Ask SheFinds: How Do I Keep Suede Boots Safe In The Winter?

A reader recently asked us a really, really good question that couldn't be more appropriate for this time of year:

I just bought a pair of cute suede boots–so cute, in fact, that I never even stopped to consider that snowy streets would probably ruin the suede. How can I winterize my boots?

We totally feel you on this one. For even in all our wisdom, SheFinds sometimes falls for the "too cute for practical concerns" purchase. Case in point: last month I ordered the Minnetonka Moccasins boots ($80) only to realize they wouldn't make it through a nasty New York winter without disintegrating in the salt and slush. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize–though not entirely eliminate–the possibility of damage from brutal weather.

First order of business is waterproofing the boot. Try ReviveX Nubuck Suede and Fabric spray ($7). Since it's made especially for porous fabrics like leather and Gore-Tex, it won't darken or stain the fabric. Spray from about 12 inches away, wait for the boot to dry (about five or six hours), then spray again. That's a double coat, ladies–don't scrimp on this detail. To make sure your tootsies stay not only dry but warm, get some fleece insoles ($9), which will immediately make your boots feel more cozy. 

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