Making Uggs waterproof with Piggy Proof

You’ve just put them on, you step outside, and then it starts to drizzle. With UGGs, that feels different than with regular shoes, because you know exactly what’s going to happen to that suede. Good news: you can waterproof your UGGs, and it will only take you fifteen minutes of work plus one night of drying.

The short version: treat clean, dry UGGs with a protector suitable for suede, spray from 10 to 15 cm until the surface is damp, rub in with a soft brush, repeat after 10 minutes, and let dry for 24 hours. Below you can read the full step-by-step plan, how often to repeat, and what to do if your UGGs do get wet.

Can UGGs withstand water, rain, and snow?

Untreated: barely. The suede of an UGG has an open nap that absorbs moisture instead of repelling it. A few splashes already create dark stains, and in really wet weather, water penetrates deep into the sheepskin lining. This combination leads to the three complaints you hear most often: rings, a hard or rough nap after drying, and white salt stains in winter.

Treated, it’s different. A protector creates a breathable layer around each fiber, from which moisture and dirt pearl off. Important to know: this makes your UGGs water-repellent, not waterproof. Walking through a puddle or wearing them for an hour in pouring rain remains a bad idea. What you do gain is that a rain shower, wet snow, and splashes no longer leave stains, and you can keep them clean easily.

Which spray do you use for UGGs?

Choose by material, not by brand name on the can. For UGGs, it’s about suede and sheepskin, and these are absorbent materials:

• Suede, nubuck, sheepskin, and textile: the Premium Protector 01. Suitable for cotton, denim, linen, canvas, nubuck, suede, sheepskin, satin, silk, wool, and tweed. Odorless, water-based, non-flammable, non-toxic, and free of PFOA, PFOS, and propellants.
• Smooth leather or artificial leather: for these, use Premium Protector 02. It is not suitable for patent leather and greased leather.

If you want the spray with the right brush and cloth all at once, it’s included in the UGG Protect Kit. Do not use general shoe spray or silicone spray on suede: these seal the fibers, preventing the shoe from breathing and making the nap stiff.

Waterproofing UGGs in 7 steps

This is the method prescribed by the manufacturer. Allow fifteen minutes of work and 24 hours of drying time.

1. Ensure the surface is clean and dry. Never treat over dirt, as this will trap the dirt. If your UGGs are dirty, clean them first and let them dry completely.
2. Spray the entire surface evenly from 10 to 15 cm distance. Work uniformly and do not skip any areas, including the sides and heel.
3. Gently rub the protector in with a clean soft brush for a deep fiber bond. Skip this step for very delicate materials. If you have multiple colors, start with the lightest and use a different brush for each color, otherwise, colors may bleed.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 after 10 minutes. Two thin layers work better than one thick one.
5. Wait 10 minutes and wipe off excess product with an absorbent cloth to ensure it dries evenly without drips. Also wipe dry non-absorbent parts such as metal and rubber.
6. Allow to dry for 24 hours at room temperature. Not on the radiator and not in the sun, as direct heat can harden suede and affect its shape.
7. Lightly brush up the dried suede with a clean brush to restore the soft nap and color.

Shake the can before use and always test on an inconspicuous area first. Do not inhale the spray mist and work in a ventilated area.

How often should you re-spray UGGs?

Assume approximately every three months with normal use. The protective layer itself lasts a long time, but with shoes, it wears down due to daily walking, friction, and dirt. In addition, there are three times when you should definitely re-treat:

• After every thorough cleaning, because this will remove the protective layer.
• After heavy use, for example, a day in the snow, a festival, or a heavy downpour.
• As soon as water no longer pearls off. This is the simplest test: drop some water on the toe. If it forms a bead, the layer is still there. If it soaks in and the suede darkens, it's time.

The best result is achieved on new or freshly cleaned UGGs. Previous treatment with another protective agent can negatively affect its effectiveness.

First clean, then protect

Protection only works on a clean surface. If your UGGs are already dirty or stained, first clean them with a foam cleaner suitable for suede and sheepskin, such as the Deep Clean Solution 03, and let them dry for 24 hours before applying the protector. The full step-by-step plan for this can be found in our guide on cleaning UGGs.

Think of it as a fixed sequence: clean, let dry completely, protect, brush up. If you skip cleaning, you'll trap the dirt under the protective layer.

Your UGGs got wet anyway. What now?

It happens. What you do in the first few hours determines whether you end up with rings:

• Dab, do not rub. Absorb excess moisture with a dry cloth without rubbing into the nap.
• Lightly and evenly dampen the entire panel if a ring threatens to form. This way, the sharp edge of the stain disappears instead of drying up.
• Stuff the shoe with newspaper to maintain its shape, and replace the paper after a few hours.
• Let dry slowly at room temperature. Never on the radiator, with a hairdryer, or in the sun.
• Brush up the dry suede and then protect again.

For white salt stains in winter, work in thin layers with a cloth and lukewarm water instead of wetting the shoe all at once. Always treat the entire area, otherwise, you will get color differences.

Frequently Asked Questions

In short

To waterproof UGGs, apply a suede protector to clean, dry shoes: spray from 10 to 15 cm, rub in with a soft brush, repeat after 10 minutes, wipe off excess product, and let dry for 24 hours. Then brush up the suede. Repeat approximately every three months and always after a thorough cleaning. Everything you need is in the UGG Protect Kit. This way, that first rain shower remains a rain shower, and not a stain.