Nubuck & Suede Waterproofing Spray vs Suede & Nubuck Protector: which is safer?
Scotchgard Suede & Nubuck Protector is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Nikwax
Nubuck & Suede Waterproofing Spray
PFAS grade
Poor 40/100
Overall grade
analysis pending
Verdict
pending
Hazard flags
none flagged
Material
Waterproofing spray (active ingredient unspecified on public labels)
Confidence
42%
Our pick
Scotchgard
Suede & Nubuck Protector
PFAS grade
Poor 45/100
Overall grade
analysis pending
Verdict
pending
Hazard flags
none flagged
Material
Proprietary liquid spray coating (composition unspecified)
Confidence
35%
Where these two actually differ
- Neither product has a hazard flagged against it, which is uncommon and is why both grade as well as they do.
- The Nikwax is Waterproofing spray (active ingredient unspecified on public labels) where the Scotchgard is Proprietary liquid spray coating (composition unspecified), which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- These two are 5 points apart, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.
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 →
More shoe waterproofing sprays: see the full ranking