Just like jackets need reproofing, boots need aftercare too so that they continue to look and feel as good as new. There are products out there that can restore your boots nearly back to their ‘fresh out the box’ best but remember, if you’ve taken care of your boots from the off, the fabrics will take a whole lot easier to the processes than if you’ve neglected them.
Don’t forget! Although treating your boots with waxes, sprays and washes is beneficial in prolonging their life, if you use too much wax it can cause the leather to become too bendy meaning their performance won’t be as good.
Caring for leather boots:
If your boots are water-resistant, chances are they’ll be coated with a substance. Over time and with frequent use, this substance may start to wear off.
Don’t fret though; there are steps you can take to prevent the substance disintegrating altogether:
* Wash the boots in clean, warm water
* Wash the boots with a specialist cleaning product such as Grangers G-Max Footwear Cleaner
* Allow to dry naturally by stuffing them with newspaper to draw the water out rather than drying next to a heat source
Don’t forget! Leather boots should never be force-dried as this can encourage the leather to crack.
What if my boots get really wet?
If you’ve got caught in a downpour or have trudged through spongy mud, your trusty boots may be sopping wet. The best solution for drying them out is to stuff them with newspaper to draw any water out, replacing the newspaper if it starts to get wet itself.
Is it necessary to reproof my boots after every outing?
It depends how strenuous that outing was! Most boots won’t need reproofing after every outing as long as you’re not covering extreme distances. Remember to always clean your boots before reproofing with a waterproofing/conditioning substance.
If you’ve just purchased a new pair of leather boots, before wearing them outside for the first time, we recommend you go over all the stitching with a proofer. That’s all the prep they should need.
To read the full article, please visit – Footwear aftercare!
