The comfort of waterproof footwear is dependent on it supporting feet and being breathable. The structure of leather and therefore the level of support it provides is maintained by tanning agents. When leather absorbs water, tanning agents are lost, which causes leather to stiffen. Also, when leather gets wet the breathability of footwear is impaired, giving you damp feet. Therefore, it’s essential that the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) of your footwear is maintained.
Eventually DWR will wear off and need to be renewed with Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™.
Regular maintenance of leather helps it work better for longer...
Leather is hardwearing, breathable and provides a high level of support, making it an ideal material for footwear construction. During leather production, tanning agents are added to maintain the structure of leather and prevent microbial growth. If leather becomes wet its breathability will be reduced, leading to wet feet from condensation. Also, when leather absorbs water, tanning agents are lost. Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™ provides instant Durable Water Repellency (DWR), stopping leather from absorbing water and ‘wetting out’ while maintaining breathability. It also replenishes tanning agents to maintain the support of leather footwear without over-softening.
Use Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™ when your footwear soaks up water...
Your footwear could be soaking up water just because it is dirty. First, try cleaning it with Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel™, and if it is fairly new, or recently re-waterproofed, the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) will be revitalized just from cleaning. But, once the footwear has been thoroughly worn you will need to add DWR by using Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™.
Cleaning properly can be as important as waterproofing...
Using the right cleaning product is as important as using the right waterproofing product. Conventional detergents leave behind a thin water-absorbent film on materials, which masks their Durable Water Repellency (DWR). Therefore, always clean your waterproof footwear with Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel™. Remember that dirt itself works against DWR, so regular cleaning will enhance performance.
