Having the best suede protector for shoes is essential to reduce the amount of time you need to spend cleaning your sneakers. Suede is notoriously difficult to care for, so a good protector is worth the investment.
In fact, suede is like a sponge when faced with water. But, with a top suede protector, you're able to wear whatever sneakers you like, regardless of the weather conditions, as protectors are designed to keep your trainers dry.
This is perhaps even more important now as suede shoes regularly feature among some of the best sneakers for fall and winter. So, when the weather starts to turn, a great protector spray means you won't need to worry about soaking and ruining the material.
With that in mind, if you're looking for one of the best spray-on protectors on the market, like Crep Protect Ultimate, or you're after something a little cheaper, like this Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof solution, then we've got you covered with our list.
We've also answered a few of the most commonly asked questions surrounding suede protectors to help you learn a little bit more about how they work and how best to use them. Before we get into that though, here are our top picks...
Best suede protector for shoes
- Best suede protector for shoes - Crep Protect Ultimate Rain & Stain Waterproof Spray
- Best waterproofing suede protector for shoes - Kiwi Protect-All Waterproofer
- Best budget suede protector for shoes - Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof
- Best suede protector spray for shoes - Hendlex Shoe Protect
- Best suede and nubuck protector for shoes - Moneysworth & Best Suede & Nubuck Protector
Best suede protector for shoes - Crep Protect Ultimate Rain & Stain Waterproof Spray
We've featured Crep Protect before in several of our cleaning guides, including our guide on cleaning suede shoes, as we feel it is one of the best sneaker protectors on the market right now.
This spray-on solution uses a super-hydrophobic formula, meaning it's designed to repel liquids and prevents stains to ensure your suede sneakers stay fresh.
Read More: Best shoe cleaning kits
Additionally, Crep Protect boasts its formula dries to invisible within 10 minutes. Therefore, this should make it safe to apply to your shoes regardless of their colour as you won't need to worry about ruining the material.
From adidas to some of the best Nike Dunks around, Crep Protect should have your suede sneakers covered.
Best waterproofing suede protector for shoes - Kiwi Protect-All Waterproofer
Kiwi is one of the biggest names in the world of shoe care, creating some of the best suede cleaners around, but its Protect-All Waterproofer stands out to us as the ideal solution for keeping your suede sneakers dry.
The formula is designed to create an invisible spray around your shoes that prevents water and dirt from entering the surface whilst still allowing them to breathe. This is crucial in summer, for instance, when temperatures start to skyrocket and cool sneakers are a must.
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Moreover, suede is a material that needs to be kept well-ventilated in order to prevent rot and mildew from developing over time as the material is known for its impressive water retention capabilities.
On the whole, we feel there's a lot to like about this Kiwi Protect-All Waterproofer, especially when it comes to keeping your suede sneakers clean in the rain.
Best budget suede protector for shoes - Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof
If you're looking for a suede protector that won't break the bank with its price tag, then this Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof spray could be for you.
Simply spray the unscented solution onto your suede kicks and the water-repellent formula should keep your sneakers stain-free whilst preserving the unique texture of the material.
Read More: Best leather shoe cleaners
It's also worth noting that the formula is water-based, non-persistent, and contains no PFCs, VOCs, or optical brighteners, making the solution relatively chemical-free and safe to use on all shoe types.
Ultimately, this Nikwax spray looks to be an excellent pick-up if you're after a relatively inexpensive suede protector.
Best suede protector spray for shoes - Hendlex Shoe Protect
We've covered a few protector sprays in our list already; however, we feel the grip spray-on applicator of this Hendlex Shoe Protect helps make it one of the best spray protectors for suede around.
The formula uses nanotechnology that's designed to protect the surface of your sneakers by creating a super-hydrophobic guard layer that's completely invisible and odourless but capable of stopping water and dirt from entering suede.
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Moreover, the technology has been engineered to allow your shoes to breathe, which is vital as the material is known for quickly absorbing and retaining water for long periods of time. The added breathability of this spray should therefore minimise the chance of any damp turning to mould.
All in all, this spray-on formula looks to be a particularly well-round suede protector for you to consider.
Best suede and nubuck protector for shoes - Moneysworth & Best Suede & Nubuck Protector
We round off our list with this Moneysworth & Best Suede & Nubuck Protector that's designed to repel water, soil, and oil stains on both suede and nubuck shoes, boots, handbags and apparel.
One of the most unique aspects of this spray-on formula is that it contains UV protection to prevent the colours of your suede sneakers from fading in intense sunlight.
Read More: Best leather shoe conditioners
Furthermore, Moneysworth & Best boasts its solution dries quickly, essentially giving your shoes instant protection against the elements.
If you're looking to extend the life of your shoes and minimise how often you need to clean them, then look no further than this Moneysworth & Best Suede & Nubuck Protector spray.
Frequently asked questions about suede protectors for shoes
A ton of questions usually emerge when trying to figure out which suede protector spray is right for you. Don't worry though, because we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions right here.
How do suede protectors work?
Generally speaking, protectors work by filling the pores in the materials of your shoes to repel any water or dirt trying to enter. As a result, you should find any water will run straight off your shoes without leaving a mark of stain.
Sprays normally use either wax, oil, or sometimes synthetic glue to act as the repellent. That said, we'd advise looking into the ingredients before buying to double-check it's suitable for your suede shoes.
How often should you use a suede protector on your shoes?
This will vary depending on how long each protector is stated to last, so we'd therefore recommend double-checking the instructions of your particular protector to work out how often it should be applied.
That said, if you're looking for a rough guideline, then we'd say that applying a protector to your suede shoes every four weeks should help them stay consistently spotless.
If your sneakers get particularly wet one day though, then some of the protective barriers might have washed off and will, therefore, might require you to add more to continue to protect them.
How much should you spend on a suede protector?
There's no definitive answer to this question as it will vary depending on your available budget.
Generally speaking though, suede protectors aren't that expensive, meaning you can usually pick up some of the best protectors for a relatively cheap price.
Having a suede protector spray is also handy as it can prevent your favourite shoes from getting damaged, thus reducing how often you need to clean them.