WATERPROOFING WAX FOR LEATHER

The comfort of waterproof footwear is dependent on it supporting feet and being breathable. The structure of leather and therefore the level of support it provides is maintained by tanning agents. When leather absorbs water, tanning agents are lost, which causes leather to stiffen. Also, when leather gets wet the breathability of footwear is impaired, giving you damp feet. Therefore, it’s essential that the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) of your footwear is maintained.
Eventually DWR will wear off and need to be renewed with Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™.

• Regular maintenance of leather helps it work better for longer…
• Leather is hardwearing, breathable and provides a high level of support, making it an ideal material for footwear construction. During leather production, tanning agents are added to maintain the structure of leather and prevent microbial growth. If leather becomes wet its breathability will be reduced, leading to wet feet from condensation. Also, when leather absorbs water, tanning agents are lost. Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™ provides instant Durable Water Repellency (DWR), stopping leather from absorbing water and ‘wetting out’ while maintaining breathability. It also replenishes tanning agents to maintain the support of leather footwear without over-softening.
• Breathable waterproof footwear is for active, outdoor people…
• Anyone who is active outside in damp or wet conditions will benefit from breathable waterproof footwear. Whether you’re a mountaineer or dog walker, or you work outside as a farmer or surveyor, you will need good footwear.

Your footwear could be soaking up water just because it is dirty. First, try cleaning it with Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel™, and if it is fairly new, or recently re-waterproofed, the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) will be revitalised just from cleaning.  But, once the footwear has been thoroughly worn you will need to add DWR by using Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™.

• Breathable footwear needs the right waterproofer to maintain performance…
• Alternative waterproofing products leave behind a surface coating that can inhibit or reduce breathability, leading to wet feet from condensation.
  Also, many waterproofing products are solvent-based waxes or aerosols; alternatively, they may be water-based and use fluorocarbons. Aerosol products are flammable. Fluorocarbons pose a potential risk to the environment and to the long-term health of the consumer.
  Solvent-based products also need to be applied to dry materials.
  Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™ is a completely non-flammable, safe product that you can apply to wet or dry leather, providing instant Durable Water Repellency (DWR) while maintaining breathability.
• Cleaning properly can be as important as waterproofing…
• Using the right cleaning product is as important as using the right waterproofing product. Conventional detergents leave behind a thin water-absorbent film on materials, which masks their Durable Water Repellency (DWR). Therefore, always clean your waterproof footwear with Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel™. Remember that dirt itself works against DWR, so regular cleaning will enhance performance.

Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™ is a safe product to use on breathable waterproof footwear. It provides instant Durable Water Repellency (DWR), maintains breathability and replenishes tanning agents in leather. It is non-flammable, contains no harmful solvents and is free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fluorocarbons. Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™ has been specifically designed and optimised for smooth leather footwear. The WaterBased formulation is directed to leaks, can be used on wet or dry leather and will not over-soften.

• Like all Nikwax products, Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™ is safe to use…
• Nikwax takes great care to minimise the effect of Nikwax products on the environment and on you, the consumer. Nikwax waterproofing products are WaterBased, non-aerosol, non-flammable, non-hazardous and environmentally friendly. They contain no harmful solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and are completely free of fluorocarbons (which have been shown to be persistent in the environment and have been associated with serious health issues).
• People who use Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™ say that it does the job…
• Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™ is the product of choice of professional Outdoor trainers.
  To find out more about people who are using Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™, and other Nikwax products, take a look at our testimonials page (coming soon).

For best results clean footwear using Nikwax® Footwear Cleaning Gel™.

• Shake well before use.
• Rub the wax thoroughly into wet or dry clean leather, using either the sponge applicator or your fingers, paying special attention to seams.
• Remove any excess with a cloth and buff to a shine.

Note: May darken leather. Test on a hidden area first. Waterproofing Wax for Leather™ will convert nubuck to a smooth waxy finish.

• Always allow footwear to dry naturally…
• • Leave footwear to dry at room temperature.
  • Paper can be stuffed into the toes to absorb excess moisture, this should be replaced when wet.
  • Keep footwear away from fires and radiators, drying too quickly can crack leather and cause bonded soles to peel.