It's raining, it's cold, and you're not sure about heading out in your favourite clogs. It's a fair question: can vegan suede handle the rain? The honest answer: it isn't a waterproof material, but with the right style and a few good habits, you can absolutely wear your clogs outside in winter.
Key points
- Vegan suede isn't waterproof: avoid soaking it (puddles, heavy downpours, slush).
- Light drizzle or a damp pavement is fine as long as you dry the pair properly afterwards.
- To go outside, choose a style with a grooved sole: Bormio, Alba or Cortina.
- Got them wet? Air-dry, then brush with a soft brush. Marks fade with a damp cloth.
Is vegan suede waterproof?
No, and it's best to know that before you head out. Our vegan suede is a microfibre with a soft "peach skin" feel, with no animal-derived materials. Its slightly fuzzy surface is what makes it so appealing, but it absorbs water just like a fabric would. A few drops dry without a trace; a soaked pair, on the other hand, can be left with tide marks and flattened fibres.
The good news is that vegan suede recovers well. The fibres lift again when brushed once dry, and most water marks fade with a damp cloth. To understand how it differs from other materials, read our article vegan suede, microsuede and suede: the differences.
Which styles can go outside in winter?
The material isn't the only factor: the sole matters just as much. A soft indoor sole isn't made for wet tarmac. Three of our styles are designed to go outside thanks to their grooved soles.
Bormio, the fur-lined clog that goes out
The Bormio faux-fur-lined clogs have a faux-fur lining right up to the collar and a grooved cork-effect sole you can wear outdoors. They're the ideal pair for a quick errand, picking up bread or walking the dog in dry or slightly damp weather.
Alba, the outdoor slipper
The Alba outdoor slipper boots are designed to go from indoors to outdoors: faux-fur lining, embroidered trim, a tab and a grooved platform sole. The platform keeps your foot a little further from the cold ground.
Cortina, the ankle bootie
The Cortina sherpa booties offer the most coverage of the three: a short sherpa-lined bootie, lace-free, with a grooved platform sole. They protect your ankles from the cold and slip on in one go.
On the other hand, the Merano slippers are designed for indoors: keep them cosy at home. Find these styles in our selection of faux-fur-lined boots, booties and slippers.
In the rain: our advice
- Check the sky before you go: in a heavy downpour, wear rain shoes and save your clogs for when you get home.
- Avoid soaking the material: step around puddles, slush and waterlogged grass.
- Stick to short trips: bakery, letterbox, car. Suede copes well with a few minutes of damp, less so with an hour in the rain.
- Wipe them when you get in: a quick pass with a dry cloth as soon as you're home limits tide marks.
Your clogs got wet: what now?
- Blot the surface with a dry cloth or kitchen paper, without rubbing.
- Stuff the inside with newspaper or kitchen paper to keep the shape and speed up drying. Replace it if it gets soaked.
- Air-dry at room temperature, away from radiators and hairdryers: direct heat can stiffen the material and warp the sole.
- Brush with a soft brush once the pair is completely dry, always in the same direction, to lift the fibres.
- Fade tide marks with a slightly damp cloth wiped over the whole area, then let them dry again.
All the details, step by step, are in our guide caring for vegan suede.
Snow, salt and mud: winter's traps
Road salt
It leaves whitish marks as it dries. Wipe with a damp cloth as soon as you're home, then air-dry and brush.
Mud
Whatever you do, don't rub it while it's fresh: you'd push it into the fibres. Let it dry completely, then remove it with a soft brush.
Snow
Dry, powdery snow brushes off with your hand. Slush, however, soaks like a puddle: that's the time to leave your clogs indoors.
Good habits to make your pairs last
Rotate two pairs in winter so each has time to dry completely between outings. Store them away from damp, and give them a soft brush now and then to keep the suede nice and plush. With these simple steps, your clogs will see you through winter with no trouble. And if you're unsure about any care step, just get in touch: a real person will answer, on WhatsApp or by email.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear suede shoes in the rain?
In light rain, yes, for a short trip. Avoid heavy downpours and puddles: vegan suede isn't waterproof.
How do you dry wet suede clogs?
Blot, stuff with paper, then air-dry away from any direct heat source. Brush once dry.
Does water stain vegan suede?
A soaked pair can be left with tide marks. They usually fade with a slightly damp cloth wiped over the whole area, followed by brushing.
Read also
- How to wash and care for slippers
- How to wear clogs in autumn and winter
- Indoor or outdoor slippers: what's the difference?
Ready to head out this winter? Discover all our vegan suede styles.
