Protecting your sneakers from rain, dirt, and stains is essential, especially in the Netherlands. But which protective spray works best? Here's a quick summary of our findings:
- Best Overall : Saphir Medaille d'Or – Long-lasting protection, ideal for luxury materials like suede and nubuck.
- Best value for money : KIWI Sneaker Protector – Affordable, versatile and effective.
- Best for Fabric : Scotchgard Fabric Water Repellent – Perfect for canvas and mesh.
Main Comparison Criteria:
- Water Repellency : How well does it keep out water?
- Stain protection : Protects against mud, food and liquids.
- Durability : How long does the protection remain active?
- Ease of use : How easy is the spray to apply?
- Value for money : Is the product worth the price?
Quick Overview – Comparison Table
| Spray | Water repellency | Stain protection | Sustainability | Ease of use | Price-quality | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saphir Medal d'Or | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| KIWI Sneaker Protector | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Crep Protect Spray | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.0 | 3.9 |
| SNEAKER LAB Shoe Protector | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.9 |
| Ballistol Waterproofing Spray | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.7 |
| Scotchgard Fabric Water Repellent | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.8 |
With this information, you can make the best choice to protect your sneakers from the elements!
How We Tested
Test criteria
To ensure a fair comparison, we evaluated all protective sprays using standardized methods. We focused on the properties essential for a good protective spray:
| Criterion | Test method | Measured values |
|---|---|---|
| Water resistance | WRU test (60 minutes) | Absorption < 30% |
| Sustainability | Dremel test (5,000 RPM, 2N) | Scale 1-5 |
| Stain resistance | SATRA TM199 | 30 min. and 16 hours of observation |
| Ease of use | Practical test | Application time and coverage |
These criteria formed the basis for testing and comparing the sprays.
Test methods
For water resistance we performed three tests:
-
Spray test
Each treated surface is exposed to a focused jet of water, simulating rainfall. This simulates how the spray performs under typical Dutch weather conditions. -
Immersion test
This test involves 60 minutes of partial immersion, followed by a 15-minute walk test in 30 mm of water (500 steps). -
Durability test
For durability, we used the Dremel method. This method measures the wear resistance of components such as the toebox, outsole, and heel reinforcement using a force of 2N and 5,000 RPM.
The sprays were tested on four commonly used materials in sneakers:
- Smooth leather
- Suede
- Canvas
- Mesh
Stain resistance was assessed using the SATRA TM199 method, where we allowed water droplets to remain on both treated and untreated parts of the material for 30 minutes and 16 hours [2] .
All tests were conducted in a controlled environment at 20°C and 60% humidity. For consistent and reproducible results, we used three identical sneakers per spray.
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6 Protective Sprays Reviewed
After extensive testing, we evaluated six sprays for water repellency, durability, and ease of use. Here are the results.
Spray 1: Crep Protect Spray (200 ml)
Crep Protect costs €19.90 and creates an invisible, water-repellent layer that lasts up to four weeks. Suitable for materials such as leather, suede, nubuck, and canvas.
Pros:
- Dries quickly and allows the material to breathe
- Highly water-repellent
Negatives:
- Relatively expensive (€99.50 per liter)
- Limited protection against stains
"This protects your shoes from dirt and stains and makes them waterproof." -Brad Cato [3]
Spray 2: SNEAKER LAB Shoe Protector
This spray costs €14.50 and stands out for its eco-friendly formula, free of soap and harsh chemicals. Ideal for leather, canvas, and synthetic materials. Users rate it 4.2/5 based on 463 reviews.
Spray 3: KIWI Sneaker Protector
The KIWI Sneaker Protector offers an affordable option with effective protection. It forms a breathable layer and works on various materials. Users rate it 4.5/5, with 93% of users recommending it.
"Kiwi Sneaker Protection is a game-changer when it comes to keeping my favorite kicks looking fresh and clean... It forms an invisible barrier that repels liquids and prevents them from seeping into the shoe material." - VersusUSA [4]
Spray 4: Saphir Medaille d'Or Super Invulner
Specially developed for luxury materials like leather, suede, and nubuck, this spray offers long-lasting protection and is perfect for premium sneakers .
Spray 5: Ballistol Waterproofing Spray
Ballistol is available in two sizes:
- 200 ml for €4.99 (€24.95 per litre)
- 500 ml for €9.99 (€19.98 per liter)
The spray offers good impregnating properties and is suitable for daily use.
Spray 6: Scotchgard Fabric Water Repellent
Scotchgard focuses on textile materials such as canvas and mesh. It offers effective protection specifically for these fabrics.
Check out the combined scores below to see which spray performed best in our tests.
Performance figures
Here we compare six protective sprays on five criteria, based on our water and stain resistance tests.
| Spray | Water repellency | Stain protection | Sustainability | Ease of use | Price-quality | Total score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crep Protect | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.0 | 3.9 |
| SNEAKER LAB | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.9 |
| KIWI | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Saphir Medal d'Or | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Ballistol | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.7 |
| Scotchgard | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.8 |
Some notable points from the results:
- Saphir Medaille d'Or and KIWI have the highest overall score (4.0). Saphir scores highly for protection, while KIWI excels in value for money.
- Crep Protect performs excellently in terms of water repellency and ease of use, but the higher price reduces the value for money.
- Ballistol offers the best price-quality ratio of all sprays.
"According to the instructions, the application process is simple: Just shake, point and spray. Then, wait 10 minutes and repeat. Wait another 10 minutes for it to dry, and voila! You should have essentially created an invisible force field around your shoes." -Angela Hatem [5]
The figures are based on standardized tests that evaluate water repellency, stain protection, durability, ease of use, and value for money. For optimal protection, we recommend applying two coats of spray with sufficient drying time between each.
Which Spray to Buy
Best Overall Choice
After extensive testing, the Saphir Medaille d'Or proves to be the best choice for sneakers. This spray offers long-lasting protection against water and stains and works well on various materials.
Best Price-Quality
For an affordable option , Scotchgard Fabric Water Repellent Spray is a great choice. Priced at around €9.50 to €12.00, this spray offers effective protection for multiple types of materials.
Best by Material Type
Below you will find the best sprays based on the material of your sneakers:
| Material | Recommended Spray | Rode |
|---|---|---|
| Suede & Nubuck | Saphir Medal d'Or | Specially designed for soft materials and provides excellent protection |
| Smooth Leather | Crep Protect | Forms a strong water-repellent layer and protects for 2–3 weeks with daily use [6] |
| Canvas & Textiles | Scotchgard | Provides effective water repellency on fabric materials |
With these sprays you ensure that your sneakers are optimally protected.
"Then you have that peace of mind that your boots or sneakers will be protected against splashes or drizzles" - Jackie Cucco, T+L Testing Editor [1]
