The current topseller among shoe protective treatments on Amazon, this invisible hydrophobic spray can work on leather, suede, canvas, nubuck, nylon, mesh and more, and can last up to four weeks with two coats. It dries in only 10 minutes, and one bottle is enough to coat up to 12 pairs of sneakers. The spray goes on invisible and can help repel water, stains and oil to keep your shoes from getting dirty or wet for longer (though, as the brand notes, mesh is always permeable).

Promising review: “This product is absoultely worth it!! My uggs no longer looked so bad during the rainy season!! This was one of my favorite purchases!! The texture is nice to use!! It cleans REALLY well and dries in an instant!! It is super easy to apply! Just spray it on the surface and you’re done!! It lasts a while too! This is a 10/10 would recommend product!!” — David Huntington

If you want something more tailored for specific materials (for example, to make sure the color of your leather shoes isn’t affected), there are plenty of options. One such protector is this one by Apple Brand, which can also be sprayed on suede, canvas and nubuck, but was specifically made for leather and fabric shoes. Another perk? You’re not limited to spraying this one (and many others) on shoes: Try it out on handbags, furniture and other leather and fabric surfaces you want to keep safe. It goes on invisible and is made in the United States.

Promising review: “This product works as advertised. Once it dried, it did not change the color of my suede shoes. Rain beads up and snow kicks right off leaving no noticeable marks. Highly recommend Apple Brand over silicones which can spoil the color of your letter products.” — Andrey Shashok

This is the cheapest protectant we came across for the most amount of product — 13.5 ounces in one spray bottle. The Scotchgard spray is primarily advertised for fabric furniture (hence the large amount), but can also work well on canvas and fabric shoes. It’s clear, odorless and maintains the breathability of canvas. The brand advises reapplying after washing or annually, though if your shoes are getting tested a bit more often than your indoor furniture, you’ll probably want to reapply sooner.

Promising review: “Really surprised how well this works!
I included a video of how it worked on my beige canvas Bobs in dirty melted snow puddles. Not a drop of water or mud on them.

I did one solid light coating all over the tops and sides of the shoes and let them dry overnight before wearing them. The bottoms got a little bit on them from overspray and that made them slick but it wore off in about 5 minutes of walking outside so it didn’t bother me.

The spray doesn’t take much for shoes and covered 5 pair without feeling like I used much at all. It smells a little bit but surprisingly not too strong. I did put paper towels down in the shoe to avoid spray being on the inside because I wasn’t sure how it would work on skin. No issues so far!” — Zac & Kaitie James

What about suede shoes, like those Ugg boots you’re living in during the winter? Fear not; there’s a spray for that, too. This suede protector is also safe on nubuck and sheepskin, and is great for Uggs, Birkenstocks and plenty of other shoes in similar fabrics. You’ll want to give it 24 hours to dry, so it can provide protection from rain, snow, slush, spills, salt and more. The spray is color-safe, and can also go to work on other items, like jackets and bags.

Maybe you’d prefer something that isn’t a spray, particularly to keep your leather boots, dress shoes and more hydrated and supple, plus protected from the elements. If that’s the case, you can opt for something like Leather Honey, a liquid conditioner that lasts up to six months on one application, saving you from having to remember to reapply each month. The conditioner, made in the U.S., is odorless, water-repellant and doesn’t leave a residue. Just make sure you only use this on genuine leather goods.

Promising review: “I used Leather Honey to protect my gorgeous new FRYE Vienna boots and also to improve the look of some old leather oxford heels and a vintage coach purse. The difference is subtle but visible. The oxfords and purse are both more supple and shiny, they feel smoother and less dry. I was very nervous about choosing a product to use on my FRYE boots, and I’m glad I went with Leather Honey. At first I noticed they did darken a bit and I was concerned, but after a few days the darkening effect lessened and the leather simply looks richer and more intense in color. I like them even more now! Since treating them, my boots have been through street puddles and light snow and have come out unharmed. My favorite part of using this product is that it’s so clean: no vapors, odors or stains and it didn’t irritate my skin. A little does go pretty far, 16oz is plenty big for doing lots of shoes and accessories. I highly recommend this product.” — Catherine Matthews

Another spray that works on so many materials, from canvas to cotton to suede, nubuck and more, this Jason Markk protectant and creates an invisible barrier that’s odorless and still breathable. This is a great choice for sneakers, like the Hoka shown here, and can help repel liquid and dirt (again, remember that mesh is always permeable, so this won’t completely keep running shoes from getting wet, though it can keep your sneaks fresher for longer).

This Cozgo protector comes in a bigger bottle (over 10 ounces) for less than many other brands, and the all-natural formula uses nanotechnology to repel rain and stains for up to 30 days on one application. Put it to the test on suede, knit, nylon and more. Campers and the outdoorsy can also find success trying this on tents and other outdoor gear after using it on shoes.

Promising review: “I tried this waterproof shoe spray, and I’m really happy with it! It gives the shoes a nice, clean shine without making them look too glossy. The color stays the same — it doesn’t darken or change the shade, which I love. It’s super easy to apply, just spray and let it dry. I used it on my kids’ sneakers and my suede boots, and both look great after using it. Protection is really good. Water and dirt just slide right off now!
It really does its job and keeps our shoes looking fresh longer.” — Anastasiia

4.8 stars across more than 10,000 ratings is pretty impressive, but this beeswax leather preservative seems to have earned the honor. This leather conditioner is all-natural and can be massaged into your leather shoes to keep them moisturized, while also acting as a barrier for water, chemicals, salt and more.

This old-school option has been working for over 100 years now. Huberd’s shoe grease is made for leather and also uses beeswax, along with pine tar, to waterproof and soften your high-use leather shoes. Just beware that this will probably darken the leather a bit. Apply it with your hand, a brush or a soft cloth to work the product in.

A top pick by testers at the Strategist, this Tarrago spray is breathable, invisible and works to repel spills, stains, water and weather. One bottle can work on up to 12 pairs of shoes, using nanotechnology to protect suede, leather, nubuck and more.

Promising review: “This stuff is amazing. My cobbler recommended it and now it’s the only thing I use. Before I wear any new pair of shoes- I treat them with this spray. It saves my shoes from all kinds of weather and makes them easier to clean if they get dirty.” — KAC