Picking a cost-effective waterproof spray and using it right
My rain-day routine: spray shoes/bags. Staring at this can, I realized it looks very Showa-era—when did I buy it? Maybe paid ~¥1,200. Are newer sprays stronger, larger, cheaper? Maybe I’m overpaying.
Waterproof spray brands
I found three vibes: classic shoe-store bottles, car-care-looking ones, and outdoor types.
Classic shoe store
The kind by the register at ABC-Mart or Regal, around ¥1,500.
Car-care look
Auto parts / home center designs—modern-looking, ~¥500, cheap.
Outdoor-focused
Seen only at Montbell, outdoor shops; LLBean had some. Nikwax is the product; maker is EVERNEW.
About six makers
Turns out few players: shoe-care (Columbus, Collonil), chemical companies (3M, Konishi Bond, Henkel), outdoor (EVERNEW). Smaller chem brands may appear regionally; easy space to enter. Henkel is a 140-year-old German chemical giant:
ヘンケルジャパンTypes of waterproof spray
Three types:
- Fluorine-based
- Silicone-based
- Hybrid of the two
Comparison:
| Effect | Fluorine | Silicone |
|---|---|---|
| Repels water | ◯ | ◯ |
| Repels oil | ◯ | △ |
| Durability | △ | ◯ |
| Breathability | ◯ | × |
| Safe on leather | ◯ | △ |
| If inhaled… | Danger 😱 | Some danger |
Based on a PDF from CAPTAIN STAG.
Fluorine bonds to fibers for water/oil repellency; silicone forms an oil film on top. Fluorine rubs off more easily; silicone sticks and lasts longer, but the film kills breathability (bad for Gore-Tex/tech fabrics, can feel clammy, may change handfeel). Silicone’s oil film also dissolves with oil stains; fluorine resists oil (think “fluorine coating” on pans/cars), though spray amounts are thin.
Hybrids aim for fluorine-like appearance with higher repellency. If not treating high-end tech gear, hybrids like 3M Scotchgard may be fine.
Health notes
Fluorine is riskier because the molecules have “spiky” parts that lodge in lungs—like a mini asbestos scenario. The same spikes help it bond to fibers, so ironing can boost the effect. Silicone isn’t harmless either; avoid inhaling. Most cans say “use outdoors”—don’t get lazy in the entryway.
Sidebar
I thought CAPTAIN STAG was just a cheap home-center brand; it’s actually a division of Pearl Metal (which I like). キャプテンスタッグ｜アウトドア用品総合ブランド
For everyday shoes/bags/pant hems, which to pick?
If fluorine is cheap, use that; if silicone is cheaper, use silicone on limited items plus fluorine elsewhere. On Amazon, Henkel’s Loctite wins in volume/price—fluorine, ~300 reviews. Unless you own ¥100k leather shoes, this seems fine.
There’s even a brush-on type
I assumed waterproofing = spray, but there’s an “apply like a roll-on liniment” version:
No overspray waste, no smell, indoor/entryway OK, carry-on friendly for flights. Ingredients: fluorine plus wax/oil (a shine additive), so avoid pale/natural leather; great for black/brown shiny leather shoes/bags.
For ski/snow wear or full rain suits?
Shoes/bags are small; snow gear is huge—cost changes. Loctite says two ski jackets per can; adding pants likely uses one can per person and risks uneven coverage.
Nikwax offers a washing-machine type besides sprays—totally unexpected:
There’s also a 300 ml size. A 1L reviewer wrote:
Washed 2 kids’ ski sets, 2 adult sets, 4 Gore shells, 6 gloves—still ~1 use left. Once per season is enough with Nikwax; sprays needed every time. Rode 15 hours in continuous rain on a crazy bike trip—waterproofing was amazing.
Lots of outdoor users (ski, snow, cycling, moto, fishing, trekking) praise it. Washing machine means more effort but even coverage and better longevity than spray. Some mention a vinegary/wood-glue smell after treatment—maybe acetic acid. Good for “rain-day gear only” pieces.
Nikwax needs washing first, but…
Instructions say wash with “Tech Wash” before treating. Small bottles are ~¥1,000; big ~¥3,000. I balked until a reviewer dug into ingredients:
Amazonレビュー: NIKWAX LOFT テックウォッシュ 1L
They claim it matches this:
Some people think Tech Wash = “no surfactants, safe,” but the label says “we do not use synthetic surfactants that persist and pollute.” Human grime is oily; you need surfactants to lift it. Tech Wash uses biodegradable ones (fatty acid sodium/potassium—checked at the drugstore).
Summary
- For commuting/school, find an affordable fluorine spray.
- For loafers or work leather shoes, try the brush-on type.
For ski/snow/rain sets, Nikwax lets you waterproof everything at once for a season.
We’ll stock a couple Loctite cans and be set for a while.
Bonus
Sprayed a tissue with Loctite—water beads right off!
