Walking boots may well be one of the most expensive pieces of kit that you possess. Keeping your boots clean will not only prolong the life of the boots, but it an also help prevent the spread of diseases such as ‘Ash DieBack’. By looking after your boots you are also preventing wet and cold feet, so look after your boots and they’ll look after you. Follow these simple tips, and you won’t be visiting the boot shop in the near future.
Remove the laces, this will allow you to get to every part of the boot. I usually hand wash my laces and hang them out to dry.
Remove any insoles and wash them separately as per the insoles washing instructions ( I generally wash my insoles in the washing machine)
Use a hoover inside the boot to remove any fine grains of sand or grit that can damage waterproof liners.
Using a semi stiff brush and some warm water remove any dirt or grit from the outside and sole of the boots.
If your boots are saturated, use some crunched up newspaper inside the boots to draw out most of the moisture.
After a few hours remove the newspaper and allow the boots to dry naturally.
Don’t dry the boots in front of a fire or on top of a radiator, as this can melt the fabric or glue and cause the leather to crack.
Once the boots are dry, apply some beeswax or a leather conditioner such as ‘Grangers’ or ‘Leder Grix’ to all parts of the boot and rub in well using your fingers.
Use a soft brush to finish off, this will remove any surplus conditioner and make your boots look shiny and new.
Replace your laces and insoles, then store your boots in a well ventilated area. Avoid damp or hot places.
Also as a Mountain Leader, it’s important that you look the part when you turn up to take a group out, turning up with dirty boots, really doesn’t look professional.
