Can Espadrilles Get Wet? Rain, Puddles and Rescue Steps

Espadrilles can survive a few drops, but they are not made for rain. The jute or esparto sole is a natural fibre that soaks up water. Naguisa, a Barcelona espadrille maker, puts it plainly: jute "absorbs water easily, which can deform the sole", and damp fibres can rot and smell. Style guides such as Zalora's reach the same conclusion: avoid wet conditions, because the rope soles are easily damaged.

How much water is too much?

Situation	Risk	What to do
A few raindrops, a damp pavement	low	wipe, let them air-dry before the next wear
Wet grass, a short shower	medium: the braid takes on water	blot and dry as below, the same day
Puddle, downpour, waves at the beach	high: the sole can swell and lose its shape	dry at once; check the sole once dry
Sole visibly swollen and soft	very high	the pair may be beyond repair

English Wikipedia notes that most jute soles have a layer of vulcanised rubber underneath. That rubber keeps the bottom of the rope off the ground; it does not protect the braided sides or the canvas.

Rescue steps if they get soaked

Take them off as soon as you can and remove any insoles you can lift out.
Blot the canvas and the sole with a dry cloth. Castañer uses a chamois and warns that excess moisture can change the colour of the canvas.
Stuff them with paper to hold the shape and absorb water from inside, changing the paper as it gets wet. Viscata recommends newspaper or shoe trees for drying.
Dry flat, in the open air, out of direct sun, as Castañer advises. No radiator, no tumble dryer: Viscata warns that high temperatures damage the materials.
For a sole that is only slightly damp, Naguisa suggests a hair dryer to evaporate the moisture. Keep it moving at a distance.
Wait until they are fully dry before wearing them again. The Canal 26 article on odours makes the same point: let espadrilles dry completely between uses.

When to give up

Naguisa says that if water has made the sole swell, its structure "could be irreparably damaged" and it is time to say goodbye. A sole that stays soft, misshapen or smells musty after drying is a sign the fibres have suffered.

How to avoid the problem

Check the forecast and pick other shoes for rainy days.
Apply a protective spray designed for jute before first wear, as Viscata suggests; it helps, but it does not make the shoe waterproof.
Keep a second pair in rotation so each one dries fully.

If a damp pair has started to smell, see how to stop espadrilles smelling. For a full clean once they are dry, see how to clean jute soles.

Frequently asked questions

Are espadrilles waterproof?

No. The rubber layer under most jute soles keeps the rope off the ground, but the braided sides and the canvas upper still absorb water.

Can I dry wet espadrilles in the sun?

Makers advise against it. Castañer says not to expose them to sunlight, and Naguisa warns that sun can alter the colour of leather parts.