Children put their school shoes through their paces, and so does the British weather. From rainy school runs and muddy playgrounds to the occasional puddle that's just too tempting to resist, leather shoes are bound to get wet from time to time.
The good news is that leather can cope with everyday damp and wet weather. But, as a natural material, it needs a little care to keep it looking and feeling its best.
So, can leather shoes get wet? Are they waterproof? And what should you do when they come home soaked? Here’s how to care for leather school shoes throughout the school year.
Leather school shoes are weather resistant, but they aren't completely waterproof. Leather is a natural, breathable material, which is one of the reasons it works so well for children's shoes, but over time exposure to water can draw out its natural oils.
Water isn't the only thing shoes have to contend with either. Everyday salt, dirt and grease can also affect the leather, while regular cleaning and conditioning helps keep it supple.
Some Start-Rite styles feature Aqua-Rite technology, offering enhanced water resistance without compromising breathability, but standard leather footwear shouldn't be treated as completely waterproof. We do everything we can to make the toughest shoes available, and our leather shoes are made to be strong with dyed through leather for scuff-resistant colour, anti-corrosion fastenings, D-rings and stitch strength that are double industry standards and we use super strong nylon bonded threads.
Yes. Leather can withstand everyday damp, splashes and the inevitable rainy school day. However, prolonged or excessive exposure to water can affect the material.
When leather becomes very wet, it can lose some of the natural oils that help keep it soft and supple. As it dries, the leather can become stiffer, which over time may contribute to wear and make the shoes less comfortable.
That's why the important thing isn't keeping leather shoes away from every drop of rain. It's looking after them properly before and after they get wet.
Don't panic if school shoes come home soaked. A few simple steps can help the leather dry properly and help the shoes keep their shape.
1. Remove excess water and dirt.
Once the shoes are off, remove any excess water, mud and debris from the outside.
If water has reached the inside of the shoes, loosely stuff them with newspaper. This can help absorb excess moisture while supporting the shape of the shoe as the leather dries.
2. Let them dry naturally.
Leave wet leather shoes to dry naturally in a well-ventilated room.
It can be tempting to speed things up by putting them on a radiator or in front of a fire, or by using a hairdryer, but direct heat can damage leather and compromise its protective finish. See our guide for more advice about how to dry shoes as quickly as possible, if you're in a hurry!
3. Condition and polish the leather.
Once dry, give the shoes a little TLC. Regular cleaning and polishing helps keep the leather supple while covering everyday scuffs and scratches. A suitable shoe cream or polish can help condition the leather and restore some of the moisture lost through everyday wear.
Although you can't make natural leather completely waterproof, you can give it extra protection from water, mud and everyday dirt with a suitable waterproof protector spray. We recommend topping up this protection weekly.
Step 1: Clean the shoes
Remove the laces and use a soft brush to get rid of loose dirt. For remaining marks and scuffs, use a small amount of soap and water and gently wipe the surface clean. Then allow the shoes to dry naturally.
Step 2: Polish and condition
Apply shoe polish using a soft, clean cloth and gentle circular motions. Once dry, buff the shoes with a polishing cloth. As well as keeping shoes looking smart, regular polishing helps condition and care for the leather.
Step 3: Apply waterproof protector spray
Once the shoes are clean, dry and polished, they're ready for their protective layer. Following the instructions on your waterproof protector, spray an even layer over the shoe. For our waterproof protector spray, hold the can around 15cm from the shoe whilst spraying, then leave the shoes to dry naturally before they're worn. Don't worry if the leather appears slightly darker while the spray is wet, the normal colour should return once dry.
Before their first wear is a great place to start. Giving new leather school shoes some extra protection before they're faced with playgrounds, pavements and unpredictable British weather can help prepare them for everyday life.
After that, make shoe care part of your normal routine. Regular cleaning and polishing, along with a weekly top-up of waterproof protector, will help maintain their protection. In wetter winter months, it's particularly useful to keep an eye on their condition and clean off any build-up of mud and dirt.
School shoes do a lot of hard work. Looking after them regularly helps keep leather supple, maintain their shape and give them the best chance of lasting throughout their usable life.
It's also worth encouraging children to undo their shoes properly rather than kicking or pulling them off. Better still, get them involved in cleaning and polishing their own shoes. It's a simple habit that can help them learn to look after their things too.
A few minutes of regular care can help leather school shoes stay ready for rainy school runs, muddy playtimes and plenty more adventures along the way. For more advice about looking after school shoes and prolonging their life, see our handy school shoe care guide.
Author: Stacey, published 17-08-2022.
