Because Converse are canvas and don’t have a gusseted tongue, there’s nothing you can do to fully waterproof them, but there are a few tricks you can use to make them more weather resistant if you accidentally are caught in the rain. Your best option is using Scotchgard spray on clean sneakers (new if possible). That’ll help reduce the amount of water that soaks into the canvas.
When it’s raining outside, your best choice is rubber boots.
I hate to break it to you, but Converse are some of the worst shoes to wear when it’s raining. The canvas soaks up water quickly, gets dirty fast, and will leave you with wet socks if you’re in the rain for more than three minutes.
That said, there are a few tricks you can use to make sure your Converse don’t get ruined if you’re caught out in a storm unexpectedly.
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Is it OK to Wear Converse in the Rain?
I wouldn’t use your Converse as rain shoes. As is, they’re some of the worst shoes you can wear out in the rain.
They’re canvas, which soaks up water and also gets dirty easily. If you’re stuck in the rain for three minutes or longer, your feet will get wet and it won’t be comfortable.
Leather shoes are better in the rain, but rubber boots are the best because they’re completely waterproof.
However, you may not have either, so I’ll also share some tips with you on how to add some water resistance to your Chucks if you absolutely have to wear them out in the rain.
Can Converse Get Wet?
No damage occurs when Converse get wet. So I wouldn’t worry about ruining my Chucks in the rain. But they offer very little protection from the rain and your feet will likely immediately get wet.
Also, there’s a good chance you’ll pick up stains if you’re wearing your Converse out in wet weather, even if you’re walking on sidewalks. When it’s raining, little bits of mud will kick up onto your shoes, and will be noticeable on lighter fabrics.
That said, even if you wear your Converse out in the rain, it’s not going to permanently damage the sneaker. You may get your Chucks dirty (and if they’re white, you may never be able to get the mud stains out), but they’re not going to bust and disintegrate.
The Chuck 70 is a boosted version of the iconic high-top All Star Classics (read our review): the canvas is thicker, the midsole is a bit higher so there’s more cushion, and the ankle patch is sewn on (instead of just printed).
How Do Converse Perform in the Snow?
Converse are terrible snow shoes. Everything that’s true for why they’re bad in the rain is compounded in the snow. And then it actually kinda gets dangerous because you have wet and freezing socks.
Plus, those two little holes on the side can catch snow and ensure that some snow melts into your shoe.
So if you have anything else: leather shoes, boots, rubber shoes—use those instead.
How to Waterproof Converse Shoes
Ok, so I’m assuming you only have Converse and it’s the rainy season and you need some quick fixes so you’re not walking around with wet feet for the next two months.
You’ll never be able to waterproof your Chucks because the holes in the eyelets are fairly large, the tongue isn’t gusseted, and any treatment you make on the canvas fabric likely won’t be 100% effective.
But we can take some measures to lengthen the amount of time it takes for your Converse to get soaked through.
With untreated Converse, you can expect soaking feet within three minutes of being in the rain. But if you treat your Converse, you may be able to extend that between five and ten minutes.
It may not seem like a lot, but those extra few minutes might be exactly what you need to duck inside a store and wait out the downpour.
Best Method: Use Scotchgard
Use Scotchgard Fabric Water Repellent Spray. This stuff is great.
It basically sprays a light layer of silicone across the canvas so that water beads up and rolls right off.
It’s best to use Scotchgard on brand new Converse, but if you’ve had your Converse for a few weeks, months, or years, you’ll just want to wash them first. Here’s my full guide on how to clean Converse when you’re ready.
This stuff is great. It basically sprays a light layer of silicone across the canvas of your shoes so that water beads up and rolls right off.
After your Chucks are clean, bring them into a well-ventilated space and spray the entire outside of the sneaker with the can about 6-8 inches away. Let them dry for 12 hours, and then apply another layer.
Scotchgard wears down over time, so I’d re-do this process every six months or every year, depending on how often you wear your Chuck Taylors.
The Chuck Taylor All Star Classic is just that: a classic! It’s stylish, solid, and comfortable, and pretty iconic. I love my pair, and I wear them often. The quality is good, considering the price, but the main reason to get these sneakers is for the style.
Waxed Canvas: Cool, But Changes the Look Permanently
Personally, I’d stick with the Scotchgard method because it’ll keep the same original look.
But if for some reason you want to go all-natural, you can also use fabric wax. I have plenty of waxed canvas jackets, so there’s no reason why you couldn’t also wax your canvas shoes.
Get something like Otterwax Fabric Wax, and rub it like a crayon over the entire canvas upper portion.
If you want to waterproof your canvas gear and you prefer the all-natural method, this here is your ticket. It's a little pricey but it does a great job at refreshing your canvas jacket, shoe, or really, anything canvas
You’ll notice that the wax is pretty clumpy and uneven. No worries—you just need to heat it up.
Take a hair dryer on the max temperature setting (or use a heat gun if you have one) and heat the wax. It’ll start to melt and even-out. You can help spread it with your hand if there’s too much wax concentrated in a certain area.
Using wax is a more permanent waterproofing solution for canvas, but it also changes the look completely and permanently. There’s nothing you can do to remove all of the wax from your canvas. But it could be a good option if your Chucks are on their last leg and you’re willing to risk it all.
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for a rain boot, I really like Hunter boots.
Hunter sure knows how to make a rain boot. These are quality through and through, and quite flexible. We like the short version for being more versatile. Consider sizing up half a size if you want to wear them in winter with thick socks.
When I lived in California, I definitely didn’t need rain boots. But now that I’m in North Carolina, it’s a different story.
Still, sometimes you’ve got what you’ve got, so if you’re committed to your Converse and there’s no end in sight for the rain, get a can of Scotchgard and spray ‘em down.
And if you need to go outside right now and it’s raining, wrap your feet up in plastic shopping bags. Yes, you’ll look ridiculous. But your feet will stay dry and your Converse won’t get nasty stains on them.
The Chuck Taylor All Star Classic is just that: a classic! It’s stylish, solid, and comfortable, and pretty iconic. I love my pair, and I wear them often. The quality is good, considering the price, but the main reason to get these sneakers is for the style.
FAQs
Can Converse be waterproofed?
Using Scotchgard on Converse sneakers will waterproof the canvas, but because the tongue isn’t gusseted and the eyelets are relatively large, some water will likely still seep through. However, two layers of Scotchgard help add a lot of water resistance, so still may be worthwhile.
Can I put my Converse in water?
Yes, you can soak your Converse in water, and you can even put them in a washing machine. Remove the insole first if possible. But getting Converse wet won’t damage them.
How do you dry Converse after it rains?
Stuff them with old t-shirts, small towels, or dry newspaper. You can also use cedar shoe trees to absorb moisture. You can also throw them in a dryer (put them in a pillowcase and shut the pillowcase in the door to keep them from tumbling all over the place), and you can also use a hairdryer. Because Converse’s uppers are fabric, you have a lot of options for drying them.
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