Caring for Your Walking Boots
Walking boots are not cheap to buy and are therefore a long-term investment. They need to last for many years and over time they will mould to your foot and eventually feel like a second skin on your foot. It is therefore important that they taken care of fastidiously and treated with a great deal of respect.
There are two types of boots: Leather boots and fabric boots, but their care is very much the same.
The first and most important thing to remember when caring for your boots is that they should always be cleaned immediately after use. Dried mud or sand can damage the leather or fabric of your boot as well as the waterproofing of the material.
In order to clean the boot, take out the laces and clean them separately. If there is caked mud on the boot, rinse it off carefully, trying not to wet the inside of the boot. Then take the boot and stuff bunched newspaper into the boot to help it keeps its shape. The newspaper will also help to dry up the moisture on the inside of the boot.
After rinsing the boot, brush off any sand that may be on the boot. Be careful not to damage the leather or the fabric with the brush. Then use a damp sponge or cloth to remove any remaining dirt.
Once all this is finished, make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the care of your boots. This may include re-applying waterproofing, treating boots with wax to preserve their look and shape and various other factors that are important in maintaining your boots in a good condition.
Generally you will need to dry the outside of the boot thoroughly and try to dry the inside of the boot as much as possible. If the newspaper is wet, this too should be replaced immediately. Then apply the waterproofing medium or wax as indicated. Leather boots will normally already be impregnated with some sort of waterproofing agent and will only occasionally need the waterproofing re-applied. Most fabric boots also have waterproofing on that has at least a 1 year guarantee. After that you will need to consult the manufacturer’s guide as to how to waterproof and care for your boots. Also remember to apply your waterproofing to the tongue.
Once cleaned, the boots must then be put down to dry. It is very important not to put your boots in a warm room, near direct heat or in the sunlight. Drying boots should be put in a cool, damp free place and allowed to dry naturally. Heat will only make the leather of the boot dry unevenly which could lead to cracks.