Color-Fastness of Suede Shoes

[Roger]

I recently picked up a new pair of high-end suede shoes. The color (a sort of caramel) was a touch lighter than I'd hoped for. I discussed this with a local leather and suede care specialist, and he suggested moistening them all over with water (not actually soaking them, just getting them quite damp all over) and seeing whether when they dried, they were a tad darker. This didn't actually produce any change in the shade.

However, what did capture my interest was that the water, as small rivulets ran off the shoes, was caramel-colored, indicating a little leaching of the suede coloring coming off in the water. This sent me into a state of catatonic shock that took several minutes to pass, since these are not inexpensive shoes.

The loss of color in the water didn't make any difference to the color of the shoes. That is, they didn't become paler. After this happened, I gave the shoes a couple of coats of water protector designed for suede (the Woly Protector 3 x 3). I'm assuming that this will solve the problem (I haven't put them to the test yet), and, interestingly, after I was finished with the suede protector, the color had darkened slightly to the shade I had wanted in the first place!

Has anyone else had a similar experience with suede? That is, finding that it is not color-fast? What remedies are there out there for this other, than the one I tried?

 

[Will]

Originally Posted by Roger

I recently picked up a new pair of high-end suede shoes. The color (a sort of caramel) was a touch lighter than I'd hoped for. I discussed this with a local leather and suede care specialist, and he suggested moistening them all over with water (not actually soaking them, just getting them quite damp all over) and seeing whether when they dried, they were a tad darker. This didn't actually produce any change in the shade.

However, what did capture my interest was that the water, as small rivulets ran off the shoes, was caramel-colored, indicating a little leaching of the suede coloring coming off in the water. This sent me into a state of catatonic shock that took several minutes to pass, since these are not inexpensive shoes.

The loss of color in the water didn't make any difference to the color of the shoes. That is, they didn't become paler. After this happened, I gave the shoes a couple of coats of water protector designed for suede (the Woly Protector 3 x 3). I'm assuming that this will solve the problem (I haven't put them to the test yet), and, interestingly, after I was finished with the suede protector, the color had darkened slightly to the shade I had wanted in the first place!

Has anyone else had a similar experience with suede? That is, finding that it is not color-fast? What remedies are there out there for this other, than the one I tried?

If rivulets were running off I suggest that the shoes were wet rather than moist.

Suede shoes can take a little rain but are not intended for a soaking. Put them away until the sun shines.

 

[Roger]

Originally Posted by Will

If rivulets were running off I suggest that the shoes were wet rather than moist.

Suede shoes can take a little rain but are not intended for a soaking. Put them away until the sun shines.
Good advice, Will. Can we settle on "somewhat wet"?

But tell me, have you had this happen when your suede shoes have got quite wet?

 

[dah328]

I once got caught in an unexpected downpour in a pair of chocolate brown suede monks. They were completely soaked but didn't change color at all. As you mention, I have seen suede protectors darken shoes. That's probably better than getting a grease stain on them, though. That really sucks.

 

[sho'nuff]

i have a pair of suede shoes by gucci that i had worn in a downpour of rain once.
they did not change color , texture, or bleed any type of colored water except for maybe a little greyishness to the water due to dirt already on the shoe and in the rain.

i would suspect that dye running off would be the result of a lesser quality shoemake.

i learned from several sources that suede actually does really well in wet weather more so than regular calf.

 

[dah328]

I think the danger is that dirts and oils in the water are harder to clean off suede than calf. Sure, suede is pretty durable. It's been selected for the new Marine infantry boot. It just doesn't look that good after a bunch of abuse.

 

[Will]

Originally Posted by Roger

Good advice, Will. Can we settle on "somewhat wet"?

But tell me, have you had this happen when your suede shoes have got quite wet?

Never had it happen but, truth be told, I've never soaked a pair. I don't waterproof the suede either. I just check the weather forecast.