It is obvious if you are reading this you want to know if your Ugg boots are waterproof. The short answer is no. The standard Ugg boots do not come waterproof, but it isn’t that simple.
There are boots made by Ugg that do come waterproof, and you can make your Ugg boots waterproof. So continue reading if you want to know more about this topic.
They may be associated with “bogan” culture and “daggy” fashion in their homeland of Australia, but across Europe and America, Ugg boots have become a comfortable, high fashion staple.
Introducing a sort of caveman chic to the modern fashion landscape, Uggs are a cozy prospect that can keep the frosts of winter from transforming your toes into toesickles.
Their famously cozy fleece lining clearly defines them as a cold-weather shoe, but the cold seasons aren’t just chilly, folks, they can also be downright moist, which begs the question…are Uggs waterproof?
They’re clearly an incredibly ornamental boot, but do they match their cosmetic appeal with utilitarian ruggedness? That’s exactly what I endeavored to find out.
So, Are Uggs Rough and Ready for the Rain?
Uggs are crafted from sheepskin suede, and sheep are waterproof, right? Well, yes, sheep are waterproof…when they’re wearing their skin. Once their hide is removed and there are no internal functions regulating skin behavior, it becomes incredibly porous.
So, to answer the question as bluntly as possible…no, Uggs are unfortunately not waterproof. In fact, these thirsty boots will actively draw in moisture.
I know what you’re thinking…suede is leather and leather is waterproof, right? I thought so too.
My whole life, my parents claimed that a leather shoe would keep my little piggies dry and my socks toasty and warm — It was all lies, folks. Just like suede leather, smooth leather is a porous material and will slurp up a puddle if given half the chance.
You might as well give them a straw.
Not only are typical Uggs not waterproof, Suede is notoriously susceptible to water damage. It starts off velvety soft, but once it gets wet, its texture becomes rough and stiff.
It’s sort of a Gremlins situation. You have to keep it dry or bad things will happen.
This watery revelation shouldn’t come as such a shock, really. Sure, Uggs look crisp and cool when they’re new, but have you ever seen a pair a couple of years down the line?
The soles edge out from beneath the feet, the tan color is darkened and blotchy, the structure seems to have completely imploded…they look like they’ve been smoking 60 a day and drinking beer for breakfast for two decades.
Now, I’m not throwing shade at Ugg here. They make fine products that can last a really long time if you treat them to a spot of TLC every now and again and wear them appropriately, which brings me to my next point.
What Weather and Situations Are Uggs Designed For?
I know you may be disappointed to learn that your cute as heck (not to mention expensive as heck) Uggs aren’t fit for jumping in the odd puddle or two when you’re feeling whimsical on a drizzly April afternoon, but that doesn’t mean they have no application.
On the contrary, there are plenty of features present in the Ugg blueprint that make them suitable shoes for lots of different situations and weather conditions.
For example, Ugg soles are typically one of two types: Ugg’s proprietary Treadlite sole, or Vibram’s Arctic Grip sole.
Ugg’s own Treadlite outsole design is incredibly comfortable, supportive, and brilliant for gaining traction on slick, wet surfaces. So, even though it’s best to keep the suede high and dry, a walk into town once the gray clouds have moved on is definitely still on the cards — yay!
Vibram’s Arctic Grip technology is one of the most advanced cold-weather gripping systems in the world, keeping us on our feet and the bruises off our bums as we traverse the icy streets of our wintering homes.
Snow should still be avoided as once it clings to your suede, it will start to melt and soak into your boots, leaving you with soggy socks and a sorry frown.
However, if the snows have passed, and you’re left with the icy remnants of the season, your Uggs will help you walk loud and proud, while everyone around you holds on to the nearest stable structure for dear life.
We also can’t overlook the beautiful fleece lining in our Uggs. They keep our feet lovely and warm no matter how abrasive the wintry winds become, making them the perfect pick-me-up on a cold, blustery day.
Can You Waterproof Uggs?
Waterproof is a strong word. Short of wrapping your Uggs in tons of plastic, they’ll never be impervious to the penetration of moisture.
There is some good news to speak of too, though. Uggs are seam-sealed as standard, which means the seams are reinforced by a form of waterproof lining, preventing water from working its way through the tiny gaps in the stitching of the boot.
Combining this with some nifty aftermarket treatments, you can make your Uggs water-resistant at the very least. Here’s how you can do it…
- Apply a protective spray – Giving your Uggs a quick spritz with some specialist spray will help to protect the suede from the damaging effects of moisture, and it will help keep your socks from getting saturated when you get caught in a downpour.
Ugg sells their own protector shoe care spray if you want to keep maintenance in-brand, but alternatives such as this Reshoevn8r premium shoe and sneaker stain and water repellent protection spray work just as well, if not better sometimes.
Once you’ve equipped yourself with the spray of your choice, all you have to do is turn your Uggs upside down, give the suede a generous coating, then leave them to dry indoors for 20 minutes. Do bear in mind, though, that direct contact with the sun should be avoided during the curing period.
One more thing before we move on, as it will apply to the next technique as well. This treatment should be done on brand-new Uggs, otherwise, it won’t work. If this article finds your Uggs already looking a little worse for wear, make sure you give them a thorough clean before applying the spray. To do so, you’ll need a suede brush.
- Use sheep suede shampoo and conditioners – Much like the protective sprays mentioned above, pampering your Uggs with a shampoo and condition once every so often will also help to keep the moisture at bay.
You can find these suede wash kits bearing the Ugg name by following this link.
The application involves placing a small amount on a soft sponge and rubbing the solution into the suede of your Uggs, then leaving them to dry away from sunlight for 20 minutes.
How Can I Revive My Drowned Uggs?
We can never truly predict the weather, so you’re bound to get caught out in the rain wearing your favorite pair of Uggs at some point, and if you haven’t water-treated them, it can be a pretty scary situation.
Fortunately, with the proper care, you can minimize the damage caused by those sneaky storm clouds.
- Microfiber towel treatment – As soon as you get home, before you even pop the kettle on, grab a microfiber cleaning cloth, and dab your Uggs, soaking up as much moisture as possible before moving on to the next step.
- Bring out the brush – Grab that soft-bristle suede brush of yours and spend a couple of minutes brushing the suede back and forth. Try to brush all areas of the Ugg. If you don’t have a suede brush, run out to the nearest drugstore and buy a soft-medium bristled toothbrush.
- Dry them out – If you’ve got a hairdryer handy, I recommend manually drying them as you carry on brushing the nap of the suede. Alternatively, just set them to dry away from sunlight for 48 hours.
- Cleaning and reviving – Once they’re completely dry, break out the brush again and work them over for another couple of minutes. Next, apply medium pressure to all areas of the suede with a suede eraser, then finish with a few more strokes of the brush.
- Water treatment – Now you can apply the treatments we discussed earlier.
Are There Any Waterproof Uggs?
When I said that Uggs aren’t waterproof, I meant that the majority of them aren’t. Ugg, the company, does make certain specialist versions of their classic shoe that arrive with waterproof qualities.
Their UGG Women’s Adirondack Boot III for example, is primed and ready for snowy winter walks, and the Sienna and Shaye boots are Ugg’s take on galoshes, and they’re completely waterproof.
Their Birch design is another fantastic option for snowy and rainy weather, and let’s not forget the insanely tough Butte Snow Boot either.
Final Thoughts
We’ve covered a lot of ground here today, my fellow Ugg-heads. The unfortunate truth is that the majority of Ugg boots are not suitable for use in rainy weather, but if you follow proper suede care routines, you can give them a fighting chance.
I personally just wear mine as indoor slippers.
Alternatively, you can treat yourself to a pair of traditional Uggs as well as a pair of their hardy designs, setting you up for whatever life throws at you, from a cozy night in, to a mountain rescue mission. That way, you’ll never have to go without the Ugg-hug.
