For most sneakers, buy Jason Markk Repel . It is a water-based, non-aerosol mist that Jason Markk lists for absorbent materials from suede and nubuck to canvas, knit and mesh. If you want to wear the shoes the same day, Crep Protect Spray has the shortest published drying routine. For hiking or work boots with a waterproof lining, use the Nikwax treatment that matches the upper.
Choose by the material of the upper first. A protector reduces how readily water and stains soak in. It cannot seal open seams, repair a failed membrane or turn a mesh runner into a waterproof shoe. Jason Markk says plainly that no product can make shoes fully waterproof.
Quick picks
| Pick | Buy it for | Skip it when |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Markk Repel | Suede, nubuck, canvas, knit and mesh sneakers | The upper is unsealed or vegetable-tanned leather |
| Crep Protect Spray | Two quick coats and a short wait | The shoe is all smooth leather |
| Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof | Waterproof-lined fabric and leather boots | You want to treat dry sneakers in a few minutes |
| Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof | Nubuck and suede boots | The upper is fabric or smooth leather |
| Angelus Water & Stain Repellent | Leather shoes finished with Angelus dye | You need to wear them within 12 hours |
Maker specs compared
| Product | Format | Size | Maker-listed materials | Wait before wearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Markk Repel | Water-based, non-aerosol mist | 5.4 fl oz | Absorbent materials, incl. suede, nubuck, canvas, knit, mesh | Cure 24 hours or more per coat |
| Crep Protect Spray | Spray can | Not published | Leather, nubuck, suede and canvas | 10 minutes after each of two coats |
| Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof | Spray or sponge onto wet footwear | 125 ml | Fabric, leather and combination footwear | Dry naturally before use |
| Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof | Spray or sponge onto wet footwear | 125 ml | Nubuck and suede footwear | Dry naturally before use |
| Angelus Water & Stain Repellent | Aerosol | 6 oz can | Not listed on the product page | At least 12 hours |
From each maker’s product page, checked October 5, 2026.
1. Jason Markk Repel: best overall for sneakers
Jason Markk describes Repel as a water-based formula that is VOC-free and made without PFAS, PFOA or PFCs. It dries clear to a breathable barrier against liquid and dirt. It comes as a 5.4 fl oz non-aerosol bottle that sprays a continuous fine mist. The maker lists leather, suede, nubuck, canvas, cotton, nylon, knit, woven and mesh, but not unsealed or vegetable-tanned leather.
The directions take patience. Start with clean, dry shoes, hold the bottle upright 6 to 8 inches away, spray evenly without oversaturating and dab off any excess with a cloth. Let it dry and cure for 24 hours or more, then apply a second coat. Jason Markk notes that the longer Repel cures, the stronger the repellency. It says Repel generally lasts 2 to 3 weeks, and that a few drops of water beading and rolling off show whether it is still working.
Buy it for a sneaker rotation with suede, knit and mesh. On sealed or polished leather, Jason Markk says the material is essentially already waterproof, and you can wipe off any Repel that lands there before it dries.
2. Crep Protect Spray: best for a short wait
Crep Protect’s directions are the quickest of the group. Clean the shoes and test for colorfastness on an inconspicuous area. Spray from 20 cm in a well-ventilated area or outside, let it dry for 10 minutes, then apply a second coat and wait another 10 minutes before wearing. Crep lists leather, nubuck, suede and canvas.
Crep is candid about leather. Its FAQ says leather is already waterproof, so the effect there is minimal. It also says that spraying too close to leather can leave a white film from oversaturation. If that happens, Crep’s fix is to spray the area again until it is wet and rub it in with a microfiber cloth rather than trying to wash it off.
Choose it when you want to protect sneakers right before wearing them. For an all-leather shoe, compare the cream route in waterproof spray vs leather waterproofing cream .
3. Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof: best for waterproof-lined boots
Nikwax designed Fabric & Leather Proof for combination fabric and leather footwear, and recommends it for Gore-Tex, eVent, BDRY and other waterproof combination footwear. The maker says it adds water repellency and revives breathability without softening leather. It is non-flammable, PFAS-free and sold in 125 ml.
The method is the opposite of most sneaker sprays: apply it to clean, wet footwear. Nikwax says to apply from 6 inches (15 cm), make sure it penetrates along the seams, remove the excess with a cloth after 2 minutes and let the footwear dry naturally. Light or colored leather may darken, so test a hidden area first.
Nikwax also suggests cleaning before re-treating. It says footwear may soak up water simply because it is dirty, and that cleaning alone can revive the water repellency of fairly new or recently treated boots.
4. Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof: best for nubuck and suede boots
Nubuck & Suede Proof is the textured-leather version, made to maintain the texture and breathability of nubuck and suede footwear. Nikwax recommends it for Gore-Tex, eVent, Sympatex and other waterproof nubuck and suede footwear. It comes in 125 ml and is non-flammable and PFAS-free.
Application matches Fabric & Leather Proof: clean, wet footwear, 6 inches (15 cm) away, wipe off the excess after 2 minutes and dry naturally. The same darkening note applies, so test first. Buy it for suede or nubuck boots; for suede sneakers, Jason Markk Repel suits a dry-shoe routine. The suede brush and cleaning kit list covers cleaning before you protect.
5. Angelus Water & Stain Repellent: best for dyed leather shoes
Angelus sells its Water & Stain Repellent as a 6 oz aerosol and says it leaves an invisible coating that repels water and stains. Its directions call for a clean, dry surface and 2 to 3 light, even coats, with about 30 minutes between coats and at least 12 hours before wear. Wipe off any excess with a microfiber towel to remove added shine.
Angelus warns that excessive spraying may temporarily darken some colored and natural leather. It also gives this product a specific job: if you have used Angelus dyes, apply the repellent afterward to help minimize bleeding. That makes it the natural finishing step for customized or re-dyed leather shoes.
How to choose
Match the upper. Repel and Crep cover the widest mix of sneaker materials. The Nikwax pair splits by material: fabric and leather combinations in one, nubuck and suede in the other.
Check whether the shoe needs to be wet or dry. Nikwax treatments go on wet footwear. Jason Markk, Crep and Angelus all start with a clean, dry shoe.
Plan the wait. The makers’ waits range from 10 minutes per coat (Crep) to at least 12 hours (Angelus) to a 24-hour cure per coat (Jason Markk).
Don’t expect much on smooth leather. Crep and Jason Markk both say sealed leather already resists water. For smooth leather care, see boot conditioner vs leather conditioner .
Test first and ventilate. Nikwax and Angelus both warn about darkening. Crep says to test for colorfastness and to spray in a well-ventilated area or outside.
For snow and road salt, the snow-season boot care kit list adds cleaning steps. Before you spray, read how to test a spray on a hidden spot , how long to wait before wearing and how to reapply without reducing protection . The suede protector vs waterproof spray guide explains the difference between the two labels.
FAQ
Can a spray make sneakers fully waterproof?
No. Jason Markk says no product can make shoes fully waterproof and that enough water will eventually soak through. A protector adds water and stain repellency to the upper; it does not seal seams or replace a waterproof membrane.
Do leather sneakers need a protector spray?
Less than absorbent materials do. Crep Protect says leather is already waterproof so its spray has minimal effect, and Jason Markk says sealed or polished leathers are essentially already waterproof.
How long should I wait before wearing shoes after spraying?
It depends on the product. Crep Protect calls for two coats with 10 minutes of drying each, Angelus says at least 12 hours before wear, and Jason Markk says to let each coat of Repel cure for 24 hours or more.