Whenever I buy a remotely impractical article of clothing (summer scarves, satin ballet slippers, etc., etc.), my mother gives me the snippiest look and utters the incantation, “Until the first rain.” What this means is that my beloved article of clothing will be totally wrecked at the first hint of poor weather.
We were shopping for winter gear yesterday, and I found the most gorgeous pair of suede boots. Before my mother could even say anything, the saleswoman warned me that suede gets ruined really easily. With the first snowfall and the subsequent salt thrown on the wintry terrain, the dye on the boots starts running. I could just hear my mother saying, “I told you so,” so I got the boots anyway.
I heard that there is a spray you can use to protect your suede shoes from inclement weather (see article ), though the saleswoman warned me that it can only do so much. What do you guys use on your boots? Is suede really a bad idea?
guest
Suede is a bad idea to wear. The spray, although it can protect it, can actually wear away the suede. The chemicals inside the spray can actually erode the texture and/or just completely destroy the material overall.
guest
Protecting my suede boots from the weather? Yeah, by not wearing them.
orchid / 209 posts
I only have ONE pair of suede shoe, not very interested in it, coz yeah, it’s hard to take care of, and easily wrecked.
guest
I don’t use anything on my suede shoes. I just make sure I know what the weather will be like the day I decide to wear them. Should it be rainy/slushy out, I won’t pull them out. At least you have almost all of fall to wear your suede boots.
sunflower / 359 posts
That’s another reason why I won’t buy a pair of UGGs.
guest
Aww yeah, I have a pair of suede boots and I love them but I have to make sure that the weather is dead set to be dry for the duration of my outing. Sucks.
guest
I LOVE SUEDE boots
& yeah there is** this spray thing.. but i doubt it works
Time to go for waterproof boots
orchid / 209 posts
It rains a LOT in my city….I don’t want to wreck my rare good shoes, so I don’t wear them on rainy days. And shoes match with clothing, so it limit the way I dress too.
Raining limit my shoes and clothings.
guest
I have some suede boots and I have used the spray. I do agree with the comments above,, the spray can only do so much. For me, Suede boots or any suede thing are just for fashion… not for everyday wear.. ^^
guest
i have suede snow boots and they are awesome
you can find suede boots that already have the waterproofing on them. it’s much easier, and no, they don’t get destroyed in the snow and salt then.
guest
Suede is so beautiful and desirable so why avoid it for boots, shoes, jackets, handbags, gloves, belts etc.? Just treat anything made of suede, especially for your feet the same as if it was white satin — very carefully.
daisy / 742 posts
I LOVE suede boots. However, where I live, it rains all the damn time and in the winter, my city is prone to snowing and hailing. It’s true what the saleslady and your mother is saying. The spray (that I use too) can only do so much.
Unless you live in the OC or something, wearing suede boots in winter weather will quickly destroy them. Still, I think this shouldn’t discourage you from purchasing them. Wearing them occassionally is still worth it, I think. Just don’t wear them while the weather’s complete crap. If you do, a lot of your money will be wasted =P.
guest
I love my Volite brand suede boots! I have no regrets getting them. I use the Payless Rain Guard protect thingamabob to protect my suede boots. It works, and its protecting the dye from degrading! I really love suede boots. They are very unique, and I will never regret buying mines cause I love them so much!
guest
I have a great little pair of caramel-colored Franco Sarto suede booties with a heel. I’ve actually had them for about two or three years, and they still look like they’re brand-new…because I don’t wear them in crappy weather. Between the threat of suede damage and the thought of slipping and sliding on the ice in a 3-1/2 inch heel, I just don’t wear them unless conditions are clear and dry.
I will look into that protectant spray, though. At least on days where there’s a threat of rain, I might be willing to chance it if I knew the suede was protected from the elements.
guest
I wonder if it depends on the type of suede. . I have a pair of ankle boots which I usually try to avoid wearing whenever it’s wet, but inevitably I get caught in the rain and then they get completely soaked. . yet they seem to be fine despite it all.
No reason not to have nice things, just have to take good care of them if you want them to last longer.
Ultimately, it is much more of a misfortune to buy something that you end up never wearing than to buy something which you destroy through too much wearing.
peony / 1 posts
Hi, I read your comments about trying to find a stain repellent for suede.
Kleerwite is starting to market a product called SmartPEL “The Smart Stain and Water Repellent”. You can view a short 1.5 minute video on youtube that shows some amazing things that we do to suede boots, skirts, and jackets.
Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1pdMUp3oAo
I hope this helps you some.
Mike
guest
Hi, I wanted to follow up on our product SmartPEL. Due to the great response we received, we have developed a new website to see some videos for protecting suede boots, shoes, and Uggs, as well as many other items. You can purchase SmartPEL right on the site.
Here is our new website:
http://www.stainrepel.com
Mike
peony / 1 posts
Hey, i heard that the UGG brand water and stain repellant will work on ANY suede item! Im using it on my BearPaw boots and my heeled suede boots and suede KVZ purse, its a miralce worker! You should look into it! (: