Can you wear suede in the rain/winter?

[Querofounder]

I have suede shoes that have gotten wet in rain and snow and bounced back quickly. With a simple brushing you can usually return the shoe to it's previous splendor. Not all brands use the same quality leathers nor treat them for water resistance, so be careful, but with most suede shoes today wearing them into the winter and on rainy days is fine. Salt is another issue altogether, and drenching rain can hurt any leather shoe.....

 

[FlyingHorker]

Yep, I Tarrago nano protector them.

 

[madhat]

I have suede shoes that have gotten wet in rain and snow and bounced back quickly. With a simple brushing you can usually return the shoe to it's previous splendor. Not all brands use the same quality leathers nor treat them for water resistance, so be careful, but with most suede shoes today wearing them into the winter and on rainy days is fine. Salt is another issue altogether, and drenching rain can hurt any leather shoe.....

"in the past" is a bit of myth. Suede isn't more hardy, but we do have more protectant sprays for those that are worried.
My CF Stead suede is just fine in the rain. I don't even bother with Tarrago; suede brush after they dry has always been enough.

I think standard Blake construction would be more a concern in rain than the suede, since the stitching allows a direct path from outside to inside the shoe.

 

[Shawl Lapel]

Yup, I don't treat mine either, just wear them. Wipe down any salt or stuff that gets on them in winter but that's all the maintenance I do.

 

[papa kot]

Really depends on how hard you beat on your shoes. I stay away from wearing suede and leather in rain in general.

 

[greenhouse]

You are fine to wear Rapello suede or treated suede in winter. Properly treated suede is, imo, better suited for winter and rain wear than smooth leathers. I have worn Carmina suede chukkas in the disgusting snow that accumulates in NYC, and they come out with absolutely no stains. Some suede comes pre-treated from the factory. Test water repellency prior to your first wear in bad weather, and treat if necessary. I usually test repellency once per year at the start of November. Generally I need to re-spray after 2-3 winters. Rarely have to re-spray each winter.

Note: You will want to put many layers of hard wax or lacquer on the sole edge. Dirty snow is mixed with runoff that can eat away at the sole edge, causing discoloration and roughness. I have had this happen to one pair. I had to sand the sole edge and redye to fix it. I still use it in bad weather on occasion, but I have 5 or 6 layers of Saphir mirror gloss built up on it that I refresh frequently.

 

[midazoslam]

I have, but I used the super invunlver spray on my boots. Unless the water is being sprayed under pressure, it's kind of comical how droplets just bead off. To me it's worth the $30.