Best Waterproofing Spray - 2022 (2023)

Any hunter, hiker or other outdoor enthusiast knows that their boots, shoes and even their tent need to be waterproof. With shoes, even if they are initially waterproofed, the waterproofing will wear off long before the leather of the boot wears out. The solution is to use a waterproofing spray.

We scoured the market for good waterproofing sprays to find an option that was proven, worked on a variety of fabrics, and was relatively easy to use (although sometimes it's worth the extra effort and time). . These are the main candidates that we found on the market this year.

The 3 best waterproofing sprays

direct nikwax TXspray

The best waterproofing spray forBergschuheit prevents the fabric of the boot from absorbing water while the fabric retains its breathability. When you work hard or play hard, it's your feetprobably sweat. This sweat has to evaporate from your skin or you will be miserable. Simply locking moisture and warmth into your shoes is really doing yourself a disservice as your feet will get sweaty and wet anyway. Your boots need to breathe to allow sweat to evaporate, and Nikwax creates a waterproof layer that keeps water out without compromising the fabric's ability to breathe.

This Nikwax product is a simple spray that can be air dried. Many waterproofing sprays require the fabric to be tumble dried after the waterproofing agent has been applied. This is not practical when waterproofing boots and some older fabrics could be damaged by the heat of a tumble dryer.

This is a non-hazardous and environmentally friendly product. It is water based and in a non-aerosol packaging. Nikwax is also non-flammable, VOC-free and 100% fluorocarbon-free.

The spray is easy to apply and dries quickly. Simply spray it onto the fabric in an even layer. After waiting 2 minutes, you can wipe away any excess product that has not been absorbed by the fabric. Wait a few more minutes and check again that there is no excess product. After that, you should let the fabric dry completely before putting it on. It's the fastest drying spray on the list, which can be a huge benefit for some people.

Find Nikwax Spray on Amazon here.

KIWI Camp Dry water-repellent

KIWI Camp Dry Water Repellent is an excellent waterproofing substance for nylon, canvas and functional fabrics such as Gore-Tex, fleece and more. It is absolutely perfect for tents.

This product dries on fabric without leaving a lingering odor making it good for hunting wear and for people who may be sensitive to chemical odours. When drying we have no odor orresidue on our boots.

The Camp Dry is dependable and many of the outdoor enthusiasts we know wear it as a staple of their wardrobe. Restores the waterproofing of many of the fabrics we rely on for our outdoor clothing. It also helps repel dirt and grime from clothing, keeping fabrics looking their best for longer. It does not tend to stain fabrics or darken after application.

Like Nikwax, it offers good breathability so sweat and moisture don't accumulate.

Make sure the item you want to waterproof is clean and dry. Spray Camp Dry evenly onto the item, then allow to air dry for an hour. Repeat the application process for maximum coverage.

This is probably the product we would also recommend for tents as it seems delicate and odor free on so many different types of fabric. If you need to give your tent fly a lift, this would be our top choice.

Find Kiwi Camp Dry here on Amazon.

Grangers Performance Repel Waterproofing Spray

Grangers Performance Repel Waterproof Spray is a great repellent for all performance and athletic wear. It's especially effective on Gore-Tex when you need to give it a waterproofing boost. Can be used to help waterproofand windproof clothing, tents, sleeping bags and other outdoor gear - not just for boots.

This product leaves no odor, making it ideal for hunters and sports enthusiasts. It also won't cause your garment to change color or become shinier. A safe, water-based product, it contains no harmful ingredients that can affect the environment, is non-flammable, and is free of fluorocarbons and VOCs.

The app is a bit different here. You actually want to apply it to damp clothing or fabric (usually the clothing needs to be dry). Then let it dry and can heat it while drying if the garment allows it. Nothing crazy, but a tumble dryer on low heat would bake the dew.

Find Farmers Repel here on Amazon.

Frequently asked questions about waterproof spray

Are these waterproofing agents safe for leather?

These waterproofing agents are safe to use on leather goods. They are usually applied to garments that are a combination of leather and fabric, as leather is most effectively impregnated by the application of waxes and creams. In fact, we like to use them in our favoritewaterproof hiking shoeswhich consist almost exclusively of high-quality leather. If you have a garment or shoe made out of specialty leather or suede, you might want to do a little testing before going all out. But if the main goal is to make something waterproof, go for it!

Can I use the spray to waterproof a tent?

Generally yes. You may want to use the recommended kiwifruit spray as it tends to dry up without smell or odor and we've found it works particularly welltents. Just follow the directions on the can. The two parts of a tent that really need to be waterproof are usually the groundsheet and rainsheet. It's also not a bad idea to reapply every year or so. A wet tent is no fun!

How many times can you use a can?

It depends on the product. The products come in different sized cans, so each product covers a different amount of fabric. The number of applications is also affected by the density at which you spray the product onto the fabric and the type of fabric the product is sprayed onto. Some fabrics require a small amount of spray to restore their waterproofing ability, while other fabrics will absorb large amounts of product before reaching their full waterproofing ability.

How long should an impregnation last?

We recommend repeating it at least once a year. If the shoes or clothing you are applying the waterproofing product to are in good condition, you should be able to waterproof them once a season. For items that are very seasonal, like ski gear that you wear in winter orhunting bootswho will not be deployed until the fall, it is better to reapply a few days or weeks before the season than at the end of the previous season.

If you wear your clothes or boots all year round, you should reapply the products at least every three to four months. If you wear the garments frequently and expose them to large amounts of water, you may want to reapply the waterproofer every few weeks. It all depends on how often you wear the garment and how often the garment is exposed to water for long periods of time.

How long should I let it dry?

The drying time depends on the product, the air temperature and humidity in your area and how thick you apply the product. Most of these products dry to the touch in a few minutes to an hour. Once the item is dry to the touch, it should be left undisturbed for a period of 6-12 hours to allow the waterproofing agent to fully cure before exposing it to water.

If you live in a very humid climate, the product will take longer to dry on your items. It will also take much longer to dry the product if the air temperature is below 50⁰F.

You can place a fan where it blows on your shoes and that can reduce the time it takes your shoes or boots to dry. Do not place shoes or boots in front of an electric heater or fireplace, and do not try to dry them faster with hot air from a hair dryer.

You can also ball up newspaper and place it inside the shoe to prevent moisture from entering the shoes while the product is going through the drying process.

Do I have to apply multiple layers?

No, but it's not a bad idea. Some of the waterproofing products recommend applying more than one coat for maximum effect. These products are designed to be applied in thin coats and allowed time to dry before applying another coat. You can skip applying more than one coat, but to ensure you create a waterproof seal, it's best to follow the manufacturer's directions and apply as many coats as they recommend.

The same impregnation results cannot be achieved by applying a thicker layer of product. By applying a thin layer and then adding another thin layer, you build a barrier that lasts longer.

Do these sprays work on ski wear?

Yes, in our opinion, ski clothing is one of the top users of impregnation spray. There is nothing worse than a ski jacket or ski pants losing their waterproofness. It only takes one warm winter day and you get wet. Treating clothing with a waterproofing spray extends its lifespan. If the clothing requires frequent repeat treatments, you should consider buying a new garment.

Do you have any other application tips for impregnation?

Wear it on a sunny summer day if you can. What we love to do is take out all of our gear that might need a waterproofing or touch up, display it on a driveway or sidewalk and go crazy with it all. If it's a nice sunny day with a temperature of around 65 degrees F or higher you can definitely have a very quick dry cycle and reapply as often as needed over the course of several hours. Make sure you put whatever you have sprayed in direct sunlight, rotate once and then reapply. With this method we can apply 3-4 applications over the course of a day.

The only other tip is to make sure whatever you spray is very clean. The cleanup only takes a few minutes and makes a huge difference to your bottom line. For example, if you spray a dirty boot, the waterproofing agent will stick to the dirt and not the boot. The result is a waterproof film that peels off the next time dirt is rubbed off the boot.