Superhydrophobic, water repellent surfaces have attracted much attention but poor surface mechanical properties have limited their wider practical application. Robust surfaces based on nickel–tungsten carbide composite coatings have been electrodeposited. The surfaces showed superhydrophobicity after being modified by stearic acid. The maximum contact angle of water was 164.3 degrees with a sliding angle close to zero. By controlling the deposition conditions, versatile coatings have been produced and the effects of morphology on wettability are discussed. Coating texture has been analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The surfaces showed excellent abrasion resistance and water-repellence.