Has someone forgot to tell the weather that it is summertime? What a start to the summer holidays with the amount of rain we have been having, and at times very heavy persistent rain. But despite the bad weather it doesn’t stop us being able to enjoy the outdoors and #GetOutside. Despite the unpredictably of the British weather, we still must go about our daily lives, all we can do is make the best of it and be as comfortable as we can. That means keeping as dry as we can whilst out in the rain, although not necessarily singing in the rain, unless you really want to. That means staying dry as best we can.
Now we all have waterproof coats, jackets, shoes and boots, but did you know that over time the water repellent coating wears off, especially on footwear? Nobody likes getting wet feet, it doesn’t make walking very comfortable plodding around in waterlogged shoes that sound like you are walking on a pair of squelchy sponges. Having comfortable and dry feet is important. In a time where we are all trying to look after our money better, once that waterproofing is fading and letting rainwater in from those sudden summer showers, that doesn’t mean we have to rush out and buy new shoes. There is a simple and cheaper solution. Walk around in bare feet! No, just kidding, you can add a new waterproof layer with the simple to use Footwear Repel Plus spray from Grangers.
Grangers Footwear Repel Plus is a spray-on waterproofing treatment that offers superior waterproof protection for shoes and boots. It is suitable for Gore-tex® and eVent®, Suede, Nubuck, Leather and Fabric upper materials. And it even comes with added conditioning for your leather, suede and nubuck footwear.
FEATURES
- Superior water-repellency
- Maximises breathability
- Conditioning
- Suitable for all uppers
- 100% Recycled bottle
- Bluesign® approved
- PFC-free
The Grangers Footwear Repel Plus is supplied in a 275ml 100% recycled reusable spray bottle (eco refills are available to refill the bottle with 74% less packaging). It is simple and quick to use, and very effective.
I used it on an old pair of boots that I had in the cupboard that I knew water was soaking through in the rain. They had been in the cupboard awhile, so I cleaned them first just with water (Granger recommend cleaning footwear before applying any water-repellent treatment, preferably with their Footwear + Gear Cleaner). Whilst the boots where still damp, I evenly sprayed them with the solution, wiping away excess liquid with a clean cloth as it can be a bit messy, and allowed the boots to dry. Once dry you can apply a second if needed.
When spraying it on (I was using leather boots), it did look a bit like very watered down milk (I can’t think how else to describe it) and it does have a very slight odour (although to be fair, I did have to get very close to be able to smell it). It dried very quickly without leaving any noticeable residue, but would it repel rainwater and stop my feet getting wet?
With the weather here in Manchester terrible at the minute it wasn’t long before I could put the boots to the test. I decided to take a walk up the canal path, which was already full of puddles, and it was still raining. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this spray on solution, but it worked – the water just beaded on my boots and rolled off without letting in any water, keeping my feet dry for the hour that I was out – I can’t say the same for my trousers!
Overall, I found that the Grangers Footwear Repel Plus did a great job of making my old boots repel water again. It was so easy to use and add back the water repellent without affecting the breathability of the materials – pretty much spray and leave to dry. An inexpensive way of revitalising old footwear by adding back water-repellency and helping to condition the leather, keeping feet dry and comfy again.
Whilst I loved how easy it was to make my boots waterproof again, I also liked that the bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic and is reusable, you can purchase eco refills to refill the bottle when needed (these pouches have 74% less packaging than the bottles and save you money). Grangers are a British company that champions sustainability with their cruelty-free, water-based, PFC-free formulations and recycled plastics were possible. They are bluesign® approved which certifies the eco-friendliness of the entire production chain – you can read more about it here.
The Grangers Footwear Repel Plus is a simple and fuss-free aftercare product that I think does an excellent job of adding life and comfort back into your favourite pair of hiking boots, enabling you to enjoy the outdoors in comfort, whatever the weather.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £9.50 (275ml bottle) / £6.25 (275ml Eco Pouch)
For more information or to buy, visit grangers.co.uk.
DISCLOSURE: I received this item for free for the purposes of writing an honest and impartial review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
