Waterproofer Spray vs Waterproofing Wax for Leather: which is safer?

Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Skechers Waterproofer Spray

Skechers

Waterproofer Spray

PFAS grade

Poor 40/100

Overall grade

Bad 4/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Proprietary waterproofing spray coating

Confidence

35%

PossiblePFAS in waterproofing chemistry

LikelyVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) and propellant inhalation

PossibleDermal irritation or sensitization from undisclosed ingredients

Our pick

Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather

Nikwax

Waterproofing Wax for Leather

PFAS grade

Good 65/100

Overall grade

Good 51/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

wax-based waterproofing

Confidence

78%

PossibleRespiratory irritation or fume inhalation during application

ReportedPFAS in water repellency treatment

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag PFAS in waterproofing chemistry, Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and propellant inhalation, Dermal irritation or sensitization from undisclosed ingredients and Coating degradation and reapplication frequency on the Skechers and not on the Nikwax.
  • We flag Respiratory irritation or fume inhalation during application and PFAS in water repellency treatment on the Nikwax and not on the Skechers.
  • The Skechers is Proprietary waterproofing spray coating where the Nikwax is wax-based waterproofing, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • The gap is 25 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Nikwax is the one to buy.
  • We are less certain about the Skechers grade, at 35% confidence against 78%, because it discloses less.

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

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