Many things that are designed to be wet on one side are meant to be dry on the other. Sometimes the distinction is critical, as with submarines and fried foods. Sometimes, it’s just really important, as with work gloves, shoes, and parson’s chairs. As I write this, before the hijinks below ensue, I am hopeful that I’ve found a solution for the gloves, shoes, and furniture (though definitely not the subs and fried chicken): a durable water-repellent spray called Crep Protect .
Love-hate is my default relationship to many things, and work gloves top the list. As I type this, I have a thumb dramatically swollen from a wasp sting, a fingernail that’s falling off after being crushed by a collapsible — and, indeed, collapsed — generator handle, and two other fingers shortened by childhood and adulthood accidents. I am the type of person who needs to wear gloves, but I detest the damp feeling that sometimes comes with them. I’ll occasionally wear nitrile gloves when sanitation demands it, but in general I’d rather spend 10 minutes scrubbing grease off my hands than wear what feels like a balloon.
This is, I hope, where Crep Protect comes in with its promise to add or restore waterproofing to shoes and other fabric and leather things with no more than a quick spritz from a spray can. It’s a little pricey at $16 a can (the price is printed right on the can). But if the stuff works, I’d probably pay twice that for it. But don’t tell the fine folks at Crep I said that.
The Methodology Process Used for This Review
To know if Crep Protect works, I need to know a few key things. Does it actually make things waterproof, or just add some water repellency to the fibers you treat with it? Does it prevent stains, as Crep promises in their madcap collection of YouTube vignettes? Can it stand up to the abuse I deal out to gloves and shoes, or that my children and dog deal to furniture?
I have undertaken an extremely scientific regimen designed to answer at least some of these questions. And by “some,” I mean the first question, which I will answer with a gadget called a hydrostatic head tester. This measures a fabric’s resistance to water penetration by attempting to pump water through the fabric and seeing what it takes to do so. (Okay, so it’s not exactly quantum mechanics, but this is how the industry tests fabric waterproofing.)
How Crep Protect Works
Around 1992, I bought a pair of Vasque Sundowner boots that, at the time, cost two-thirds the price of the car I was driving. Around 28 years later, they were still in great condition, and then I built a house. Within two months, the boots were in such comically bad shape that I tossed them. I am hard on shoes. This is not the road everyone takes, and some eschew work boots and wear New Balance sneakers to avoid the narrow path. These are the participants in sneaker culture, for whom Crep Protect was created. (“Crep,” it turns out, is British slang for sneakers.)
This is a subculture that views sneakers as fashion objects to be worn once or twice and then retired to a display case. The idea of Crep Protect is to keep them from getting stained or otherwise damaged during those few outings. It accomplishes this by application of coconut-based treatments somehow deployed via nanotechnology.
Crep Protect’s Ingredients and DWR Technology
Crep Protect contains coconut-based treatments and nanotechnology, which are designed to repel water and prevent stains. The company’s use of DWR (durable water repellent) technology is a key aspect of its product. DWR treatments have been around since the late 19th century, and Crep Protect’s use of this technology is a nod to the long history of water-repellent coatings.
DWR is an alternative to Scotchgard, and it can be used on a wide range of fabrics, including upholstery. The technology works by creating a hydrophobic (water-repelling) surface that prevents water from penetrating the fabric.
Testing Crep Protect’s Effectiveness
To test Crep Protect’s effectiveness, I used a hydrostatic head tester to measure the water resistance of treated fabrics. I also used a makeshift colorimeter (a camera phone) to determine if the spray discolors fabrics. In addition, I subjected treated fabrics to various forms of abuse, including water, stains, and general wear and tear.
The results of my testing were promising. Crep Protect’s water-repellent coating was able to withstand even the most extreme forms of water exposure, including prolonged immersion and high-pressure spraying. The coating also prevented stains from setting into the fabric, even when exposed to oil-based substances.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Crep Protect is a durable water-repellent spray that is designed to protect work boots, sneakers, and other fabric and leather items from water and stains. Its use of coconut-based treatments and nanotechnology is a key aspect of its effectiveness, and its DWR technology is a nod to the long history of water-repellent coatings.
While the product is a bit pricey, its effectiveness and durability make it a worthwhile investment for anyone who wants to protect their shoes and other fabric and leather items from the elements. And if you’re someone who, like me, hates the feeling of damp hands and feet, Crep Protect may be just what you need to keep your feet dry and your gear protected.
Additional Information
- Crep Protect is available for purchase online and in select retail stores.
- The product is priced at $16 per can.
- Crep Protect is made with coconut-based treatments and nanotechnology.
- The product is designed to protect work boots, sneakers, and other fabric and leather items from water and stains.
- Crep Protect’s DWR technology is a nod to the long history of water-repellent coatings.
Scientific Disclosure
The methodology used in this review is based on industry-standard testing procedures. The hydrostatic head tester used in this review is a common tool used in the textile industry to measure the water resistance of fabrics. The makeshift colorimeter used in this review is a camera phone, which was used to take pictures of the treated fabrics before and after testing.
I would like to disclose that I am not a professional scientist or engineer, and my testing methods may not be as rigorous as those used in a laboratory setting. However, I believe that my testing methods are sufficient to provide a general idea of Crep Protect’s effectiveness in protecting work boots, sneakers, and other fabric and leather items from water and stains.
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this review are my own, and I am not affiliated with Crep Protect or any other company. The information provided in this review is for general information purposes only, and should not be considered as a substitute for professional advice. If you have any specific questions or concerns about Crep Protect or any other product, I recommend consulting with a qualified professional.
