An Extra Pair for a Wet Forecast

The forecast says rain after noon. You are packing a bag with one pair on your feet. The waterproof work boots you wore through last winter are propped by the door, caked with faint salt residue from slushy commutes. The slim white canvas sneakers you wanted to wear to your friend’s art show sit on the shoe rack just inside, laces tied in the messy bow you prefer. A crumpled brown grocery bag hangs from the doorknob, the exact size to slip a pair of shoes inside without taking up too much space in your canvas tote.

This canvas pair is your art show option

You painted a tiny sunflower on the outer side of each sneaker last month, after your friend told you their gallery exhibit was focused on small, joyful details found in urban neighborhoods. The paint is still bright, no chipping or fading, and you know your friend will spot the detail immediately when you walk in, even in the low gallery lighting. They fit perfectly with the high-waisted linen pants and cropped linen button down you laid out on your bed this morning, the crisp white of the sneakers matching the white stitching on the pants leg perfectly. The only catch is they are not waterproof at all, even a light drizzle will seep through the uncoated canvas fabric in 30 seconds, leaving dark splotches that take days to dry and leave faint brown water marks if you don’t treat them right away. You already know you don’t have time to spot clean them before the show if they get wet on your commute, since you’re heading straight from the office to the train with only five minutes of buffer time between meetings. Illustrative example: The 12-minute walk from the train station to the gallery is almost entirely unshaded, with no overhangs to duck under if a downpour hits halfway, and the nearest coffee shop to wait out the rain is three blocks out of your way, making you late for the show’s opening remarks.

These salt-stained boots are your wet weather backup

They are not the most attractive pair you own, scuffed deep at the toe caps from tripping over a curb last February, the tan suede faded to a dull gray in spots from months of exposure to road salt and rain. The fuzzy fleece lining is a little matted around the ankle collar, but they keep your feet completely dry even if you step in a puddle up to your ankle, a feature you tested repeatedly last winter when the city’s storm drains kept backing up during heavy rain events. The downside is they don’t match your outfit at all, the bulky work boot silhouette clashing with the soft linen of your planned fit, and you would have to change them once you get to the gallery if you don’t want to stand out in the group photos your friend is planning to take after the show’s opening reception. They are heavier than your canvas sneakers, too, so carrying them in your bag will add a little extra weight, but not enough to make your tote uncomfortable to carry for a full day of back-to-back meetings at the office. You could wear the boots all night if you wanted, but you know you’ll regret the choice when you’re standing for three hours talking to other artists, the thick sole offering far less cushion than the padded insole of your canvas sneakers.

Pack the canvas pair to keep it dry all day

You decide the risk of ruining your custom sneakers is not worth the small convenience of not carrying an extra pair, so you move quickly to get them packed before you miss your train. Follow these steps to make sure they stay dry and easy to access when you need them:

1. Slip the canvas sneakers into the crumpled brown grocery bag, tucking the laces inside each shoe so they don’t drag on the wet ground if the bag hangs over the edge of your tote when you’re walking.
2. Tie the top of the grocery bag in a loose knot, leaving just enough space to grab the handle quickly if you need to pull the shoes out fast once you get to the gallery, no fumbling with tight knots when you’re already running a minute late.
3. Slide the bag into the bottom of your tote, under your laptop case and packed lunch, so it stays protected from any rain that might seep through the top of your bag if you get caught in a storm on your way to the train station.
4. Kick off the fuzzy wool slippers you’re wearing right now, pull the salt-stained boots on, and tie the laces tight enough to keep water from dripping down the ankle collar if you step in a deep puddle on your way to the bus stop.

You double check the forecast one more time on your phone, and it confirms an 80% chance of heavy rain starting at 1pm, right when you’re scheduled to leave the office to head to the train station. You tuck a small packet of alcohol-free wet wipes into the side pocket of your tote to wipe any dirt or mud off the soles of the boots once you get to the gallery, so you don’t leave dark tracks on the polished white gallery floors. You scribble a quick note on a scrap of grocery receipt, reminding you to clean the boots when you get home, and tuck it under the edge of the Doorstep Bench so you see it as soon as you get home tonight, no matter how tired you are after the show and the after-party at the bar down the street.

Grab the boots first when you unlock the door tomorrow

This is the next time you interact with this pair, no rushing or forgetting what you need to do to keep them in good shape for the next rainy day. You won’t leave them sitting by the door to gather dust until the next storm rolls through, like you did last year after the last snow melt. You’ll rinse the salt and mud off the soles and sides in the kitchen sink first, using a soft scrub brush to get rid of any caked-on dirt that doesn’t come off with just water, then stuff them with crumpled newspaper to absorb any moisture that got trapped in the fleece lining during your commute. You’ll set the canvas sneakers out on the upper shelf of the shoe rack by the front door, so you can grab them easily to wear to the farmers market this weekend if the weather stays warm and clear, as predicted. The note you left yourself will also remind you to spot test a small area of the canvas with a gentle shoe cleaner to get rid of the faint dirt mark on the toe of the left sneaker you noticed when you packed them, so they look perfect for your next casual outing with friends next week. You won’t have to worry about rushing to find a pair of dry shoes if it rains again tomorrow, either, because you’ll have the boots cleaned, dried, and ready to go by the time you leave for work in the morning, no last minute rummaging through the back of your closet for a pair of shoes that fit and keep your feet dry. If the forecast calls for rain next weekend, you already know you can grab the boots for your hike in the state park, too, so you don’t have to worry about ruining your trail running shoes in the mud. You can even add a small waterproofing spray to your shopping list if you notice the suede is starting to lose its water repellent finish, no pressure to apply it immediately if you don’t have time this week.