Can Timberland Boots Get Wet? [5 Quick Ways To Dry Them Faster]

Do you know what unites The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Beatles in terms of fashion? It’s a pair of Chelsea boots! From the Victorian era to the 60’s rock bands and even today, Chelsea boots have never been out of style, thanks to Timberland!

Many people, however, wonder if Timberlands get wet, which is a major concern for all leather materials.

So, can timberland boots get wet?

Except for a few, all Timberland’s boots are waterproof and water repellant. In addition, their uppers are tanned with a protective TimberDry water-resistant layer made of 50% recycled plastic. So, if you’re looking for TimberDry boots, you’ll always find them marked in large, bold print.

But are timberlands actually 100% waterproof? And can you hike in them for hours without getting any water stains? Read till the end to know everything on Timberlands.

can timberland get wet

Are Timberland Boots Waterproof?

Yes, most Timberland boots are waterproof, as previously stated. This means your feet will stay dry even if water gets into your shoe. They are not only waterproof but also water repellent. Water repellency refers to the fact that water or any other liquid won’t stay on the leather, keeping it dry.

Both of these features, however, are dependent on the two types of layers employed in their construction: GoreTex (waterproof layer) and TimberDry (water-repellent layer), both of which have a tendency to shed away after a few years of use. 

Timberlands’ seams are further coated with an extra layer of silicone, and their uppers and soles are fused together for a tight waterproof finish. They are also put through extensive testing to ensure that they are waterproof.

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What does TimberDry mean?

TimberDry is a brand-new waterproof but breathable (water repellent) technology from Timberland. This waterproof layer, which is made from 50% recycled plastic bottles, not only keeps the boots dry but also adds a sustainable touch to the brand.

However, because TimberDry is not very breathable, Timberland also uses the GoreTex layer in their boots.

Are Timberlands Gore-Tex?

Yes, Timberland provides Gore-Tex technology in some of its boots. In comparison to TimberDry layers, GoreTex layers are more breathable and water-repellent. Why? It’s because Gore-Tex membranes have approximately 9 billion pores per inch, with each pore being twenty times smaller than a drop of water.

Gore-Tex allows only water vapor or sweat particles to leave the boot as a result of this technology, making Timberlands even more waterproof and breathable for your feet.

Do Timberlands Get Water Stains?

Timberland boots lose their waterproof layer and properties over time and use, resulting in water stains after drying. As a result, all Timberlands, waterproof and non-waterproof, must be waterproofed to avoid watermarks.

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How to Waterproof Timberland Boots?

If your Timberlands are not waterproof, or if you want to keep your TimberDry Timberlands waterproof, you can manually waterproof them.

We recommend two products to make your Timberlands boots waterproof: Balm Proofer and Crep Protect.

Balm Proofer spray:

Timberland’s Balm Proofer spray is a water-based spray designed specifically to replenish the water-repellency of boots and keep them from staining.

To use the Balm Proofer, first, clean your boots before spraying the product directly on them. However, waterproof sprays can decolorize suede, so for suede Timberlands, we recommend performing a patch test first.

Crep Protect:

Similar to the Balm Proofer, Crep Protect is an all-purpose waterproof spray that can be used on nubuck, canvas, suede, Primeknit, and mesh. In comparison, it is more commonly used for waterproofing times and dries quickly. Simply shake the can and lightly spray the Crep Protect at a distance of 20cm on your timberlands.

Can you wear Timbs in the Rain?

You can rest easy knowing that your feet won’t get wet when wearing Timberland’s waterproof boots because they’re designed to keep your feet dry even when they’re soaked in puddles, rain, or any other type of water.

Nonetheless, if the boot’s leather gets wet, the water-repellent treatment will wear off and cause damage over time. As a result, it’s best to refrain from wearing them too frequently throughout the rainy season.

However, even though the boots themselves are water-resistant, shoes made of leather, suede, or other natural materials can crack and wrinkle over time as they collapse under the pressure of wet weather. Wearing Timberlands in the rain is possible, but the boots will become damaged and wrinkled if you do it for an extended period of time.

Are Timberlands good for snow?

Yes, Timberlands are suitable for snow. Why? It’s because, for a good snow walk, your boots must have three features:

  • Waterproofness
  • Firm grip
  • Coziness

As a result, Timberlands meet the above criteria for three reasons: 

  1. They use Thinsulate insulation technology for designing most of their work boots.
  2. Most Timberlands are designed with a firm arch and heel support and have breathable insoles.
  3. Most of them are covered with TimberDry and Gore-Tex waterproof layers.

 How do I dry my Timberlands?

Timberlands can be dried in four different ways:

Air-drying:

Air-drying is one of the most effective and safest methods of drying Timberlands. All you have to do is keep the boots in a warm place and allow them to dry naturally. To speed up the process, use a non-heated fan and hang the boots near it with support.

Using Boot dryers:

Boot dryers are leather-friendly dryers that can be a good alternative if you only need to dry your boots quickly and safely. To ensure flawless drying, use a two-horsepower boot dryer and tuck the pipe inside the boot, pushing the end towards the toe. Then, put the boots in the dryer for up to two hours to dry.

Using Newspapers:

If you don’t want to spend money on a boot dryer but still want to speed up the drying process, newspapers might do the trick. All you need to do is wrap and stuff your boots with newspaper and let the water soak in. However, this method requires you to replace the wet newspapers with fresh ones on a regular basis, which is tedious and time-consuming.

Towels:

Towels are another great option for reducing the frequency with which you replace newspapers in your drying process. Towels absorb more water than newspapers and thus take longer to drench.

So, simply wrap the towels around the Timbs and set them aside to dry. However, you will still need to stuff some newspaper into the boots to keep them in place and shape. Later, replace the wet towels with dry ones until the boots are completely dry.

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Can I put Timberlands in the dryer?

No, you should not put your Timberlands in the dryer. Why? Because Timberlands are made of nubuck leather, which isn’t supposed to be dried. The reason for this is that the dryer’s excessive heat causes Timberlands to lose their protective layer, making them more prone to cracks and brittleness.

However, if you don’t have time to air-dry your boots and still want to use a dryer, a boot dryer is a better option. The heat they produce is low enough to keep the protected layer intact.

It should be noted that blow dryers should never be used to dry timberlands.

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Is water bad for Timberlands?

It is, to some extent.

Timberlands do not waterproof every pair of boots, and those that claim to be waterproof are not completely water repellant. It means that even after drying, water will show up on the surface of the boots and leave a mark in the form of water stains.

Furthermore, over time, Timberlands lose their waterproof layer and require waterproof polishing.

How long does it take Timberlands to dry?

The drying time is determined by how wet your Timbs are. It takes approximately 24 hours for the boots to dry completely by air. At the same time, depending on the type and horsepower, boot dryers can take up to 12 hours.

Can you wash Timberlands with water?

Timberlands, on the other hand, are not meant to be washed with water. However, if you only need to clean a small portion of Timbs, you can use soap and water. Simply make a mixture of the two, dip the towel in it, and wipe the dirt from the boot.

Can you put Timberland boots in the washing machine?

We do not recommend washing Timberlands or any other suede-made item in the washing machine unless it is labeled as ‘washing-machine washable’. Washing Timbs in the washing machine can fade the color, damage the seams, and cause the leather to stiffen.

However, if it’s your only option, you can wash them in the washing machine by following these safe steps:

Step one:

Avoid using fabric softeners and only use suede or leather-specific detergents.

Step two:

Set the washer to a low-temperature, slow-spin setting (hand wash or any other gentle setting would go).

Step three:

Take the boots out of the washer and wrap them in a towel to soak up any excess moisture. After that, air-dry the boots completely.

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Bottom line: Can Timberland Boots Get Wet?

Timberlands can get wet if they aren’t waterproof or if the waterproof layer has faded over time. However, even with the waterproof layer intact, TimberDry Timberlands will only keep your feet dry and can become wet if submerged in rainwater or a puddle.

Whereas Timberlands with Gore-Tex water repellent layers are less likely to get wet, they still require waterproofing after years of use, just like other Timberlands.

As a result, Timberlands are not completely waterproof and water-resistant, and all Timberlands require seasonal waterproofing with products such as Balm Proofer and Crep Protect.