How to Waterproof Running Shoes | Keep Feet Dry This Season

Wet socks ruin a good run, and the fix is simpler than most runners think. A clean pair of shoes, one even coat of treatment, and a full day of drying are the entire formula. The exact method depends on your shoe’s upper material and whether you want to treat shoes you own or buy a pair with a built-in waterproof membrane.

What Is the Best Way to Waterproof Running Shoes?

The most practical route is a spray-on treatment applied to a clean, dry shoe. Runner’s World recommends removing the laces first, cleaning the uppers with mild soap, then spraying from about six inches away, paying extra attention to seams. Blot excess with a clean cloth, stuff the shoes with newspaper, and let them dry for at least 24 hours out of direct sunlight.

Wax-based treatments work well on leather and heavier fabric uppers. HOKA’s guidance: test on a small hidden area first, rub it in with a soft brush, apply extra to high-friction zones like the heel and toe, melt it in with a hairdryer, and let it harden before testing with water.

If you’d rather skip maintenance, buy shoes with a built-in membrane. REI’s expert advice on waterproof trail-running shoes explains that Gore-Tex (GTX) is the most common membrane, and shoes built with it outperform open-mesh uppers that let water in through their weave.

The Step-by-Step Process: How to Waterproof Running Shoes

The order matters. Skipping the cleaning step seals dirt into the fabric, reducing adhesion and trapping debris. Here’s the full sequence for both spray and wax treatments:

1. Remove the laces. Treatment makes them stiff and hard to tie.
2. Clean the shoes. Use mild soap or diluted laundry detergent with warm water. Scrub off all dirt and mud, then rinse or wipe away residue.
3. Let the shoes dry slightly. Some treatments bond best to lightly damp fabric; check your product label.
4. Apply the treatment. For spray, hold the bottle about six inches from the shoe and coat the whole upper evenly, focusing on seams and stitched areas.
5. Wipe off excess. Blot with a clean cloth so the shoe isn’t saturated.
6. Dry fully. Stuff with newspaper or use a shoe tree, then air-dry away from direct sunlight for at least 24 hours. HOKA notes their spray needs to dry overnight before wear.

When cured, water should bead on the surface rather than soak in—that’s your sign the coating works. Runner’s World’s guide to waterproofing running shoes cautions the treatment wears off, so reapply periodically through the wet season.

For wax treatments, HOKA suggests working wax into the upper with a soft brush, adding extra to heels, toes, laces, and tongues, then melting with a hairdryer. Let it harden before testing by pouring water on the treated area.

Spray, Wax, or Built-In Membrane: Which Should You Choose?

The right method depends on your shoe’s material and how often you run wet. Sprays suit mesh and synthetic uppers; wax suits leather and heavy fabrics; a built-in membrane like Gore-Tex is the only zero-upkeep option.

Waterproofing always trades some breathability for protection. Membranes and tightly woven uppers keep water out but trap heat, so runners prioritizing ventilation may prefer a reapplyable spray. If shopping new, our roundup of the best women’s waterproof gym shoes covers tested models for wet miles.

Common Mistakes That Ruin the Treatment

Most failures trace back to a few errors: applying to dirty shoes seals grime in; over-spraying until saturated doubles drying time; forgetting seams lets water in first; wearing shoes before fully dry breaks the bond; and aggressive heat or direct sun damages the upper—stick to air-drying, and for wax use only controlled hairdryer heat.