The Secret of good boot care

Having tried on a few pairs of boots in store and found a pair that fit you’ll want to use them on a trip. But wait, you’re not quite ready to head for the hills and hit up those trails. You should treat your boots before their first use. You might ask why the manufacturers don’t do this, well they do but care products don’t last. We recommend reading the instructions and spraying or waxing your boots before using them for the first time. It is even more important to clean and treat our boots after use. We care for our own skin with sun creams and moisturisers, to prevent aging. Leather is also a skin we need to treat.

The 3 Goals of Boot treatment:

We should treat all materials to make them repellent of water. Over a period of time materials lose their hydrophobic property and will need reproofing/treating.

To ensure a good boot climate modern boots are breathable. This property also fades over time and needs treating.

The majority of boots are made with leather and need nutrition to ensure they keep their shape and last.

Remember, well treat boots last longer.

Prep your boots. Remove the laces and footbeds making sure the boot is dry. Do not force dry.

Clean your boots removing the worst of the dirt under running water. Remember to remove the dirt from soles as well.

It is hygienic to wash inside your boot with lukewarm water using a brush to reduce odour.

When drying the boot, never force dry or leave in direct sunlight. Leather is sensitive when wet and if force dried will become brittle.

Waxing/Spraying is best done when the boots aren’t quite dry as it helps penetrate the pores. Leather boots need regular waxing. Apply the wax with rag or sponge and don’t forget the tongue. Don’t heat the wax or it will over penetrate the leather limiting breathability

Wax or Vaseline the hooks and eyelets to protect them against corrosion.

https://www.ldmountaincentre.com/walk-hike-c1/footwear-c18/footwear-care-c189