Hey Dude makes great lightweight casual-style shoes for men, women, and kids. Their most famous styles are loafers and boat-style shoes that make great footwear for spring, summer, and autumn. However, are Hey Dudes waterproof?
What happens if you get caught in the rain wearing them or want to wash them in a machine? Are the materials they are made of ok if they absorb water or have you ruined your shoes for good?
Here’s everything you need to know about getting Hey Dude Shoes wet so that you can keep your footwear looking good.
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Can Hey Dude Shoes Get Wet?
Firstly it is important to stress that Hey Dude shoes don’t just manufacture one style of footwear but in fact have a whole range of products that you can buy.
You can now buy Hey Dude loafers (made in a myriad of fabrics), flip-flops, sandals, and even boots. Whether your shoes can withstand water will very much depend on the material they are made from.
Almost all of their products are suitable for washing such as these Wally Sox Shoes (using a cold washing cycle) but does that make them waterproof?
Waterproof shoes mean that water can’t get inside the shoe and soak your feet if they get wet on the outside. Many shoes are able to withstand a shower of rain without soaking your feet but it is a different story in a downpour or if you are walking in large puddles for a prolonged period of time.
The fact is that whilst almost all Hey Dude shoes can be machine washed it doesn’t make them waterproof shoes. This means that if you wear them in wet weather for any period of time you may find that water will eventually seep inside your shoe.
You also shouldn’t wear Hey Dudes in the snow because now not only will you have a soggy foot but it will be freezing cold as well.
However many types of their footwear are water resistant which means that the material will be able to protect your feet from some water but not entirely depending on the amount.
Hey Dudes Waterproof Boots and Shoes
So which Hey Dudes are Waterproof? Well, as far as I could see from looking at huge ranges of their shoes and boots online they don’t appear to manufacture any fully waterproof shoes or boots currently.
This means that if you are looking for waterproof footwear that can repel water when walking in very wet conditions or deep water you are going to have a problem because your feet will get soaking wet.
Hey Dude shoes are suitable for machine washing however which means that although they are not waterproof you can clean them provided you use cold water. For full details on how to clean Hey Dude shoes read my article to help you keep your footwear looking clean.
Can You Wear Hey Dudes in The Rain?
Whilst Hey Dude shoes are not normally considered a winter shoe they are generally ok for walking in if there is light rain. Most designs are water resistant which means that providing the rain isn’t too heavy you shouldn’t end up with very wet feet.
If however you are going to wear the shoes in heavy rain and downpours for any considerable length of time do expect them to start to absorb water.
How wet they get will depend on the fabric used in the shoe and the amount of water saturation. Wearing a pair of socks on your feet won’t help either as all that will happen is that they will get wet as well.
Whilst you are unlikely to ruin your shoes in the rain you are going to have soggy feet which isn’t pleasant. It, therefore, makes far more sense to wear some better waterproof footwear if you are expecting very wet weather.
Is It Ok To Put Hey Dudes In The Washer?
Are Hey Dudes waterproof or washable?
Luckily most Hey Dudes can be put in the washing machine to be cleaned provided you use cold water and a delicate cycle. I would always advise you to look at your particular make of shoes because there may be some exceptions to this rule but the vast majority are made from materials designed to withstand washing.
This is good news if you like to keep your footwear looking clean and smelling fresh. Just remember that you will need to air dry your shoes after they come out of the washer. Never place them in the dryer as that will definitely damage them!
Can Hey Dudes Be Used as Water Shoes?
Whilst Hey Dude shoes can be water-resistant and can also be washed that most definitely does not make them water shoes.
A water shoe is a type of shoe that can be used for activities in or near water. For example, you might wear water shoes hiking across a waterfall or whilst canoeing or kayaking.
Water shoes are designed to primarily give you great traction whilst you are walking on wet and slippery rocks or terrain. Their brilliant traction means that you are not going to fall over and hurt yourself whilst wearing them.
Most water shoes also have an enclosed toe section to protect your feet from jagged rocks and uneven surfaces.
Hey Dude shoes do not make the grade as water shoes because although they are mostly enclosed they are not known for their superior traction meaning they could cause you to slip in the water.
If you want to buy some water shoes that will keep you safe try the following brands.
Nortiv 8 Quick Dry Water Shoes
These water shoes are great if you want traction to protect you when you are out in the water sailing, hiking or just walking around on the beach.
These are breathable and lightweight and are capable of drying quickly. As they are comfortable and relatively easy to wear you will hardly notice them on your feet.
Keen Newport Closed Toe Sandals
For something a little more robust these Keen Newport Sandals are designed not just for traction but for protection as well.
These have special toe bumpers that give you extra protection at the front of your foot. They can also be used both in and outside the water.
Even better they are machine washable so you can keep them looking clean and fresh.
Can Hey Dudes Float on Water?
Finally, even though Hey Dudes are not waterproof many of their shoes are incredibly lightweight. That means they are going to be super easy to wear.
This lightweight design also means that they are light enough to float in water. In fact, the brand has posted videos to YouTube demonstrating this.
Whilst this is a great marketing gimmick to show customers how comfortable they are it is a bit meaningless when it comes to working out are Hey Dudes waterproof? Remember the shoes are not being dunked in the water on your foot.
So if you want a pair of shoes that will keep your feet dry in the heaviest of downpours then they probably aren’t the shoe for you but they certainly make great casual-style shoes to wear when the weather is fine.
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