Kiwi · Shoe Waterproofing Sprays
Kiwi Protect All Waterproofer Spray
Skip until Kiwi discloses coating chemistry or provides PFAS testing.
This waterproofing spray is a product category historically reliant on PFAS-based durable water repellency. Kiwi does not disclose active coating ingredients or make any PFAS-free claim.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Proprietary waterproof/water-repellent coating (unspecified)
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Kiwi Protect All Waterproofer Spray is made of, ingredients and materials
Kiwi Protect All uses a proprietary water-repellent aerosol coating whose exact chemistry Kiwi does not publicly disclose. Most shoe waterproofing sprays in this category rely on fluorinated compounds or silicone-based polymers to create water-shedding barriers. Without ingredient transparency, you cannot assess whether this product contains legacy PFAS (which bioaccumulate in your body and environment), next-generation PFAS alternatives, or non-fluorinated repellents. The aerosol delivery also introduces inhalation exposure risk during application.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Vague safety claims only
Uses vague language ("eco-friendly", "clean") without a specific PFAS statement.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Fluorinated water repellents are the dominant technology in shoe waterproofing. Kiwi's refusal to disclose coating chemistry and its poor PFAS score (45/100) strongly suggest the presence of legacy or alternative PFAS compounds, which persist in soil, groundwater, and human blood.
Source, ATSDR ↗Inhalation hazard from aerosol propellant and volatile organics
Shoe waterproofing sprays inherently release propellant mist and volatile organic compounds during application. Repeated or poorly ventilated use can cause respiratory irritation, dizziness, or headaches. Kiwi does not publicly list propellant type or VOC content.
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
Water-repellent coatings on textiles and leather break down with flexing, weathering, and friction. As Kiwi's proprietary coating degrades, microscopic repellent polymer particles may shed into soil during wear, creating a secondary pathway for fluorinated chemical exposure.
Accumulation of spray residue on footwear surfaces
Overapplication or repeated recoating can create a thick, brittle film on shoe surfaces that may flake off or reduce breathability, leading to moisture trapping and mildew growth inside the shoe.
What’s reassuring
Sensitization or allergic reaction from undisclosed additives
No documented cases of allergic reaction to Kiwi Protect All are on record. However, proprietary formulas often contain dyes, fragrances, or catalysts not listed on the label, which can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, particularly if spray drift contacts skin.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Kiwi (SC Johnson subsidiary) has not published specific testing data, PFAS content statements, or third-party certifications for this product line. The parent company SC Johnson has faced criticism for vague 'PFAS-free' claims on other products without substantiating chemistry details. No recalls or established safety controversies are on record for this specific spray, but the silence on coating composition is a significant transparency gap in a category where fluorinated water repellents are industry standard.
How it compares in its category
Shoe waterproofing sprays divide into fluorinated (higher water-shedding but PFAS risk), silicone-based (lower PFAS concern but less durable), and wax-resin hybrids (lower concern for PFAS but require reapplication). Kiwi Protect All sits in an undefined middle, claiming broad protection without revealing its mechanism. Competitors like Nikwax Waterproofing Wax (silicone and paraffin, fully transparent ingredients) or Gore-Tex spray treatments (disclosed Teflon-family coating) offer clearer chemical profiles, though some also contain PFAS.
If you buy it
Apply only in well-ventilated outdoor spaces or garages; do not spray indoors or near food. Hold the can 6-8 inches from footwear and use short bursts to avoid over-saturation and inhalation. Allow 24 hours drying time before wearing. Reapply every 6-12 months depending on wear and weather exposure. If you choose this product despite the hazard uncertainty, rotate with alternative waterproofing methods (wax creams, oil treatments) to reduce cumulative coating chemical exposure.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Kiwi has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Kiwi Protect All Waterproofer Spray?
- Fabric and leather waterproofing treatment (wax-based)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in spray carrier
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Proprietary water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment on fabric and leather
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Inhalation exposure from aerosol application
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Solvent-based or water-based waterproofing treatment (formula not publicly disclosed)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and solvent inhalation
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore shoe waterproofing sprays grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.