Can You Wear Hey Dudes in the Rain?

Hey Dude shoes have become an extremely popular footwear choice over the last few years. Known for their lightweight, flexible, and comfortable design, Hey Dudes are ideal for casual everyday wear. Their laidback styling also makes them a favorite for activities like walking, travel, and water-based recreation.

However, with their open knit patterns and fabric construction, an obvious question arises – how do Hey Dude shoes hold up in wet weather and rain? Can you safely wear your Hey Dudes during light spring showers? Or are they likely to get soaked through during heavy downpours?

In this in-depth blog post, we’ll take a close look at how waterproof Hey Dude shoes really are, along with tips for wearing them in rainy conditions. Let’s dive in!

Are Hey Dude Shoes Waterproof?

To start, let’s get right to the critical question – are Hey Dude shoes waterproof?

The short answer is no, most Hey Dude shoes are not fully waterproof.

Hey Dude shoes are designed with breathable, lightweight materials like cotton canvas, stretch knits, polyester blends, and woven textiles. These fabrics provide excellent air flow to keep your feet cool, but they readily absorb water rather than repelling it.

While the materials are durable enough that getting wet won’t damage them, water will soak through to your feet fairly quickly.

There are a couple of exceptions within the Hey Dude lineup:

• Leather Hey Dudes – The leather shoes like the Wally Leather and Paul Leather offer more natural water resistance, but are still not fully waterproof.
• Special edition shoes – Some special edition shoes like the Wendy ADV and Paul Sox use fabrics or treatments that make them slightly more water resistant while maintaining breathability. But these are still far from fully waterproof.

Overall though, the vast majority of Hey Dudes are not engineered for waterproofing. The brand prioritizes airflow, stretch, and lightweight comfort over weather protection or waterproof membranes.

So in heavy rain or very wet conditions, your feet will inevitably get damp in Hey Dudes pretty quickly.

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How Do Hey Dudes Perform in Light Rain?

Given their lack of waterproofing, how do Hey Dudes hold up when you just need to run errands or walk the dog in a bit of light rain?

The good news is that while Hey Dude shoes won’t keep you dry for extended periods in rain, they can handle brief light showers reasonably well.

Since the materials are designed to be washed, getting damp in a passing shower won’t cause any damage. The shoes will slowly absorb a bit of moisture from the rain over time, but should provide temporary coverage for quick trips in drizzly weather.

However, once rain starts coming down more steadily for longer periods, your feet will start to get wet. Light rain can quickly become draining rain in Hey Dudes.

Another point to consider is that Hey Dude soles don’t provide optimal wet/dry traction. The textured EVA outsoles are great for flexibility and comfort, but they aren’t engineered for stability and grip when wet like rugged hiking boots and trail runners.

So you’ll need to be extra careful about slippery surfaces if wearing your Hey Dudes in the rain too. Your risk of taking a tumble increases when wearing wet shoes with poor traction.

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Tips for Wearing Hey Dudes in Light Rain

If you do find yourself caught in a light rain shower while wearing your Hey Dudes, here are some useful tips to stay drier and maximize their water resistance:

• Apply a waterproofing spray – Treat your Hey Dudes with a silicone or acrylic-based waterproofing spray. Apply several coats before first wear and reapply every few months. This will provide extra water protection without affecting breathability.
• Wear waterproof socks – Slipping on thick, waterproof socks like sealskinz can add another barrier against moisture inside your shoes. Just be aware your feet may get hot with reduced airflow.
• Limit exposure time – Try to limit how long you walk in steady rain. Take shelter under awnings or umbrellas when possible. The less time spent directly in rain, the drier your feet will stay.
• Dry shoes ASAP after – Stuff shoes with paper or towels after getting damp to absorb excess moisture. Allow shoes to fully air dry before wearing again to prevent bacteria growth.
• Avoid deep puddles – Sidestep those giant sidewalk puddles after a storm! Direct water submersion can lead to a thorough soaking.
• Carry spare shoes – Keep back-up footwear in your bag or car in case you get caught in a heavy downpour and need to change. Flip flops or old sneakers are handy spare shoes.

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Alternatives for Extended Wet Weather Use

If you’ll be spending lots of time walking or hiking in consistent wet weather, it’s better to opt for shoes specifically engineered to be waterproof.

Here are some better footwear choices for extended rain protection:

• Rain boots – Waterproof rubber rain boots are the quintessential rainy day footwear. Brands like Hunter and Kamik offer rain boots suited for urban wear.
• Waterproof hiking boots – Rugged hiking boots from brands like Merrell and Keen have waterproof membranes and aggressive tread for traction through puddles and mud.
• Waterproof trail runners – Trail running shoes from Salomon and Inov-8 have waterproof uppers and sole lugs to channel water away. Lighter than boots.
• Hey Dude H2O – Hey Dude’s H2O line features water-ready shoes made with fast-drying materials. Better for wetness than originals but not fully waterproof.

Opting for genuine waterproof shoes made with membranes like Gore-Tex will keep your feet warmer and drier if you’ll be walking for long periods in the rain.

Of course, make sure to still pack your Hey Dudes for fair weather days when you can enjoy their full lightweight comfort!

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Can I wear Hey Dudes in the rain? (Video)

Writers Opinion on Wearing Hey Dudes in Rain

In my opinion, Hey Dude shoes are a warm weather shoe meant for dry days rather than a wet weather shoe. Their fabric and knit construction leaves them unsuitable for keeping your feet dry in anything beyond very brief, light rain. Heavy downpours and winter conditions in particular call for a shoe specifically designed for waterproofing, traction, and insulation.

While Hey Dudes won’t suffer any damage by getting damp, having soggy feet can quickly get uncomfortable and risky on slick surfaces. Your shoes will dry out fine, but it’s an unpleasant experience in the moment!

I love my Hey Dudes for their flexibility and breathability on dry days. But for rainy adventures, I head out in waterproof hiking boots or rubber rain boots instead to ensure my feet stay toasty and dry for the full journey. Ultimately, I think keeping Hey Dudes for sunny conditions is ideal to get the most from their casual styling and carefree comfort.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Hey Dudes in Rain

Can I put Hey Dudes in the washing machine if they get soaked in rain?

Most Hey Dude styles can be tossed right in the washing machine if they get excessively wet in the rain. But take care to use cold water and a delicate cycle. Also air dry your shoes rather than machine drying to prevent any heat damage to materials.

Avoid washing leather Hey Dudes – let these air dry fully and use leather cleaner instead.

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Will my Hey Dudes permanently stretch out if worn in heavy rain?

When wet, some fabrics like polyester blends can stretch out a bit from their dry size. But once allowed to fully dry after getting drenched, most Hey Dudes should rebound back to their normal fitted shape. Any stretching is temporary.

The exception is suede Hey Dudes, which can develop permanent stretching creases if soaked.

Is it ok to wear Hey Dudes in light snow?

No, you should not wear regular Hey Dudes in the snow. The wetness combined with freezing temperatures can cause the materials to become damaged.

Invest in some fully waterproof winter snow boots to keep your feet warm and dry when there is snow on the ground.

Should I apply waterproofing spray before wearing new Hey Dudes in rain?

Yes! Treating brand new Hey Dudes with a waterproofing spray before you ever wear them is a smart idea. The protective coating will help reduce the amount of water absorbed when wearing in light rain during the shoe’s early life.

You’ll want to reapply waterproofing every few months as it wears off over time. But an initial application adds useful water resistance.

Outro

Hey Dude shoes may be able to handle brief light rain showers, but their fabric and woven construction leaves them far from fully waterproof. Heavy downpours, winter weather, and prolonged wetness will result in soaked feet.

For wet adventures, look to shoes specifically designed for waterproof performance and traction. But for slipping on with shorts and catching some rays, Hey Dudes are a winning choice to soak up the summer sun in breezy comfort.

Knowing the limitations of Hey Dudes in rain lets you select the right footwear for the conditions. Check the weather forecast before heading out in your favorite Hey Dudes so your shoes can live up to the laidback vibe they were made for!