By: Bill Urbanski

The Grand Teton

MOOSE, Wyoming – The glaciated slopes of the majestic 13,770 foot Grand Teton were the testing grounds – the product: Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof Sponge-on Waterproofing.

Two days before the start of my climb, I stood over the sink of my hotel room scrubbing my North Face high-top trail runners with Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel.  The shoes are a combination of suede leather and padded mesh.  I purchased them in 2007 and they have seen many miles and many trails.  They are beat up and well-worn for sure.  And never before had I bothered to treat them with any type of waterproofing product.

Nikwax recommends washing older shoes with their Cleaning Gel before applying the waterproofer.  I dutifully followed instructions and watched as years of dirt and grime fell away into the sink.  I was short on time, so I used the hotel hair dryer to help dry the shoes before applying the Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof treatment.  I then allowed the shoes to air dry overnight.

North Face Trail Shoes

I was in Wyoming and it was August.  This meant I could expect a dry and dusty trail on the lower mountain, but I knew glaciers and snowfields awaited me above.  I knew also that the afternoon Wyoming sun would turn those snowfields into slush fields for my crossing.

My climb of the Grand involved crossing numerous snowfields, as well as numerous talus and boulder fields.  I had used these same shoes in similar conditions on nearby Gannett Peak on three prior occasions, and each time, with no Nikwax protection, I was soaked through to the bone before too long.  But this time was different.  This time I had Nikwax protection – a patented formula that coats fabric and leather fibers with a network of elastic water-repellent molecules.  The molecules bond to anything that is not water-repellent, but also leave the spaces between fibers open and breathable.

crossing one of the many snowfields

On the Grand, with my Nikwax “armour” in place, amazingly I stayed relatively dry.  I say relatively only because my well-worn trail runners have a few torn seams.  I found that the only material Nikwax could not protect was the material that was not there.  For the leather and mesh that was treated, Nikwax did as advertised – kept the water out, and kept my feet dry.

Thanks to Nikwax, my trail shoes now have extended life.  I may even take the time to repair those torn seams before I put them to the test again.

Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof Sponge-on Waterproofing, and Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel both retail for around $10.00 for a 4.2 oz bottle and can be purchased at most major outdoor retailers such as Moosejaw.com