Andrew's Top Tip
Andrew, United Kingdom
Looking after your boots!
My boots get a real workout at this time of the year. On Saturday I was hiking through snow, mud and black peat bog. I was black up to my knees. My boots were great and they stayed dry and comfortable and here’s how:
When I get homeI take out the insole and shake out any debris, remove the laces and clean them in some soapy water. I put a few cms of warm water into the sink and with a scrubbing brush I brush off all the mud and dirt. For muck that won’t come off try Grangers Footwear cleaner, just apply it and wash the dirt away. Then while the boots are still wet apply a water based proofer like Grangers full grain leather proofer like I use or they also do stuff for fabric and nubuck aswell. Shake the bottle and apply the liquid, it looks just like milk and you need to make sure it goes in to every seam and crease. Then I stuff the boots with news paper and put them some where at room temperature to dry, changing the paper as often as I need to. When they are dry you can put on some conditioner if yours are leather like mine. Put the insoles back in, lace them up and you are ready to go.
A little care will help your boots to last longer and keep your feet dry and comfortable. Here are a few tips to prolong the life of your boots:
Cut your toe nails as they could puncture the waterproof lining
Wear gaiters if thr terrain in muddy as they stop small stones and mud entering your boots
Get some good socks, there is nothing like new socks
Store them in a breathable bag to stop them going mouldy
Once in a while clean the iside of your boots by filling them up with up with a cap full clothing cleaner and warm water. I use : you guessed it Grangers ofcourse. Leave them to dry in the same way.
Look out for the next Andrew’s Top Tip.
