Water-resistant boots seeped into the scene during the 1960s. It wasn’t long before outdoor enthusiasts embraced the luxury of having dry feet in wet conditions.

And why shouldn’t they?

Soggy boots add weight to your feet. Not to mention, it’s an incredibly uncomfortable feeling. We’re willing to bet that squishy boots are one of the leading causes of “be-trail.” That’s when you turn around one-fourth of the way into a hike because of a silly reason. Like sopping-wet boots that can easily be waterproofed.

If you didn’t buy footgear with Gore-Tex or ion-mask, follow the steps below and check out the video by Nikwax on how to properly wave a wand and turn your boring old boots into H20-repellent warriors.

Clean your boots prior to waterproofing. Let’s hope you’ve at least done this once before. If you haven’t, follow these quick steps:

• Remove shoe laces and inserts.
• Brush away all loose dirt and grime. Be sure to get around the eyelets.
• Wipe off the boots from top to bottom with a damp rag.
• Nikwax offers a cleaning gel that helps remove stains and preps footwear for waterproofing.

While the boots are still wet, apply the waterproofing treatment that best suits your boot’s material. For example, you should treat a leather boot with formulas like BearGaurd or Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof Spray. Waterproofing is always most effective immediately after cleaning. Pay special attention to stitching, seams and hardware.

Allow your shoes to dry at room temperature. Don’t apply artificial heat. As the Nikwax guy says: “Cooking is for food—not footwear!” And your feet should be feeling drier on the trail in no time.

(Image via Flickr)