a combination of these labels as shoe brands partner with these technologies. Bottom line, with the tags mentioned above, your shoes will not get damaged if they get wet. It is okay to use water to rinse them and wear them when the weather gets rough.

Some brands have partnered with technologies and came up with their label for their shoes such as Adidas developed TERREX.

  • TERREX – TERREX is a name given to an Adidas shoe line. Adidas designed TERREX shoes with the help of PRIMALOFT, ClimaProof, and GORE-TEX technologies. They, therefore, have high waterproofness performance.

2.    Know the material

Have you “misplaced” the shoebox or can’t find any labels? Or perhaps you have worn the shoes so many times the brand has faded away, and you won’t be able to check their website for more information. No problem, I’ve listed common shoe materials, and I will discuss their waterproofness. Remember, shoes that do not have one of the labels mentioned above will most likely not perform as well or at all.

Leather shoes are not waterproof. Leather is a breathable material, and that means that it can let water in. It needs waterproofing to maintain its’ look and keep water out.

Suede leather shoes are not waterproof. This fabric is more sensitive to water than leather because it is destroyed to give it that distinct look. A light rain will not make your feet wet. However, water can easily create stains and change the color of suede. It needs waterproofing to maintain its’ look and keep water out.

Nubuck leather shoes are not waterproof. Nubuck is similar to suede, and it is more sensitive to water than leather. However, it needs waterproofing to maintain its’ look and keep water out. 

Artificial leather is a type of plastic, and plastic can keep water out very well. Therefore, it is better able to withstand water than genuine leather. Water will most likely not destroy your shoes. However, they may get your feet wet as shoe manufacturers create pores to allow your feet to breathe. There is a high chance that these pores will also let water in.

Textile shoes are sometimes waterproof. The fiber types determine the shoes’ waterproofness. Footwear comes in many fiber types, including cotton, wool, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, rayon, and lycra. However, it’s the fabric backing that makes the shoes waterproof. Backing made of PVC is waterproof. (source)

Many shoe manufacturers use durable water repellent, and they apply the coating at the factory. However, it is quite a thin coating, and sadly, not always that effective. Extra waterproofing is necessary to maintain its’ look and keep water out.

Please note

Shoes with the technologies described in this article, work well when you walk in the rain, through a puddle, or even snow. They are waterproof for these situations.

It is safe to say that they perform better in wet environments than brands that do not have waterproofness set as a priority. However, if you want to walk through rivers, these shoes will not be of any good. I recommend looking for rubber boots.

Closing remarks

I advise you to look for these labels to be confident that water will not get your feet wet and it will not damage your shoes: GORE-TEX, eVent, Outdry (Extreme), Omni-tech, PRIMALOFT (Gold and Silver), POLARTEC, Keen Dry, TimberDry, ClimaProof, M-Select DRY and TERREX.

If you can’t find any labels, and your shoes are leather, suede leather, nubuck leather, artificial leather, or textile, your shoes will most likely need waterproofing to maintain its’ look and keep water out.

I am your average shoe consumer and do not produce the technologies mentioned in this article.

References

Leon

Hi everyone! I hope you found what you were looking for in this article. Please let me know if there is anything waterproof related that I can help you with!

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