Hiking boots aren’t the cheapest piece of equipment in gear, so you ideally want them to last as long as possible. And to do just that, you need to look after them. But how do you take care of a pair of walking boots?
Scrub them clean
It’s a no brainer that when you go on a walk, especially at this time of year, your boots will come back dirty and caked in mud. And whilst you may just think you should leave them because they’ll just get dirty again, you should try to clean them as soon as you get home. This will help material of the shoe becoming damaged and flaking.
To clean, use a semi-stiff brush and warm water to gently scrub off the mud. If you have any mud spots of the upper part of the shoe, swap out the brush for a cloth so you don’t damage the material.
Re-proof regularly
When you shoes are brand new, you should spray them with the appropriate protector and then regularly afterwards. This will help keep your walking boots performing at their best and protect them from the weather so they will last longer.
Avoid soaking and softening
If you are washing your boots, make sure to not drench them in water so they are dripping wet. This can cause the boots to lose their shape and structure, and start to smell. With leather boots, you should also avoid using products that are designed to soften leather. This will also cause the boots to lose is structure.
Absorb moisture
When hiking in the autumn and winter, you are most likely going to come back with wet boots. If you do, make sure to dry them out thoroughly. Using something like old newspapers will help draw out all of the moisture from your shoes. This help your shoes maintain their shape and prevent smelling.
Be careful when drying
Once you’ve come back from a walk in the rain or snow, you will need to thoroughly dry your shoes for next time. But you shouldn’t just stick them next to the radiator on full heat. If you have leather or suede type boots, putting them next to direct heat can damage them and cause them to crack. Instead, you should allow your shoes to dry naturally in a warm room or outside.
Check for damage
Your boots won’t stay perfect forever and the more you use them, the more wear and tear they will get. Over time, the soles of your shoes will wear down and lose grip – not what you want if you’re out in the snow. If the soles of your shoes are mostly smooth, you should get them replaced to prevent you from slipping and falling whilst on your hike.
The upper part of your shoes can also become damaged over time and lose their waterproof properties. If this is the case, or other damages are too severe to repair, you should treat yourself to a new pair.
With the help of these tips, you won't need to replace for hiking boots for the next few seasons. Shop all footwear care, here.
