Are UGG Boots Waterproof? Ultimate Waterproofing Guide & FAQs

Many people wonder ‘are UGG boots waterproof?’ when looking to buy a pair of these iconic boots. Nobody likes soggy feet or stains on their suede!

In this post I’ll be covering how waterproof UGG boots actually are, including my own personal review, a waterproof test, and a full guide to waterproofing/stain protecting UGGs with a product.

Want to know how they hold up in the rain and snow too? Check out the FAQ guide at the end of this post.

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Are UGG boots waterproof?

UGG boots are not fully waterproof and can become damaged following prolonged exposure to water. UGG boots should never become saturated by water, as this may stain the suede upper. Before use outdoors a suede-safe waterproofing product should be applied and a waterproofing guide followed, for best results.

Classic UGG boots are made with sheepskin and suede, which are not fully waterproof materials. The rubber soles are waterproof, so walking on wet ground shouldn’t be too much of an issue (source).

UGGs do however offer a fully waterproof range of boots that are designed to be weather ready. Check out the deals available on the waterproof UGG range on Amazon here.

Personally I don’t mind my own pair of classic UGGs getting a little wet, as they are old and already have a couple of stains, so I decided to run my own UGGs waterproofing test in the next section of this post to show how I came to the above conclusion.

A Waterproof Test

I decided to run my own waterproof test on my own pair of UGG boots, to find out first hand just how waterproof they are.

As it wasn’t raining that day, I created a puddle outdoors (using a bucket of water!) and splashed around in it whilst wearing my UGGs, to see if any water would get through/stain the boots.

Afterwards my UGGs were damp on the outside (but not at all on the inside), however they dried quickly after I took them indoors and patted them dry with a few paper towels. I left them to try out completely in a well ventilated space and the next day they were completely fine.

So what was my final verdict – are my UGGs waterproof? I found they are water resistant, but not completely waterproof. The outside of my UGGs were damp after my little experiment, but the insides were fine.

My UGGs have been previously waterproofed with a spray and are an old pair, which will have factored into the result. A brand new pair out of the box will need proper waterproofing before you walk through any puddles of your own.

To help, here’s a guide to properly waterproofing UGGs to prevent soggy feet and stained suede, including my own tips and tricks…

How to waterproof UGGS

In this section of the post I’ll be breaking down how to clean and waterproof UGGs, including some tips I’ve picked up along the way when caring for my own UGG boots.

First of all it’s best to use products that are safe for use on UGG boots to avoid staining the suede.

UGGs actually have a waterproofing spray that they formulated, that is made especially for their boots (this is the best waterproofing spray for UGGs). I would advise choosing this as your waterproofing spray, along with their cleaner.

Check out the the UGG care and cleaning range here on ugg.com.

I like to waterproof my own UGG boots with a waterproofing spray that is safe for use on suede. I’m willing to take the risk choosing a cheaper waterproofing spray on my own UGGs as they are an old pair I just run around in. However if I were waterproofing a new pair I’d definitely stick to the UGG branded waterproofing spray to be safe.

Here’s a photo of my boots:

Here’s how I waterproof my own UGG boots:

What You Will Need

Before you get started waterproofing your UGG boots you’ll need to make sure they are clean, so the waterproofing product sticks properly to the boots.

Here’s what you’ll need for cleaning and then waterproofing your UGGS:

• A suede cleaner – I recommend the UGG branded cleaner to be safe (check it out here).
• A waterproofing spray for suede (see the UGG branded spray here).
• A dye free sponge. Don’t use anything that is dyed as the dye may leak onto your boots when wet and ruin them.
• Dye free paper towels.
• A dye free cotton cloth.
• Cold water.
• A suede brush (optional, if your UGGs are not brand new and have dirt build up).

Step 1. Clean The UGG Boots

Before waterproofing your UGGs they must be clean and dry. If your UGG are new, skip this step.

1. Prepare a space for cleaning your UGGs – I like to clean mine outdoors if the weather is nice so I don’t breathe in the cleaning chemicals.

2. Tap the boots against the ground to loosen any built up dirt from the grooves in the outsole. Clean the grooves of the rubber outsole with a dye free sponge and cold water, taking care not to get too much water on the suede upper.

3. Using a suede brush gently brush away any dirt that has built up on the suede upper. Taking your time and doing this in light strokes will prevent any damage to the suede.

4. Take a soft dye free cotton cloth and dampen it with cold water. Take care to wring out the cloth to get rid of excess water. Use the cloth to lightly remove any final traces of dirt on the suede upper, taking care not to get it too wet.

5. Next using a dye free sponge apply a small amount of the UGG cleaner and conditioner all over your boots. Gently work it into the surface, then stuff your boots with socks, paper towel or newspaper to help the boots maintain their shape as they dry – this helps avoid creases in the suede!

5. Finally allow the UGGs to dry completely after cleaning, before applying the waterproofing spray in the next step. I like to leave my UGGs in a warm place indoors, with good ventilation and away from direct sunlight.

Step 2. Waterproof The UGG Boots

Next I’ll break down step by step what I do when waterproofing my UGGs.

How to waterproof UGGs:

1. Make sure your UGG boots are fully dry from the cleaning process in the previous step.

2. Apply a small amount of the waterproofing spray on a non-visible area in order to do a patch test. A patch test is super important to make sure your spray doesn’t stain your UGGs. Wait 24 hours and if everything looks good proceed to the next step.

3. Make sure you are in a well ventilated area that can be wiped clean in case of product transfer.

4. Shake your waterproofing spray and apply all over your UGG boots at a distance of 6 inches. Cover the boots evenly (but don’t saturate them) and when you are satisfied set them aside to dry in a well ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat.

5. After 24 hours your boots should be good to go!

FAQs

Can you wear uggs in the rain?

Whilst UGG boots are water resistant they are not fully waterproof, so should not be worn in the rain for prolonged periods of time. It’s okay to get light rain on your boots, if you’re heading out for a short errand, however if the rain is heavy then it’s best to wear waterproof boots.

I personally prefer not to wear my classic UGGs in the rain if I can help it, even after I have waterproofed them with a spray.

This is because I want by boots to last as long as possible, and I don’t want to risk damaging them – UGGs aren’t cheap!

However if I need to quickly head out in a light rain (running to the car for example, or taking the dog out) I’m okay with wearing my UGGs. As long as they aren’t exposed to rain for more than ten minutes, I find it to be okay.

Can UGG boots get wet in snow?

Classic UGG boots cannot get wet in snow, as they may become damp which will lead to staining on their suede exterior.

I’m guilty of wearing my own pair of UGG boots out in the snow once or twice, and the suede does become a little stained from melted snow patches.

I find it’s okay to wear my UGGs in light snow if I’m running to my car or heading outside for a minute or too, as I can brush off the snow before it melts once inside. However I’ve made the mistake of wearing them in heavier snow and it’s lead to a little staining.

If you want to keep your UGG boots in top condition then avoid snow altogether!

Can UGGs get wet?

UGGs can get wet, however they should never become fully saturated or worn out in very bad weather. UGG boots are water resistant, but not fully waterproof. Always make sure to waterproof your UGG boots to help protect them.

If you spill a little water on your classic suede UGGs or step out in a light rain for a short period of time in them they should be fine.

If they do get wet it’s best to absorb the water with a non dyed paper towel to help dry them off, and then to place them in a warm area to dry out fully. There’s nothing worse than soggy boots – which leads to mold!

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Thank you for reading this ‘Are UGG Boots Waterproof’ guide to waterproofing UGGs. I hope you now feel confident to waterproof your own pair of UGGs or to purchase a pair to wear in the correct environments.

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