The perfect waterproofing product makes your gear feel like new—waterproof and breathable again, with no negative changes to the material. That’s precisely what Grangers Performance Repel Plus, a non-aerosol spray from the British brand, did for an older pair of rain pants that were wetting out. In fact, the waterproofing on these pants was better after applying this spray than it was before. As stated earlier, leather needs a more delicate treatment. It’s more valuable than the common materials found in outdoor gear—cotton, wool, and nylon—and requires a trusted system that won’t harm them. KIWI trusts their product to deliver water-repellency without any side-effects.

8 Unstoppable Waterproof Sprays for Shoes - Who What Wear UK 8 Unstoppable Waterproof Sprays for Shoes - Who What Wear UK

Allen notes you can even waterproof items you might not have imagined. Nikwax and other manufacturers sell waterproofing products for cotton, fleece, and softshells, and you can use them on everything from your jeans to your Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T. This spray is already proven to waterproof tents and is therefore ideal for EZ up canopies, event shelters and pop up gazebos. Scotchgard has been around in one form or another for a long time and the Heavy Duty Water Shield is yet another, using a “proprietary” silicone formula. Like the others it replaces the DWR on the fabric and it too uses petroleum solvents to carry the product to the surface. It also uses isobutane and propane as a propellant. All items were tested before waterproofing products were applied and then again afterward to assess their effectiveness, with copious notes taken on all aspects of the products. We also consulted the following experts when choosing the best waterproofing sprays:

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If you have fabric, make sure that it’s completely clean first. You can spray fabric boots while they’re wet or dry, but many people like to make sure they’re dry and leave them out overnight to dry. This takes longer, but you’ll be able to see if you got all the spots. Leather Boots A suitable alternative to the Scotchgard is the Atsko Silicone Water Guard. Side-by-side there’s not much between them. However some people report that Atsko can slightly decolorize some fabrics (especially white ones) and Scotchgard seems specially formulated to have greater coverage. It also uses a C02 propellant which is good news for those people who worry about aerosols. The Verdict Usually, you’ll want to put on a second coat after you let the fabric dry for about four hours. After that dries, then you’ll be good to go and ready to test it out. With Wax If you’re concerned about changes to an item’s color or texture, spot-testing on a small area is always a good idea.

Scotchgard Water Repellent Outdoor Fabric Protector 400 ml

The predominant brands making the more eco-friendly water based applications are Nikwax and Revivex.

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Even with its lower price, this is one of the most effective waterproofing sprays we tested, and no amount of water applied to the boots used for testing was enough to penetrate its shield, yet the boots felt as breathable as before. It didn’t take much product for a thorough double coating—recommended about four hours apart—making this an even more cost-effective product. When it comes to the propellants used, at least 3m tells you what they are, while some manufacturers will only say, “hydrocarbons.” Each waterproofing product is a little different—some are applied to wet products and some to dry, for example, and they each require a slightly different optimal spraying distance from the item—so it’s important to read the bottle instructions before you begin. In most instances, you’ll need a well-ventilated outdoor workspace for application, and you should cover that workspace with something like a tarp to keep the product excess contained.

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The spray acts like a protective layer on top of the fibers for silicone-based products, though they still allow for some breathability. Before you choose a spray for technical gear, you'll want to carefully read the manufacturer's instructions for waterproofing that item; some recommend against certain types of products. Fabric Guard for Outdoor Fabrics: This was one of the best-performing sprays we used. But it was also the most expensive. And it didn’t perform that much better than others to justify adding it to our list above. Still, if you’re looking to get a little spendy or want something specific for outdoor furniture, we highly recommend the 303 Fabric Guard for Outdoor Fabrics. Added to the solvent issue is the type of propellants used in the aerosol cans, isobutane and propane, both hydrocarbons which are not exactly environmentally friendly.It uses water as the carrier and is applied from an aerosol can with no dangerous propellants. The spray can is a “bag on valve” which allows the can to totally empty so you get all the coating you paid for.

The Best Waterproofing Spray to Beat the Rain in 2022 The Best Waterproofing Spray to Beat the Rain in 2022

It does this while simultaneously repelling rain from the outer surface. The result of this performance is that your tent stays dry on both the inside and the outside. This creates a more comfortable environment when camping. Application of the product is straightforward, spray a light coating on a clean surface and let it dry, but instructions say to add a second coating after four hours. Even with this, the treated surface did not repel water as well as any of the other products tested.And in some instances, you might find washing is all that’s necessary. Putting your waterproof clothing in the dryer can also help reactivate the DWR coating. Alternatively, a rain cover is always an option. They won’t keep all the water out, and it will be hard to get your items, but they’ll provide extra protection. Leather Waterproofing Like the other silicone products, it uses petroleum solvents to carry the compound to the fabric and it also uses isobutane and propane as a propellant, but they do not tell you this on the can, it is simply listed as, “hydrocarbons.”