How To Protect Suede Shoes From Snow

I don't know about you, but some of my favorite shoes I own are made of suede. I love the slightly boho-ish vibe of suede shoes, and I always find myself gravitating towards suede booties when I'm on a shopping spree. It wasn't until I was about to click buy on a pair of suede booties that I realized they might not be the best shoes for winter. Turns out, snow isn't great for suede, but luckily I've found a way to solve that.

One of the caveats of splurging on shoes is that they're often made out of nicer materials than something synthetic. I don't know about you, but I freak out every time my leather riding boots see a drop of water. The $25 booties from Primark that are 100 percent synthetic fibers? I'll happily stomp through puddles. It wasn't until I realized that I've purposefully been avoiding wearing certain shoes because of their material that I decided I needed to find a way to wear all my shoes in all different weathers.

Suede is one of those materials because it's naturally porous (it's not treated like leather) and doesn't have any natural water-repelling qualities. Liquids can stain the fabric, cause it to change shape and even cause the dye to run. Not good. This is how to prevent that from happening:

1. Pick high-quality materials

Seychelles Peridot Bootie, $150, Nordstrom

This is not the time to pick out a cheap pair of shoes. Invest in high-quality suede (which is available at multiple price points). I'm a huge fan of these brushed olive ones.

2. Waterproof shoes before wearing them

Kiwi Suede and Nubuck Protector, $10, Amazon

You should be doing this for all your shoes, but in case you haven't (guilty...) now's a great time to start. Protective spray isn't going to work miracles, but it will help your shoes last longer.

3. Clean and re-waterproof every few months

Kiwi Suede Boot & Shoe Care Kit, $17, Amazon

When you buy a pair of suede shoes, pick up a kit like this and save yourself a trip later down the road. This kit includes the protective spray above, a brush and suede eraser and a cleaner for removing stains. Suede is a delicate material, so you'll need to clean and waterproof your shoes every three months.

4. Avoid wearing them on ultra-snowy days

Yes, it's hard to hear. But you can't wear suede shoes in every weather. For your nicest pairs, skip the super rainy and snowy days. I promise you'll thank me when spring hits.

Suede shoes are a fabulous investment, but you need to take care of them properly. With these tips, you'll be set.

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