Shoes for rainy days: how to choose water-resistant footwear and keep your feet dry
Which uppers shrug off rain, which soak through, what "waterproof" actually means on a label, and why wet grip is a separate question from dry grip — a practical guide for autumn.
The short answer: for everyday city rain, a coated upper such as PU leather on a rubber outsole keeps feet dry and steady. Textile uppers behave differently: mesh lets water straight through but dries fast, canvas soaks and dries slowly. "Waterproof" describes how a fabric performs in a laboratory test — it says nothing about seams, tongues or the top opening of the shoe. Grip on wet ground has to be judged separately from grip on dry ground. And however good the shoe, feet stay dry only if the shoe is dried properly between wears.
What "waterproof" means — and doesn't
The word has a technical definition. For fabrics, "waterproof" refers to conformance to a specification and a laboratory test method; resistance is quantified as the hydrostatic head, the height of water in millimetres a fabric withstands before it seeps through. Typical mid-range fabrics are rated around 5,000 mm, the best around 20,000 mm — and the same reference notes that some fabrics rated below 1,000 mm keep rain out well enough in practice.
Two practical consequences follow:
- A fabric rating is not a shoe rating. Head ratings do not test closures, and a shoe also has seams, a tongue and an opening at the ankle. Water that runs down your leg goes straight in.
- Repellent finishes wear off. Durable water repellent coatings must be maintained regularly; once the outer layer "wets out", it saturates and stops working.
On our site, the Waterproof and Quick-Dry filters are a starting point, not a guarantee against wading: use them to shortlist, then check the material specifications on the product page.
Uppers in the rain
| Upper | In rain | Drying | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| PU leather | Coated surface doesn't absorb water; wipes dry | Fast | Best everyday choice |
| Mesh | Water goes through almost immediately | Fastest of all textiles | Fine for showers if you don't mind wet socks |
| Knit | Soaks like mesh | Fast | Same as mesh |
| Canvas | Cotton absorbs water and soaks through | Slow | Leave at home on wet days |
| Suede | Water marks and flattens the nap | Slow | Avoid |
| Synthetic uppers (overview) | Varies with the construction | Usually fast | Check the specification |
PU leather is the standout because the coating does not absorb water: occasional rain wipes off, and only prolonged soaking should be avoided, as moisture can eventually reach the fabric backing. Mesh is the surprise second: it offers no protection, but because polyester and nylon absorb almost no water, a soaked mesh shoe dries in hours rather than days. Canvas is the one to avoid — cotton holds water and dries slowly.
Soles: dry grip is not wet grip
Grip is the property people forget when buying for rain, and it cannot be judged from how a shoe feels on a dry shop floor. Slip-resistance testing draws a clear line: dry slip resistance is not an indicator of wet slip resistance — the two often vary inversely, which is why wet testing exists as a separate discipline.
- Rubber outsoles grip wet surfaces best of the materials we use and wear slowest; a textured tread also channels water away from the contact patch. See the rubber sole guide.
- EVA foam doesn't absorb water — the closed foam structure dries quickly, which is why EVA flip-flops and slides handle wet environments well — but pure EVA grips less than rubber on wet, smooth surfaces. Sports shoes usually combine an EVA midsole with a rubber outsole for exactly this reason. See the EVA guide.
The Non-Slip filter narrows the range to soles designed with grip in mind; on the product page, check that the sole material is rubber if wet pavements are your daily reality.
Keeping feet dry inside the shoe
Even a dry upper won't help if the inside is damp from yesterday. Sweat is the other source of wet feet: the NHS suggests moisture-wicking sports socks during exercise and changing socks frequently if your feet get sweaty. Two habits do most of the work:
- Dry shoes completely between wears. Remove the insoles, stuff the shoes with paper and leave them at room temperature with some airflow — never on a radiator, which damages foam soles and coatings. Our cleaning guide covers drying step by step.
- Rotate two pairs in a wet week, so each has a full day to dry.
Damp shoes put away in a closed cupboard are also how mildew starts: it needs organic material to feed on, humidity of roughly 62–93% and warmth, and stagnant air — conditions a wet shoe in a shoe box provides.
What to wear, by situation
- Commuting in drizzle: PU leather casual shoes or skate shoes with a rubber outsole.
- Steady rain and puddles: boots with a closed upper — the higher ankle keeps water from running in over the top.
- Running in the rain: mesh running shoes and a change of socks; accept wet feet, enjoy the fast drying.
- After the rain, at the pool or on the beach: EVA flip-flops and slides, which shed water and dry in no time.
For the full comparison of every material we use, see the shoe materials overview.
FAQ
Are sneakers waterproof?
Most are not. A mesh, knit or canvas sneaker lets water through the upper; only a coated upper such as PU leather resists rain, and even then water can enter through the seams, tongue and ankle opening. "Waterproof" on a label refers to a fabric test, not to the whole shoe.
What is the best shoe material for rain?
Among the materials we use, PU leather is the best upper for rain because its coating doesn't absorb water and wipes dry. Pair it with a rubber outsole for grip on wet ground. Canvas and suede are the materials to avoid.
Can I wear canvas shoes in the rain?
They will survive it, but cotton canvas absorbs water and dries slowly, so your feet get wet and the shoes take a day or more to dry. For regular rain, choose a coated upper instead.
How do I dry wet shoes overnight?
Take out the insoles and laces, stuff the shoes with plain paper, replace the paper once it is damp, and leave them somewhere with airflow at room temperature. Avoid radiators, dryers and direct heat — they deform foam soles and crack coatings.