Caring Soles: Protecting your Shoes from Spring Showers

Spring is fast approaching and while that does mean a welcome rise in temperature it also means frequent but unpredictable rain. By spring, the novelty of winter layering has long since evolved into a tedious affair and the call of a simple lightweight jacket paired with brogues is too strong to ignore.

Unfortunately, the sudden changes in spring weather make it very hard to choose an outfit that remains appropriate all day long. While the morning may be glorious and sunny it’s always a possibility that it will be raining by lunchtime. At Quarter & Last, we don’t believe in letting external forces influence your fashion choices and have therefore compiled a handy little guide on how to protect your shoes from sudden spring showers.

Applying Shoe Protector

In order to fully prepare your shoes for whatever the spring weather may throw their way we recommended taking some time to apply a high quality shoe protector before you wear them. To achieve the best possible protection, it is best to apply shoe protector to brand new shoes. However, if you have a pair of shoes that you’ve already worn and want to apply shoe protector spray to them you will need to give them a good clean first. This step ensures that any dust or dirt is removed and means that the protector spray can be applied evenly across the uppers of the shoes. 

Shoe protector aerosol sprays should never be applied in a confined space and are best to apply outdoors. When using a protector spray, hold the can about five inches away from the shoes and move it in a slow, steady motion to ensure an even coverage. After application, you should allow your shoes time to fully dry before wearing them and also top up the protective coat every 2 to 3 weeks.

What to do if you get caught in the rain?

No matter how hard you try to avoid it, you will likely find yourself out in the rain during the spring months. Should your shoes receive an unexpected soaking then there are a few things that you can do to help rescue them and minimise long-term water damage in addition to using an umbrella.

When it comes to wet leather shoes, the most crucial thing you can do to limit damage is to dry them correctly. As leather is a natural material it can easily dry out and crack if it is dried too quickly or at too high a temperature. This means you should never use an artificial heat source such as a hairdryer or radiator to dry leather as this will also strip the leather of its natural moisture. Instead you should gently pat your shoes dry using a dry towel.

The same no-heat rule also applies to drying the insides of your shoes. Instead, we advise stuffing your shoes with paper towels to draw out the water and dry your shoes out as naturally as possible. It is important to remember that this process can take some time and that you might need to replace the water absorbent stuffing a few times before the shoes are completely dry. Once dry, we suggest applying a good quality layer of shoe polish or shoe cream to help nourish your shoes leather uppers and restore their appearance.

While these tips will help to provide your shoes with some water resistance, they will not make your shoes completely waterproof and it is therefore still advisable to avoid deliberately getting your shoes wet!

We hope that you’ve found this guide helpful and if you have any shoe care tips of your own, we’d love to hear them in the comments section.