Kit & Gear

How to take care of your Walking Boots

A good pair of walking boots is designed to protect your feet for mile after mile, on rough, difficult terrain and in all weathers.  It follows that it’s important to make sure that they are properly maintained and cared for, both for comfort and to keep them performing at their best for longer.

Here are our top tips on taking care of your boots, from breaking them in, to day to day care, and when to replace them.

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How to Break In Walking Boots

Having invested in your new walking boots, it’s important to break them in properly for happy, blister-free feet. The last thing you want on a long trek is rubbing, blisters and discomfort from new boots, so it’s important to take the time now to properly wear them in and get used to them.

Rule no. 1 is to make sure you buy your boots well in advance (at least a month) of any big walks or treks. You should start off by wearing them around the house to try them out and get used to them. It’s normal for new hiking boots to feel stiff, but there should be no rubbing, pinching, pain or pressure around the heel, sides and toes.

Invest in some high quality hiking-specific padded socks such as Smartwool and Thorlos trail models and use these to wear your boots in, and then on the trails themselves.

After you’ve worn them around the house for a couple of days with no major discomfort, it’s safe to venture outside. Start off with short ten minute walks, and gradually build difficulty and time on your feet until you’re ready for longer treks on rough terrain.

Bear in mind that a heavier boot is likely to take longer to break in, and similarly a full grain leather boot will be stiffer and less flexible than a lightweight fabric boot. If you find the soles are particularly rigid, gently flexing the sole with your hands, taking care not damage it, can help to reduce stiffness. You can also help to break in new full grain leather by applying a conditioning treatment to soften the leather and make it more supple.

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How To Clean Walking Boots

With proper care, a pair of good quality hiking boots will last for hundreds of miles. Without it your boots can start to slowly deteriorate as the chemicals in mud, peat and lime cause the upper material, stitching and membranes to rot.

Never stow away dirty boots. As soon as you’re back from your trek, rinse away mud and grit under the tap using a soft boot brush, ensuring that you also get out any mud/stones from the tread on the outsole. A toothbrush is particularly handy for reaching awkward areas.

Use this time to check for any wear and tear, especially on the outsole. This includes worn or damaged treads and stitching. If your boots are particularly dirty, you can use a dedicated cleaning product to help lift stubborn dirt. Never put your boots through a washing machine, which can cause the glue in your boots to melt, and will often negate your warranty.

Leave your boots to dry naturally, ideally for 24 hours. They should not be left near to a a radiator or any source of direct heat. Stuffing them with newspaper will help to absorb excess moisture and speed up drying.

For leather, Nubuck and suede, you can also apply a product specific conditioning treatment, such as Nikwax Conditioner for Leather while the leather is still damp to keep it moist and supple, and to prevent the leather from drying out and cracking. This should be applied sparingly, only as and when needed to avoid over-softening the leather.

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How To Store Your Walking Boots

When dry, store away your boots in a well ventilated area at normal room temperature. Stuff them with newspaper and store them upright so that they maintain their shape. Never fold them and avoid exposure to dust, dirt, damp or mould.

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How to Waterproof Your Walking Boots

There are currently some great waterproof boots on the market such as Hi-Tec’s Altitude and Salomon’s Cosmic 4D 2, designed to keep your feet dry in the worst weather conditions. Full grain leather boots are naturally waterproof, and many styles also include waterproof membranes such as Gore-Tex and/or a DWR coating on the upper.

Reproofing your boots is important, not for only keeping your feet dry, but also to keep them in optimum condition. How often you reproof your boots will depend on how often you wear them, and in what conditions, but when water stops beading on the upper, it’s a good sign you need to take action.

You can aid full grain leather’s natural water repellency with a wax conditioning proofer to prevent the leather from becoming dry and cracked. For a suede or nubuck upper, a nubuck/suede proofing spray applied evenly over the upper works well without darkening the leather. You can then use a suede brush to restore the upper to its original finish. For all types of leather, you should reproof your boots immediately after cleaning when still damp. For fabric boots, use a spray on proofer specifically for fabric uppers. This can be done when the fabric is wet or dry. Always remove the laces before proofing to ensure you can reach hidden nooks around the eyelets.

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When To Replace Your Walking Boots

There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to replacing your walking boots; this can depend on the quality of your boots, how often you’re wearing them and in what conditions. However there are some key indicators which can help to let you know when it’s time for a new pair.

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Comfort

Do your feet hurt more than normal? Any new aches and pains may mean that the cushioning in your boots has gone. Try the "press test" on the midsole. Press down on the midsole firmly with your fingers – heavy and deep compression lines mean it’s time to replace your boots.

Similarly, if you suddenly start to get rubbing and blisters, this may mean that your boots have stretched so much that they have lost their shape, and are now loose and causing irritation.

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Leaking

If your boots are constantly leaking, despite re-proofing, they’ve probably reached the end of their lifespan.

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General wear and tear

Check for general wear and tear on your boots, including frayed stitching and changes in shape. These are key signs that your boots need replacing. Also check the outsole. If the tread is very worn or peeling off, this will compromise essential grip and performance, and it’s the right time to look for a new pair of boots.

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