Sneakerhead Bundle

Repel can be used to waterproof a variety of apparel items. Think Levi’s denim jackets, Carhartt tote bags, New Balance 990’s, Hoka Cliftons, etc.

Use Repel on absorbent materials like suede, nubuck, canvas, mesh, and knits. Leathers that are sealed or have polishes on them (i.e. patent leather) are essentially already waterproof. If Repel is accidentally applied to these types of materials, simply wipe clean with a cloth before it dries.

Watch the Repel water repellant spray tutorial

The shoes should be clean and dry prior to application. Hold bottle upright 6″ to 8” from shoe and spray evenly, covering the entire area of the shoe. Do not oversaturate. Use a cloth to dab and soak up any excess product. Allow to completely dry/cure for 24 hours or more. After the first coat has dried, repeat steps and apply a second coat. Before exposing to liquid, make sure shoes have completely dried.

Keep in mind that no product can make your shoes fully waterproof. Given enough water, they’ll eventually soak through. However, you can achieve a strong water barrier, which should be enough to keep your feet dry in everyday conditions. 

Repel also acts as a shoe protectant spray, keeping dirt and dust from attaching and settling into your sneakers. It comes in a non-aerosol can that sprays a continuous fine mist, and it’s PFAS-free, so you don’t have to worry about breathing in any toxic “forever” chemicals.

Tip: The longer you allow Repel to cure, the stronger the repellency.

Repel is a water resistant protectant spray that comes in a non-aerosol can that sprays a continuous fine mist. It's PFAS-Free, so you don’t have to worry about breathing toxic “forever chemicals.” 

You can spray up to 4 coats (be sure to let them dry fully in-between) on your suede shoes or garments, making them more resistant to water. Keep in mind that no product can fully waterproof a shoe made out of a porous material like suede, but as long as you’re not wading in puddles, your feet should stay dry.

To dry suede, use a microfiber towel to dab and twist the suede for a few minutes, soaking up as much dampness as possible. The suede will begin to evenly dry and the nap of the suede will begin to lift. At this point, use your Suede Handle Brush to work the nap of the suede back-and-forth to restore its buttery nap.

The drying process is a time consuming step, but very necessary. If you leave the shoes to air dry and skip this step, the nap of the suede will mat down and it will be extremely difficult to bring back.

If you’ve ever worn suede in the rain, you know that suede and water generally don’t mix. When suede gets wet, it can develop water stains, lose its soft texture, and become stiff. It can also cause the dye to run, causing blotchiness and fading. 

Of course, it’s not always possible to avoid getting outerwear and shoes wet. If your suede gets wet, gently blot the moisture with a clean microfiber towel. Once the suede is dry, use the Suede Handle Brush (included in the Suede Cleaning Kit) to restore its softness.

Finally, use a waterproofing spray like Repel to protect suede from the elements, including dirt, scuffs, and rain.

You should avoid using water directly on suede (especially tap water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals) and instead opt for a specialized suede cleaning solution like our Ready-to-Use Foam Cleaner. The light and fluffy foam will clean the suede without over-saturating the material. 

1. Apply a liberal amount of foam onto the bristles of your Delicates Cleaning Brush. 
2. Using light pressure, scrub the entire upper of the shoes using a circular motion. 
3. Be sure to give heavily soiled areas a bit more attention. Don’t forget to give your midsoles a good scrub and wipe as well!

See our How to Clean Suede video for more details.

Watch our How to Clean Suede tutorial

If you can get away with it, the best way to clean suede is without water, using only a dry brush and suede eraser (for extra stubborn stains we recommend using a cleaning foam). The Suede Kit includes a Suede Eraser and Suede Brush for daily and weekly maintenance.

1. To clean the dirt off of suede shoes, give the upper of the shoes a dry brush by gently brushing the suede back-and-forth using your Suede Handle Brush. This will remove any loose dirt and top layer dust.
2. To remove marks from suede shoes, use the Suede Eraser. Use very light pressure and be gentle so as to not damage the delicate material. The rubber of the Suede Eraser lifts the nap of the suede and helps to loosen up the dirt. 
3. Finally, use the Suede Handle Brush to brush the dirt away.

In most cases, following the above instructions will result in stellar results! However, if the marks are still noticeable after dry cleaning, you may need to use the Quick Clean Kit, which comes with our Ready-to-Use Foam Cleaner.*

*Due to suede’s textured nature, open pores, and various grades, it can be somewhat unpredictable. We recommend that you test in an inconspicuous area first. We do not recommend cleaning dyed suede, as dyed suede is likely to bleed from any contact with water. Individual results may vary, use at your own risk.

To clean mesh sneakers or running shoes like Flyknit, Hoka, Salomon, or On, start by brushing off any loose dirt or debris with a hogs hair Delicates Cleaning Brush. Apply a small amount of our Ready-to-Use Foam Cleaner to the brush, and gently scrub in the direction of the knit pattern. Avoid harsh scrubbing to avoid damaging the delicate material. Use a microfiber towel to remove any remaining foam solution, and let the shoes air dry.