Your footwear could be soaking up water just because it is dirty. First, try cleaning it with Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel™, and if it is fairly new, or recently re-waterproofed, the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) will be revitalized just from cleaning. But, once the footwear has been thoroughly worn you will need to add DWR, using Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof™, after cleaning first with Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel™.