Can Suede Boots Be Worn In Snow?

Suede boots are practically a wardrobe essential for fall and early winter. But what about when it starts to snow?

Can suede boots actually be worn in winter, or are they doomed to only be used during the fall season? Or worse, Florida’s winter season.

By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea about wearing suede shoes in the snow, what that really means, and what are your options for when things get a bit too chilly.

Let’s begin.

Wearing Suede Boots In The Snow

Suede boots should not be worn in the snow. Depending on the sole of the shoe, you can wear them on ice, but you should never wear them in snow.

Think about it. Snow is just solid water. And everyone knows about the complicated relationship between water and suede. Therefore, wearing suede boots when it’s snowing outside is not a good idea.

It would be much better if you wear some winterized rubber boots, as they are literally made to be worn in snow.

Does waterproofing suede help?

But if you still want to wear your suede shoes in the snow for some reason, there are some things that you can do to improve your chances of not ruining your boots.

And number #1 among those things is waterproofing your boots.

There are quality waterproofing sprays that can make suede waterproof, and using them will ensure that you can wear your favorite pair of boots even if it’s raining outside, or slightly snowing.

There are many guides on the internet about waterproofing suede, here’s one that I wrote for you to check out.

NOTE: While waterproofing suede is a great idea, I would still recommend you to avoid wearing them in the snow. Wearing boots in the snow is similar to wearing them in heavy rain – there is always a chance of irreversible damage.

Can Faux Suede Boots Be Worn In Snow?

Faux suede boots can be worn in the snow after being waterproofed. This can easily be done with a quality waterproofing spray.

Faux suede isn’t made from animal hide. Unlike real suede, it is made from polyester. And polyester, being a synthetic fabric, doesn’t react as harshly with water as real suede.

But this doesn’t mean that you can just go ahead and wear faux suede boots in the snow. First, you would need to waterproof them properly.

Most suede waterproofing sprays are garbage, but I decided to compile a list of 5 waterproofing sprays and cleaning solutions that actually work on suede.

Can Nubuck Boots Be Worn In Snow?

Nubuck boots and shoes can be worn in the snow, but they also need to be waterproofed properly.

Nubuck is very similar to suede; the only difference between the two fabrics is that suede is made from the inner side of animal skin while nubuck is made from the outer portion.

In terms of durability, nubuck is the clear winner. I have two nubuck boots that I regularly wear in the snow, and both are completely fine.

But as always, make sure that you are waterproofing your boots properly with the help of a quality cleaning spray. Remember, suede waterproofing sprays also work on nubuck.

Can You Wear Suede Boots In The Rain?

Suede boots can be worn in the rain, but only if they have been properly waterproofed with the help of a quality waterproofing spray.

See, on their own, suede boots rarely react well with water. Wearing them in the rain may lead to dark spots, discoloration, peeling, and structural damage.

That’s where waterproofing sprays come in.

By using a chemical waterproofing spray (they are pretty cheap, and you can find a quality one under $15), you will be able to prepare suede in such a way that it easily handles water without any kind of damage.

But even then I would recommend you to avoid wearing suede boots in a heavy downpour. Light rains won’t do much to waterproofed suede shoes, but if it’s raining cats and dogs out there, keep your suede boots back in the closet.

Final Remarks

Suede boots cannot be worn in snow. As a fabric, suede does not react well with water. And snow is just solid water. Using a waterproofing spray on the boots can help, but it is better to avoid wearing suede in general when it’s snowing outside.

That’s everything you need to know about the relation between suede and snow. There are some workarounds that you can go for, but to be honest, there are many better options out there in terms of winter footwear.

However, this does not mean that suede boots are useless and should not be bought. On the contrary, I actually think that suede boots need to be worn by more people due to the added texture and uniqueness they provide to an outfit.

They are great for the fall season and early winter as well. The luxe feel that suede provides cannot ever be matched by other materials.

And that’s a fact.